Atomic Highway vs Fallout: The Roleplaying Game
Compare Atomic Highway and Fallout: The Roleplaying Game side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Atomic Highway | Fallout: The Roleplaying Game | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Post-Apocalyptic | Post-Apocalyptic |
| Play Style | Rules-Light, Cinematic, Skill-Based, Classless, Beginner-Friendly, Career-Based, Gritty, Survival, Resource Management, Sandbox, Fast-Paced, Random Tables, GM-Friendly | Tactical, Exploration, Combat-Heavy, Survival, Character Building, Cinematic |
| Core Mechanic | V6 Engine — roll a number of d6 equal to the relevant attribute (rated 1–5). Each natural 6 is a success and is rerolled for a chance at additional successes. Skill points (rated 1–5) can then be spent to boost individual die results up to 6, generating further successes. Most tasks require one success; harder tasks require two or more. When all dice show 1, something goes wrong regardless of skill. Fortune points allow players to add successes, reduce opponent successes, or introduce narrative twists. | Roll 2–5d20 against a target number (Attribute + Skill). Each die at or under the target scores a success. Compare successes to difficulty (1–5). Extra successes become Action Points to buy bonus dice, extra damage, or information. |
| Dice | d6 dice pool | 2d20 + d6 |
| Complexity | Low | Medium |
| Accessibility | Very High | Medium |
| Runnability | Low | Medium |
| License | Proprietary (Free PDF) | All Rights Reserved |
| Cost | Free | $$$ |
| Publisher | Gallant Knight Games | Modiphius Entertainment |
| Year | 2009 | 2021 |
| Best For | Groups who want a lightweight Mad Max–style post-apocalyptic game with fast-resolving vehicular combat, quick character creation via background templates, and a setting that supports road warriors, mutants, and wasteland scavengers without heavy rules overhead. | Fallout fans who want to explore the Wasteland at the tabletop with SPECIAL attributes, perks, Action Points, and the iconic post-apocalyptic setting. |
| Highlights | Core PDF is permanently free with no barriers to entry. Character creation uses Rearing and Pursuit templates that provide skills and starting gear in minutes. Detailed vehicle customization and chase rules support the road warrior fantasy as a core gameplay loop. Scavenging system with random tables generates loot from categorized ruin types. | Faithful Fallout experience with S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats and perks, Action Point economy creates tactical depth, Combat Dice handle damage cleanly, well-supported licensed setting |
| Considerations | No structured social encounter mechanics beyond opposed skill rolls. Mutations and psychic powers are brief appendix options rather than fully developed subsystems. The publisher has not actively developed new content for the line since acquiring it in 2018. Setting material is deliberately generic, requiring GM effort to build specific locations and factions. | Expensive to buy in — core book plus supplements add up, 2d20 system has a learning curve, tightly tied to the Fallout IP limits homebrew settings, can be crunchy for casual groups |