Lancer vs Stars Without Number
Compare Lancer and Stars Without Number side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Lancer | Stars Without Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi | Scifi |
| Play Style | Tactical, Mecha, Grid-Based, Character Building, Combat-Heavy, Heroic, Crunchy | Sandbox, Exploration, Low-Prep, Faction Play, Tactical, Ascending AC, Vancian Casting |
| Core Mechanic | Narrative scenes use d20 roll-over (10+ succeeds), with backgrounds granting advantage and triggers adding flat bonuses. Mech combat is grid-based and tactical — no initiative, players and NPCs alternate turns. Pilots progress through License Levels (LL0–LL12), unlocking new chassis, weapons, and systems across five manufacturers with 30+ mech frames. | 2d6 + skill + attribute ≥ target for skills; d20 + modifiers for combat. OSR-inspired. |
| Dice | d20 + d6 | 2d6 / d20 |
| Complexity | High | Medium |
| Accessibility | High | Very High |
| Community | Medium | High |
| License | Lancer Third Party License | Proprietary |
| Cost | Free (PDF) / $$ | Free / $$ |
| Publisher | Massif Press | Sine Nomine Publishing |
| Year | 2019 | 2017 |
| Best For | Groups who want deep tactical mech combat with meaningful customization layered on top of accessible narrative play — giant robot enthusiasts seeking a modern alternative to BattleTech. | Sandbox sci-fi campaigns with comprehensive GM tools for faction turns, sector generation, and adventure creation. |
| Highlights | Free core PDF, extensive mech customization with 30+ frames, clean split between rules-light narrative and crunchy tactical combat, Comp/Con companion app is well-integrated, active community | Free version is generous, comprehensive sandbox tools, faction system |
| Considerations | Mech combat dominates — narrative half feels thin by comparison, steep learning curve from sheer volume of mech options, genre-locked to sci-fi mech fiction, requires grid/VTT for combat | OSR combat can feel flat compared to modern tactical systems, B/X heritage means limited mechanical support for social or narrative play |