Always an amazing resource for sci-fi ttrpgs. Usable on its own or with other games.

I was looking for a universal RPG that I could use to play solo with Mythic 2e in multiple genres. There are certain tropes I want in my setting like Aliens, Terminators, Scanners, Escape From New York, and Mad Max. I was able to fit all those genres into one setting with SWN with very little effort. The included "Tech Level" system allows you to easily identify the equipment recommended for a TL3 world (21st century Earth).

The enemy templates are very well done, and normally just use them out of the box, but they are easy to modify. I wanted to create my own setting, rather than start with a heavily established one. This is the perfect RPG for that. Character creation is easy, and allows you to create the kind of character you want.

There were a few areas I was a little disappointed with, like the sparse guidance for monetary rewards. A good explanation was given for why this section isn't fleshed out more, but it feels like a lazy cop-out. I was able to create my own abstract wealth system based on the information that is provided, so I won't knock off a star for that. Rather than saying it's impossible to implement consistent economics because of the diversity of tech levels and worlds, I would have preferred that the designer START with economics, and design the lore around that. It's like they built the walls of a building first then added the foundation later.

I wanted to do Mad Max style vehicular combat, and it took me a while to get my head around how it was supposed to work. I was able to put it all together, and the system works well. Overall, I think the comment that says the rules are poorly organized has some merit, but it's not worthy of a star in my opinion. I would have liked to see them put all the rules for money in one place rather than spread over 3 sections, but I just made screen shots of the tables, printed them to a PDF, and added it to my PDF rulebook for easy reference.

I think Stars Without Number is almost a bad description for these rules. It is actually a very capable universal rule set, and I would have preferred to see the designer approach it that way. The true utility of this system isn't apparent at first, because it's unnecessarily themed as science fiction. This is my favorite multi-genre system. I'm aware there are other books like Worlds and Cities Without Number, but all the tools I needed to play cross-genre are right here. Maybe this book should have been called Worlds Without Number, and then have a Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Cyberpunk add-on like SWADE did. I guess it doesn't really matter, because it's perfectly useable as a universal system as-is.

For combat I'm just using Maptool, and the basic AI from the book DM Yourself. I'm modifying the AI for specific situations, but SWN does play well with miniatures. I wanted DEADLY combat. If my character dies, I just start a new one. I don't like invincible heroes like you often get with SWADE. I wanted a distinct horror element brewed right into the game system, and it's easy to do wtih SWN. There is plenty of incentive to avoid combat and fear Aliens, Terminators, wasteland bandits, and rogue psychics.

SWN works very well for a TL3 multi-genre sandbox, especially with Distant Lights. It was almost custom made for Mythic.

Aside from the few quibbles I was able to overcome fairly easily, this rule set feels like it was designed for me. I just wanted something easy to play that would accommodate my specific genre preferences, and I was able to get there with SWN.

The rules are terribly organized and poorly written. Overrated.

I find the system rather "Eh", but that is mostly my dislike of D20 games, but where it really shines is the faction system.

The faction system is EXCELLENT! It meshes great with the inbuilt starmap maker (which is also great) and the created factions are cool and you really feel what their capabilities are. One could have a game just with different factions duking it out using the faction system. I really like it.

It is however a bit more complex than for example the faction system in Godbound which might feel a bit needlessly complex for some.

So i'd use the faction system for other games to really flesh those out.

It is free and comes with a lot of GM stuff. The GM planet / sector building guide is awesome. I think the paid version is worth it too.

I am not a fan of the system but this is a BOUNTY of ideas for a GM running any space fairing game.

Wait what? This is "Starter"? This rulebook have more info than a lot of other, fully paid rulebooks! If you wonders if this enough to play few sessions: YES! I think it's even enough even to play whole campain. System is really flexible, I can't say nothing about Lore, because I used SWN to play short campain in Mass Effect world. And mechanics fits it like a glove! During playing we found some "weird" solutions but it's maybe because we played too much D&D and we used to some things.

Star Without Number is a masterclass in game design. It's elegantly simple, while still being deep enough to get into some richly complex role-playing stories. Check out this free version, and if you like what you see (and I think you will), spring for the full version... the real treasure is the world-building tools at the back of the book. Even if you never actually play Stars Without Number as it's own game, the system agnostic world-building tables and systems are easily adapted to whatever sci-fi game your want to play.

I love SCIFI and I read lots of SCIFI RPGs.

Stars Without Number is the best for sure.

I played this with a group of friends and we all loved it. Lots of freedom on the GM's end from what I've heard and that was one of the things he liked about it. Will say though-- too much confusing and overly complicated terminology. While I understand certain product names are copywrighted and/or trademarked I do think it's a bit excessive at times and the descriptions are vague. Less is more, you dont need to have all the big words nailed for the writing to be good. Nevertheless, all my complaints about the text are minor in comparison to the mechanics; which are wonderfully streamlined and leave room for a plethora of amazing creativity and ingenuity from all parties involved.

What can I say? This is amazing. Absolutely incredible. High production values, very cleanly organized, thought through by a clearly very experienced game designer. If you want to play in a sci-fi setting using the D20 system this is it right here. Stuck for story ideas? Excellent tables and tools throughout. Want to own and upgrade a spaceship and would like a decent spaceship combat that isn't too involved but provides an easy skeleton to dump a bunch of homebrew rules onto if you want? You've got that too. This is one of the better RPG books I've ever seen.

It's not my cup of tea, but Stars without number is amazing. The perfect joining link between D&D and Traveller. If you love sci-fi and class and levels games, but you hate Traveller's chargen, there you go! A perfect OSR-like sci-fi RPG! Adventure building, worldbuilding and setting tables are pure gold, usable even in other sci-fi RPG. All in all, even if you are not going to run it, it's a good addition to your collection as a source of material and inspiration.

I cant believe this is a free product. There is so much detailed information inside to run a game. I have very little familiarization with sci-fi, sandbox, or OSR rpgs. After reading this product, I not only am confident that I can run this type of game, but I am also very excited to try it. I really enjoyed reading this. It is very in-depth, and the game is explained really well. I am looking forward to running this with my game group. Once again, this is an amazing product that is surprisingly free. Highly recommended.

Some comments after several months of play (as a player):

• Writing is solid and easy to read, "look and feel" is professional. Understanding character generation and other mechanics in general does not cause problems.
• Variety of backgrounds and foci, adding flavor to characters is feels easy.
• Space combat mechanic is quite nice.
• Setting is fun and allows versatile scenes.

I have felt there is only very few issues with mechanics. The one thing that bugs me most:

• After a while, using the same skill for ranged weapons and ship-to-ship combat ("Shoot") tends to cause suspension of disbelief problems and makes a bit boring play. (Characters that are good with rifles or bows tend also to be the best ones targeting missiles while shipboard.) To lesser extent, same applies to piloting (riding a horse and flying a ship are practically the same, .. err.. urmm...). If I were to GM a SWN campaign, I would institute some house-rules to differentiate between the two: perhaps split the skills ("Shoot" and "Ship weapons" maybe), or add penalties when applying them in drastically unfamiliar circumstances / would require specialized training that character does not have (similar to powered armor rules).

My personal favorite RPG system. The revised version very much improves on the what was alreay great in the first and removes some of the obtuse systems (Like combat both in space and land).