Battlelords of the 23rd Century

Infobox RPG
title= Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century


caption=
designer= Lawrence R. Sims
publisher= Optimus Design Systems (1990-1998)
SSDC, Inc. (1999-present)
date= 1990 "(1st edition)"
1990 "(2nd edition)"
1991 "(3rd edition)"
1992 "(4th edition)"
1993 "(5th edition)"
2000 "(6th edition)"
genre= Science fiction, Space Opera
system= Custom
footnotes=

"Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century" is a paper and pencil science fiction role-playing game designed by Lawrence R. Sims and first published in 1990. The game's tagline is "Roleplaying in a dangerous future". The "Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century" license was later sold by Optimus Design Systems (ODS) to SSDC, Inc. in September 1999. [cite web| url=http://www.ssdc.com/AboutUs.html| title=SSDC, Inc. Website| publisher=SSDC, Inc.| accessdate=2006-10-24]

etting

"Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century" is set in the year 2279. The territory of the Galactic Alliance, spanning several galaxies, is the primary setting for the game. The Galactic Alliance is made upof twelve races (including Humans), and is run behind the scenes by huge mega-corporations seekingto exploit the farthest reaches of space.

Player characters usually assume the role of Battlelords, mercenaries employed by the corporations tofurther their business by any means, legal or otherwise. They face various challenges, including rivalmercenaries, Rebels, hostile alien lifeforms on unexplored worlds, and the alien race known as the Arachnids.

Races

There are many alien races in the Battlelords universe, but twelve are presented in the basic rulebook and form the basis for the Galactic Alliance.

Alliance Races

* Chatilian Empath
* Cizerack
* Eridani Swordsaint
* Gen-Human
* Human
* Mazian
* Mutzachan
* Orion Rogue
* Phentari
* Python Lizard
* Ram Python
* Zen Rigeln (Tza Zen Rigeln)

Additional Player Races

* Aeodronian
* Andromeni
* Ashanti
* Fott
* Gemini
* Goola Goola
* I-Bot
* Ikrini Geomancer
* Jezzadeic Priest
* Kizanti
* Misha
* Tanndai Techknight

Hostile Races

* Arachnids
* Krakeds
* Xarians

Locations

The Galactic Alliance spans portions of several galaxies, including the Milky Way, Andromeda, Fornax, Spirax, M32, and the Magellanic Clouds. Details of two 'sectors' of the Fornax Galaxy are presented in the planetary atlas supplements, "No Man's Land" and "Hell's Kitchen".

ystem

"Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century" features a d100 (percentile) based system for resolving combat and skill checks.

Character Statistics and Skills

Each character has eight Vital Statistics scores and four Secondary Statistics scores. These are significantly influencedby the character's race. There are no character classes or character levels in "Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century"; the system is skill-based, with skills being increased with experience earned. Some races have matrix abilities (psionics) which can also be advanced with character experience, while other races are more suited for physical combat or other occupations. [cite web| url=http://www.ssdc.com/Catalog/Battlelords.php| title="Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century"| publisher=SSDC, Inc.| accessdate=2006-10-24]

Combat

Combat is resolved through the use of d100 attack rolls and detailed hit location tables; futuristic armor systems and massive critical hits feature prominently. Actions are resolved in segments (1 second each) and rounds (3 seconds each).

Other system features

As of 2007, the system does not feature rules for space combat. These rules are planned for forthcoming supplements.Vehicle rules were added to the system with the publication of Engines of War in 2007.

History

"Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century" has been published in 6 editions since 1990:
* First edition (black-and-white cover illustration of a Ram Python, published 1990).
* Second edition (black-and-white battle scene)
* Third edition (red 'cloud' background with a Phentari on the cover)
* Fourth edition ('Blue' battle scene with a sword-wielding Eridani prominent)
* Fifth edition (Black cover with a full-color cityscape illustration)
* Sixth edition (featuring a montage of races and starships on the front cover, published 2000).
SSDC, Inc. now produces the core rulebook and all supplements. A number of printed supplements are available for the game, including two equipment manuals, a vehicle rulebook, two planetary atlases, three player companion accessories, and an alternate campaign setting.

pinoffs

The game inspired a collectible card game named "Battlelords" released in 1995.

References

External links

* [http://www.ssdc.com/Games/Battlelords.html "Battlelords" website (ssdc.com)]