Wizards of the Coast's Archetype Entertainment to Publish Exodus TTRPG Based on Upcoming Exodus Video Game

In something of a surprise, a video game division of Wizards of the Coast has announced plans to publish EXODUS Traveler’s Handbook, a new tabletop RPG based on their upcoming video game. Archetype Entertainment, a division of Wizards of the Coast, announced plans to publish the new rulebook, with details about the upcoming release found on Archetype's website. The book is being made available to followers of the upcoming game first, starting on December 11th. Details on how to get a copy of the limited quantity book can be found here.

EXODUS Traveler’s Handbook was designed by James Ohlen, who created Exodus and was previously designing tabletop RPG books via his Arcanum Worlds imprint prior to joining Wizards and Archetype Entertainment. Arcanum Worlds had published a 5E third party supplement called Odyssey of the Dragonlords and several D&D 5E supplements on the DMs Guild.

Exodus is a new sci-fi video game that deals with human space colonists fighting against the antagonistic descendants of humanity known as Celestials. The game involves time dilation in space travel, which is why there are both humans and their evolved futuristic descendants in the same game.

Currently, it is unclear whether the TTRPG version of Exodus will use some version of Dungeons & Dragons 5E or if it will be a bespoke new game system. EN World has reached out to Wizards for clarification.

A description of the new RPG can be found below:

• Celebrate with Us – This special FOUNDERS TTRPG edition was created by James Ohlen, the creative visionary behind the highly anticipated EXODUS video game.

• Explore the vast world of EXODUS – Face the challenges of this dark and dangerous futuristic world, set in the expanded universe of the EXODUS video game.

• Become the Traveler – Your destiny is to lead the Travelers, in the hunt to steal alien weapons and technology from the most powerful enemy in this universe – the Celestials.

• Confront Time Dilation – Choices you make create consequences changing the fate of those you love most – and reshaping the future of your entire civilization for generations.

 

[Oofta]

Now if I could only convince some of my players to try a different game/setting.

 

[Yaarel]

Now if I could only convince some of my players to try a different game/setting.

The setting is solid − and it is D&D 5e. This is awesome.

 

[Parmandur]

It really is a full book containing everything you would need, PHB/DMG/MM-equivalents and all. Art's very pretty, nearly every page has at least one full-color piece. Mechanics-wise it's very much a 5e-derivative, but there are some interesting worldbuilding explanations for things like your level progression. It also only has four classes, two subclasses/archetypes each, but there seems to be quite a bit of customization within and in the surrounding character creation details.

I'm thinking I'll definitely crib some notes and details off this for my Starforged campaign.

Whoa, that is awesome! I was a little concerned thst it might just be a little too D&D dependent, but it sounds like they made a legitimately different game...

What are the Classes/Subclasses, if I may ask?

 

[Jensaarai]

Looks like I was wrong actually, this might actually be more of a PHB-equivalent, though it's still hefty at 290+ pages, and there'll be the Monster Manual/expanded equipment-esque book, the "Exodus Encyclopedia", scheduled for... some time in the future, and what might be some sort of adventure module, called "Chronicles of Melayu"?

 

[Jensaarai]

Whoa, that is awesome! I was a little concerned thst it might just be a little too D&D dependent, but it sounds like they made a legitimately different game...

What are the Classes/Subclasses, if I may ask?

Sure! The four classes are:

Cataphract (mechs and big robots); archetypes are Assault and Scout.

Prodigy (skilled at using Remnant tech); archetypes are Lancer and Shaper.

Daemon (bonded with an alien creature); archetypes are Shadow and Sword.

And Ranger (has a cadre of Awakened companions); this one kinda breaks the mold, getting a choice of Bear, Boar, Canine, Raven, Frog, and Tiger companions.

There are also Origins, which describe what your character did before becoming a Traveler.

 

[Parmandur]

Sure! The four classes are:

Cataphract (mechs and big robots); archetypes are Assault and Scout.

Prodigy (skilled at using Remnant tech); archetypes are Lancer and Shaper.

Daemon (bonded with an alien creature); archetypes are Shadow and Sword.

And Ranger (has a cadre of Awakened companions); this one kinda breaks the mold, getting a choice of Bear, Boar, Canine, Raven, Frog, and Tiger companions.

There are also Origins, which describe what your character did before becoming a Traveler.

Oh, wow, this is going to be interesting to break down...

 

[Parmandur]

Looks like I was wrong actually, this might actually be more of a PHB-equivalent, though it's still hefty at 290+ pages, and there'll be the Monster Manual/expanded equipment-esque book, the "Exodus Encyclopedia", scheduled for... some time in the future, and what might be some sort of adventure module, called "Chronicles of Melayu"?

A whole product line, basically...?

I dont even know about the video game at this point, but James Ohlen is really eager to make the Setting a thing, what with this and the novels.

 

[Retreater]

Wow. I came in here expecting to see "WotC quietly scrapped this project."
Good for them that this got finished. I mean, I haven't heard anything about it, but I guess there's some people getting it.

 

[Jensaarai]

A whole product line, basically...?

I dont even know about the video game at this point, but James Ohlen is really eager to make the Setting a thing, what with this and the novels.

He also pulled in Adrian Tchaikovsky and Peter F. Hamilton to be on the writing crew for this book and setting, so yeah I think Ohlen really wanted this outside of just being a video game lol.

 

[Jensaarai]

And also, there's an Actual-Play of this! Star Heist: An EXODUS Story