I have been wanting to run a sci fi game about a small sharship crewed by trouble shooters that undertake missions that require delicacy or missions that don't require the power of the fleet to get involved. Basically they are a small task force doing missions like escort duty, ambassador missions, investigations, etc.

The setting will either be on the fringes of the Third Imperium of Traveller or on the edges of the Federation of Star Trek (Depending on player preference)

My biggest dilemma is what system I should use. Right now I am considering the following options:

Everywhen (uses the Barbarians of Lemuria 2d6 system)
Ultramodern5 (d20 5th edition system)
Fate Accelerated
Fate Core Rules (Bulldogs)
Navigator RPG (Spacemaster Clone)
Machinations of the Star Princess.

Due to previous experiences, I have ruled out using Traveler, White Star, Starfinder, Other Worlds, and Star Trek Adventures.

Should I be considering something else? What would people prefer to play?
This message was last edited by the user at 00:42, Sat 09 May 2020.

Two other possibilities are:

- Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE)

- The new version of the Alternity Sci Fi RPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/p...ernity-Core-Rulebook)

Actually, even another option would be the Cortex Plus System from Margaret Weis Productions.  Your story concept would seem to dovetail fairly well into the Firefly RPG that used the Cortex Plus rules.  You'd just have to strip out the Firefly specific setting information and replace it with your own.
This message was last edited by the user at 20:53, Fri 08 May 2020.

In reply to Gamergirl (msg # 1):

I'd be into the 3rd Imperium game. Have you ruled out all versions/variants of the Traveller rules? I've found Cepheus FTL to be pretty playable. Otherwise there is Stars Without Number.

We converted from using Traveller to Spacemaster for while, back in the day. Really enjoyed it but then I was playing a space marine with a big gun.

I'd also agree that, thematically at least, any rules designed for the Firefly universe would, with a few rule additions/changes, work well for the campaign you have in mind.

I enjoyed the 2300AD setting but it's been a long time since I played the rules to remember if they would still be fun.

Agree that Alternity would be a good choice, it's a modern system and not overly complicated.

Third Imperium setting would be a lot of fun. I've missed tangling with with Zhodani operatives.

Something like this is probably best done rules-light and cinematic.  Modern AGE, FAE, or maybe something even lighter would probably work.

Look on YouTube for Star Trek:  Renegades (if it's still up) for some source material about a team similar to the one you describe.

I have been convinced to try a game system that I hadn't heard of before called 'Frontier Space'. I have played it's sister game 'Covert Ops' so the system isn't entirely foreign to me. Since it is a little known system, I will be running it pretty much freeform, using the rules behind the scenes to adjudicate actions. That way the players won't have to worry about learning a new system.

Thanks everyone for their unput. I will be starting up the game soon. The game will definitely be drawing inspiration from Star Trek, Far Scape and Traveller. I hope that if you are interested you will stop by and give it a look.

Speaking of Star Trek, have you seen 'Star Trek Continues'? Best fan made series I have seen!

I've found that Fate is a pretty handy engine for any sort of campaign that isn't focused on combat.

Contests, Challenges (and even Conflicts when framed the right way) can all be run with zero-percent fisticuffs.

The free d20 Where No Man Has Gone Before (http://trek.abillionmonkeys.com/) is pretty fun and rules light, though it might be a little too humourous and campy for what you are looking for - it isn't a 'comedy' game and can certainly be played seriously, but it does try and follow the feel of Star Trek the Original Series, including some of its campier moments.

In reply to RossN (msg # 9):

Lasers and Feelings http://onesevendesign.com/lasers_and_feelings_rpg.pdf seems a humorous (and free, and very light) RPG ruleset as well, but its game mechanics can be used for a "serious" setting as well.

This message was deleted by a moderator, as it was against the forum rules, at 13:03, Mon 11 May 2020.