Vast Grimm Science Fiction;Horror;Survival;Dystopian;Space-Western;Old-School Renaissance (OSR);Rules Lite;Low Prep;Quick-Play;Bleak;Metal

At‑a‑glance: OSR/NSR lineage • d20+d6 saves • 3–5 + GM • Low prep • Rules‑lite • 2–3h sessions

Theme and Setting

Legions of survivors cling to derelict stations and dead worlds as the parasitic würms spread, twisting bodies and ecosystems into nightmare forms. The ‘verse is bleak, industrial, and merciless—hope survives as rumors, black-market relics, and stubborn crews who refuse to quit.

Core Mechanics and Rules

Rules draw from Mörk Borg’s ultra‑lean engine: ability saves instead of attack rolls, swingy damage, and equipment that matters. Character creation is fast and classless; gear and risks define play more than builds. Tables, generators, and prompts speed up prep and make failure states interesting, not stalled.

What Makes It Unique

Vast Grimm leans hard into sci‑fi body horror: contamination, infestation, and desperate choices under pressure. The tone is loud and abrasive by design—layout and procedures reinforce urgency and danger. You’ll scavenge, jury‑rig, and burn resources to see another sunrise.

Target Audience and Player Experience

Great for groups that want lethal, punchy sessions with minimal rules overhead. If your table enjoys OSR‑style problem solving, grimy starship drama, and survival under mounting costs, this hits the spot. Less ideal for players seeking long build paths or heroic power curves.

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What do players think?

Players praise its quick, brutal mechanics and evocative layout that keeps sessions moving. Common notes: swingy lethality, sparse character options by design, and a heavy‑metal tone that won’t fit every table.

Related TTRPG Games

Compare Vast Grimm with other great ttrpg games.

Mörk Borg logo

Mörk Borg

Shares the same ultra‑lean, swingy core—Vast Grimm pushes it into sci‑fi body horror and resource‑starved starship play, where contamination and scarcity drive the tension.

Death in Space logo

Death in Space

Both deliver bleak, low‑prep sci‑fi survival. Vast Grimm is louder and more metal‑horror; Death in Space leans moodier and quieter, with decay and downtime shaping tone.

Mothership logo

Mothership

Mothership offers more toolkit crunch and panic procedures; Vast Grimm runs faster with fewer moving parts, trading simulation for immediacy and ‘fight‑to‑live’ momentum.

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