Tiny Frontiers Science Fiction; Rules Lite; Classless; Low Prep; Quick-Play; Streamlined
At‑a‑glance: Space opera • TinyD6 (2d6 tests) • 2–5 + GM • Near‑zero prep • Rules‑lite • 1–2h sessions
Theme and Setting
Tiny Frontiers: Revised aims for pulpy, cinematic sci‑fi—trader crews, scout ships, bug hunts, and diplomatic scrapes on the fringe. The core book stays setting‑agnostic and hands you a stack of micro‑settings so you can launch tonight: gritty frontier patrols, sleek exploration, or Saturday‑morning heroics. Tone is adventurous and flexible rather than hard‑science simulation.
Core Mechanics and Rules
The engine is TinyD6: roll 2d6, any 5–6 is a success. Advantage = 3d6; disadvantage = 1d6. Characters are classless and built from simple Traits that define what they do well (Ace Pilot, Survivalist, etc.), plus a few choices for weapons and heritage. Because nearly everything runs on the same test, turns are decisive and the GM can focus on fictional positioning instead of rule lookups.
Combat is quick and brutal by design—range bands and straightforward weapon tags keep pacing snappy. Starships are handled with similarly light procedures so the crew acts together rather than disappearing into minigames. The rules favor rulings‑over‑rules: you can improvise gear quirks, hazards, and alien biology without hunting for subsystems.
What Makes It Unique
Tiny Frontiers distills space adventure to the essentials. The micro‑settings package is the star: each is a bite‑sized premise with prompts, factions, or tables that jump‑start a campaign in minutes. Traits keep character concepts readable at the table, and the unified 2d6 test ensures consistency across exploration, social scenes, and firefights. It’s an excellent “grab‑and‑go” sci‑fi option when you want play to start now and the rules to disappear behind the story.
Target Audience and Player Experience
Perfect for new players, mixed‑experience tables, and groups that value quick starts and episodic sessions. Expect crisp turns, clear outcomes, and minimal bookkeeping. If your group wants crunchy ship builds, gear trees, or simulationist cargo spreadsheets, TF will feel intentionally light; if you want to frame a scene and fly, it sings.
