What's a Tabletop RPG (TTRPG)? A Quick Guide for New Recruits
If you're new to tabletop gaming from computer RPGs, think of a TTRPG like a video game powered by collective imagination. Your Gatemaster (GM) sets the scene, and you and your friends decide what your characters do – the freedom is limitless! Instead of graphics, you use "Theatre of the Mind" (though maps are usable too!). It's about collaborative storytelling, creativity, and bringing your own Stargate RPG adventures to life.
Your Mission: The Phoenix Site & the Stargate 5e Engine
In this Stargate SG-1 RPG, you won't replace the legendary Jack O'Neill. Instead, you're part of a new SG team operating from the Phoenix Site, a separate base fighting the Goa'uld. This clever setup gives players agency within the Stargate universe without contradicting show canon. Wyvern Gaming even supports play with an ongoing "Stargate: Phoenix - A Living RPG Series" campaign, offering ready-made "episodes."
The game's core mechanics are built on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) OGL. If you know D&D 5e, the basic d20 system will feel very familiar, making the Stargate 5e adaptation accessible. This familiarity is a huge plus for finding players.
However, this isn't just a simple Stargate D&D 5e reskin. Adapting fantasy-focused 5e for a modern sci-fi TTRPG requires significant changes. A key question for players is how well this 5e sci-fi conversion works.
Key Stargate RPG Mechanics: How Wyvern Adapted 5e
Wyvern Gaming introduced several unique Stargate RPG mechanics to capture the SG-1 feel:
Level 5 Cap & Flexible "Cross-Training"
Characters develop using one of the six starting classes (like Scientist, Scout, Diplomat) up to Level 5. After that, the Stargate SG-1 RPG uses a "classless leveling" or "cross-training" system. You pick from a broad list of feat-like abilities, allowing you to build a versatile operative reflecting the broad skills seen in SG-1, rather than being locked into a single high-level class path.
Moxie: Taking Initiative in Social Encounters
Forget simple Persuasion checks. The Stargate RPG introduces Moxie, a stat determining turn order in social situations. It gives charismatic or quick-witted characters a chance to shine and adds much-needed structure to negotiation, a core part of any Stargate mission.
Determination Points (DP): Your Heroic Resource
Similar to Hero Points or 5e's Inspiration, DP is a spendable resource in the Stargate TTRPG. Use DP to re-roll dice, fuel special abilities, or push the narrative forward – perfect for those critical moments.
Specialized Encounter Rules for Authentic Action
This isn't just about combat. The Stargate SG-1 RPG features specific rules for key scenarios: tense Firefights, desperate Pursuits, complex Research & Development challenges, delicate Convince (negotiation) scenes, and more. These aim to make different types of challenges feel unique and reflect the show's episodic variety.
Combat Feel & Lethality in the Stargate RPG
How deadly is combat? The game uses familiar 5e concepts like AC and Hit Points. However, there's ongoing discussion (as noted in analysis reports) about whether standard 5e HP scaling accurately reflects sci-fi weapon danger compared to alternatives like a Wound/Vitality system. The Stargate RPG often encourages clever solutions over direct conflict, mirroring the SG-1 approach.
Stargate RPG Character Creation: Building Your Team
Stargate RPG character creation offers familiar elements with setting-specific twists:
Races: Play as Human (from Earth or elsewhere), Jaffa, Tok'ra, or the game-specific Aturen.
Origins: Add depth with backgrounds that define your character's history and motivations.
Classes: Start with one of six initial classes tailored for sci-fi TTRPG roles.
Equipment: Gear up with P90s, Zat'nik'tels, staff weapons, and potentially manage Tech Levels appropriate for the worlds you visit.
The Verdict: Should You Join the Stargate RPG Phoenix Site?
Wyvern Gaming's Stargate SG-1 Roleplaying Game successfully blends the familiar 5e system with mechanics designed to evoke the feel of the beloved TV show. But is this Stargate TTRPG the right fit for your table?
You're a Stargate fan who enjoys D&D 5e.
You want an official Stargate RPG with campaign support (Living Campaign).
Easy onboarding via the popular 5e ruleset is appealing.
You like 5e but want better social mechanics and more encounter variety.
You prioritize story and problem-solving in your sci-fi TTRPG.
Consider Alternative Systems If:
You fundamentally dislike the D&D 5e system.
You seek a deep sci-fi simulation (e.g., Traveller).
You prefer fast, cinematic action (e.g., Savage Worlds).
You need highly tactical combat and complex builds (e.g., Pathfinder, Starfinder).
You are concerned about 5e adaptations for sci-fi feeling potentially clunky.
Final Transmission: Your Stargate TTRPG Adventure Awaits?
The Stargate SG-1 RPG from Wyvern Gaming is a commendable effort, offering an accessible gateway to tabletop adventures in the Stargate universe. Its unique mechanics, like Moxie and specialized encounters, genuinely try to capture the SG-1 spirit. While the Stargate 5e adaptation might not satisfy every TTRPG player, especially those seeking purpose-built sci-fi systems, it provides a solid and officially supported way to create your legends through the gate. If you're ready for exploration, diplomacy, and maybe fighting a few snakeheads, this Stargate RPG is well worth investigating.
