Let's read “Stars without Number”

Welcome to the inaugural post in a series of posts in which I read Stars without Number (or SWN).

Interested in reading along? Grab a copy of the  Stars without Number: Revised Free Edition or buy a copy of the Stars without Number: Revised Edition.

Introduction

The rules light sci-fi RPG Stars without Number provides extensive tools that support the three pillars of adventure:

• Exploration
• Social Interaction
• Combat

Basic/Expert Dungeons & Dragons (or B/X D&D), while lacking a skill system, provides the  foundation. Stars without Number further draws inspiration from Classic Traveller’s skill system and technology. From these venerable precursors, Stars without Number steps into its own with:

• Quick character creation with some interesting options (though no character death during character creation)
• Random tables and systems to help the GM create and maintain the setting for their game

In upcoming posts, we’ll dive deeper into these pieces as we read each chapter.

Chapters

• Into the Waiting Light
• Character Creation
• Psionics
• Systems - Combat and Healing
• Systems - Scenes, Saves, Skill Checks
• Systems – Hacking, Advancement, and Hazards
• Equipment and Vehicles
• Starships
• The History of Space
• Sector Creation
• Adventure Creation
• Xenobestiary
• Factions
• Game Master Resources

Additional Notes

This is a revised edition, yet fully compatible with, the previous Stars without Number: Core Edition and the free core edition (originally published in 2010).