Galactic Countdown Deck

This thematic deck of 56 playing cards is primarily designed to be used with science fiction roleplaying games and settings. It offers the following special features:

1. Four jokers instead of the usual two, each with a suit.

2. Prominent “countdown numbers” at the top of each card. These can be used for initiative: deal each character a card, then count down from highest to lowest to determine turn order. Fast characters can draw 2-3 cards and keep the highest, while slow characters might draw 2-3 cards and use the lowest.

3. A unique “galactic symbol” at the bottom of each card. This symbol can be used as an improvisational prompt—for example a “pistol” might indicate an aggressive race, or a war zone, or a technology level similar to modern-day Earth, and so on.

The symbols can be used to generate adventures, to determine random complications, or any number of other purposes. However the symbols are mainly intended for generating planets: draw one card to determine what a planet looks like, then draw another 3-6 cards to reveal details about its conditions and inhabitants.

Note: If you want to use the Countdown Deck on a Virtual Tabletop, or simply want to check out the cards before you buy them, you should download the free VTT cards!