Mutant: Year Zero Post-Apocalyptic;Survival;Resource Management;Exploration-Driven;Sandbox;Classless;Campaign;Low Prep
At‑a‑glance: Post‑apocalyptic • d6 dice pools (push) • 2–5 + GM • Low prep • Medium complexity • 2–4h sessions
Theme and Setting
Humanity’s cities lie in ruins after the apocalypse. In the Ark—your fragile home—mutant survivors struggle to ration food, water, and hope. Beyond its borders stretches the Zone: shifting, toxic wastelands dotted with derelict sectors, lurking threats, and artifacts from the Ancients.
Core Mechanics and Rules
Built on the Year Zero Engine, the game uses d6 dice pools with a signature push mechanic: reroll at a cost to resources or stability. Survival is front‑and‑center—tracking scarce bullets, grub, and water matters. Campaign play alternates between improving the Ark (projects in Warfare, Food, Tech, Culture) and expeditions into the Zone (‘gridcrawling’) to scout, scavenge, and map.
Characters are classless archetypes (e.g., Gearhead, Stalker, Dog Handler) with potent but risky mutations. The system is fast at the table yet unforgiving: poor choices and attrition lead to hard consequences, which heightens tension without rules bloat.
What Makes It Unique
The Ark is a living strategic layer that evolves through player‑driven projects, creating tangible stakes session to session. Procedural tools generate threats, sectors, and discoveries so prep stays light while emergent narratives feel grounded. The push mechanic ties risk directly to fiction—every reroll is a gamble with fallout.
Target Audience and Player Experience
Perfect for groups who enjoy gritty survival, exploration loops, and long‑term community building. Newcomers can start quickly with archetypes and clear procedures, while veterans will appreciate the campaign scaffolding and lean resolution that keeps scenes moving.
