GURPS Prime Directive

Written by Gary Plana Edited by Stephen V. Cole and Leana M. Cole
Cover art by Denis Calero
Illustrated by Alvin Belflower, Dale McKee, Peter Bakija, and Robert Hubby
Published by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

GURPS Line Editor: Sean Punch

Powered by GURPS Fourth Edition:
200 pages. Softcover. Suggested Retail Price $19.95
Stock number ADB8401 ISBN 1-58564-047-6
Out Of Print – Click here for dealer info

The GURPS Prime Directive Core Rulebook (Powered by GURPS) is designed as a stand-alone rulebook based on the GURPS Lite rules, but expanded by additional material from other core GURPS rulebooks. However, it has been carefully designed so that if GMs and players wish to use rules presented in other GURPS rulebooks they may do so, and just use the information presented in the GPD core rulebook to expand their campaigns into the Star Fleet Universe. One of the strengths of GPD is that whatever kind of planet a GM wants to send his players to, there is probably an existing GURPS book to cover it.

While the initial Prime Directive roleplaying game restricted characters to being members of a Prime Team (sort of command-scientist-diplomats), GPD gets rid of all such restrictions! Players can create characters that are bridge officers aboard a starship, members of a mercenary combat team, officers and crew aboard a merchant ship, agents working for the Galactic Intelligence Agency, Star Fleet Marines, a non-governmental relief agency, investigative journalists, or any other type of character that you want to play.

Other key items in the GPD Core Rulebook include:

Detailed Racial Templates for races within the Federation, Klingon Empire, Romulans, Gorns, and others. Templates for Star Fleet Academy graduates (and several other academies as well), plus professional templates detailing the requirements for different jobs (for example, helmsman on a Federation starship).
Information and background specific to the Star Fleet Universe; detailed explanations on such things as rank and promotion criteria and security clearances; detailed explanations of equipment like tricorders, transporters, and tractors without resorting to technobabble!
Maps showing the area of the galaxy centered on Federation Space, including the boundaries of the other major empires, the location of major and minor worlds, neutral zones, and other key points.
A complete, highly detailed timeline, allowing GMs to set their campaigns in the early years before the Federation was formed, during the General War period, later when the Advanced Technology ships were entering service, or at any other point in history that the GM prefers – GPD is not tied to any single period within the Timeline, and you can even ignore the entire timeline if you want to.
Complete rules are included to conduct your space battles with the Star Fleet Battles. Rules and sample ships are provided for the GURPS Space Third Edition combat system.
Deck plans for a small merchant ship and several variants.