Is Mothership 1e the best Alien RPG? - RPG Review

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[DaveThaumavore]

ERRATA: Scientists play a big role in the first Alien movie. Ash is both an android AND a scientist! Spoiler alert.

[mariodosantos]

9:15 I remember Sean stating on a blog that the decision to make "panic checks" a d20 "roll over" check was made to make it mechanically distinct from the rest of the checks and because most rpg players have d20s somewhere... Basically the reasoning was that when a panic check was called for, having a different die and resolution mechanic would make that roll "special".

[whyamievendoingthis...]

Mothership skyrocketed to my "current #1 darling" ever since I ran the 0e preview, nearly two years ago. The improvements have been great throughout, the system is robust and have never left me or my players feeling unsupported at the table, the modules are unbelievable. Great game, great community, can't recommend it enough.

[MNTwinsBaseball]

When I see art like that at 11:38 I imagine that it comes from the mind of an in world NPC that has seen and survived horrors so great the scribbled sketch is all they are capable of in their near catatonic state. Similar vibes with the art in Veins of the Earth. I dig it. Nice review!

[Sockerludd]

11:38 I love the illustration on page 28, I can feel the intensity and I think that was what they were going for.

[carltonbauheimer]

So what you're saying is that i need to buy both and then just mash them together for their best bits.

[spamphobic]

Now do "Death in Space!"

Also, I'd point out that, while staple-bound booklets may feel less "deluxe, " they're second only to spiral and springback bindings when the objective (as I suspect was the case here) is for item to stay open, and lay flat on the table.

[Mystrich]

My two cents: Mothership is a better Scifi Horror RPG. Alien is a better Alien RPG. Alien does what it says on the package EXTREMELY well, and sometimes to the detriment of exploring other options. Mothership is more broad and in that can lose some of the hyper focus (though not by much because like you said this is still two great games competing)

[reelneim]

Hi, Dave. Just wanted to say that I think you make exceptionally good content. You are consistent in the level of detail you include and video composition, making it very easy to follow along and form an impression of the game in focus. It also seems to me like you must spend a great deal of your time not only doing theoretical research but also actively engaging with the games, communities and even the creators and publishers themselves. As an added bonus, you care about the cultures which inspire the games or from where the games originate—which I find impressive when someone themselves come from a part of the World like the USA, being almost completely self-contained. Very good Japanese pronunciation, and your Swedish is passable (though, here; you seem to have backup).

This isn't directly related to this video, I just wanted to say that I'm grateful for what you do and thank you. Have a great rest of the week!

[himurogentoku]

I think ALIEN RPG is the definitive one if you want to play in ALIEN universe.

It's a great labor of love. The amount of thought and respect the creator team put on the game are incredible. ALIEN RPG is one of the best officially licensed TTRPG ever.

[bilskirnir_]

I've ran another bug hunt along with two Homebrew oneshots. I've enjoy my time with game along with there is good advice online on how to make some modifications. Like changing stress system to work over longer campaign. Since stress in base game can quickly kill a character if not well managed between GM and players.

[discosludge]

The flash frame of the American Flag when talking about barely affordable health care was hilarious.

[DarthRadical]

TTRPGs always have their layouts pulled in three different directions. 1. Fun to read through to suck you in. 2. Teach the system. 3. Act as a reference book during play. It's hard to do all three well, but I agree that Alien went a bit too hard at #1. Though that can make it better for collectors who expect never to actually play the system.

[antonwblake]

Mothership is one of my all time favorite ttrpgs. I ran a little bit of 0e during the pandemic, and have now run some 1e since getting my deluxe boxset. Its got a few warts (all the things you mentioned with the ships being the biggest for me personally), but I love this game dearly

[gagrin]

I think there's one major arguement being overlooked here. Are you the type of person who can and will enjoy running a game in an established universe? Does running a LotR game or a Trek game fill you with ideas, or do you find the notion of trying to fit your own groups adventures in the gaps and shadows of other and perhaps grander narratives a strait jacket, something that's getting in the way of your play rather than enhancing it?

For me, the big problem with Alien - was the alien. It was hanging over the game the entire time. The expectation that we would meet one, and the inevitability that the players knew everything there possibily was to know about them. Mothership, by comparison, is freedom (and that may or may not be a good thing, depending on your needs).

[NomeDeArte]

The answer is yes. I recommend the module “when in Rome”, kinda follow the Romulus set up.

[juanjfm]

I have run 16 sessions of Mothership. I have come across a bunch flaws but overall it's been an awesome experience.
The warden's manual helped me a lot for running any kind of horror game. Fantastic advice.
The 'monster manual' is a weird one, don't expect much from it if u are looking for solid stats, but as inspiration for creating your own missions it's great.
As for what I wish the game had, I guess any kind of setting would be cool. When I started running it there were just so many questions about the setting that I had to answer on the fly (and automatically became cannon on our table)!
I'm not a big fan of the skill system, some skills are too specific and others awfully vague.
Overall I've really enjoyed running this game :)

[dhawkeye]

11:36 honestly I love the weird almost-alien looking marine guy on this page

[augustochuko]

Hey Dave! I just wanted to let you know that after watching this video on Mothership I went ahead and bought the deluxe edition. I'm digging into the manuals now and the world they have set up here is amazing. I also own several books for the alien rpg and my players loved that game.

[plissken]

Alien isn’t perfect but the players love it. The layout is good to me. It's not overwritten like so many rpg's today. The pre-written adventures are fun. Destroyer of worlds is amazing. Im not interested in running a campaign. Seems too limited to make work.
Want to pick up Mothership for sure. Looks fun.