Star Trek Adventures Second Edition to Release at Gen Con

Since its release in 2017, the Star Trek Adventures role-playing game by Modiphius Entertainment has introduced a bevy of supplemental products for its proprietary 2d20 system. The publisher recently announced it would be launching a second edition of the game at this year’s Gen Con, with preorders available now, but given this history, existing players may find themselves too financially committed to the first edition to be eager to make the change. This is always a risk when a company releases a new edition of an existing game, but the team at Modiphius has promised that Star Trek Adventures Second Edition will largely be compatible with the first edition’s supplements.

Modiphius Entertainment

So, what can new and experienced Star Trek Adventures players expect from the new edition? Foremost is its departure from faction-driven content. The first edition’s core rulebook is written entirely from the point of view of the United Federation of Planets or the Klingon Empire, depending on which version one’s play group is using. The advice these rulebooks offer for players and GMs is therefore tailored to campaigns that focus on one of these two factions. The new iteration will take a more factionally agnostic approach, allowing groups to share Federation, Klingon, and Romulan stories and beyond. Also of note is the incorporation of new material and design elements drawn from the Strange New Worlds series.

Mechanically, players can expect the wholesale removal of challenge dice as well as a refinement of the rules for social conflicts. As has always been the case in Star Trek Adventures, characters are defined far more by how they interact with the surrounding universe than how good they are at shooting at it, and the new edition promises to bring that even more into focus. Similarly, the rules adopt a new approach to injuries and stress, and new ways for players to customize their characters and starships.

Preorders for the Star Trek Adventures Second Edition core rulebook start at $64.01, but Modiphius has always been kind to players looking to make their RPG collection a little more special. Those who want to splurge can pick up the limited edition of their choice—representing their dedication to the Command, Science, or Operations division.

The three special-edition rulebooks. Modiphius Entertainment

Though the game’s full release is still months away, those who preorder can experiment with the new content by downloading the accompanying digital quick-start guide and the adventure “The Celestial Algorithm.” This adventure, written by Star Trek Adventures creator Fred Love, is designed to welcome new players to the game and its 2d20 rule set and to expose returning groups to what’s different, with seven pregenerated characters and their starship. Soon after Gen Con, Modiphius plans to release a toolkit and GM screen for the second edition, with a new starter set available in autumn.