Star Hero

*Star Hero*
	Steve Long
Publishers	Hero Games
Publication	1989, 2002, 2011
Genres	Science fiction
Systems	Hero System

Star Hero is a science fiction role-playing game published by Hero Games and Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE) in 1989. The game uses the Hero System rules also used in other Hero Games publications such as Champions and Danger International.

Description

Players take on the role of space adventurers. Similar to other Hero Game publications, players use dice to determine the scores for basic attributes such as Strength and Dexterity.^[1] They then spend a pool of Hero points to buy skills. Or rather than taking the time to do this, a player can simply use a pre-generated template such as Starship Pilot or Scientist.^[2]

In addition to the standard Hero System rules for skills resolution and combat, Star Hero includes rules for starship construction, future technology and creating new alien races.^[2]

The game also gives general guidelines for creating a campaign.^[2]

Hero Universe

The official

Hero Universe setting divides the science fiction genre into five historical periods: Solar Hero (years 2080 to 2200), Interstellar Hero (2200–2300), Alien Wars (2300–2400), The Terran Empire (2400–2700), and The Galactic Federation (2700-3000).^[3]

Publication history

After Hero Games/ICE released a third edition of the Hero System, Sam Browne and Paula Woods used the new rules to create Star Hero, a 192-page book published in 1989 with illustrations by Timothy Bradstreet, Richard H. Britton, Rick Harris, and Douglas Shuler.[1]

In 2002, following the release of the 5th edition of the Hero System, Star Hero was updated to reflect the new rules. This book was dedicated to RJM Hughes, an avid poster at the Hero Games forums, who died in August 2002 due to complications from diabetes.

Fifth Edition Star Hero supplements

Terran Empire by James Cambias, 2003
The Spacer's Toolkit by Ben Seeman, 2003
Alien Wars by Allen Thomas, 2003
Worlds of Empire by Allen Thomas, Ben Seeman, Jason Walters, Steve Long, and
Darren Watts
, 2006

Following the release of the sixth edition of the Hero System in 2011, a new edition of Star Hero was published as well.

Reception

David Rogers reviewed the first edition of Star Hero in

Space Gamer Vol. II No. 1. Rogers commented that "Overall, I give Star Hero a B+ for presentation, largely because of artwork and sloppy editing. The game, though, plays like a winner. If you're looking for roleplaying science fiction that allows you design your own characters rather than relying on dice to make up your characters for you, this is your game."^[1]

In his 1990 book

MegaTraveller and Star Wars, is the game's biggest drawback; the referee will either have to build a universe from scratch (a mighty tall order), or graft the Star Hero rules onto a preexisting setting." Despite this, Swan gave the game a solid rating of 3 out of 4, saying, "those looking for a simple, comprehensive overview of science-fiction role-playing should enjoy Star Hero."^[2]