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Cepheus Engine RPG

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The Cepheus Engine RPG  comprises the core rules for a Classic Era Science Fiction 2D6-Based Open Gaming System. Inspired by the original three books of the oldest 2D6-based science fiction roleplaying game, the Cepheus Engine system incorporates elements of Open Game Content from previous releases of that game of intergalactic drifters and wanderers to create a basic system that will allow players and Referees alike to create their own science fiction universes or play in the ones they are already familiar with.

You'll find the core essence of your favorite sci-fi game here. You can explore interstellar space, make a ton of Credits on speculative trade, find yourself halfway across the sector after a serious misjump, or blow people up with your mind, if you can find training. You can even die during character creation. This stand-alone manuscript provides all the rules you need to play the game. The Cepheus Engine rules were intentionally designed to integrate well with other 2D6-based science fiction gaming systems, especially your favorite Classic Era modules and supplements. All of the material in the Cepheus Engine rules is considered Open Game Content.

Please note this set of rules is the same as the Cepheus Engine System Reference Document.
There are a few minor changes and fixes. It also includes a blank character sheet, blank sub sector sheet, combat reference sheets and a complete index. There is no internal art, except for the cover art and the blank sheets.

Jason Kemp has kindly let Moon Toad produce this edition with his permission. 

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Reviews (3)
Discussions (26)
Customer avatar
Bob V March 02, 2024 7:43 pm UTC
PURCHASER
For the last few days, I have soloed my way through the Phoenix Initiative (32 pages, at DriveThruRPG). This fun adventure was designed for Traveller, but I used Cepheus Engine (172 pages, same place) . I used the adventure and seven of the PCs that are included in this product. I did add Carrie the Technomancer to the PC party. I changed four lines in Starfinder to make my solo engine. The PCs hear of a mission at the Wochiers Highport Corporate District. Phoenix Enterprises have a lab on the planet, but the business has lost contact with them. The PCs negotiate their fee and then accept the mission. After they travelled to the lab by two ATVs, they started to explore the lab. They picked up more weapons and ammo and found lots of dead bodies and a security badge (key access).

In the ninth room they found a damaged female android. As soon as the door was opened, she ran out screaming. Carrie was able to heal it, but the android was still acting quirky. Carrie also questioned it and found out more...See more
Customer avatar
Kevin N February 07, 2024 7:18 pm UTC
Do you have an ETA for updates to the Cepheus Engine RPG with art? I am currently playing Retro Sci-Fi from Zozer Games with my kids (4-7 yo) but may want to graduate to something more crunchy as they get older.
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Customer avatar
Ian S February 12, 2024 5:42 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
At this point no, I am still working out if I should just redo this as is or add some extras and delete anything it does not need?
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Customer avatar
Kevin N February 15, 2024 4:50 pm UTC
Thank you! Looking forward to it one day.
Customer avatar
Reuben C January 14, 2024 12:48 am UTC
PURCHASER
For anyone requesting them, bookmarks are in the "Cepheus SRD 1.2 Bookmarked" file.
Customer avatar
RPG E October 09, 2023 6:07 am UTC
PURCHASER
The "Table: Common Ranged Ammunition" header is misplaced on p.58 of the cepodnew.pdf file - believe this is the most up to date file, but it is ambiguous.

Any chance of finally getting bookmarks (request going on ~4 years now)?
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Customer avatar
Ian S January 12, 2024 10:19 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Many apologises. It is something I can do as soon as possible.
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Customer avatar
Ian S January 13, 2024 6:07 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Fixed! And the bookmarks are in as well
Customer avatar
Brian H August 14, 2023 6:49 pm UTC
Hello! Was wondering if you've had a chance to add bookmarks to the PDF. Kind of a deal-breaker for me in considering a purchase. Thanks!
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Customer avatar
RPG E October 08, 2023 5:42 pm UTC
PURCHASER
No; despite promises to "look into" the issue since 2019, there are still no bookmarks (unlike the free SRD!) in this paid product as of October 2023.
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Customer avatar
Ian S January 13, 2024 6:12 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
I have finally put the bookmarks in.
Customer avatar
jason M August 12, 2023 8:36 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I'm a little confused... What's the difference between this and Cepheus Deluxe? Does anyone know?
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Customer avatar
Brian H August 14, 2023 6:50 pm UTC
Hope this isn't a double-post. Tried to write this a minute ago and couldn't tell if it took.
I found this review of Cepheus Deluxe that provides a comparison to other versions.
https://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/reviews/stellagama/cepheus-dlx.html
The writer seems to have a fairly negative take on it and prefers other flavors.
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Customer avatar
jason M August 14, 2023 7:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks! What a confusing mess of versions! I kickstarted CE: Deluxe thinking it was this but upgraded.... now I see that I was duped and this is the version I actually wanted. That sucks, but has nothing to do with this version.
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Customer avatar
jason M August 14, 2023 7:09 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks! What a confusing mess of versions! I kickstarted CE: Deluxe thinking it was this but upgraded.... now I see that I was duped and this is the version I actually wanted. That sucks, but has nothing to do with this version.
Customer avatar
Andrew P July 15, 2023 9:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
So, this contains 3 files:

(Cepheus Engine RPG V1.2)
(Cepheus Engine RPG V1.3 (no indents))
(erratapages.pdf)

Are the errata pages for v 1.2, v 1.3 or both? I ordered the softcover. Will the softcover be 1.2 or 1.3?
Customer avatar
Pizza H May 16, 2023 5:55 am UTC
PURCHASER
Will this ever get a hardcover?
Customer avatar
Steven W January 07, 2023 3:59 pm UTC
PURCHASER
As well as the bookmarks, is there any chance of adding a version number so we can see which revision is which?
Customer avatar
Benjamin S November 04, 2022 11:38 pm UTC
PURCHASER
What are the difference this and the Cepheus Engine SRD?
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Customer avatar
Ian S November 05, 2022 12:56 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Minor edits/changes, to be honest no much. But I need to get a list up to say what is different, nothing earth shattering or radically alters the SRD

Let me see:
Prospecting skill added, this is missing in the SRD
Spinal Mount skill - added a line about saying Spinal Mounts would be covered in a future supplement
Vehicle cascade skill list- better organised - ground vehicles now belong to a sub cascade group
Vehicle List - this now matches the CE Vehicle SRD
Ship Design - minor clarification about software and computer capacity.
Under Sciences skill description, changed "types of planetary transportation" to "areas of scientific study"
A few tiny tiny fixes - like ' being in the wrong place.

Page Count yep, due to it being two columns instead of One.

Also added a character sheet, subsector sheet and a pile of combat cheat sheets.

I hope that answers your questions
Customer avatar
Jeff S September 04, 2022 10:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Desperately needs bookmarks. No reference PDF of this length should be sold without them.
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Customer avatar
Ian S January 13, 2024 8:09 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
finally has them
Reply
Customer avatar
Jeff S January 26, 2024 2:16 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Oh, nice! Just noticed this reply, thanks so much!
Customer avatar
Peter R June 28, 2021 9:19 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hey I just want to know what games can use the Cepheus engine?
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Customer avatar
Ian S February 01, 2022 12:25 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Science Fiction. Although it can fit just about any genre. In fact there are other versions/conversions out there, such as Sword of Cepheus a fantasy version and Modern War for a modern combat version. And others...
Customer avatar
Christian E April 05, 2021 6:11 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hey there!
I was wondering where the community for this game mostly gathers. What is the most popular and active forum, subreddit, or the like, that I could ask questions about the system?
Reply
Customer avatar
Ian S April 05, 2021 11:37 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Well there is a facebook, MeWe page and a discord one too.
Customer avatar
Dennis M February 18, 2020 9:27 pm UTC
I'd like to see an epub version of this rule set as well as the Light and FTL rule sets. I do realize my desire may be unique or uncommon and must be profitable.
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Customer avatar
Ian S April 05, 2021 11:38 am UTC
PUBLISHER
I could look into that. No idea how you do it, so worth the look for future books.
Reply
Customer avatar
Dennis M April 08, 2021 9:32 pm UTC
Thank you very much for your attention and reply. I appreciate it!
The only way that comes to my mind is to consolidate the topics into entries that are followed by the most applicable sidebars and notes. It would not be perfect, but it may allow a bit more flexibility for reading on more devices.
Customer avatar
Garrett K January 24, 2020 4:41 pm UTC
PURCHASER
The current version of Cepheus Engine lists the page count at 170, but I’m almost positive my copy has 200+ pages (I’ll check tonight). What’s the difference?
Customer avatar
Kenton S November 30, 2019 3:57 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Neither the v1.2 nor the v1.3 PDF editions of this document have a bookmarked index. It really needs it.
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Customer avatar
Ian S January 04, 2020 2:36 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Ok, I will get this sorted asap!
Reply
Customer avatar
Graham S February 06, 2021 6:36 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks that would be greatly appreciated.
Reply
Customer avatar
Odisejs V February 12, 2022 10:43 am UTC
PURCHASER
Bought this yesterday and straight away noticed that there is no outline or links in table of contents, really inexcusable in a supplement that is supposed to be used as a reference for gaming.

So I fixed it :) Happy to provide the updated pdf to the publisher so that everyone can benefit from this.
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Product Information
Platinum seller
Author(s)
Artist(s)
Rule System(s)
Pages
170
Publisher Stock #
MTP404
File Size:
3.8 MB
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File Last Updated:
January 13, 2024
This title was added to our catalog on March 17, 2018.