Mothership vs Stars Without Number
Compare Mothership and Stars Without Number side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Mothership | Stars Without Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi, Horror | Scifi |
| Play Style | Rules-Light, Deadly, One-Shot Friendly, Survival, Atmospheric, Low-Prep, Cinematic, Fast-Paced | Sandbox, Exploration, Low-Prep, Faction Play, Tactical, Ascending AC, Vancian Casting |
| Core Mechanic | Roll d100 under stat/skill. Stress and panic mechanics escalate tension. | 2d6 + skill + attribute ≥ target for skills; d20 + modifiers for combat. OSR-inspired. |
| Dice | d100 | 2d6 / d20 |
| Complexity | Low | Medium |
| Accessibility | High | Very High |
| Community | Medium | High |
| License | 3rd Party License | Proprietary |
| Cost | $ | Free / $$ |
| Publisher | Tuesday Knight Games | Sine Nomine Publishing |
| Year | 2022 | 2017 |
| Best For | Terrifying sci-fi horror one-shots and short campaigns. Panic table creates unforgettable moments. | Sandbox sci-fi campaigns with comprehensive GM tools for faction turns, sector generation, and adventure creation. |
| Highlights | Rules-light, well-regarded module library, panic system creates mechanical tension | Free version is generous, comprehensive sandbox tools, faction system |
| Considerations | Panic table can cascade and end sessions abruptly, limited long-campaign support in core rules, stress mechanics can feel repetitive over extended play | OSR combat can feel flat compared to modern tactical systems, B/X heritage means limited mechanical support for social or narrative play |