Main Sequence_________________________

Introduction
Main Sequence was made to be lighting fast. The mechanics are aimed at those groups
who don’t want to spend a lot of time looking through books in order to resolve an in-game
issue. This should free up time for roleplaying and a more immersive experience.
This game is part of the WyRM (Warrior Rogue and Mage) family of RPG systems. It’s
direct basis is WYRED which was based on WyRM and RAG (Resolute Adventurer and
Genius). WYRED has had an advanced edition come out called REWIRED that is a more
fleshed out, mechanics heavy game. All of these games are fast in play and fair in conflict
resolution.
There is no default setting for Main Sequence. Sorry. However, it is super easy to re-
skin things to fit most any setting you can come up with. I’ve even taken adventures from
other systems and used them by merely inserting the Main Sequence rolling system. Once the
basic idea of the game is understood it is also very simple to create new rules, races, and side
mechanics to suit your group’s needs. This is usually done by creating new Perks that the GM
approves.
Though it is presented here as a science fiction game, I have used it for almost
everything.
For those who helped design and playtest this game, I must thank R. E. Davis, C.
Hilpert, J. Bryant, Uz, Mr. and Mrs. Mercer, JDogg, M. Roylance, Johnny and Kaylee, Derek,
David, Montana, Skylur, Michelle, BJ and many others.
I hope this game brings you half the joy it has brought me.
Enjoy.
-M. Bryant

Core Mechanics
Basic Task Resolution
All die rolls in Main Sequence are based off a single d6 roll. A natural roll of six
“explodes”, meaning it counts as a “5” and is re-rolled and added to the result. Dice may
explode more than once if you keep rolling sixes.

Example: You roll a natural 6. It counts as 5 and you roll your die again. You then roll a 3.
Your natural roll is now counted as 5 + 3 = 8.

1d6 + Attribute* + Skill Modifier vs. Difficulty Level (DL)

*Note: Combat rolls use the Combat Rating instead of an attribute.
Unopposed Checks
If the task at hand is not actively opposed, the player has to beat a difficulty level
determined by the GM. The following list provides you with some examples (DL in
parenthesis):
Easy(5), Routine(7), Challenging(9), Hard(11), Extreme(13), Insane(15)

Example: Alex tries to hack a computer console. The GM determines that this console is
HARD to hack into (DL 11). Alex rolls a d6 and gets a 3. He adds his Tech attribute (4) and
his Hacking skill (4). The total result is 3 + 4 + 4 = 11. Alex manages to gain access to the
console, but just barely.

Opposed Checks
The opposed check method is used when two characters are
in direct competition. This is a contest of rolls. The player of each
character makes a roll for the appropriate attribute (and skill, if
any). Whoever gets the higher result wins the contest. Opposed
checks don't need to be of the same attribute (or skill), so long as
the action of one can oppose the other.

Example: Lorenz is trying to sneak past a guard. Lorenz rolls a 2.

His Agent attribute is 3 and his Stealth skill is Basic (2). His total
roll is 2 + 3 + 2 = 7. The guard rolls for Awareness. He rolls a 4.
Since he has a Tech of 2 and no skill invested in awareness, his
total is 4 + 2 + 0 = 6. Lorenz sneaks by unnoticed. The guard
comments that he must have just heard the wind.

Circumstantial Modifiers & Automatic Success

The GM may add circumstantial modifiers to any DL as he or she sees fit, particularly
with environmental or circumstantial cases (poor lighting, lack of tools, etc…). When the risk
of failure is extremely low and the task is only of minor importance to the story of the
character has an appropriate skill, the GM may decide that no roll is necessary. In this case
the character automatically succeeds and the player does not need to roll.

Using Edge
Edge allows players to take control of the game at its most basic level (and can also be
spent by the GM for important NPC's to gain a brief advantage). Edge can be spent to do any
of the following:
• Ignore an attack that would have killed the character, making it just miss instead.
The edge point may be spent after damage is rolled.
• Change an immediate detail in the game world through subtle narrative control.
Example: Your character knows the NPC you've just met. There is a shop in the town you
just entered with a piece of equipment you need. The hinges on that door are just rusty
enough for you to try to break it open.
• Re-roll a single die after it is rolled and use the better of the two rolls.
• Add +2 to a single check before the die is rolled.
Edge does not replenish naturally. The GM rewards one or two Edge back to the players
whenever they reach certain milestones within the story. Another option could be to regain
some Edge during extended ‘in game’ downtime.
 Character Creation
Attributes
Characters have the following three primary attributes:

• Soldier is a character's physical performance and survival capacity.

• Agent covers agility, skill and direct precision.
• Tech is knowledge and analytical capabilities of the character.

Players start out distributing 10 points across all three attributes; with a maximum
rating of 6 (six) in any attribute. Players must invest at least one point into every attribute.
Characters also have the following derived stats:
• Combat Rating: an average of Soldier and Agent rounded down.
• Hit Points: a number of points equal to Soldier + 6
• Initiative: an average of Agent and Tech rounded down.
• Edge: Starts at 3.
• Defense: equals Combat Rating + 4.

Skills
Characters also receive six ranks (or dots) to invest in skills. Skills are ranked Basic
(+2 bonus), Advanced (+4), or Master (+6). Starting characters may only raise a skill up to
Advanced (+4). Without ranks in training, the character still gets to add their appropriate
attribute on the skill roll.

Finishing Steps:
• Characters then choose three Tags.
• They also receive (1d6)x$5000 to spend on gear. To speed up play you may allow
beginning characters to choose a reasonable but small equipment list.
• The STAT column in the Skill table indicates which attribute is used. S = Soldier, A =
Agent, and T = Tech. CR = Combat Rating.
• When filling out the character sheet, the Total Mod column in the Skill table is used as a
“one stop shop” when using that skill. Total Mod = Attribute + Skill Modifier. This way, when
you use a skill, you roll your d6 and add the Total Mod for that skill. You don’t have to look 3
different places on your character sheet to see what your result is.
• The blank spaces under the Knowledge and Vehicle skills are there to specify which
branch of knowledge or what kind of vehicle. The character’s general knowledge level is the
same as their Tech rating. Their general vehicle level is their Agent rating.
• In the Weapons table, the ATTACK MOD is the same number as the skill used for that
weapon. If you are firing a gun, ATTACK MOD = Total Mod for the Ranged skill. If you are
using a knife, ATTACK MOD = Total Mod for the Melee skill. This is so that when you are
using weapons, you only have to look at the Weapons table.
 SKILL STAT DESCRIPTION
ACROBATICS AGENT Maneuvers such as tumbling, tight-rope and balance.
ATHLETICS SOLDIER Actions like climbing, lifting, running and throwing.
AWARENESS TECH Skill to assess details in surroundings or situations.
GUNNERY COMBAT RATING Use of heavy military weapons, like laser turrets and chain guns.
HACKING TECH Ability to attack and override computer countermeasures.
INTERACTION AGENT Negotiation, diplomacy, and bargaining skill.
KNOWLEDGE* TECH Information and study of a particular field of interest.
LARCENY AGENT Shady talents: Pick-pocketing, lock-picking, forgery.
MELEE COMBAT RATING Hand-to-Hand weapons: Knives, swords, stun batons, etc.
RANGED COMBAT RATING Personal ranged weapons: Pistols, beam rifles, SMG's, shotguns
STEALTH AGENT Ability to evade and go unnoticed.
UNARMED COMBAT RATING Personal fighting: fists, kicks, throws, grappling, etc.
VEHICLE* AGENT Advanced operations and maneuvers of vehicles.
*Knowledge and Vehicle require a specified field, and a character may have several
Knowledge/Vehicle skills. Examples include Knowledge(Physics), Knowledge(Medical),
Knowledge(Business), Knowledge(Restaurants), as well as Vehicle (Hover bike), Vehicle (Mid Bulk),
Vehicle (Fighter), etc.

Experience Points (XP) and Character Advancement

1 XP is awarded for each of the following:
• Completing an adventure
• Defeating a major foe or obstacle
• Particularly good roleplaying
• Doing something very, very cool
• Suffering a major setback

XP Is Spent As:
• 2 XP to gain 1 Hit Point
• 2 XP to gain a skill at Basic +2
• 5 XP to increase Basic skill to Advanced +4
• 8 XP to increase Advanced skill to Master +6
• 8 XP to gain a Tag
• 2x Current rating to raise an Attribute
 Tags
Excellent Skill: Taken once per skill (Excellent Ranged, Excellent Knowledge (Medicine),
Excellent Interaction, etc.) Once per scene, your character may treat any successful roll with
that skill as if they rolled a natural “6”. This causes the die to explode.

Buddy: Has an NPC friend, partner, crew mate, or side kick who tags along on the
adventures.

Champion (aka “...With a Cause”): Character receives +2 for any Interaction roll on
behalf of a creed, organization or cause they believe strongly in. They also get +2 on all rolls
against direct opponents of said cause.

Contact: Has an NPC they can go to for information, jobs, under the table deals, etc.

Defensive Driver: With this tag, you may add your Awareness skill bonus to vehicle
defense.

Charm: +3 to Interaction rolls when attempting to charm or seduce.

Dual-Wielding: Using a weapon in their off-hand grants a free Parry; does not grant extra
attack.

-Double Attack (Requires Dual-Wielding): Forfeit the free Parry for an extra attack.

Gadgeteering: Receive a +3 bonus to rolls using an applicable Knowledge skill whenever

you attempt to design and build a new machine or device.

Gearhead: Receive a +3 to Knowledge (Mechanics) or (Engineering) when repairing or

modifying a vehicle.

Hard Bargain: +3 to Interaction rolls when used for negotiations and bargaining.

Lucky: You may re-roll a failed roll and use the better die once per scene without using Edge.

Mechanologist: Receive a +3 bonus to rolls using the Knowledge (Mechanics) skill

whenever you attempt to deduce how a machine works through study.

Nimble: This talent allows you to automatically dodge one attack per combat. If taken twice,
you may dodge two attacks per combat.

Off The Grid: Has absolutely no paper trail for his or her identity or birth records. Could be
good or bad.
Status (Group): This is the rank and sway your character has with a particular alien race,
government or other kind of organization. It's rated much like skill ranks (Basic +2, Advanced
+4, Master +6) Once per session, the player may make an Agent check (plus the Status) to
acquire some form of assistance from the organization. A normal request, like information or
basic resources, is usually DL 7, but more intensive requests (security clearance, back up,
large sums of cash) escalates the DL according to GM Fiat.

Tough: Your uncanny resistance to punishment grants you a natural 2 Damage Soak.

Combat Actions
• Initiative: Determines the order of character turns in a round of combat. The GM may
choose to lump groups of NPC's into single rolls per group.
Roll 1d6 + Initiative rating.

• Movement: During a character's turn, they may move a distance equal to one Close
range band. They may also use the move action to duck, roll, leap etc. These may require an
Athletics or Acrobatics roll.

In addition to moving, a character may perform an additional action such as speaking or

equipping an item. Choosing to forfeit a move does not grant an extra action and vice versa.

 Attacking: A character makes their attack roll (1d6+Combat Rating+Skill) versus a

difficulty equal to their opponents Defense rating, plus any modifiers from cover or
environments. Damage dealt is equal to the weapon's damage rating, plus the degree of
success rolled over the opponent’s Defense on the attack roll.
 Parrying: You may attempt to parry an attack using a melee weapon.
1d6+Soldier+Melee. The result of your parry roll acts as your Defense against the
parried attack. You forfeit your next combat action.
 Dodging: Mechanically similar to a Parry, except the roll is 1d6+Agent+Acrobatics for
a melee attack, 1d6+Tech+Acrobatics for a Ranged attack.
Range Bands:
Distance is grouped into six narrative range bands. These bands come into play when
determining if a weapon can be used to strike an opponent and also during chase sequences. A
weapon or attack can hit foes at its listed range band or closer. The six range bands are:
• Self: One's own body and anything being worn or carried.
• Melee: Anything that can be hit with a hand held weapon like a club or sword. If you
can reach out and touch it, this is the range.
• Close: A reasonable shot with a small projectile weapon or a thrown object.
• Medium: Beyond the range of thrown objects. Requires skill to hit with a small
projectile weapon; easier to hit with a heavier projectile weapon such as a rifle.
• Long: Beyond range for small projectile weapons. Requires skill to hit with a larger
projectile weapon.
• Far: Possible to hit with great skill using a larger projectile weapon, but generally
outside shooting range of hand held weapons at all.

Rate of Fire:
• Single Shot: May attack only one target during a combat round.
• Semi-Automatic: May attack two targets in a single action. A -2 penalty is applied to
the roll against the second target.
• Burst Fire: May shoot up to 3 targets within line of sight. Take an additional -2
penalty to the attack roll against each target after the first.
• Full Auto: Within line of site, the weapon may be used to fire a spray of bullets at up to
10 targets. Each target within the spray after the first takes on an additional -2 on the attack
roll against them.

When attacking multiple targets, there is a single attack roll that is made. If a penalty is
applied for multiple targets, that penalty comes off of the single roll.

Example: Ree fires her fully automatic laser rifle at a group of four opponents. They are at
the opposite end of the hall so she can target all four. She rolls a 5. Her Combat Rating is 4
and here Ranged skill is Advanced (4). Her total roll against the four opponents is
5 + 4 + 4 = 13. All of the opponents have a Defense of 8. When the GM applies the attack, the
first opponent has a roll of 13 against him (Ree’s full roll). The second guy has an attack roll
of 11 applied against him (13 – 2 = 11). The third guy gets a total of 9 against him
(13 – 2 – 2 = 9). The last opponents has a total of 7 against him (13 – 2 – 2 – 2 = 7). Ree hits
the first 3 of her assailants. Each opponent that is hit takes 2 less damage than the last due
to the fact that damage is added to by the amount rolled over the target’s Defense.

Damage:
When a successful attack roll is made against a target, the target takes damage
equal to the base weapon damage plus the amount rolled over the target's
defense. Damage is subtracted from the target's Hit Points. If a character's Hit Points ever
drop to zero, that character is incapacitated and could die. Hit Points never drop below zero
from attacks or hazards.

Example: Bob shoots an alien with a Light Pistol (damage of 4.) The alien's defense is 8; the
roll is 12 total for the attack. The alien takes 4 points of damage (Light Pistol), plus an
additional 4 points for the roll over (12-8=4), thus taking a total of 8 points of damage.
Armor and Cover:
Armor in Main Sequence is used to soak up damage and minimize trauma. Every time
damage is assigned to a character, their total Damage Soak rating is reduced from the amount
of damage dealt to them. The highest rated armor worn is used. The Tough Tag stacks with
any armor worn. Sometimes they will soak all of the damage and lose no Hit Points at all.

Example: The alien that Bob shot is wearing armored clothing. This gives a Damage Soak of
2. Instead of taking the full 8 damage from Bob’s attack, it soaks 2 damage and loses 6 Hit
Points.

Being behind a solid object makes a character harder to hit. This increases the
character's defense by a value that depends on the degree of cover. Partial cover increases
defense by +2. Cover of approximately half the character's body increases Defense by +4. Near
total cover increases defense by +6. Concealment — that is, being hidden from view by objects
which will not actually resist attack — does not increase defense, but it will increase the DL to
spot a character by similar values.

Healing:
Characters naturally heal 3 Hit Points per day of rest. Only light activities may be
undertaken during that time. A character who takes part in a combat, a chase or similar
strenuous activity may only heal a single Hit Point that day. Characters with the Knowledge
(Medicine) skill may use their abilities to speed up healing. When receiving such treatment, a
character heals an extra number Hit Points per day of rest equal to the attending character's
Knowledge (Medicine) skill bonus. This only applies if the character giving the treatment
beats a Knowledge (Medicine) skill roll with a DL of 7 to 9. Of course, in the future there are
plenty of medicines and treatments that can speed up the healing process. The GM may rule
that if such treatments are on hand (in limited quantities), the healing rate from a successful
Knowledge (Medicine) check may be bumped up to per scene of down time in the story.

Knockout and Death

If a character (player character or major non-player character) is reduced to 0 Hit
Points with an attack that deals "bashing damage" (unarmed blow,
blunt weapons, or an impact the GM declares to be nonlethal) the
character is rendered incapacitated — dazed, possibly unconscious,
and unable to act. An incapacitated character regains 1 Hit Point
when the GM declares combat to be over, and may get up.

A character reduced to zero Hit Points by a weapon strike

that is not blunt or by severe environmental damage (falling,
impact of a massive object, etc.) is dying. The character is treated as
incapacitated. In a number of rounds equal to the character's
Soldier Attribute, the character will die. A dying character can be
stabilized with a Knowledge (Medicine) check of DL 9. The
character is then treated as if he or she had a negative number of
Hit Points equal to the number of rounds that passed after the
lethal attack. These must be healed before the character can
become active again.
 If the Knowledge (Medicine) check fails to stabilize a dying character, another check
may be attempted at DL 11. If this check fails, a final check at DL 13 can be made. If none of
the stabilization checks succeed, the dying character perishes.

Spaceships
Ship Attributes
Ships are used and made in much the same manner as characters. Ships have the
following four primary attributes:

• Tactical is the ship's hardiness and combat ability.

• Propulsion represents speed and maneuverability.
• Sensors represents the ship's sensors and on board computing power.
• Tonnage is the ship's size/how much it can carry.

The GM and players should decide how advanced their ship should be. For a low tech ship (ex:
Serenity), 5 – 6 points should be distributed among the four attributes. For high tech
adventures (ex: U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-D), 15 – 18 points should be distributed.

Ships also have three derived stats:

• Hit Points are equal to (Tactical + Tonnage) x 4.

• Defense is equal to (Tactical + Propulsion) + 6.
• Net Defense represents the difficulty of hacking into the ship's sensors or on board
computers. Cyber Defense is equal to 4 x Sensors.

The players then choose three tags for their ship. Some tags may be given for free depending
on the needs of the setting.

Using Your Ship

When characters use a ship’s systems, they roll:

1d6 + Character Attribute + Character Skill + Ship’s Attribute vs. Difficulty Level (DL)

For example: Hoban wants to pull an EXTREME maneuver in his Mid-Bulk ship. He
rolls 1d6 + Agent + Vehicle(Mid-Bulk) + Propulsion vs. DL 13.
 Ship Tags
Shields: The first rank of Shields gives the ship 10 temporary Hit Points. The second time
this tag is taken, it gives an additional 5 temporary Hit Points. These Hit Points must be
depleted before attacks can begin to affect the ship itself. The shields are replenished at the
same rate as the ship's natural Hit Points (see Ship Repair). Once per session, the ships
shields can be boosted to 75% of full charge.

Double Attack (two tags must be invested): The ship gets two attacks during its attack
action.

Lucky Boat: When using the ship’s systems, one crew member may re-roll a failed roll and
use the better die once per scene without using Edge.

Nimble Ship: This talent allows the pilot to automatically dodge one attack per combat. If
taken twice, two attacks can be dodged per combat.

Armor: The ship has armor of some sort. This gives it +2 Damage Soak. If taken twice, an
additional +1 Damage Soak is given.

Stealth: The ship has a sleek design or is coated in a material that does not reflect sensors.
The first rank adds +2 to the difficulty of detecting the ship. The second rank adds an
additional +2. The third time it is taken, the ship gets a cloaking device (see Ship Detection).

FTL Drive: The ship may travel Faster Than Light.

Miscellaneous Tags: Tags can be made to fit the ship into any particular setting. Examples
are Detachable Saucer Section, Droid Turrets, Carrier Bay, and so on...

Shipboard Weapons
These could vary according to your setting, but here is a guideline:

Weapon Total Mod. Range Ammo Damage

Lasers Firing character’s Combat Rating + Long N/A Damage=Tactical
character’s Gunnery skill + Tactical
Torpedoes Firing character’s Combat Rating + Medium 4x(Tactical) 4+Tactical
character’s Gunnery skill + Tactical
 Weapons, Armor & Gear
Weapon Skill Damage Range Rate of Fire Ammo Cost
Knife Melee 2 Melee N/A N/A $25.00
1H Edged Melee 3 Melee N/A N/A $300.00
1H Blunt Melee 3 Bash Melee N/A N/A $100.00
2H Edged Melee 4 Melee N/A N/A $600.00
2H Blunt Melee 4 Bash Melee N/A N/A $200.00
Light Pistol Ranged 4 Close Semi-Auto 15 (Clip) $1,000.00
Heavy Pistol Ranged 5 Medium Semi-Auto 8 (Clip) $3,000.00
Laser Pistol Ranged 5 Medium Semi/Burst N/A $5,000.00
Light Rifle Ranged 5 Long Single Shot 5 (Clip) $4,000.00
Heavy Rifle Ranged 6 Long Single Shot 8 (Clip) $8,000.00
Battle Rifle Ranged 5 Medium Semi/Burst/Full-Auto 30 (Clip) $6,500.00
Laser Rifle Ranged 6 Long Semi/Burst N/A $7,500.00
Sub-Machine Ranged 5 Close Burst/Full-Auto 30 (Clip) $4,500.00
Gun
Shotgun Ranged 6 Close Semi-Auto 10 (Drum) $6,500.00

Light Machine Gunnery 8 Long Burst/Full-Auto 100 (Belt) $10,000.00

Gun
Assault Gunnery 10 Long Semi-Auto 20 (Drum) $35,000.00
Cannon
Missile Gunnery 12 Far Single Shot 1 (Missile) $25,000.00
Launcher
Grenade Athletics 10* Close Single Throw 1 $200.00
Flash-bang Athletics 5 Bash* Close Single Throw 1 $200.00
*Explosive damage is rolled against every individual in a Close range band from the point of detonation.
Flashbangs may also blind everyone within a Close range band of the target for two rounds. May be Dodged to
avoid effect.
Armor Damage Description Cost
Soak
Reinforced 1 Clothes fitted and layered for a Casual: $100 / Formal: $500
Clothing fight
Armored Clothing 2 Plated jackets, vests, and coats. Jacket or Coat: $950
 Armored Plating 3 Standard for SWAT Helmet: $600/Body Suit: $1,050
Exo-Armor 4 Military-grade exoskeleton Full Suit: $25,000
armor

Gear Cost Skill Notes

Ammo $0.50 per round N/A Standard ammunition for hand
held firearms
Portable $2,000 x Rating Knowledge (Computers) Maximum Rating: 4
Computer or Hacking
Desktop $1,500 x Rating Knowledge (Computers) Maximum Rating: 6
Computer or Hacking
Communicator $2,000.00 Knowledge (Computers) Future evolution of cellphone
Cardkey Spoofer $3,000 x Rating Larceny +Rating vs. Electronic Locks
Carjack Tools $5,000.00 Knowledge (Mechanics) +2 towards attempted vehicle
or Larceny theft.
Medical Kit $1,000 per. Knowledge (Medicine) +2 to Medicine Skill rolls.
Motion Sensor $500.00 Stealth (for placement) May be used for alarm or
explosives.
Flaregun $250.00 Ranged Single Shot, 3 Damage.
Rope, 50' $200.00 Athletics For scaling walls etc…
Cat Burglar Kit $400.00 Larceny Lock Picks and Glass Cutters.
White Noise $1,000.00 N/A +3 DL to ease drop on
Maker conversations.
Digital Camera $950.00 N/A Several hours of video, many
pics.
 Additional rules:
Alternate Wealth System
An alternate wealth system that I have been using with Main Sequence is to have
characters use a variable Wealth rating. What makes it different from the classic RPG method
is that they won’t be counting credits, gold, etc. The characters can acquire Wealth of levels 1
through 6. Level 1 would be subsistence living, 3 is like a well off merchant, and 6 is like an
emperor.
After getting wealth through their adventures, characters can automatically buy items
that are 2 ranks below their current Wealth rating. An item that is 1 rank below their current
rating requires a Wealth roll. 1d6 + Wealth rating. If the beat or match a DL of 5, they buy the
item with no loss to their Wealth. If they do not beat the DL, they can get the item but they
will permanently lose 1 Wealth rank.
If the character is trying to buy an item equal to their Wealth rating, they must beat a
DL of 7. Success and failure have the same consequences as stated above.
If they are trying to buy an item above their current wealth rating, they must beat a DL
of 9. Success and failure have the same consequences as stated above. Rough Guidline for
Wealth System Conversion: 1 ~ $1,000, 2 ~ $10,000, 3 ~ $100,000, 4 ~ $1,000,000, 5 ~
$10,000,000, 6 ~ $1,000,000,000. The GM may find other ways to deplete character Wealth.

Optional Rule: Starting Equipment

I have noticed that the longest, hardest part of character creation (besides choosing a
name) is buying starting gear. Whether or not you use the alternate wealth system, you could
choose to allow the characters to have a common sense starting list of equipment. The GM
gets last say on what would be allowed.

Optional Rule: Cinematic Ammunition

When running my own games, I have never made people individually count every bullet
they fire. Instead, the players are charged a weekly expense to keep themselves stocked and to
keep a roof over their head. If a situation looks like there will be a lot of shooting, the players
may choose to invest extra money into ammo so they won’t have to worry about running out
during combat. Given this freedom, the player may choose to role play a dramatic spray of
bullets with every attack. Mechanically, this still counts as only one attack, but it adds a lot of
flavor to game play.
If the players don’t invest money into extra ammo, they may run out in a prolonged
battle. This should be handled cinematically and at the discretion of the GM.
Optional Rule: Extended Challenges
This is for when a doctor performs a surgery, an engineer performs heavy
modifications, or other such challenges. A challenge may need many points of success before
it is completed. We will say 25 points of success are needed for an example. This doesn’t
mean that it is DL 25. The player may have to roll a few times to achieve the task. Whatever
the player rolls is added up and when the total equals or exceeds 25, the job is finished. The
players should be given 3 rolls to accomplish the task. If they fail to get the required number
of success points, the job could be partially done or a complete failure.
Another option would be to allow the player to roll every so often (in game time). If the
player gets to roll once every hour, it may take them 8 hours to get a big project done. It may
take them one hour. It might take a longer time, but the player gets more than just 3 tries.

Ship Repair
Left to their own devices few ships will repair themselves. Three times per day, a
character may make a Knowledge (Engineering), (Mechanics), or other applicable skill check
against DL 9. The ship recovers a number of Hit Points equal to the amount rolled over the
Difficulty Level. The Difficulty Level may vary according to the severity of the damage (GM’s
decision). If you only have one mechanic (or engineering team for bigger ships), only three
roles may be made for each day. This means the player must choose what to work on. Either
the shields, the ship’s repair, or some other project.

Optional Rule: Systems Failure

The GM may choose to have a major shipboard system fail or for a hull breach to occur.
This could happen due to environmental factors, but it happens more often during combat. A
good rule of thumb is to occasionally have a system (i.e. life support or weapons) fail when the
ship’s Hit Points are reduced to 50% and again at 25%. For a less extreme fight, have the first
failure occur when Hit Points are reduced to 25% and the second at 10%. To fix a system a
Knowledge (Engineering) or Knowledge (Mechanics) check must beat DL 9.

Ship Destruction
When the ship’s Hit Points are reduced to zero, the ship is in danger of destruction. If
the ship blows up or breaks apart, all the characters on board are killed (unless they escape).
When an attack would bring the ship to zero Hit Points, every character on board must
spend one point of Edge or the ship will be destroyed. If a character is out of Edge, their
console explodes (or something to that effect). This reduces them to 0 hit points and is treated
as lethal damage. The characters who spent Edge survive and the ship’s Hit Points remain the
same as they were before the attack. When an attack would destroy the ship and no one has
any Edge, the ship is destroyed and all hands lost.

Ship Detection
Under standard circumstances a 1d6 + Tech + Knowledge (Sensors) + Sensors roll
against DL 7 will reveal the presence of any ship within sensor range. Some factors may add to
the difficulty (ex: Gas cloud, ion storm, damaged sensors). If a ship has a cloaking device, a
roll higher than DL 19 will lead to the ship’s detection. Of course, the cloaked ship might be
venting gas or leaving a detectable trail if its systems aren’t in tip top shape.
The same rules could be applied to hand held sensors detecting life forms on a planetary
surface.
Chase Rules:
• There are two participants in a chase: The Pursuer and The Quarry.
• Chases begin at a range band determined by the starting positions of the participants.
• At the beginning of a round, both participants roll appropriate checks: Agent + Vehicle
for ground vehicles, Agent + Vehicle + Propulsion for ships, or Soldier + Athletics if on foot.
• If either the quarry or the pursuer is obviously faster than the other, that participant
receives a bonus to the roll (for example, +2 for the difference between a man and a galloping
horse, +4 for a man and a speeding car, +6 for a man and an airplane). Common sense should
be applied in using this option.
• Subtract the Pursuer's roll from the Quarry.
• If the quarry can extend the range beyond Far, it has escaped. If the pursuer can bring
the range to Melee, the quarry has been caught up with and the pursuer can attempt to
capture the quarry.

Difference Change
+7 or more Quarry immediately escapes
+5 to +6 Gap increases by 2 range bands
+3 or +4 Gap increases by 1 range band
+2 to -2 No Change
-3 to -4 Gap decreases by 1 range band
-5 to -6 Gap decreases by 2 range bands
-7 or less Pursuer immediately catches up to quarry

Example Combats
Tryder, the tactical officer of the ISS Valkyrie decides to perform an area wide sensor
sweep upon arriving at new coordinates. (He rolls 1d6 + Tech + Knowledge (Sensors) +
Sensors roll against DL 7). He rolls a 4 + 3[his Tech rating] + 0[his Knowledge (Sensors)
rating] + 3[the ship’s Sensor rating] = 10. The DL for detecting a standard ship is 7. He detects
an approaching vessel.
Tryder: Captain, a ship is approaching. It appears to be the KV Katath. Their systems are
comparable to our own. They can’t take the damage that we can though.
Captain Allen: Raise shields. Lt. Ginger, hail them.
Ginger: No response.
The Katath opens fire. (They roll 1d6 + character’s Combat rating + character’s
Gunnery skill + ship’s Tactical rating vs. the Valkyrie’s Defense rating). The GM rolls a 1 + 3
+ 2 + 5 = 11. The Valkyrie’s Defense rating is 14.
The crew of the Valkyrie feel the ship rock slightly as they take a harmless blast.
Tryder: No damage, sir.
Cpt. Allen: Return fire with torpedoes. Destroy these belligerent fools!
Tryder fires the torpedoes. He rolls a 5 + 4[his Combat Rating] + 4[his Gunnery skill] +
5[the Valkyrie’s Tactical rating] = 18. The Katath’s Defense is 14. The Valkyrie deals a default
of 9 damage [Valkyrie’s Tactical rating + 4 for using torpedoes] PLUS 4 [the amount rolled
over the Katath’s Defense]. The Valkyrie deals 9 + 4 = 13 damage. The Katath has the Armor
Tag and Soaks 2 damage. After the 2 damage is soaked, the remaining 11 damage is taken
from Katath’s Hit Points.
If the Katath also had the Shields Tag, giving it 10 temporary Hit Points, then the
Valkyrie’s attack would completely deplete the Katath’s shields and only 1 damage would be
left over. The Katath’s armour would completely soak the 1 remaining damage because of its
Armor Tag.
Since the Katath does not have the Shields Tag and it only has 10 Hit Points, the ship is
destroyed in a bright flash. Only red hot debris remains, glowing in the void.
Later on during the same adventure, Cpt. Allen finds himself on a jungle planet. He is
engaged in one-on-one combat with the commander of the fleet that the KV Katath was a part
of. After exchanging one-liners, they roll initiative. Allen rolls a 4 + 4[his Initiative rating] = 8.
The GM rolls a 3 + 4 = 7 for the commander. Cpt. Allen acts first.
Captain Allen fires his laser pistol. He rolls a 2 + 3[his Combat Rating] + 2[his ranged
skill] vs. 8[the commander’s Defense]. 2 +3 +2 = 7 so Allen misses his shot. He uses his
movement action to dive behind a large tree. He peeks out from behind the tree so he can see
what the commander is doing.
The commander fires a spray of bullets from his rifle while running toward the tree. He
rolls a 1 + 4 + 4 = 9. If Allen was in the open he would have been hit because his Defense is
only 8. Since he ducked behind a tree and is halfway covered, this adds +4 to his Defense. So
his covered Defense is 8 + 4 = 12. The commander’s bullets strike the tree and a blast of bark
nearly hits Allen in the face. The commander already used his movement phase to run toward
the tree.
Allen returns fire. He spends a point of Edge to add +2 to the roll. He rolls a 4 + 2[for
the Edge point] + 3[his Combat Rating] + 2[his ranged skill] = 11 vs. 8[the commander’s
Defense]. Allen’s attack deals a default damage of 5 [for the laser pistol] PLUS 3 for the
amount rolled over the commander’s defense. 5 + 3 = 8. The commander has 11 hit points and
no Damage Soak. He is reduced to 3 Hit Points. He stumbles to his knees with a smoking burn
on his chest. He throws down his rifle.
The commander: Stop! I surrender! [gasp] I am your prisoner. Spare my life!
Captain Allen: Normally I would reward such cowardice with death, but you have information
that I need. Get on your feet and walk in front of me. We are heading back to the village.

Fin

All text presented here is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 Unported License.
 Main Sequence
CHARACTER RECORD SHEET
NAME: PLAYER:
CONCEPT: MISC:
XP:


Soldier (S)
Agent (A)
Tech (T)
Combat (CR) Wealth:
Hit Points
Initiative
Edge
Defense
Damage Soak
Tags

WEAPON RANGE RATE ATTACK MOD DAMAGE

GEAR
 Main Sequence
Starship Record Sheet
Name: Class:

Crew: Misc:

Tactical
Propulsion
Sensors
Tonnage

Hit Points
Defense
Net Defense
Shields
Armor
Cargo & Miscellany

Weapon Mod. Range Ammo Damage

Tags