Arrhenius vs Mothership
Compare Arrhenius and Mothership side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Arrhenius | Mothership | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi, Post-Apocalyptic | Scifi, Horror |
| Play Style | Tactical, Survival, Resource Management, Inventory Management, Character Building, Classless, Crunchy, GM-Friendly | Rules-Light, Deadly, One-Shot Friendly, Survival, Atmospheric, Low-Prep, Cinematic, Fast-Paced |
| Core Mechanic | For skill checks, roll a d20 and add the two relevant Talents plus the applicable Education score. A total of 21 or higher succeeds. Before a non-damage d20 roll, Luck Points can add +1 each to its bonus. | Roll d100 under stat/skill. Stress and panic mechanics escalate tension. |
| Dice | d20 | d100 |
| Complexity | High | Low |
| Accessibility | High | High |
| Runnability | Very High | Medium |
| License | All Rights Reserved | 3rd Party License |
| Cost | $ | $ |
| Publisher | Dungeonteller, LLC | Tuesday Knight Games |
| Year | 2025 | 2022 |
| Best For | Groups who want a survival-focused science-fiction campaign where characters cross frozen ruins, manage limited equipment, and resolve fights on a tactical grid. | Terrifying sci-fi horror one-shots and short campaigns. Panic table creates unforgettable moments. |
| Highlights | Frost Points turn prolonged exposure to subzero conditions into resilience checks, so shelter and protective gear shape expeditions. The optional Tuning Session assigns Talent scores through a short character-memory scenario, tying early choices to the resulting build. Combat uses a 2-meter grid with optional Perks that award attack bonuses for flanking or high ground. | Rules-light, well-regarded module library, panic system creates mechanical tension |
| Considerations | Exposure to subzero temperatures triggers a Resilience check every 20 minutes of real table time and failure costs one Frost Point. Broad equipment archetypes rely on the Dungeonteller to define the specific items characters encounter. Combat resolves each attack through opposed rolls before damage is rolled. | Panic table can cascade and end sessions abruptly, limited long-campaign support in core rules, stress mechanics can feel repetitive over extended play |