Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse: Running an Army of the Dead Inspired TTRPG Campaign

 

 

Army of the Dead is a thrilling and action-packed movie that follows a group of mercenaries as they attempt to pull off a heist in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. The movie is full of excitement, danger, and suspense, making it an ideal source of inspiration for a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) campaign. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running an Army of the Dead inspired TTRPG campaign.

Setting

The setting of an Army of the Dead inspired campaign should be a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. The campaign should be set in the same time period as the movie, with a focus on the city of Las Vegas and its unique culture and landmarks. The players should feel like they are part of a world of survival and danger, where every action and decision has consequences.

Characters

The characters in an Army of the Dead inspired campaign should be a mix of survivors, mercenaries, and criminals, each with their own unique backstory and motivations. It's important to work with the players to create characters that fit into the world of Army of the Dead, and that have ties to the other characters in the group. The characters should be brave and resourceful, but also vulnerable and flawed. They should have weaknesses and secrets that can be exploited by their enemies.

Story

The story of an Army of the Dead inspired campaign should be focused on survival and heisting, just like in the movie. The campaign should be driven by the actions of the players, with their decisions and choices shaping the outcome of the campaign. The story should be full of danger, suspense, and action, with plenty of opportunities for the players to develop their characters and explore the world of Army of the Dead.

Gameplay

The gameplay of an Army of the Dead inspired campaign should be focused on survival and combat, with heisting playing a secondary role to character development and narrative. The players should have opportunities to use their skills and creativity to survive and overcome obstacles, but these should come with consequences. The campaign should be challenging, with the players facing dangerous enemies and navigating treacherous terrain.

The Heist of a Lifetime

Example Adventure Outline

The players are hired by a wealthy client to pull off a heist in the zombie-infested ruins of Las Vegas. The heist involves breaking into a heavily fortified casino and stealing a valuable artifact that is believed to have the power to cure the zombie virus. The players must navigate their way through the dangerous streets of Las Vegas, avoid the hordes of zombies, and outsmart the heavily armed security forces of the casino.

Suggested Player Characters and NPCs:

    Scott Ward - A former mercenary who is now a struggling diner owner with a troubled past.
    Kate Ward - Scott's daughter who is a skilled mechanic and fighter.
    Maria Cruz - A skilled safecracker who is also Kate's friend and former lover.
    Martin - A wealthy client who hires the players to pull off the heist.
    Burt Cummings - The leader of a group of survivors who are also trying to survive in the zombie-infested ruins of Las Vegas.

Suitable Systems:

•     All Flesh Must Be Eaten: All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a TTRPG system that is designed for survival horror campaigns where players must survive in a world overrun by zombies. It is a great choice for an Army of the Dead inspired campaign that involves survival and combat.
•     Savage Worlds: Savage Worlds is a flexible TTRPG system that can be adapted to a wide range of settings and genres. It is known for its fast-paced and action-packed gameplay, making it a great choice for an Army of the Dead inspired campaign that focuses on combat and heisting.
•     The End of the World: The End of the World is a TTRPG system that is designed for post-apocalyptic campaigns where players must survive in a world that has been devastated by a catastrophic event. It is a great choice for an Army of the Dead inspired campaign that involves survival and heisting.
•     Apocalypse World: Apocalypse World is a TTRPG system that is designed for post-apocalyptic campaigns where players must survive in a world that is full of danger and uncertainty. It is a great choice for an Army of the Dead inspired campaign that involves survival and combat.
•     Dread: Dread is a TTRPG system that uses a Jenga tower instead of dice to determine the outcome of actions. It is a great choice for an Army of the Dead inspired campaign that involves suspense and danger, as the players must carefully consider their actions to avoid toppling the tower.

 

What are some tips for creating a post-apocalyptic world?

Creating a post-apocalyptic world can be a challenging but rewarding task. Here are some tips to help you create a compelling and immersive post-apocalyptic world for your TTRPG campaign:

    Decide on the Cause of the Apocalypse: The first step in creating a post-apocalyptic world is deciding on the cause of the apocalypse. Was it a natural disaster, a war, a virus, a technological failure, or something else entirely? The cause of the apocalypse will shape the world and the challenges that the players will face.

    Consider the Fallout: The apocalypse will have far-reaching consequences that will impact every aspect of the world. Consider how the environment, society, and technology have been affected by the apocalypse. This will help you create a more immersive and believable world.

    Create a Unique Setting: While post-apocalyptic worlds may seem similar, it's important to create a unique setting that sets your world apart from others. Consider the landscape, the weather, the architecture, and the culture of the world. This will help to create a more immersive and engaging world for the players.

    Develop Unique Factions: In a post-apocalyptic world, factions will emerge as groups of survivors band together to survive. Create unique factions with their own goals, beliefs, and motivations. This will create interesting conflicts and alliances for the players to navigate.

    Consider Resource Scarcity: Resources will be scarce in a post-apocalyptic world. Consider what resources are in short supply, and how they are distributed among the survivors. This will create additional challenges for the players to overcome.

    Create Interesting Challenges: Post-apocalyptic worlds are full of challenges and obstacles that the players must overcome to survive. Consider the dangers of the world, such as radiation, mutated creatures, and hostile factions. Create interesting challenges that require the players to use their skills and creativity to overcome.

    Keep the Focus on Characters: While the world is important, the focus of a TTRPG campaign should always be on the characters. Create interesting and compelling characters that the players will care about, and give them opportunities to develop and grow throughout the campaign.

By following these tips, you can create a post-apocalyptic world that is immersive, engaging, and full of challenges for your players to overcome. Remember to keep the focus on the characters, and to create a unique and interesting setting that sets your world apart from others.