Zero Hour

What is Zero Hour?

Zero Hour is an action-packed horror TTRPG where players take on the role of special operations mercenaries fighting to prevent the zombie apocalypse by going on thrilling, often deadly missions.

An easy to learn, roll over 12 system is the backbone of this brand new game system, built to create the atmosphere and thrills of a survival action horror game, where even the best-equipped and prepared team can find themselves spiralling into desperate horror. 

Don't just take my word for it; check out this preview by Dave Thaumavore.

The setting

This game is not set after an apocalypse where the players must survive a dying world, but a contemporary world worth saving, where the players work for the Undead Tactical Response organisation Cerberus. Their job is to neutralise the undead before the quarantine zone is overrun. But there is more than just that going on, there is a mystery to uncover between the bouts of terrifying violence, horror and explosions. 

The Rules

The rules and system are made to be easy to pick up and run within minutes. 

Most rolls are a d20 + stats to get a score over 12. 

Shooting is split into two modes: a sudden shot, where the players must roll a d to determine the location of the shot.

Alternatively, take one round to make a called shot for potential double damage on a headshot. 

Each method has its potential risks and rewards. 
 

Players will need to think tactfully to gain the upper hand in combat, which can go sideways in just a few bad rolls. 

Stress and Panic

Players can always push a roll before rolling to gain +2, but that comes with added stress to your operator. If you acquire enough stress from pushing rolls or seeing horrifying things, your operator will have to roll on the panic table. All the results of the panic table have a mechanical as well as a thematic effect. 

character classes

There are six unique classes, each with their own individual skills and abilities, as well as advanced skills they gain with their own levelling path as they level up. 

Handler

The players aren’t the only ones who get to create a character; the GM talks to the players’ characters directly with a handler, with their own quirks and attributes. What sort of operations commander will you make? And what is their agenda?

weapons

To keep combat fast and uncomplicated, each weapon does the same flat damage on a hit. Weapons can also be upgraded with attachments that allow the players to customise how they approach combat for each mission.  

The Undead

The game has a huge number of fully illustrated enemies for the players to fight. Each enemy type plays drastically differently from the others to keep players on their toes.  This includes: 

and much, much more. 

Nemesis Enemies

Returning from Black Powder and Brimstone, there will be multiple Nemesis Enemies, each with their own rules and lore to bedevil or maybe even help your players in their adventures. 

Inspiration

Resident Evil, SCP, Overlord, F.I.S.T., The Last of Us, Train to Busan, Dawn of the Dead, Deep Rising, Aliens, The Division, Zenless Zane Zero, Call of Duty, Annihilation

Soudtrack

rewards

Digital edition: A digital copy of the book + all digital extras.

Digital Deluxe: A digital copy of the game plus all digital rewards.

Hardcover book: A hardcover copy of the book + all digital extras

Special edition: Kickstarter exclusive copy of the book + all free digital extras.

Collector's bundle: Both the regular hardcover of the book + Kickstarter exclusive copy of the book + all free digital extras.

Special edition deluxe featuring the digital add-ons at 50% off. 

Handler’s bundle: Everything in the Collector's bundle + a custom portrait of your handler. 

Ultimate edition: All previous rewards and paid digital extras bundled together

The MOTHERLOAD

Retail edition

X 5 copies of the regular hardback book for early retail.

 Add Ons 

Map Pack: A pack of pre-generated maps for digital play and to print out, including multiple individual assets for you to make your own maps with multiple layers. 

Digital Art Book: A collection of the illustrations from the book without text, including exclusive behind the scenes sketches and unused designs.

The Book

The book will be to the same high standard as expected from Free League, an A5 size with a hardback, stitch binding and glossy pages to make the art and the colours as bold and crisp as possible.

As before, the book will be packed with full colour illustrations by myself.

There will be no use of generative ai in the book at all. 

Deluxe edition

The Kickstarter Exclusive edition will be split into two books, the Players Guide and the GM's Guide, housed in a sturdy slipcase. This will make it the ultimate all-in-one package to run the game.

FREE digital starter pack

Everyone who backs or purchases the book will get access to a free digital package of assets to use at the table online. You can click the link above to get the damage tracker and character sheet. 

This pack will eventually include:

• Character sheet
• Mission guide template
• Weapon sheets
• Injury cards
• Enemy damage tracker sheet
• Printable player and enemy tokens

(Depending on how well the Kickstarter goes, I may add more freebies into this folder.)

 

Shipping and printing

Distribution will once again be handled by Kickstarter. To make sure that the shipping costs are up to date, shipping will be added once the campaign is complete and the books are ready to go. 

Please be aware: countries including Brazil, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Russia and Ukraine may not be able to receive physical shipping but should be fine for all digital rewards. 

About the author

Ben Tobitt is an animator, illustrator, and RPG game designer whose previous titles include Black Powder and Brimstone, published by Free League, as well as illustration work for Evil Hat games on Villains, Die RPG for Rowen Rook and Deckard, and Rustborne Bastards.

Non-TTRPG projects include, The Story of Britain, Age of Empires 5, The Quarry, Pool Panic and Horrible Histories. 

He enjoys painting Nurgle miniatures, cooking, playing Battlefield 6 and Zenless Zane Zero. He also writes all his own promotional material and is incredibly good in bed.

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