HOW TO PLAY
The NARRATOR runs the game, calls for rolls, and creates
A One-Page RPG by Matt Click
Created for Patreon.com/MattClick
In PLASMA TORCH, you serve on a deep-space salvage crew,
chopping up derelict space cruisers and delving into their
claustrophobic confines in exchange for a meager percentage
of the profits. All you’ve got to light your way through the dark
ruins of these massive vessels is your trusty plasma torch —
and each other.
To play, roll on the tables below to create your character.
Then, pick a name and a look. If you’re running the game as the
NARRATOR, skip ahead.
D6 YOUR PAST
Retired Grunt: +1D when you shoot, strategize, or blow
1
stuff up
Built These Things: +1D when you fix stuff or know
2
things about space cruisers
Escaped Lockup: +1D when you sneak around, pick
3
locks, or intimidate someone
Been Around: +2D once per mission when you know
4 5
something vital tied to your past
Running From Something: +2D once per mission when
5
your past catches up to you
A Mystery: +2D once per mission when you reveal your
6 Failing a roll means paying the price. Each player starts with
past to the others
D6 Your Gear
1-3 Prybar: +1D to force stuff open or bash an enemy’s
skull
4-5 Data Pad: +1D to access computers, hack stuff, or
interact with weird tech
6 Trusty Sidearm: +1D to damage an enemy at range
NAMES: Ozcar, Treye, Nayel, Adrihan, Brack, Soren, Aeron,
Dorrinell, Yan, Emex, Eriska, Maianna, Adriaenne Madlyn, Arbelle,
Emesyn, Ayana, Meriya, Avae, Adlynn, Krish, Sylas, Keana, Ylena
LOOKS: Towering, Scarred, Lithe, Bulky, Rugged, Stout, Tattooed
COPYRIGHT © 2021 MATT CLICK & ABSOLUTE TABLETOP, LLC • ABSOLUTETABLETOP.COM • PATREON.COM/MATTCLICK
RUNNING THE GAME
Before you start, roll on the tables to create the MISSION and the
obstacles and hazards inside the derelict space cruiser. LURKING DANGER. During play, each time the players proceed into
When the players enter a new ROOM, the NARRATOR describes a new ROOM, roll on the tables to create the ROOM, its STATUS,
the situation, including any obvious dangers or stakes (the and the TROUBLE inside. When you need some quick inspiration,
TROUBLE); the players then react and make any necessary consult the INSTANTS below.
rolls to accomplish tasks, avoid danger, and pry loose anything
worth a couple creds. D62 MISSION LURKING DANGER
1 Loot the Thing Automated Defenses
THE DICE 2 Eliminate Hostiles Rival Scrappers
Each player needs some dice: three six-sided dice (D6), one 3 Recover Tech or Artifact Rogue Robots
eight-sided die (D8), and one four-sided die (D4). 4 Find Out What Happened Alien Infestation
The D6s are for rolling when you try to do stuff. The D8 is for 5 Download Data Zombified Crew
rolling when your RESOURCES are HIGH; the D4 is for rolling when 6 Destroy the Derelict Eldritch Horror
your RESOURCES are LOW.
D62 ROOM STATUS
ROLLING TO DO STUFF 1-2 Corridor or Tunnel Sealed Shut
When you attempt to do stuff — cutting into a derelict’s hull, 3 Cargo or Utility Vented Atmo
slicing into a computer terminal to unlock an access hatch, 4 Armory or Hangar Signs of Distress
diving for cover to avoid enemy fire — you roll a single six- 5 Medbay or Engineering Hull Breach
sided die (D6). If you can justify utilizing your PAST and/or your 6 Bridge or Quarters Damaged Beyond Repair
GEAR, you add another D6 to the roll (maximum of three D6s).
If you roll a 5 or a 6, you SUCCEED — you do the thing. D6 TROUBLE
If you roll anything else, you FAIL — you screw up. 1-2 Strange readings point to danger elsewhere
3-4 Environmental hazards block path
If you have ample time to complete a task, don’t roll — just
Hostiles lurking inside or waiting in ambush
describe what happens. Only roll when the NARRATOR asks you
to, and only when there’s a challenge or something at stake. 6 Extreme conditions impede progress
ROLLING RESOURCES INSTANTS
garbled transmission • hissing vent • strange whispers •
ruptured bulkhead • dwindling light • dead crewmember • distress
HIGH RESOURCES (D8). When you screw up, you roll that D8 to test
beacon • alien tech • venting atmo • combat elsewhere • distant
your RESOURCES: your stamina, O2-levels, supplies, and well-
being. If you roll a 1 or a 2, your RESOURCES become LOW, and
sounds • strange vibration • toppling crates • creaking steel •
rattling chains • gravitational anomalies • deja vu • extra ammo •
you now roll a D4 instead of a D8.
dropped tools • humming engines • blaring klaxon • gravity shifts
If you roll a 1 or a 2 on with LOW RESOURCES, you are killed, lost, • incoming communication • unaware enemy • hanging gangways •
defeated, or otherwise removed from the mission. difficult jump • forgotten meal • escape pod • machine gun • flame
thrower • cargo containers • leaking reactor • bloodstained
At the NARRATOR’s discretion, when your RESOURCES are LOW,
you can attempt to salvage your surroundings to recover some uniform • dog tags • malfunctioning door • trapped crewmember
RESOURCES. Make a roll, and if you succeed, your RESOURCES • shattered helmet • final command • leaking coolant • escaped
again become HIGH — but if you fail, you stumble upon bigger prisoner • ladder climb • drop ship • alien runes • glowing vials
problems, and create a new TROUBLE you and your comrades • destroyed computer • data vault • spoiled rations • sealed
must deal with. airlock • forgotten game • spent shells • bullet holes • plasma
burns • raging flames • gravity well • self-destruct sequence