TSR’s Star Frontiers – Join the Galactic Legions

Last week, my TSR catalog post got such a great response that I couldn’t resist sharing this fantastic Star Frontiers ad from 1982. Now, this ad holds a special place in my heart because it showcases not just humans but also one of my all-time favorite in-game races – the Yazirians. Now, let me tell you, these creatures were something else. Why were they my favorite, you ask? Well, picture this: they combined the best traits of bats AND Wookiees. How cool is that? It was like having the flying prowess of bats and the strength of Wookiees all rolled into one character. Pure awesomeness, if you ask me.

You see, my pals and I had a ritual. Whenever we had a sci-fi weekend binge-watching sessions on WPIX, we’d cap it off with some intense Star Frontiers gameplay. It was the perfect way to keep the sci-fi vibes going strong. And you know, sometimes, we just needed a break from our usual games, especially our go-to “non-fantasy” game, “Top Secret.”

Now, for those of you who might not be familiar, Star Frontiers marked TSR’s second attempt at a sci-fi themed RPG, the first being Metamorphosis Alpha. But what set Star Frontiers apart was its unique gameplay system. Instead of following the d20 system, which was pretty standard at the time, Star Frontiers dared to be different. It introduced a percentile system for gameplay, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. Rolling those percentiles added a layer of excitement and unpredictability that kept us on the edge of our seats.

You know, before I stumbled upon dice-less RPG play, percentiles were my go-to choice. There was something satisfying about the simplicity of it, the raw chance factor that came with those two ten-sided dice. It was a system that made every game session feel fresh and unpredictable. Star Frontiers, with its inventive approach, captured our imaginations and kept us hooked for hours. Who could resist the allure of exploring alien worlds and encountering bizarre creatures, all while relying on the roll of the dice to determine your fate? It was the stuff of sci-fi dreams.

So there you have it – the magic of Star Frontiers, a game that brought together humans, alien races like the Yazirians, and a percentile system that added a whole new dimension to our RPG adventures. Those were the days, my friends, when gaming was all about imagination, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of chance. Ah, the memories!