Star Frontiers
Science Fiction (Hard Sci Fi) Science Fiction (Space Opera) Science Fiction Fantasy (Science Fantasy)
Dice (Percentile) Grid-based (uses square terrain for move/combat) Race Based (Player Race/Species affects gameplay) Random Attribute Generation (during Character Creation) Skill Based (buy or gain skills)
Star Frontiers is TSRs early foray into the realm of Science Fiction RPGs. It was a system different than D&D in many important ways - first there was no leveling of characters... you are given a set number of hit (health) points and there was no increase as the adventures progressed. Experience was used to buy skills - a nice simple skill system where each skill you bought/earned could be advanced from level 1 (beginner) to level 6 (expert). As such, you could be a techie - taking Computer Skill (lv 1-6), Technician Skill (lv 1-6), etc. Or you could be doctor - taking Medical (lv 1-6). There were, of course, skills to increase your proficiency with weapons, driving vehicles, etc.
The game runs on percentile dice - two d10s are rolled to produce a number between 1 and 100. This is used for almost all checks in the game - including combat. Damage is also done using one or more d10 dice. The box sets came with plastic d10 dice which you filled in with a white crayon (also included).
