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Esper Genesis 5E Sci-fi - Core Manual

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Alligator Alley Entertainment

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PDF

$24.95

"This is not a game that wants to be the property-of-your-choice, it’s a game that embraces sci-fi’s adventurous side. It is sci-fi with room for excitement and wonder. And 5E proves an excellent match for this, since EG’s relationship to sci-fi is much like 5E’s relationship to fantasy - it is part of the landscape, but the first priority is to play a game." — Rob Donoghue, Evil Hat Productions

“Esper Genesis takes a proven system we all know and maps it onto an exciting new science fiction setting. These folks have really drilled down into 5th edition rules and popular cinematic sci-fi and made it all work together." — Cam Banks, RPG Designer

Brace Yourself for High Adventure in Hyperspace as Sci-Fi comes to 5th Edition!

Galaxies at war, high-tech gadgets and weapons, robots, aliens, starfighters, and ancient machines with the power to shape reality - All of these make the core of Esper Genesis, powered by the 5th Edition rules of the world's greatest roleplaying game. Taking on the role of a galactic hero, you can forge your destiny within a universe of advanced technologies and hidden mysteries.

Heroic Sci-fi Roleplaying

The Esper Genesis Roleplaying Game is a powerhouse of awesome sci-fi adventure. The Core Manual is the first of three rulebooks, containing character creation rules new sci-fi races, character classes, backgrounds, skills, gear, rules for planetary exploration, high-tech weapon combat, starship combat, esper powers, and so much more!

Full 5E Compatibility

Esper Genesis is designed with an infinite universe in mind, powered by the 5th edition rules of the world's greatest roleplaying game. If you've played any 5E game, you already know how to play Esper Genesis. Though the system is easily integrated into any 5E setting, it is also a standalone product. You do not need the D&D rulebooks or any other 5E product in order to play.

This product contains:

Nine playable character races from the Silrayne Arc galactic setting.
Eight Character Classes
Sci-fi tailored backgrounds, equipment, and gear to round out your galactic pioneer
A full list of esper powers, allowing your characters to warp time, space, and matter
High-tech gear and weapons, including rules for modern weapons, burst fire, and explosives
Rules and options for modern and futuristic vehicles, space travel, and galactic exploration
A fully integrated starship combat system
A brief overview of the galaxy, people, and cultures

Remember to pick up your free download of the official ESPER GENESIS CHARACTER SHEET and the GAME MASTER BASIC RULES, which include sci-fi threats, special item enhancements, and setting development aids.

Visit the official Esper Genesis homepage at espergenesis.com for project updates, gaming events, and special offers.

Other titles by Alligator Alley Entertainment:


Esper Genesis Character Sheet		Esper Genesis Threats Database		Esper Genesis Master Technician's Guide

Esper Genesis Core Bundle [BUNDLE]

$69.95

$83.80

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Reviews (9)

Discussions (48)

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Daniel R July 31, 2022 2:51 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Just looked at the currency section, and there's no mention of converting gold to cu.
Looking at the price of arrows, it looks like 1 cu is the equivalent to 1 silver, or 10 cu to 1 gold, if you will.
Any reason this wasn't added, or is it just something that got overlooked?
I imagine someone trying to combine core 5e with this expansion would run into an issue if they didn't look for some form of currency conversion.

Rich L August 11, 2022 6:34 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Daniel. The game is fully compatible as an option, but was designed to be played on its own. No D&D (or other 5E) books are required to play. Gold holds little value in most sci-fi settings, so there wasn't much need to have it in the main book. Though its not always exact, using 1 gp=10 cubil is about right, but I'd also keep in mind how rare some of the gear would be on a fantasy world.

Now that you mention that, maybe I should also create a "Fantasy to sci-fi" cheat sheet. Anyway, hope that helps!

Neil S November 11, 2021 2:03 am UTC

What are the rules for galactic exploration

JD S October 15, 2021 3:30 am UTC

Looking over the sparse weapons listing, there seems to be things missing; for example, the Shotgun is noted as slow to reload, but there is no information as what its capacity is. So how do you know when to reload?

Energy ranged weapons apparently have a limitless supply of shots. Is that intended?

Eric W October 18, 2021 12:16 am UTC

PUBLISHER

The shotgun as presented only has reload to reflect a slow rate of fire. Tracking of its ammunition would only be necessary for thematic purposes.
If one were to simulate a pump action shotgun it would likely have the qualities: Ammunition (7 shots), Reload

Keith M October 18, 2021 4:04 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Lame

JD S October 18, 2021 6:08 pm UTC

Thematic purposes? Seriously? You get bored and stopped statting weapons halfway through?

Glad I didn't waste my money on this piece of junk.

Richard K October 26, 2021 2:30 am UTC

PURCHASER

There are mechanics for when you need to reload a weapon, but the game handles ammunition more abstractly, rather than counting each bullet used, to keep combat fast-paced and not bog everyone down with record-keeping.

JD S October 26, 2021 3:50 am UTC

If that were true, why did you note magazine capacity for some weapons? And list that the shotgun had a reload issue? Plenty of systems handle ammo count without bogging down, It looks like you're just making excuses for sloppy work. Anyway, thanks for the response.

Richard K October 26, 2021 2:53 pm UTC

PURCHASER

I didn't write the game. I'm just a player.

They didn't "stop statting weapons halfway through". Both the shotgun and sniper rifle are single shot and need to be reloaded each round. The publisher suggested if you want to simulate a pump action shotgun, give it ammunition (7).

Yeah, some of the weapons have ammo (ones with single shot and small magazines). The abstraction I'm talking about is for weapons with burst fire. They have limits on how many times they can be used to shoot bursts before they need to be reloaded, rather than having to keep track of each bullet used for single shot and bursts. It's assumed that there's enough ammo to get through an encounter if only firing single shots, so they don't have magazine capacities listed.

Granted, the list of weapons is fairly simple, in that there's a single example for each type, rather than a list of makes and models, but that's because the MTG handles ways to make the weapons in the core book more varied...See more

Matthew C August 06, 2021 10:00 pm UTC

Question: I looked at the basic rules, and they go up to level 10. Is this true for the full PDF?

Eric W August 07, 2021 2:11 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

No, the Core Manual is a 20 level rulebook

Bradley W July 24, 2021 11:45 pm UTC

PURCHASER

It's basically just the Player's Handbook rewritten with spacy language. I was, pretty honestly, disappointed. No non-humanoid races, sparse tech and weapons, and spells literally ripped from the PHB...some of them aren't even reskinned. The setting is cool, but it's just going to be DnD in space. It seems like they had a great idea, and missed out on the chance to add all the amazing uniqueness that Sci-Fi brings.

Rich L August 25, 2021 7:05 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi, Bradley. We're sorry that you're disappointed in the product. While the game was created using 5E's OGL resource, we respectfully disagree with your assessment. There are quite a number of major differences throughout the book encompassing all aspects from character options to abilities to mechanics. I'm also quite certain you can't find a chapter on starship combat in the PHB.

Keith M July 08, 2021 8:32 am UTC

PURCHASER

Is it just me or does the weapons section seem very sparse, especially for a Sci-fi setting?

Eric W August 07, 2021 6:42 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

The Core Manual is a starting point

JD S October 15, 2021 3:23 am UTC

It does. Apparently they're planning on selling you an expansion.

Kevin S May 08, 2021 6:44 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Is this pdf going to be updated with the new errata and rules from May 2020?

dmc D April 21, 2020 8:12 pm UTC

Hi. I'm warming up to Esper Genesis. I just downloaded the free Basic rules. My question is, how much more does the Core add on to the Basic rules? Thanks!

Eric W April 26, 2020 1:11 am UTC

PUBLISHER

The core manual more than doubles the Basic Rules, especially in the unique aspects of the system such as starship combat.

DARKO M February 29, 2020 10:18 pm UTC

Would love to have a hardcover version of this

Eric W March 01, 2020 6:31 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Darko, The hardback version was first released in August of 2018 with a second printing in November of 2019. It is currently available to your FLGS from a large number of distributors worldwide. If all else fails, you can order it from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Esper-Genesis-Core-Manual-AAE3100/dp/1931374996/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Esper+Genesis&qid=1583044275&sr=8-2

Andrew M January 16, 2020 12:47 am UTC

PURCHASER

Is the master technician's guide contained in this?

Luke W January 16, 2020 12:55 am UTC

PURCHASER

No. The MTG has yet to be released.

Eric W August 25, 2021 6:52 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Update on this, we've released it it's here on drive-thru.

Chris S October 13, 2019 12:48 am UTC

So, there is still no hardcover? I really like to unplug when we game.

Luke W October 13, 2019 4:18 am UTC

PURCHASER

The hardcover is offset printed and has been out for over a year.

Chris S October 21, 2019 2:32 pm UTC

So cant Drivethru RPG do a print on demand?, much like Arcadia

Eric W August 07, 2021 6:43 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

We have printed books distributed throughout the world.

Cameron G September 17, 2019 1:32 pm UTC

PURCHASER

So, there's an official bit of Star Wars art in here, it looks to be a TIE Phantom, just flipped upside down, did you license this for use?

Rich L September 26, 2019 9:24 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi, Cameron. All artwork in the book is licensed for use and properly credited to the artists. None were acquired or used with illicit intent, which is actually something we take very seriously. Thank you for your concern.

Ralph T July 08, 2019 7:56 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Whatever happened to the remaining two core rule books? It's been well over a year since the first core rule book was released. Has this product been abandoned?

Eric W July 08, 2019 9:57 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Check out our Facebook, which is Esper Genesis 5e, for previews of the close-to-completion Threats Database

Ralph T July 12, 2019 9:53 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Thank you for the reply, but I don't use Facebook; so I'm not able to see any material that is posted there.

Thomas G May 27, 2019 7:01 pm UTC

PURCHASER

1) The preview PDF is corrupted.

2) Am I missing something or is there a rather glaring issue with the tables for the "spell caster" classes?

I'm looking under the Melder's class table and "Maximum Talent Rank" progresses from 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5... There is no mention of ranks higher than 6.

I compared this to the Cybermancer and Adept and they have the same issue.

Seems like the tables were not entered correctly.

I just purchased the core book from DriveThruRpg. The pdf is labeled as "Digital Edition: Version 1.3".

3) Also, the Melder seems to have way more talents available than other classes. Is this actually as intended?

> You gain additional talents and ranks as you gain levels.
> Each time you gain a level as a melder, you learn two
> additional talents of your choice. They can be of any rank
> so long as they are not higher than...See more

Luke W May 27, 2019 7:53 pm UTC

PURCHASER

2) You are missing the Force Breach rule on page 206. This is how those classes get access to talents beyond rank 5.

3) Yes, its intended. Melders are intended to be versatile. Adepts and Cybermancers intended to be more focussed. Engineers know all of their talents, but must prepare a short list after each long rest. FWIW all of this is almost identical to D&D5e and the comparable classes.

Thomas G May 27, 2019 8:16 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Thanks so much for the response, Luke.

I'm still not sure how a Melder (or Cybermancer or Adept) gains access to a Rank 6 talent/spell. The Force Breach rule you mentioned shows how to increase a talent up in ranks, but it doesn't mention how an esper acquires a talent/spell that is innately at a rank 6 or higher.

How would a Melder ever know the spell "Frost Zone" that is rank 6? Page 86, states "You gain additional talents and ranks as you gain levels. Each time you gain a level as a melder, you learn two additional talents of your choice. They can be of any rank so long as they are not higher than the maximum talent rank you can use." The table above that shows Maximum Talent Ranks never going higher than 5, so how do I learn a rank 6 talent as I get higher in levels?

Luke W May 27, 2019 8:28 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Esper Mastery allows these classes to learn talents of rank 6 and higher.

Thomas G May 27, 2019 8:42 pm UTC

PURCHASER

I missed that one. That helps a lot. Thank you.

So do I have the following correct? A melder gains 2 talents up to their max talent ranks from the table every level. This max talent ranks caps at 5. So from levels 9 through 20 the melder continues to gain 2 talents from ranks 5 or less. In addition, due to Esper Mastery, at level 11 the melder gains an additional rank 6 talent and a rank 7 at 13th, rank 8 at 15th, an rank 9 at 17th. So by the time I'm level 20, I would have 44 talents ranked 5 or less and an additional 1 rank 6, 1 rank 7, 1 rank 8, and 1 rank 9 talent for a total of 48 talents?

neil S May 02, 2019 6:25 am UTC

Are there planet generation rules in the book as I cannot see the preview

christopher H March 26, 2019 12:10 am UTC

I want a hard back book >>>>>>

Jeff C March 30, 2019 7:13 pm UTC

Yes! Where?

christopher H April 25, 2019 8:45 am UTC

I was saying I want A POD , a hard book to ride better in my game bag- I live at 822 w Morton Denison Texas 75020. I do not get what you mean yes! where? perhaps china , but be ware Choasium just got all thier books burned in china !

Luke W April 25, 2019 10:11 am UTC

PURCHASER

https://www.amazon.com/Esper-Genesis-Core-Manual-AAE3100/dp/1931374996/

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