So say we all! If you’ve ever dreamed of dodging Cylon Raiders in a Viper, debating the ethics of survival with a ragtag fleet, or uncovering a toaster hidden among your crew, the Battlestar Galactica Role Playing Game (BSG RPG) is your ticket to the stars. Released in August 2007 by Margaret Weis Productions, this table top role playing game (RPG) brings the gritty, dramatic, and downright addictive world of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica TV series to your gaming table. Buckle up, nuggets this blog post is your jump drive to an in-depth, informative, and slightly cheeky exploration of the BSG RPG. We’ll cover its mechanics, setting, strengths, weaknesses, and why it’s still worth playing, all while keeping the Cylon scanners at bay.
Table of Contents
Welcome to the Twelve Colonies (Before They Got Nuked)
Let’s set the stage. The BSG RPG is based on the 2003 reimagined Battlestar Galactica series, not the 1978 original with its feathered hair and campy charm. This is theyourself is dark, gritty, and morally complex, where humanity’s creations, the Cylons, have returned after a 40 year armistice to wipe out the Twelve Colonies in a devastating nuclear assault. The survivors, a mere 50,000 humans, flee aboard the aging battlestar Galactica and a makeshift fleet, pursued by Cylons who now include creepy human like models. The show’s themes of survival, paranoia, and sacrifice are the beating heart of the RPG, which aims to recreate that desperate, high stakes vibe where every decision feels like it could save or doom humanity.
The game’s core rulebook, a 235 page hardcover beauty, hit the shelves at Gen Con 2007, published by Margaret Weis Productions using their Cortex System. It’s designed to let players craft their own stories in this universe, whether they’re piloting Vipers, uncovering Cylon infiltrators, or navigating the political quagmire of the fleet. The book promises everything you need to play: character creation rules, stats for ships and weapons, and details on the show’s main characters, all wrapped in a package that’s as visually appealing as a freshly printed Colonial dollar. But does it deliver? Let’s find out, or as Commander Adama might say, “Let’s get to work.”
The Cortex System: Simple, Cinematic, and Occasionally Frakky
At the core of the BSG RPG is the Cortex System, a ruleset first developed for the Serenity RPG (yep, that other sci-fi gem). It’s designed to be approachable, emphasizing story and character over crunchy mechanics, which is perfect for a game where drama trumps dice rolling. Here’s how it works in a nutshell:
- Attributes, Skills, and Traits: Characters are defined by Attributes (like Strength or Intelligence), Skills (like Piloting or Gunnery), and Traits (Assets and Complications that add flavor). Each is rated by a die type, from a puny d2 to a godly d12. Want to shoot down a Raider? Roll your Agility die plus your Gunnery die and hope you beat the difficulty.
- Plot Points: The secret sauce of the Cortex System, Plot Points are a meta currency players spend to nudge fate adding extra dice, surviving a near death experience, or pulling off a Starbuck level stunt. They make the game feel cinematic, capturing those all or nothing moments from the show, like when Apollo takes on a Basestar solo.
- Combat and Damage: Combat is fast but can be brutal. The system uses a mix of cinematic flair and gritty realism, where a single well placed shot can end you. Damage is tracked with dice penalties, which is cool but can confuse newbies.
The system’s strength is its simplicity. You can create a character in under 20 minutes, and even novice players can grok the rules within an hour. It’s less about memorizing tables and more about role playing the paranoia of wondering if your bunkmate is a Cylon. However, the system isn’t perfect. Some players find it vague on action economy (how many actions per turn? Three? Maybe?), and the mix of pulpy Plot Points with lethal combat can feel like you’re playing both Indiana Jones and Saving Private Ryan at once. Still, it’s a solid framework for storytelling, especially if you lean into the drama.
Character Creation: Building Your Own Starbuck (or Baltar)
Creating a character in the BSG RPG is like assembling a Colonial survival kit: you need the right mix of grit, flaws, and swagger. You start with six Attributes (Strength, Agility, Vitality, Alertness, Intelligence, Willpower), then pick Skills like Mechanics, Persuasion, or Heavy Weapons. The real fun comes with Traits, split into Assets (like Dogfighter or Talented) and Complications (like Overconfident or Duty). These give your character personality and mechanical hooks. For example, a pilot named Lucius “Lucifer” Calloway might have the Dogfighter (d4) Asset for sweet Viper maneuvers but the Rebellious (d4) Complication, making him a headache for his CO.
The game encourages deep role playing by tying Traits to the show’s themes. Want to play a paranoid mechanic who’s addicted to stims? Take the Addiction (d4) Complication and watch the drama unfold. The system rewards flaws, which is perfect for a setting where everyone’s a mess think Starbuck’s impulsiveness or Baltar’s ego. You can even play as the show’s main characters, with full stats for Adama, Roslin, and the gang, though the game wisely suggests creating original characters to avoid retreading the series’ plot.
One quirk: the game doesn’t explicitly address playing Cylon infiltrators, which feels like a missed opportunity. There’s a brief mention of humanoid Cylons on page 211, but no clear rules for running a sleeper agent. Game Masters (GMs) can homebrew this, but for a show where “Who’s a Cylon?” is the central mystery, it’s odd to leave it ambiguous. Still, character creation is flexible, letting you craft anyone from a grizzled deck chief to a scheming politician.
The Setting: A Universe of Paranoia and Pythia
The BSG RPG’s setting is a love letter to the reimagined series, covering the Twelve Colonies, the Cylon Wars, and the fleet’s desperate exodus. The core book details the colonies’ history, from their founding by the Tribes of Kobol to the First Cylon War, where humanity’s robotic servants rebelled, and the Second Cylon War, where the toasters return with a vengeance. Each colony gets a brief write up, though some players gripe about missing details like a star map or jump drive ranges. (C’mon, Margaret Weis, give us a galactic GPS!)
The book also stats out iconic ships like Vipers, Raptors, and Cylon Raiders, plus weapons and tech. Ships are treated like characters, with Attributes and Traits (a Viper’s Agile (d10) vs. the Galactica’s Armored (d12)). The equipment section is thorough, but don’t expect blueprints or technical schematics the focus is on narrative stats, not engineering porn. For fans, the book’s a treasure trove of lore, with chapter intros written in-character (Adama’s gruff wisdom, Roslin’s steely resolve) that ooze atmosphere.
The GM section is a gem, offering campaign ideas like running a political drama in the fleet, a guerrilla resistance on a Cylon occupied colony, or an alternate history where players replace the show’s heroes. It’s light on pre made adventures, which is a bummer for new GMs, but the suggestions spark creativity. One clever tip: give players a pre attack adventure to build attachments to NPCs, so the Cylon apocalypse hits harder. (Pro tip: Spring the attack mid session for maximum “Frak!” moments.)
Strengths: Why It’s So Say We All
The BSG RPG shines in several ways:
- Cinematic Drama: Plot Points and Traits nail the show’s high stakes vibe, letting players pull off heroic stunts or spiral into tragic flaws. It’s like directing your own episode.
- Accessibility: The Cortex System is newbie friendly, making it great for BSG fans new to RPGs. The rules flow fast, keeping the focus on story.
- Immersion: The book’s layout, lore, and character driven mechanics make you feel like you’re in the fleet, rationing food and eyeing your crewmate suspiciously.
- Flexibility: You can run campaigns that diverge from the show, from prequel stories to rogue fleets. The system supports homebrew solutions, so you’re not boxed in by canon.
Reviews from the time praise its fidelity to the series. SciFi Weekly gave it an A-, noting it “succeeds at providing players with the tools to re create the desperate flight of the Twelve Colonies”. Players on RPGnet called it “solid” and “faithful,” though some wanted more depth.
Weaknesses: Not Everything’s a Perfect Jump
No game is flawless, and the BSG RPG has its share of misfires:
- Vague Rules: Some mechanics, like action limits or Cylon PC rules, are unclear, forcing GMs to improvise. Combat can feel inconsistent, with cinematic and gritty tones clashing.
- Lack of Adventures: The absence of a starter adventure or scenario seeds is a big miss, especially for a complex setting that intimidates new GMs.
- Missing Details: Fans crave more technical info (star maps, jump mechanics) or original art instead of show stills. The book feels rushed in places, likely due to its tie in timing.
- Limited Support: Margaret Weis Productions released only a Quickstart Guide and a GM screen, then moved on to other projects like the Supernatural RPG. The game feels abandoned, which stings for fans.
Some reviewers noted the book’s high price for its 235 pages and lack of new content beyond the show’s first season. Others felt it struggled to offer plots that didn’t ape the series, though creative GMs can work around this.
Why Play It in 2025?
Despite its flaws, the BSG RPG remains a stellar choice for fans and role players. Its focus on character driven drama and moral dilemmas feels timeless, especially in a world where trust and survival are hot topics. The Cortex System, while quirky, supports fast paced, emotional stories that capture the show’s essence. Plus, the setting’s flexibility lets you tell fresh tales, whether you’re fighting Cylons, exploring pre attack Caprica, or running a Pegasus style rogue campaign.
For modern players, the game’s lack of digital support (no active website, sparse online resources) is a hurdle, but fan made content exists. Check out The Black Campbell blog for homebrew ships, Cylon models, and campaign ideas. You can also find spruced up character sheets on Reddit. If you’re a GM, lean into the show’s paranoia use secret notes to sow distrust or introduce custom Cylons to keep players guessing.
Tips for Running a Frakkin’ Great Game
- Embrace the Drama: Encourage players to lean into their Complications. Reward risky role playing with Plot Points to keep the stakes high.
- Mix Up the Setting: Try a prequel campaign or a “second fleet” story to avoid retreading the show. Razor’s flashbacks or New Caprica resistance arcs are great inspiration.
- Homebrew Cylons: Create rules for Cylon PCs (e.g., hidden motives, resurrection mechanics) to add intrigue. Just don’t let players abuse immortality!
- Use the Show’s Tone: Play the BSG soundtrack, use military jargon (“CAG,” “DRADIS”), and describe the fleet’s grit rusty bulkheads, flickering lights, and all.
Final Thoughts: So Say We All
The Battlestar Galactica Role Playing Game is a love letter to a sci-fi masterpiece, blending accessible mechanics with a setting that’s equal parts thrilling and soul crushing. It’s not perfect vague rules and limited support hold it back but its heart is in the right place, delivering the paranoia, heroism, and moral grayness of the series. Whether you’re a die hard fan or a curious role player, it’s a chance to write your own chapter in humanity’s exodus. Grab some dice, rally your fleet, and jump into the fray. Just watch your six for toasters.
If you enjoyed this article you might want to check out A Comprehensive List of Every Cortex System Book Ever Published Next
