# Five Parsecs From Home: Planetfall tags: #game/wargame/five-parsecs-planetfall ![[Five Parsecs from Home - Planetfall (cover).jpg]] ## Summary In _Five Parsecs From Home: Planetfall_, you finally stop running from your problems across the galaxy and decide to plant them in the dirt of a single, hostile rock. This expansion (or standalone experience, if you are feeling bold) shifts the focus from a ragtag crew of space-faring misfits to the equally doomed inhabitants of a fledgling colony. While the original _[[Five Parsecs From Home]]_ was about avoiding the taxman and the laser-fire of various rival factions, _Planetfall_ is about managing the crushing bureaucracy of research, building construction, and local mapping, all while trying not to get eaten by the "evolving lifeforms" you’ll inevitably discover. It’s essentially a "SimCity" simulator for people who prefer their zoning laws enforced by miniature combat and random tables. ## Core Die Resolution Mechanics The game utilizes the established D6-based system common to the _Five Parsecs_ lineage, though it pivots slightly to accommodate the planetary scale. For most tasks—whether you are shooting a pirate or trying to convince a colonist not to start a cult—you roll a single six-sided die (D6). Success is generally determined by meeting or beating a Target Number, usually modified by a character's relevant skill or the quality of their gear. However, the "Resolution" is rarely just a binary hit-or-miss. In combat, you determine your **Reaction State** (Fast or Slow) based on a die roll compared to your character’s Speed, which dictates who acts when the shooting starts. Damage resolution involves rolling against a character’s **Toughness**; if the roll exceeds the rating, the character is removed or suffers a persistent injury. The real "mechanical" meat, however, lies in the **Campaign Turn**. Unlike its predecessors, _Planetfall_ introduces a sophisticated mapping system where you divide the surrounding area into sectors. Each turn involves a series of phases: Colony Events, Research (rolling to unlock buildings from a list of 40), and Exploration. When you venture out, you roll on custom-generated encounter tables. The "AI" for enemies remains procedurally driven, moving and acting based on predefined behaviors (Aggressive, Defensive, etc.) to ensure that even while playing alone, you can still feel the sting of tactical incompetence. ## Editions and Changes While _Five Parsecs From Home_ has seen multiple iterations (most notably the move from the self-published 1st and 2nd editions to the glossy Modiphius 3rd Edition), _Planetfall_ is the first of its kind in the "Planet" sub-series. - **Scale Shift:** Unlike _Five Parsecs From Home_ (3rd Edition), which focuses on individual skirmishes to fund ship repairs, _Planetfall_ introduces a persistent "World Map." - **Compatibility:** It is designed to be fully compatible with characters from _Five Parsecs From Home_, _Five Parsecs: Tactics_, and _Bug Hunt_. You can literally crash your 3rd Edition crew onto a planet and use the _Planetfall_ rules to see how long they survive the transition from "Scoundrel" to "Farmer." - **Bureaucracy:** The inclusion of 13 scientific theories and a building tech tree adds a layer of management that was largely absent from the "freelancer" lifestyle of the base game. ## References - [Purchase Five Parsecs From Home: Planetfall - Modiphius Entertainment]([https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.modiphius.net/products/five-parsecs-from-home-planetfall "null"](https://modiphius.net/en-us/products/five-parsecs-from-home-planetfall)) - [Five Parsecs From Home: Planetfall Community Discussion - BoardGameGeek](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/460742/five-parsecs-from-home-planetfall) - [Designer's Blog Update - Nordic Weasel Games](https://nordicweasel.posthaven.com/so-what-all-will-be-in-five-parsecs-planetfall)