Cause Fear 5e

Cause Fear 5e, Fear 5e, and the Frightened condition can be one of the most useful series of spells/ effects you can cast in D&D 5th edition. Fear can debilitate enemies, cause them to run from you, and generally destroy an enemy's combat strategy.


As if that weren't enough though, with the right dungeon master, Fear can provide you advantages in all kinds of situations. If you’re looking for practical tips and tricks to maximize the use of this spell and beat every enemy you face, this guide is for you! Also, be sure to check out my guide on Silence 5e for strategies on maximizing your game.

Cause Fear 5e Spell Effect

Cause Fear 5e Spell Effect

1st-level necromancy


Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Components: V

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute


You awaken the sense of mortality in one creature you can see within range. A construct or an undead is immune to this effect. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the spell ends. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.


At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level about 1st. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.



Cause Fear 5e

Cause Fear 5e Effects

According to Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the Cause Fear spell “awakens the sense of mortality” in a targeted creature. When this spell is in effect, the target is placed in a Frightened condition.


The Frightened condition gives the target disadvantage on ability and attack rolls while the caster is nearby. The target is also not capable of moving closer to the caster of the effect, so long as Cause Fear remains in effect.


Unless the affected target succeeds on a Wisdom save, they remain in their Frightened condition for the duration of the spell. The affected creature can do a saving throw after the end of each of its turns. The Cause Fear spell could last a whole minute if the affected target is unsuccessful with their Wisdom throws, meaning that in a best-case scenario, they could be shut out from an entire combat encounter. Absolutely incredible.


What Classes Can Cast Cause Fear 5e?

This first-level Necromancy spell is exclusive to warlocks and wizards in D&D 5e.

Normally cause fear only affects one target. However, when casting, you can target more nearby enemies for each spell slot above level one. For example, you could target two additional creatures within 30 feet of your first target if you cast cause fear with a third-level spell slot.


Using Cause Fear in Combat Encounters

In most cases, wizards and warlocks typically cast Cause Fear during combat encounters. When it comes to combat, the Frightened condition in 5e is a strategic condition you can use to turn the tides in your favor.


The Cause Fear spell can deliver a significant competitive advantage during battles, as the Frightened creature has attack roll disadvantages. Couple the attack roll disadvantage with the fact that the feared target can’t move towards the spell’s caster, and you have the recipe for a possible win condition.


The biggest downsides to Cause Fear 5e is that the spell does not work on constructs or undead. It’s also a relatively easy spell to shake off, compared to Fear 5e, which only allows affected targets a continued Wisdom save while out of sight from the spell’s caster.


Using Cause Fear in Roleplay Encounters

Aside from its battleground advantage, you can use Cause Fear 5e in roleplay encounters or really almost any situation in an RPG campaign. Since the Frightened condition also bestows an ability check disadvantage, it can be used to prevent affected creatures from performing specific actions or overcoming obstacles. With Cause Fear 5e, the likelihood of dying from a fall, for example, is much more prevalent.


If your dungeon master allows it, you could use Cause Fear to sway negotiations, help with intimidation, or even sneak past guards who become suddenly and inexplicably incapacitated from fear.

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How to Optimize the Cause Fear 5e Spell

The Cause Fear 5e and similar Fear 5e spells are beneficial in various D&D gaming situations. From combat advantage to landscape control, this spell plays a critical role in the game. All you need is a basic understanding of the spell’s mechanics to learn how to use it to your advantage.


If you want to reap the full benefits of this spell, you need to be mindful and strategic about when and how to cast it:


  • Keep your enemies close: since Frightened creatures have an attack disadvantage, keeping them close is an excellent strategy. If you excel in close range combat, minimize the distance between you and your target so they’re forced to fight you with an attack debuff.
  • Break down a group of enemies: fright-inducing spells are also best for breaking down groups of enemies. You can use a high-level spell slot to target multiple enemies. Since there’s a slim chance that everyone makes a successful Wisdom throw, some of your enemies will be rendered useless in the fight. Oftentimes, reducing enemy numbers can be a major factor in preventing a complete TPK.
  • Tag team with your allies: you can maximize the effects of your spell when you collaborate with your allies. Ask your team to help attack your feared target while you keep your distance, to minimize the enemy’s chances of making a successful counterattack.
  • Force your enemies to waste turns: if your target creature decides to run away from your spell’s range, they could potentially lose two to three turns. This spell has a wide range of 60 feet, so they must run as far away from you as possible to avoid its effects. Honestly, whenever an enemy is wasting turns, you benefit tremendously. This scenario is almost always best-case for your cause.
  • Don’t use other concentration spells: it’s basic D&D logic not to use another concentration spell if you’re already using one. So, make sure you don’t need other spells that require active concentration when you’re considering a Cause Fear cast. That way, you don’t accidentally cancel or end the current spell’s effects before completion.


When Not to Cast Fear 5e

As powerful as Cause Fear 5e and Fear 5e are, specific classes, traits, and other spells can counter its effects. Avoid using the Cause Fear and Fear 5e spells against the following classes and subclasses, as they all have some inherent resistance or counter to the effect:


  • Barbarians (Path of Berserker)
  • Bard
  • Druid (Circle of the Land)
  • Fighter
  • Monk
  • Paladin
  • Rogue
  • Warlock (The Fiend)
  • Wizard (School of Divination)


Other subclasses could also resist the Frightened condition. However, the ones above are listed in the 5e Player’s Handbook, and are the most common challenges you’ll face for casting Fear spells.


Utilizing Fear to Bolster Your Allies

Since Cause Fear is a fright-based spell that could cause the target to have attack disadvantages, partnering up with a defensive and offensive class, such as paladins, fighters, and barbarians, are excellent combinations to exploit the spell’s effects. You can also team up with monks and rogues, as they can also deal significant damage.


Synergizing your cause fear spell with powerful ally attacks can cause you overwhelm your enemy, and win thorough victories.


Use Fear to Your Advantage

Cause Fear 5e is a potent spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5e when used with the right strategy. With its advantages on and off the battlefield, you can use it to drive your enemies away or go for a kill.


Remember that distance and positioning play a critical role in successfully using this spell. Use your knowledge and creativity to make the most of this spell, and you’ll be able to master it in no time.

Cause Fear 5e and Fear 5e

Cause Fear in D&D 5e vs. Eternity TTRPG

In D&D 5e, the Cause Fear and Fear spells give the target disadvantage on attack and ability rolls, and make it so that the target can’t move closer to the caster. This means that a Feared target can still attack someone who cast Fear upon them, just with a lowered hit chance.

 

In the Eternity TTRPG Game System, Feared targets can’t attack the caster of the spell/ user of the effect at all so long as there are other targets nearby who can be attacked. In Eternity TTRPG, fear is basically the opposite of a Taunt or provoke effect. Instead of only being able to attack one target, the recipient of the spell can’t attack one specified target.

 

Causing an enemy to be incapable of attacking someone of your choice for the spell’s duration is insanely powerful under the right circumstances. Imagine a scenario where an ally is about to die, but then the enemy attacking them gets Feared, and can no longer attack.

 

What Races and Classes in Eternity TTRPG can Cast Fear?

Sage (Core Rulebook) and Revenant/ Witch (Classes Expansion) are the only classes that receive Fear as a core class spell. Additionally, the Muse race has an empowered Fear-like racial power they can utilize, as well.

 

Other classes also have have specialization/ critical options that allow them to obtain Fear. These classes are the Dragon Knight, Paladin, Vampire Mage, and Vanguard.

 

In Eternity TTRPG, the ways that Fear functions with each class (and race) capable of casting it vary greatly:

 

Sage – Core Class Spell

Terrify (Magic): 4Range, Faith vs. Resilience, target becomes Afraid of any target of your choice for 3turns.  

           (Double-Hit): target becomes Afraid for an additional 3turns.

  • (Darkness and Light) Also, up to 3 enemies in 4Range of your target, -7Faith vs. Will, deals 1light damage (deals 2damage to Shadow Aura units).  
  • (Secrets of the Ancient Tomes) +7Faith vs. Resilience, target becomes Afraid for 4turns. This critical cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.
  • (Powers of the Eternals) 4Range, you also heal a target of your choice +1HP. This critical allows the target to heal 1HP above their normal max HP. This effect also Fatigues the target, giving lowered Resilience, Dodge, and Will for 1Day Duration (can stack without limit).

 

Revenant/ Witch – Core Class Spell

Waking Nightmare (Magic): weapon Range, Strike Bonus vs. Resilience or 4Range, Faith vs. Resilience. If this spell hits, every turn, on the target’s turn, roll d20. If you roll 6-20, target becomes Afraid of any target of your choice for 1turn.

           (Double-Hit): also deals 1damage.

  • (Grimly Fated) If this spell hits, it also deals 1damage.
  • (Of the Dread Vale) +7Strike Bonus vs. Resilience, or +7Faith vs. Resilience. If this critical hits, every turn on the target’s turn, roll d20. If you roll 16-20, Daze for 1turn. This critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.
  • (Witch’s Coven) If this spell hits, the target also has -3Resilience, -3Dodge, and -3Will on turns when they are Afraid.
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Muse – Racial Power

Fey Charm (Magic): Instant Action. 4Range, Faith vs. Resilience, the target cannot attack you for 3turns. 1Day Recharge.

           If you affect a target with “Fey Charm” for 3Days in a row, they become enthralled with you (perhaps even falling in love with you), and cannot attack you, for 1year.

           (Double-Hit): 6turns.

 

Dragon Knight – Specialization/ Critical Option

Dragon Flight: the “Dragon” can fly, and can be ridden. While riding your “Dragon,” dragon knight and “Dragon” count as one unit when targeted by Area of Effect attacks, and cannot both be attacked. Mounting or dismounting is an Instant Action, but can only be performed on your turn. While riding, dragon knight and “Dragon” share move Actions, but can still each attack, separately.

           While flying, the “Dragon” gains +1Speed, but both dragon knight and “Dragon” have -2Resilience, -2Dodge, and -2Will. Unlimited Duration.

  • (Knight of the Blood Oath) Every turn, roll d20. If you roll 15-20, choose one enemy in 4Range, +7Faith vs. Resilience, causes them to be Afraid of any target of your choice for 1turn. This critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block. You can instead choose to continually maintain this critical for 3Intelligence (and 0Wisdom). 

 

Paladin – Specialization/ Critical Option

Light’s Wrath (Magic): 4Range, this spell automatically hits. Every time you or an ally attacks the target, roll d20. If you or your ally rolls 18-20, they heal +1HP. This spell also allows affected targets to heal 1HP above their normal max HP.  You can only cause healing with this spell once per turn, per affected target. Healing from this effect also Fatigues affected allies, giving -1Resilience, -1Dodge, and -1Will for 1Day Duration (can stack without limit). A target can only be affected by one “Light’s Wrath” spell at a time. You can instead choose to continually maintain this spell as an aura for 2Intelligence, per target you want to cast at, making it an Instant Action at the start of every battle.

  • (Self-Sacrificing) If you or an ally rolls 18-20, +7Strike Bonus vs. Resilience, or +7Faith vs. Will, the target of this spell is also Afraid of that target for 2turns. You can only cause Fear with this effect once per turn. You can instead choose to continually maintain this critical as an aura for 5Intelligence (and 0Wisdom), per target you want to cast at, making it an Instant Action at the start of every battle.

 

Vampire Mage – Specialization/ Critical Option

Bloodline (Magic): you permanently become a vampire. You permanently gain +3Intelligence but also permanently have -2Inspiration.

Undead do not need to eat, sleep, drink, or rest. They also take damage from all healing magic (except when healing from your own vampire mage spells). You can also still be healed as normal from healing items. Additionally, whenever taking shadow damage, you instead heal.

As a vampire, you can see in the dark and you are immune to all poisons and diseases. You can also only be in sunlight so long as all of your skin is covered so the sun does not touch it. When you bite a humanoid, you may turn them into a “sanguis,” a mindless vampire. True vampires such as yourself, however, can only be created through this spell. Once this spell is chosen it becomes a passive effect, always active, and cannot be dispelled.

  • (Vampire’s Coven) Every turn, roll d20. If you roll 15-20, choose one enemy in 4Range, +7Faith vs. Resilience, causes them to be Afraid of any target of your choice for 1turn. This critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block. You can instead choose to continually maintain this critical for 3Intelligence (and 0Wisdom).

 

Vanguard – Specialization/ Critical Option

Piercing Strike: weapon Range, +3Strike Bonus vs. Dodge, deals 1damage. You have

-3Resilience, -3Dodge, and -3Will for 1turn.  

           (Double-Hit): deals 2damage.

  • (Shock Troop) If this ability hits, +7Strike Bonus vs. Resilience, the target is also Afraid of you for 2turns. This critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.

 

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Author - Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed this article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


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Crooked Moon: The Crimson Monastery

By Jacob Tegtman • July 29, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QklD9CbOoV0&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription “In the flames, there is purity and salvation. From the flames, she speaks…”  Those aren’t the words of a prophet. They’re the twisted scripture of a zealot. Deep in the mountains of Druskenvald, a crimson light spills from stained glass windows. It’s not salvation. It’s a warning. Today, we’re venturing into one of the darkest D&D adventures I’ve ever read—The Crimson Monastery, from my new personal favorite, Crooked Moon. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your faithful companion through the wildest realms of Dungeons & Dragons. If you love your fantasy served with horror, vampires, and morally gray decisions, buckle in—we’re about to descend into a bloodstained cathedral of corruption. Let me tell you a story. Once, there was a noble knight named Marius Renathyr. A beacon of honor, clad in gold armor, championing justice in a cursed land. He loved a priestess of the Nightmother, and though they burned with passion, he kept his vows. But as his crusade wore on, so did his soul. Wrath replaced compassion. And that’s when she found him. Viraxys, a devil who fed on twisted souls, disguised her voice as that of a goddess—the Crimson Rose. On the verge of death, Marius accepted her offer of life eternal. But what she gave him was a curse. Now immortal, now a vampire, now a puppet to her whims, Marius returned to the world not as a hero… but as Father Renathyr, the Crimson Abbot. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see exactly what being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Father Renathyr took over a mountain monastery, corrupted its clergy, and built a religion around his devil’s false divinity. In the village below—Dawn’s Gate—the people tremble under his sermons. Refuse his faith, and you’ll be burned alive. Embrace it, and you may become something far worse. This isn’t just a dungeon crawl. It’s a full-blown crusade to take down a vampire cult… from the inside. The Crimon Monastery is awesome – there’s just so much to it. But let’s start out by saying that Father Renathyr’s not alone. His cult is sustained by three terrifying Priors, each with their own tragic backstory and twisted gifts: There’s Houndmaster Jaeger , Friar Olaf , and perhaps the most terrifying , Inquisitor Cromwell . Each of them appears human at first. But when defeated, their monstrous Night Creature forms are revealed for a brutal second phase. They’re more than lieutenants—they’re potential successors. If you don’t take out all three, the cult might survive… without Renathyr. And then there’s the monastery itself. It’s not just a setting. It’s a trap. The whole thing. The monastery’s walls are made of bloodstone—a cursed material that prevents blood from drying. If you’re wounded, you leave a visible trail, and stealth becomes nearly impossible. All around are red stained-glass windows arranged in rose-petal patterns. They bathe everything in an eerie light. Inside, the rituals are disturbing: bodies bled at the altar, corpses hanging in the Dead Larder, prayers whispered under a false god. Oh—and there’s no sunlight. A blessing from the Crimson Rose means that even magical sunlight won’t harm vampires within these walls. This is their stronghold. You’re not just breaking in to your usual dungeon crawl. With the Crimon Monastery, you’re invading a fortress of the damned. Finally, this story doesn’t end with one death. Kill Father Renathyr without wiping out his Priors? You start a civil war. The survivors fight for control, leading to bloodshed across the region. But what if you expose the truth—that the Crimson Rose is a devil—and show proof to the faithful? You could cause the entire cult to collapse in one dramatic showdown. The townsfolk revolt. The Bloodless turn on each other. The Crimson Monastery falls into ruin. You get to choose the ending. But be warned: leave even one thread intact, and the nightmare may rise again. So, adventurer... if you haven’t picked up the Crooked Moon yet, it might just be time. If you’ve liked what you’ve heard, the Crimson Monastery is only one of many adventures within this beautiful new book. So, let me know what path you’d take in the comments below. Like this video if you love dark, story-rich adventures. Subscribe for more deep dives into the shadowy corners of D&D, and let us know you want us to cover next. Until next time—stay safe, roll high, and never trust a rose without thorns.
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Baldur's Gate, Moonshae Isles, and Icewind Dale - Adventures in Faerun

By Jacob Tegtman • July 24, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKV7iRcC31c&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Wizards just dropped a bombshell—and no, it’s not another owlbear plushie. We’re finally heading back to the Forgotten Realms with a brand-new DM sourcebook—and it’s got survival horror, urban intrigue, and a ton of iconic locations. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your go-to for all things Dungeons & Dragons—rules, reveals, and Realm-shaking updates. Let’s start with the basics. Adventures in Faerûn is the brand-new Dungeon Master expansion dropping this November, and it's built specifically for the new rules update. That means it plays nice with the shiny new Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide. But unlike previous setting books, this one’s taking a genre-first approach. Instead of just a map and a lore dump, each of the five featured regions is tailored to a unique style of play. Think ‘Baldur’s Gate’ as gritty urban fantasy. ‘Icewind Dale’? Full-on survival horror. Yes please. Here’s the lineup of iconic locales we’re getting tools for: Baldur’s Gate – which you probably know from all our favorite, Baldur’s Gate 3. There’s urban crime, political tension, and maybe a little devilry. Calimshan – from older renditions of the Forgotten Realms Lore. You’ll fine scheming nobles and arcane secrets in an Arabian-Nights-esque setting. The Dalelands – from both 2e and 3e Forgotten Realms lore. This is classic high fantasy with lots of room for heroic sagas. Moonshae Isles – from The Moonshae Isles Regional Guide. It comes with Celtic vibes and druidic magic—great for mystery and folklore campaigns. Icewind Dale – which you can read about in the Legend of Drizzt Novels, by R.A. Salvatore. Here, you can expect Frostbitten survival, isolation, and ancient horrors. Each region comes with new adventure hooks, genre tone guides, and NPC inspiration tailored to the vibe. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see what exactly being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Here’s the cool part—some of this material with the Forgotten Realms hasn’t been touched in Fifth Edition. Like, ever. They’re digging into the deeper lore of Faerûn and even pulling some artistic cues from Baldur’s Gate 3. You might recognize a few faces—or infernal contracts—from the game. And while it’s not confirmed, early previews suggest the book might come with poster maps—yes, actual tearaway maps. Which awesome. My table is ready. Adventures in Faerûn officially releases on November 11th, 2025. But—if you pre-order through D&D Beyond or an early-access local game store, you’ll get the digital version weeks in advance. Price isn’t locked yet, but it’ll probably sit around the usual $50 USD mark—same ballpark as Phandelver & Below and Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Now, you know how Wizards rolls: we’ll likely get tie-in minis from WizKids, and there’s a good chance Beadle & Grimm's will cook up one of their deluxe kits—metal coins, props, the works. To wrap it all up, here’s why this book matters: 5e hasn’t had a full Realms guide since 2015’s Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. That’s nearly a decade without a dedicated Realms setting book. With the new rules and player guide dropping alongside it, this feels like Wizards’ attempt to make the Forgotten Realms fresh again—for new players and you experience, veteran gamer-grognards, alike. So, what do you think? Which of the five locations would you run a campaign in first? Is this genre-based format the future of setting books? Drop your take in the comments, smash that like button like it’s a mimic, and subscribe for more D&D news, lore, and spicy takes.  Until next time—may your dice roll high and your plot hooks land.
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New Kickstarter - Starset the Great Dimming - GrimDark SciFi

By Jacob Tegtman • July 22, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJt6sfuolo8&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Civilization cut off. The solar system dimming. You’re not a hero—you’re just a soul, caught in the aftermath. Hey everyone! Today we’re unpacking Starset: The Great Dimming—the new 2nd‑edition tabletop RPG by Josiah Mork. It's a gritty, hope‑tinged sci‑fi RPG where ordinary lives shape the story. If you haven’t ever tried out TTRPGs besides D&D, this video is for you. I personally love finding the gems out there, especially from people who have fresh ideas in the RPG space. So, let’s dive into what makes this game truly unique. 1. Life‑Path Character Creation – “Your Story Shapes Your Stats” In most tabletop RPGs, you start by picking numbers—your strength, intelligence, gear, etc. Starset flips that completely. Here, you start with a life path : five origin stories to choose from— Combat , Common , Exploration , Mercenary , or Slave . These aren’t classes. They’re your character’s past. Were they a soldier in a forgotten war? A wanderer searching for hope? A prisoner stripped of identity? Once you’ve chosen, you roll dice to simulate major events in that character’s life. Each result gives you a moral choice , like “Did you steal the food to survive… or go hungry and keep your honor?” Your decision directly affects what skills, alliances, and scars your character carries—and even how old they are by the time the game begins. And yes, it’s possible to die before session one. That's how real and brutal the world of Starset is. You also collect keywords —these are mechanical tags that represent things like trauma, friendships, or defining traits. Some make you stronger. Others are burdens that shape how you grow. Either way, they evolve with you, like emotional milestones that actually change your abilities over time. In short: You don’t make a character—you live them. As creator Josiah Mork put it, this is “ backstory on mega-steroids. ” 2. Simultaneous Action Resolution – “It’s Not Your Turn—It’s Everyone’s Turn” In most tabletop RPGs, combat goes in turns: “You go, then I go, then the monster goes.” Starset changes the entire flow. Here’s how it works: Whenever someone targets you—say, with an attack or a persuasion attempt—that action is delayed until the end of your next turn . That delay is called a Floating Action . It gives you and your allies time to do something about it. Maybe you dodge out of the way. Maybe you talk them down . Maybe your teammate steps in with an assist , giving you a boost. These responses turn every round into a mini strategy session. So instead of sitting there waiting for your next turn, the idea is that you’re constantly engaged. Helping allies. Blocking threats. Choosing whether to defend, or risk it all. Your dice pool —which you use for actions—is also your health . Take a hit, and you lose dice. That means fewer options and more vulnerability next turn. The result? Combat is less “hit and wait” and more like chess with story beats— tactical, interactive, and team-driven. Even the quiet players at the table get a reason to act and shine. 3. Rich, Thought‑Provoking Worldbuilding – “Loneliness Is the Real Enemy” Starset isn’t just dark because it looks cool—it’s dark because it wants to say something. The game is set after a cosmic event collapses the Oort Cloud... did I pronounce that right? The Oort Cloud collapses, cutting off Earth from the rest of humanity. Civilization falls into chaos. Survivors are left scattered, alone, and desperate for connection. Every faction in the game is built around a different solution to loneliness : One turns to faith . Another to techno-utopia . One seeks control through power. Others build tight-knit communities . Each choice has promise… and danger. No side is “right”—they just reflect real human struggles. To support this, the game includes the 8 Edicts of Man , a set of philosophical rules that shape society post-collapse. The setting spans 1,000 years of history , giving Game Masters tons of material—from colony ships in deep space to dying cities on Earth. At the end of every game session, players earn experience not for killing monsters, but by sharing how their character helped others or fought against isolation . It’s a system that rewards empathy, as much as power. So yes, Starset is bleak—but it’s also hopeful. It’s a game about surviving the dark… by reaching for the light. Who Should Play Starset… and Why? So who is this game really for? Starset is for story lovers : If you're the kind of player who enjoys deep, emotional character arcs—where your decisions carry weight and shape your story—Starset was made for you. Every character is a layered person with a past, not just a collection of stats. Starset is for strategic thinkers : Starset rewards thoughtful play. Combat and problem-solving aren't just about rolling high—they're about making smart, team-based decisions. And because you’re always involved—even during someone else’s turn—there’s no dead time at the table. Starset is for sci-fi fans with a philosophical streak : Starset tackles big questions: How do we find connection in a broken world? What do we believe in when everything falls apart? If you love sci-fi that makes you think, you’ll feel right at home. And finally, Starset is for game masters who crave worldbuilding fuel : The game’s setting is rich with lore—factions, history, philosophy, politics. It's all there to spark story hooks, conversations, and custom adventures. Whether you’re building a gritty survival tale or a cosmic morality play, Starset gives you tools to explore both. To summarize, here’s Why Starset Stands Out You don’t just create a character—you live their backstory through interactive choices before the game even begins. The simultaneous action system keeps players engaged and reactive, almost all the time. Which is a fresh change to many D&D battles, if we’re being honest. The world of Starset is dark, yes—but it’s also filled with glimmers of hope , and it challenges you to explore themes like empathy, survival, and belief. And finally, every rule and system is designed to reward meaningful interaction —with the world and each other. The Bottom line? Starset doesn’t ask, “How do you win?” Instead, it asks, “What kind of person will you be when everything falls apart?” Intrigued? You can back it now on Kickstarter or check out the rulebook when it’s available.  And lastly, let me know what you think of new game coverage like this, in the comments below. Eternity TTRPG is still feeling out who we are as a channel, so your insight helps me connect you with the content you want most. Until next time!
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