Cepheus Engine vs Mothership
Compare Cepheus Engine and Mothership side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Cepheus Engine | Mothership | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi | Scifi, Horror |
| Tags | Sandbox, Toolkit, Ship-Based, Career-Based, Skill-Based, Random Character Creation, Random Tables, Exploration, Simulation, Tactical | Rules-Light, Deadly, One-Shot Friendly, Survival, Atmospheric, Low-Prep, Cinematic, Fast-Paced |
| Core Mechanic | Roll 2d6 and add the relevant skill, characteristic modifier and difficulty modifiers. A total of 8 or more succeeds. The margin above or below 8 is the Effect, which determines the outcome where the rules call for it. | Roll d100 under stat/skill. Stress and panic mechanics escalate tension. |
| Dice | 2d6 | d100 |
| Complexity | High | Low |
| Accessibility | Very High | High |
| Runnability | High | Medium |
| License | Open Game License 1.0a | 3rd Party License |
| Third-Party Publishing | Commercial publishing allowed — Open license | Not yet researched |
| Summary only, not legal advice. Check current terms before publishing. | ||
| Cost | Free | $ |
| Publisher | Samardan Press | Tuesday Knight Games |
| Year | 2016 | 2022 |
| Languages | English, Italian, French | English |
| Best For | Groups who want interstellar sandbox campaigns built around trading or exploring aboard a shared ship. | Terrifying sci-fi horror one-shots and short campaigns. Panic table creates unforgettable moments. |
| Highlights | Career terms generate experienced characters whose skills and starting assets reflect their prior lives. Planetary trade codes modify cargo prices, giving merchants a reason to compare routes and markets. World and encounter tables provide the referee with material for an interstellar sandbox. | Rules-light, well-regarded module library, panic system creates mechanical tension |
| Considerations | Failed career survival rolls kill characters by default, with an optional mishap alternative requiring referee approval. Damage reduces physical characteristics, weakening injured characters until they recover. Operating a ship requires tracking recurring expenses alongside its income. | Panic table can cascade and end sessions abruptly, limited long-campaign support in core rules, stress mechanics can feel repetitive over extended play |