Across a Thousand Dead Worlds PDF: Overview

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds is a horror space exploration tabletop RPG, designed for both solo and group play. The PDF offers a glimpse into a gritty, sci-fi sandbox setting developed by Blackoath Entertainment, focusing on Deep Divers exploring alien technology.

What is Across a Thousand Dead Worlds?

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds is a tabletop roleplaying game by Blackoath Entertainment. It is a sci-fi horror experience where players explore dead worlds. The game features optional GM-less play and tactical combat.

A Horror Space Exploration RPG

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds plunges players into a terrifying future where ecological collapse has forced humanity to seek refuge and resources among the stars. As Deep Divers, characters explore dangerous alien sites, driven by mega space corporations seeking to reverse engineer ancient technology. The game blends sci-fi exploration with horror elements, emphasizing resource management and the constant threat of deadly adversaries. Tactical combat and a deep, mysterious setting create a unique and immersive experience. Whether facing gruesome creatures or navigating corporate rivalries, players must make difficult choices to survive in this hostile and unforgiving universe. Mystery abounds in this setting!

Solo and Group Play Options

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds offers a versatile experience, accommodating both solo adventurers and groups of up to five players. Uniquely, the game is designed to be played with or without a Game Master, even in group settings, providing flexibility for different play styles. Solo players can delve into the game’s rich setting and challenging scenarios, while groups can collaborate to overcome obstacles and uncover ancient secrets. This GM-optional system allows for a seamless transition between solo exploration and collaborative gameplay, making Across a Thousand Dead Worlds accessible to a wide range of players, regardless of their experience or group availability. This is a very inclusive game.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The game uses a single D20 roll to resolve actions. Combat is tactical and brutal, employing a grid-based system. These mechanics create engaging and challenging gameplay for players of all experience levels.

D20 Roll Resolution

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds utilizes a streamlined D20 system for resolving actions, making gameplay accessible and fast-paced. This mechanic ensures a dynamic experience, allowing players to easily adapt to the challenges of exploring dead worlds. The single D20 roll determines success or failure, incorporating modifiers from character skills, gear, and environmental factors. This approach encourages players to think strategically, weighing risks and rewards before committing to actions. The simplicity of the D20 system allows for quick resolution of conflicts and challenges, keeping the focus on exploration, character development, and the overarching narrative within the game’s horror space setting, making it great for new gamers.

Tactical Grid-Based Combat

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds features brutal and tactical combat resolved on a grid, demanding strategic thinking from players. This system allows for precise movement and positioning, crucial for survival against the horrors lurking in the dead worlds. Players must carefully consider their actions, utilizing cover and coordinating with their team to overcome challenging encounters. The grid-based system emphasizes tactical decision-making, promoting teamwork. This combat style differentiates Across a Thousand Dead Worlds, offering a unique and engaging experience. The game’s combat rules will satisfy anyone itching for a fight. Prepare for dangerous exploration and to fight for your life.

Setting and Story

The game is set in the 22nd century after ecological collapse. Humanity is now on the brink of extinction, where Deep Divers explore dead worlds for ancient alien technology to survive.

Deep Divers and Ancient Alien Technology

In Across a Thousand Dead Worlds, player characters embody Deep Divers, individuals tasked with venturing into perilous, long-abandoned alien sites. Their primary objective is to unearth and recover ancient alien technology. Karum Station serves as their base of operations, a sanctuary between deadly expeditions.

These Deep Divers are driven by the need to reverse-engineer this recovered technology, hoping to find solutions to Earth’s ecological woes. However, these missions are far from simple salvage operations; they are fraught with danger and mystery. Divers face brutal combat situations and must navigate complex, grid-based tactical scenarios. The allure of powerful gear and the potential for leveling up further motivate these explorers to confront the unknown and dangerous.

Ecological Collapse and the Future of Humanity

The backdrop of Across a Thousand Dead Worlds is a grim future: the early 22nd century. Earth is on the brink of uninhabitable ecological collapse, ravaged by wars and widespread hunger. Escape to space is the only hope, but it is a privilege reserved for the wealthy elite.

A small fraction of humanity resides in luxury on the burgeoning Mars colony, while the rest struggle for survival on a dying planet. The discovery of ancient alien technology offers a potential lifeline, a chance to reverse the damage inflicted upon Earth. The Deep Divers, therefore, are not merely explorers; they represent humanity’s last desperate gamble for survival, searching for a way to secure a future amidst ecological devastation.

Character Creation and Advancement

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds features a flexible, free-form character creation system, allowing players to design their Deep Divers as they envision them. Characters level up by obtaining powerful gear and improving their abilities.

Free-Form Character Creation System

The game boasts a free-form character creation system, a cornerstone of its appeal. This system grants players significant autonomy in shaping their Deep Divers, the protagonists of this sci-fi horror adventure. Unlike rigid, class-based systems, the free-form approach empowers players to craft unique characters tailored to their preferred playstyle, which creates a deeply personalized gaming experience.

Players can customize their characters by selecting skills, backgrounds, and equipment that align with their vision. This flexibility extends to character advancement, where choices regarding new abilities and gear further define their Deep Diver’s role in the harsh, alien landscapes. This system is designed for extensive personalization.

Leveling Up and Obtaining Gear

Character progression in Across a Thousand Dead Worlds hinges on leveling up and acquiring powerful gear. As Deep Divers navigate the perilous environments and confront terrifying adversaries, they gain experience, which translates into character advancement. Leveling up allows players to enhance their characters’ abilities, making them more resilient and effective in combat and exploration.

Obtaining gear is equally crucial for survival. The game features a range of equipment, from advanced weaponry to protective armor, each offering distinct advantages. Players can acquire gear through exploration, completing missions, or trading with other characters. Strategic gear choices are essential for overcoming the challenges that await in the dead worlds.

Availability and Reviews

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds gained traction through a Kickstarter campaign. Reviews highlight its appeal, especially for new gamers. It’s praised for its setting depth, dungeon crawls, and resource management challenges.

Kickstarter Campaign

The development of Across a Thousand Dead Worlds was significantly boosted by a successful Kickstarter campaign. Alex T., the designer at Blackoath Entertainment, utilized the platform to raise funds for this ambitious sci-fi role-playing game. The campaign highlighted the game’s core features, including solo play options, GM-optional group play for up to five players, and a unique blend of horror and exploration. The Kickstarter page showcased the game’s setting, character creation system, and tactical combat mechanics, drawing considerable interest from tabletop RPG enthusiasts. The success of the campaign underscores the appeal of the game’s innovative approach and the community’s enthusiasm for supporting independent game development. The funds acquired allowed Alex T. to fully realize the vision of Across a Thousand Dead Worlds, delivering a comprehensive and immersive gaming experience.

Positive Feedback for New Gamers

Across a Thousand Dead Worlds has garnered positive feedback, particularly from those new to tabletop RPGs. Reviewers note its accessibility and engaging setting as key strengths. The game’s depth, dungeon crawl elements, and resource management aspects provide a compelling experience without being overly complex. Many appreciate the mystery and the potential for crew deaths, adding a layer of tension. Its mechanics are intuitive, with the D20 roll resolution simplifying gameplay for newcomers. The free-form character creation also allows new players to easily design characters. The optional GM mode also provides a good way to allow new gamers to enjoy the game with experienced players or even by themselves. This makes it a great entry point into the world of tabletop role-playing. The generally well-received feedback underscores its potential to attract a wider audience.

Blackoath Entertainment

Blackoath Entertainment, with Alex T. at the helm, designed and published Across a Thousand Dead Worlds. They focus on tabletop and old-school pen-and-paper RPG design, creating immersive and engaging gaming experiences.

Alex T: The Designer

Alex T. is the writer and designer behind Across a Thousand Dead Worlds, a science fiction RPG by Blackoath Entertainment. This project is the largest in scope for Alex T. to date, and it’s seen considerable success through its Kickstarter campaign. Alex’s vision brings a unique blend of horror and exploration to the tabletop roleplaying scene, offering players a flexible and immersive experience. Alex has a deep passion for old school pen and paper RPG design and publishing, a passion which is very visible when playing Across a Thousand Dead Worlds. The designer’s dedication shines through the game’s detailed setting, engaging mechanics, and overall unique feel.