Black Star vs Everywhen
Compare Black Star and Everywhen side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, and more.
| Black Star | Everywhen | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Sci-Fi | Universal |
| Tags | Rules-Light, Pulp Action, Space Opera, Beginner-Friendly, Fast-Paced, Mana Points | Rules-Light, Pulp Action, Heroic, Fast-Paced, Sandbox, Low-Prep |
| Core Mechanic | Roll 2d6 + ability, 9+ to succeed. Ten abilities rated 0–5. Pick two archetypes from ten options (Commander, Engineer, Mystic, Scoundrel, etc.) to define your character's strengths. Resolve serves as both HP and hero points: spend it to boost rolls or fuel special abilities, but run out and you're down. Advantages and disadvantages modify the roll. | Roll 2d6 + attribute + career (or combat ability) vs. 9+ to succeed. Bonus/penalty dice add extra d6s, keeping the best or worst two. Hero Points let you bend the rules. Careers replace skill lists: your background defines what you can do. Mighty Successes and Calamitous Failures add dramatic swings. |
| Dice | 2d6 | 2d6 |
| Complexity | Low | Low |
| Availability | Paid | Paid |
| Runnability | 2 of 5 book tools | 4 of 5 book tools |
| License | All Rights Reserved | Proprietary |
| Third-Party Publishing | Not yet researched | Not yet researched |
| Publisher | Lakeside Games | Filigree Forge |
| Year | 2023 | 2018 |
| Languages | English | English |
| Best For | Groups who want fast, pulpy space opera with simple rules: pick two archetypes, grab some d6s, and blast off into adventure. | Groups who want a fast, career-based universal system with tons of optional rules switches: run weird westerns, cyberpunk, age of sail, high fantasy, or anything pulp and heroic. |
| Highlights | Simple to learn, dual archetype system creates unique combinations, Resolve as HP-and-hero-points is a clean design, fast character creation, suited for one-shots and pickup games | Career system eliminates skill lists, fast-playing 2d6 core, large optional rules toolkit (resolve, psionics, arcana, vehicles, mass battles, investigations), two included settings with more published separately |
| Considerations | Limited advancement options, narrow space opera focus, lacks deep tactical combat | Requires GM comfort with rulings over rules, BoL veterans may find overlap confusing, no free quickstart |