Since 2017, fans of the final frontier have had Star Trek Adventures as their official Star Trek licensed RPG. The game has benefitted from robust support including sourcebooks detailing the branches of Starfleet, dozens of ready to play adventures and even another core rulebook that built the rules from the perspective of the Klingon Empire.
While the game can be easily played in any of the time periods covered by the films and shows, the look of the game has leaned into the LCARS on displays through out Star Trek: The Next Generation. The newest releases move away from that look while also opening up the game to new time periods and styles of gaming.
Tricorder Collector’s Boxed Set
The box of the Star Trek Adventures Tricorder Collector’s Boxed Set will look familiar to fans of the original series. It looks and opens like the tricorder, the portable computer used by crew members while on away missions. It even comes with a sturdy shoulder strap to wear, making it an excellent choice for groups looking to cosplay at the same time they role-play.
Inside, everything you need to play is included. The rulebook has been retrofitted with an original series focus and feel while also being updated with errata and clearer explanations and examples of play. One rules pulled from the Klingon Empire adds an essential Star Trek element to play: players write up small personal logs after game sessions which can be used to generate experience or for callbacks during the game.
There’s a short campaign exclusive to the box. Tables can jump in right away with character cards featuring the crews of the USS Lexington or the iconic characters of the USS Enterprise perfect for one shot or convention play. There are also cardboard momentum and threat tokens used in play, along with a set of dice that call to mind the classic green command tunic of Captain James T. Kirk.
Player’s Guide
Players looking for more information on the game should check out Star Trek Adventures Player’s Guide due out this spring. This faux leatherbound digest includes some great information and advice. There’s everything from a look at how to create meaningful Values to drive a character to a section on how to convincingly fire off some technobabble when describing what’s happening in a story.
Beyond the specific Star Trek advice, there is some fantastic overall RPG advice in this book for players. There are discussions on how to be supportive in scenes when other players are the focus. The book also discusses who to help the Gamemaster keep the story moving.
Gamemaster’s Guide
Gamemasters have a similar reference guide on the way. Star Trek Adventures Gamemasters’s Guide offers a command crimson digest for the people behind the screen. Both volumes compliment each other with guidance not just for this game but good RPG ideas all around.
This book includes expansions beyond the Starfleet focus of the original books for stories and characters. There are alos discussions on how to set expectations and the right tone with the table. The book also includes useful discussions on the settings themes and technologies, including changes made between different shows and eras.
The guides offer a peek into the future. The success of Star Trek Adventures encouraged Modiphius to expand the license agreement with Paramount. Future books will include content from the most recent streaming series including Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard. The most recent books feature some easter eggs and photos from the newer shows.
These latest books and the boxed set are available directly from Modiphius or friendly local game stores soon.
