Delta Green: Need to Know is a free, award-winning quick-start rulebook for the Delta Green RPG, introducing players to cosmic horror and conspiracy.
1.1 Overview of the Delta Green: Need to Know PDF
Delta Green: Need to Know is a free, quick-start rulebook designed to introduce players to the Delta Green tabletop RPG. It provides essential rules, pre-generated characters, and a scenario titled “Last Things Last.” This PDF serves as a gateway for newcomers, offering a concise yet comprehensive overview of the game’s mechanics and atmosphere. Published by Arc Dream Publishing, it has garnered acclaim, including the Gold Ennie Award for Best Free Game in 2016. The document is readily available online, making it an accessible starting point for exploring the cosmic horror and conspiracy themes of Delta Green.
1.2 Purpose and Scope of the Document
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF is designed to provide a concise introduction to the game, offering quick-start rules, character creation basics, and a sample scenario. Its purpose is to familiarize new players with the core mechanics and atmospheric elements of Delta Green, such as cosmic horror and government conspiracies. The document is structured to be accessible, ensuring players can begin their journey without prior knowledge of the system. It serves as a foundational tool for both players and Handlers, emphasizing storytelling and collaborative gameplay within a tense, suspenseful environment.
1.3 Target Audience for the PDF
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF is primarily aimed at new players and Handlers (GMs) seeking an introduction to the Delta Green RPG. It is designed to be accessible to those unfamiliar with tabletop role-playing games, providing a clear and concise entry point. Experienced players will also find it useful for quick reference or to refresh their understanding of the core mechanics. The document caters to anyone interested in cosmic horror and conspiracy themes, making it an ideal resource for both newcomers and veterans alike.
Key Features of the Delta Green: Need to Know PDF
The PDF includes quick-start rules, pre-generated characters, the scenario “Last Things Last,” and guidance on maintaining the game’s eerie mood and atmosphere.
2.1 Quick-Start Rules for Beginners
The quick-start rules provide a concise introduction to Delta Green’s gameplay mechanics, character creation, and combat systems, allowing new players to jump into the action immediately. These streamlined rules ensure a smooth learning curve, focusing on essential elements while maintaining the game’s eerie atmosphere. Designed to be accessible, they offer a foundation for understanding the core principles of the Delta Green RPG, making it easy for beginners to grasp the fundamentals and start playing without delay.
2.2 Pre-Generated Characters for Easy Play
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF includes pre-generated characters, each with unique backgrounds and skill sets, enabling players to dive into the game instantly. These ready-to-play characters simplify the initial setup, allowing new players to focus on storytelling and immersion. With detailed profiles and abilities, they provide a seamless entry point for those unfamiliar with the system, ensuring everyone can participate without delay and fully experience the eerie atmosphere of the game.
2.3 Included Scenario: “Last Things Last”
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF features the scenario “Last Things Last,” a chilling introduction to the game’s cosmic horror and investigative gameplay. Designed for new players, it immerses agents in a mysterious, eerie atmosphere, challenging them to unravel a cryptic threat. The scenario provides a perfect blend of roleplaying opportunities and tense encounters, showcasing the game’s focus on suspense and collaboration. It serves as an ideal starting point, allowing players to experience the core elements of Delta Green’s haunting world.
2.4 Mood and Atmosphere in the Game
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF emphasizes mood as everything, blending bleak humor with suspense and cosmic horror. Players are encouraged to respect the atmosphere, fostering a balance between eerie tension and dark humor. The game thrives on collaboration, with agents navigating desperate scenarios and unnatural mysteries. Maintaining the mood enhances the immersive experience, ensuring players confront the chilling realities of the Delta Green world. This focus on atmosphere is central to the game’s identity and player engagement.
The Scenario: “Last Things Last”
The included scenario, “Last Things Last,” serves as an introductory adventure, immersing new players in Delta Green’s cosmic horror and conspiracy-laden world with ease.
3.1 Plot Summary of the Scenario
“Last Things Last” introduces players to Delta Green’s eerie world through a missing agent investigation in a small, isolated town. Strange occurrences and cryptic clues lead agents deeper into cosmic horror, where the lines between reality and the unnatural blur. The scenario is designed to immerse new players in the game’s atmosphere and mechanics, offering a gripping narrative that showcases the chilling themes of Delta Green.
3.2 Challenges and Encounters
The scenario “Last Things Last” presents players with a series of eerie and unpredictable challenges, blending cosmic horror with investigative gameplay. Agents must confront mysterious disappearances, cryptic clues, and unsettling encounters with unnatural entities. The story unfolds through tense interactions, environmental puzzles, and moments of pure dread, testing both combat and investigative skills. These encounters are designed to immerse players in Delta Green’s chilling atmosphere, emphasizing the fragility of human understanding in the face of cosmic horrors.
3.3 Roleplaying Opportunities
The pre-generated characters in “Last Things Last” offer diverse backgrounds, encouraging players to explore complex personalities and motivations. The scenario’s eerie atmosphere fosters immersive roleplaying, as agents navigate tense dialogues and moral dilemmas. Players must collaborate to uncover truths, while the Handler crafts unsettling encounters to heighten the sense of cosmic dread. This interplay between character-driven storytelling and environmental horror creates a rich, engaging experience that challenges players to embody their roles deeply.
Importance of the Delta Green: Need to Know PDF
Delta Green: Need to Know serves as a primer for new players, offering quick-start rules, pre-generated characters, and a demo scenario, making it essential for introducing the game.
4.1 As a Starter Guide for New Players
Delta Green: Need to Know is an excellent starter guide, providing quick-start rules, pre-generated characters, and the scenario “Last Things Last.” It introduces players to the core mechanics and atmosphere of the game, making it accessible for newcomers. The PDF’s concise design ensures players can jump into the action without overwhelming complexity. Its availability as a free or “pay what you want” PDF further reduces barriers to entry, allowing new players to experience the blend of cosmic horror and conspiracy that defines Delta Green.
4.2 Role in Promoting the Delta Green RPG
Delta Green: Need to Know serves as an effective promotional tool for the RPG, offering a free or “pay what you want” introduction to the game. Its accessibility and concise design attract new players, showcasing the game’s unique blend of cosmic horror and conspiracy. The inclusion of quick-start rules, pre-generated characters, and a starter scenario provides a compelling preview of the full RPG experience. This approach has successfully drawn attention to the Delta Green franchise, encouraging players to explore the core rulebooks and expand their engagement with the game.
4.3 Availability and Accessibility
Delta Green: Need to Know is widely available in both PDF and print formats, ensuring easy access for new and experienced players. The PDF can be downloaded for free or purchased at a “pay what you want” price on platforms like DriveThruRPG and the official Delta Green website. This accessibility makes it an ideal entry point for those interested in exploring the game. Additionally, the print edition is affordably priced, catering to fans who prefer physical copies; Its broad distribution ensures that players worldwide can easily obtain and start using the resource.
Delta Green: The Role-Playing Game Overview
Delta Green: The Role-Playing Game is a tabletop RPG steeped in cosmic horror and conspiracy, where players take on the roles of agents battling supernatural threats.
5.1 Background and Setting
Delta Green originates from the 1928 U.S. government raid on Innsmouth, Massachusetts, evolving into a covert agency combating supernatural threats. Set in a world of cosmic horror and conspiracy, the game blends historical events with modern-day espionage, creating a chilling atmosphere where agents confront eldritch horrors and conspiracies. Players navigate a grim reality where the unknown lurks in every shadow, requiring secrecy and sacrifice to protect humanity from forces beyond comprehension.
5.2 Core Themes: Cosmic Horror and Conspiracy
Delta Green: Need to Know delves into cosmic horror and conspiracy, blending existential dread with covert operations. Agents confront eldritch entities, government cover-ups, and the unsettling truth that humanity is insignificant in a vast, uncaring universe. The game thrives on suspense, paranoia, and the futility of resisting ancient, otherworldly forces. Players must navigate a web of secrets, where the truth is as dangerous as the horrors they uncover, creating a dark, atmospheric experience that challenges both sanity and morality.
5.3 Gameplay Mechanics
Delta Green: Need to Know introduces streamlined gameplay mechanics focused on investigation, stealth, and survival. The system emphasizes skill-based resolution, sanity mechanics, and the consequences of confronting cosmic horrors. Players create agents with tailored skills and motivations, while handlers guide the narrative, creating tense, atmospheric scenarios; Combat is deadly and avoidable, favoring strategic thinking over brute force. The rules are designed to enhance the game’s dark, conspiratorial tone, ensuring a gripping experience for players and handlers alike.
The Role of Players and Handlers
Players portray agents investigating cosmic horrors, while handlers create and narrate the game world, fostering collaboration and immersive storytelling in Delta Green’s dark, conspiratorial setting.
6.1 Responsibilities of Players
Players in Delta Green portray agents tasked with investigating and combating cosmic horrors; Their responsibilities include creating characters, making decisions, and contributing to the story. They must collaborate with others, respecting the game’s eerie atmosphere. Players should avoid ruining suspense for laughs, as mood is crucial. Agents’ actions have consequences, requiring careful consideration. Players must also actively engage in roleplaying to bring their characters to life, navigating the grim, uncertain world of Delta Green effectively.
6.2 Role of the Handler (GM)
The Handler acts as the game master, crafting scenarios, controlling non-player characters, and adjudicating rules. They create an immersive atmosphere of cosmic horror and conspiracy, ensuring tension and suspense. Handlers prepare challenges, guide the story, and maintain the eerie mood. They must remain neutral, providing fair outcomes while encouraging player creativity. The Handler’s role is crucial in balancing gameplay and storytelling, ensuring a thrilling experience for all players in the Delta Green universe.
6.3 Collaboration and Storytelling
Collaboration is key in Delta Green, as players and the Handler work together to craft a tense, immersive story. The game thrives on collective creativity, with players driving the narrative through their choices and actions. The Handler weaves these decisions into the plot, ensuring a dynamic and unpredictable experience. This shared storytelling approach fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility, making the eerie atmosphere and cosmic horrors even more impactful. Together, they create a unique, unforgettable adventure in the Delta Green universe.
The Quick-Start Rules
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF includes streamlined rules for quick gameplay, perfect for newcomers. It covers basic mechanics, character creation, and combat, ensuring easy entry into the game.
7.1 Basic Rules and Gameplay Mechanics
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF outlines simple, intuitive rules for character actions, skill checks, and task resolution. Mechanics focus on narrative-driven gameplay, emphasizing investigation and horror elements. Players roll percentile dice for skill tests, aiming to meet or exceed target numbers. The system prioritizes storytelling and player agency, allowing agents to navigate eerie scenarios and cosmic terrors effectively. These mechanics provide a solid foundation for both new and experienced players to engage with the Delta Green universe seamlessly.
7.2 Character Creation Basics
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF provides streamlined character creation, focusing on essential traits and skills. Players can choose from pre-generated agents, each with unique backgrounds and expertise. The process emphasizes simplicity, allowing quick setup while maintaining depth. Agents are defined by their occupations, skills, and personal motivations, ensuring they fit seamlessly into the game’s investigative horror theme. This approach makes it easy for newcomers to dive in while offering flexibility for experienced players to refine their characters.
7.3 Combat and Damage Systems
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF outlines the basics of combat and damage, emphasizing skill checks and luck. Combat is lethal, with handlers managing threats and enemies. The system balances action with the game’s investigative core, thus ensuring tension and strategic thinking for players.
Relationship to Core Rulebooks
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF complements the core rulebooks, including the Agent’s Handbook and Handler’s Guide, expanding gameplay mechanics and narrative depth.
8.1 Delta Green: Agents Handbook
The Delta Green: Agents Handbook is a core rulebook that provides detailed rules for creating agents, running games, and immersing players in cosmic horror. It expands on the quick-start rules found in the Need to Know PDF, offering deeper gameplay mechanics, character customization, and narrative tools. Essential for both players and Handlers, the Handbook is available in PDF and hardback formats, serving as the ultimate guide for those seeking a richer Delta Green experience beyond the introductory material.
8.2 Delta Green: Handler’s Guide
The Delta Green: Handler’s Guide is a core rulebook designed for the game master, providing resources to craft compelling scenarios, manage non-player characters, and expand the game world. It offers detailed guidance on creating cosmic horror and conspiracy narratives, as well as tools for enhancing player immersion. This book is essential for Handlers seeking to deepen the mystery and tension in their games, offering extensive lore and mechanics to support their storytelling efforts.
8.3 Expanding the Game with Core Books
Delta Green: The Role-Playing Game can be expanded using the Agents Handbook and Handler’s Guide. These core books provide deeper character creation, advanced mechanics, and additional scenarios. The Agents Handbook focuses on player options, while the Handler’s Guide offers tools for creating immersive stories and managing cosmic horror elements. Together, they enhance gameplay and provide a richer experience, allowing players and Handlers to explore more complex narratives and themes within the Delta Green universe.
Additional Resources for Delta Green
Delta Green offers various resources beyond the core books, including the official website, fan-made content, and tools like character generators and scenario builders.
- Official publications and updates are available on the Delta Green website.
- Fan communities create custom scenarios, characters, and artwork.
- Tools like the Green Box Generator aid in creating unique game elements.
9.1 Official Website and Publications
The official Delta Green website provides essential resources, including the Need to Know PDF, Agents Handbook, and Handler’s Guide. These publications offer detailed rules, scenarios, and tools for both players and handlers. The website also features updates, announcements, and links to purchase or download materials. Additionally, official publications like The Unspeakable Oath and Countdown expand the game’s lore and mechanics, ensuring a rich and immersive experience for fans of cosmic horror and conspiracy-themed RPGs.
9.2 Fan-Made Content and Communities
Fan-made content and active communities enrich the Delta Green experience. The Fairfield Project, a comprehensive fan wiki, offers extensive lore and resources. Communities on platforms like Discord and Reddit share homebrew scenarios, character ideas, and gameplay tips. Fan-created tools, such as the Green Box Generator and Name Generator, aid in crafting unique stories and characters. Additionally, Patreon supporters like Dennis Detwiller contribute exclusive content, fostering a vibrant and collaborative fan base that expands the game’s possibilities and deepens its cosmic horror atmosphere.
9.3 Tools and Generators
Various tools and generators support Delta Green gameplay. The Green Box Generator creates unique scenarios and plot hooks, while the Name Generator helps craft realistic character names. These resources enhance storytelling and immersion, aligning with the game’s cosmic horror and conspiracy themes. They provide handlers and players with quick, creative solutions to expand their campaigns and deepen the mysterious atmosphere of the game, making them invaluable for both new and experienced enthusiasts of the Delta Green RPG.
Community and Reception
The Delta Green: Need to Know PDF has been widely praised for its accessibility and depth, earning a Gold Ennie Award for Best Free Game in 2016.
10.1 Fan Reception and Reviews
Fans and critics praise Delta Green: Need to Know for its concise yet immersive introduction to the game. The PDF’s accessibility and depth have earned widespread acclaim, with many highlighting its ability to evoke the eerie atmosphere of cosmic horror. Players appreciate the included scenario and pre-generated characters, making it an excellent starting point for newcomers. The Gold Ennie Award for Best Free Game in 2016 underscores its popularity and quality, solidifying its reputation as a standout entry in the TTRPG community.
10.2 Awards and Recognition
Delta Green: Need to Know received the prestigious Gold Ennie Award for Best Free Game in 2016. This recognition highlights its exceptional quality and accessibility as a quick-start rulebook. The PDF’s ability to introduce players to the Delta Green RPG while maintaining the eerie atmosphere of cosmic horror earned it widespread acclaim. Its success underscores its role in promoting the game and attracting new players to the franchise.
10.3 Community Contributions
The Delta Green community actively contributes through fan-made content, such as the extensive Fairfield Project wiki and tools like the Green Box Generator. These resources enhance gameplay and demonstrate the dedication of fans. Community-driven projects, including character generators and scenario ideas, further enrich the experience. The availability of these contributions highlights the vibrant and supportive nature of the Delta Green community, fostering creativity and collaboration among players and Handlers alike.
Availability and Formats
Delta Green: Need to Know is available as a free PDF download or in print for $19.99, with the PDF included for free with purchase on DriveThruRPG.
11.1 PDF Availability and Pricing
Delta Green: Need to Know is available as a free PDF download, offered on a “Pay What You Want” basis on DriveThruRPG and the official website.
This accessibility ensures newcomers can easily explore the game without upfront costs.
The PDF is fully playable, making it an excellent starter resource for both players and Handlers.
Its digital format allows for convenient access across devices, fostering quick reference and easy sharing among groups.
11.2 Print Edition Options
Delta Green: Need to Know is available in a premium print edition, priced at $24.99. This softcover book includes the same content as the PDF, such as the quick-start rules, pre-generated characters, and the scenario “Last Things Last.” The print version is ideal for tabletop use, offering a tactile experience for both new and experienced players. Additionally, purchasing the print edition grants access to a free PDF copy, ensuring easy reference and sharing among gaming groups.
11.3 Digital Platforms and Distribution
Delta Green: Need to Know is widely available in digital formats, primarily through platforms like DriveThruRPG and Itch.io. The PDF is offered as a “Pay What You Want” model, allowing users to download it for free or pay an optional amount. This accessibility ensures newcomers can easily explore the game. Additionally, the PDF is included for free with the purchase of the print edition. Digital versions are also available through the official Delta Green website and other major RPG distribution platforms.
Delta Green: Need to Know is an essential introduction to the Delta Green RPG, offering a gateway to cosmic horror and conspiracy. Its free accessibility and award-winning design make it a must-have for newcomers and fans alike, showcasing the game’s potential and encouraging deeper exploration of the Delta Green universe.
12.1 Final Thoughts on the PDF
Delta Green: Need to Know is an exceptional introduction to the Delta Green RPG, offering a concise yet immersive experience. Its free availability and award-winning design make it accessible to newcomers while satisfying veterans. The PDF seamlessly blends quick-start rules, pre-generated characters, and a compelling scenario, capturing the eerie atmosphere of cosmic horror and conspiracy. As a gateway to the Delta Green universe, it excels, encouraging further exploration of the core rulebooks and expanding the game’s reach effectively.
12.2 Encouragement to Explore Further
For those captivated by the Delta Green: Need to Know PDF, further exploration is highly encouraged. Dive into the Agents Handbook and Handler’s Guide for deeper gameplay mechanics and lore. Engage with the vibrant community, explore fan-made content, and utilize tools like character generators to enhance your experience. The Delta Green universe is vast and immersive, offering endless opportunities for storytelling and cosmic horror. Take the next step and uncover the secrets hidden within this eerie world of conspiracy and terror.
12.3 The Future of Delta Green
The future of Delta Green is promising, with ongoing support from Arc Dream Publishing and a passionate community. Upcoming content, including new scenarios and expansions, ensures the game will continue to evolve. The success of the Need to Know PDF highlights the demand for accessible entry points, encouraging further innovations. As the RPG community grows, Delta Green remains a cornerstone of cosmic horror storytelling, inspiring new generations of players and Handlers alike.