Stars Without Number vs Troika!
Compare Stars Without Number and Troika! side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Stars Without Number | Troika! | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi | Fantasy, Scifi |
| Play Style | Sandbox, Exploration, Low-Prep, Faction Play, Tactical, Ascending AC, Vancian Casting | Rules-Light, Weird, Random Character Creation, Low-Prep, Improvisation, Deadly, Random Tables |
| Core Mechanic | 2d6 + skill + attribute ≥ target for skills; d20 + modifiers for combat. OSR-inspired. | Three stats: Skill, Stamina, Luck. Roll 2d6 under Skill + Advanced Skill to succeed. Initiative uses a random token-draw stack: unpredictable turn order. Luck is a consumable resource that depletes with each test. |
| Dice | 2d6 / d20 | 2d6 |
| Complexity | Medium | Very Low |
| Accessibility | Very High | Very High |
| Runnability | Very High | Low |
| License | Proprietary | Open (Troika! SRD) |
| Cost | Free / $$ | $ |
| Publisher | Sine Nomine Publishing | Melsonian Arts Council |
| Year | 2017 | 2019 |
| Best For | Sandbox sci-fi campaigns with comprehensive GM tools for faction turns, sector generation, and adventure creation. | Fast, surreal science-fantasy adventures with minimal rules and random character generation. Ideal for one-shots and improvisational play. |
| Highlights | Free version is generous, comprehensive sandbox tools, faction system | Simple rules, creative backgrounds double as setting material, chaotic token-draw initiative creates unpredictable turn order, consumable Luck depletes with each test |
| Considerations | OSR combat can feel flat compared to modern tactical systems, B/X heritage means limited mechanical support for social or narrative play | Initiative stack can leave players unable to act for long stretches, mixed roll-under/roll-over mechanics confuse new players, setting is implied rather than described, minimal tactical depth |