The response to Space 1889: After has been incredible, and thanks to your support, we've already unlocked our first stretch goals!
Because the Space 1889: After Core Rulebook and Adventure Anthology are already complete, every stretch goal is focused on adding even more value to your rewards. Instead of funding unfinished content, we're expanding the experience with premium upgrades, additional adventures, and bonus rewards.
✅ Unlocked So Far
🗺️ Expanded Map Book
Our first few stretch goals have already increased the Map Book, giving you even more tactical maps of key locations from the setting for your tabletop adventures.
📚 The Fifth Adventure
We've also unlocked an entirely new adventure for the Adventure Anthology, expanding the lore of the inner worlds and giving your crew another dangerous mission to undertake in the Great Dark.
Thank you for helping us reach these milestones so quickly!
Next Stop: $45,000
We're getting close to our next stretch goal!
🎯 At $45,000, every physical copy of the Space 1889: After Core Rulebook and the Adventure Anthology will also include a digital PDF copy at no additional cost.
And There's More Beyond the Horizon - we have planned out additional stretch goals that include additional lore, accessories, and more!
Take the Helm: How Ether-Fliers and Sky Galleons Fight
Hey all! Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign so far! We're less than $1K away from our next stretch goal - which will add 10 more maps to the map book!
Now - onto ship combat!
Ready for sky-ship dogfights? The Space 1889: After 5e core rules feature dynamic aerial combat rules where players take on essential crew roles (Captain, Pilot, Engineer, Gunner). Vehicles have full 5e stat blocks, targetable components, and specialized mechanics, while reworked skills like Physics and Engineering govern your high-stakes maneuvers and mid-battle repairs.
Dedicated Vehicle Statistics & Components Vehicles are no longer just set dressing; they function with full mechanics. The Perfect Metal Beasts Chapter introduces specific stat blocks for air vehicles. Ships have their own hit point pools, armor classes, and functional Components that can be targeted, as well as distinct Drawbacks when damaged.
Character Careers & Essential "Ship Roles" Instead of players just sitting back while the captain steers, vehicle combat is a highly collaborative effort. When you choose a Background (Career), it grants your character proficiency in specific Ship Roles. These roles are essential for aerial combat and traversing space:
Captain / Officer: Commands the crew and coordinates actions.
Pilot / Ethernaut: Manages the wheel and maneuvers the ship.
Engineer / Worker: Keeps the engine room running and repairs components under fire.
Gunner: Operates the ship's heavy artillery and range-finding equipment.
Marine / Lookout: Handles defense against boarding parties and spots incoming threats.
Modification of Core 5e Skills To make aerial dogfights feel authentic, standard 5e skills have been reworked to govern vehicle operations:
Physics: Replaces Arcana and is used for equations, ether navigation, and Piloting checks. The Referee can also use a variant Dexterity (Physics) check to account for the split-second reflexes required to pilot a ship in active combat.
Engineering: Also replaces Arcana and is used to fix, construct, or break machinery and ships. Under fire, a Referee might call for a Dexterity (Engineering) check to repair a failing engine room while dodging shots.
Heavy Artillery and Firepower Aerial engagements rely on massive weaponry. Gunners have specialized training in range-finding and setting fuse timers for explosive shells. Characters with the Gunner career even get a unique feature called Careful Shot, which increases their Ammunition Die maximum by one step.
If you are planning an encounter, you will want to look directly at Chapter 5: Perfect Metal Beasts for the specific vehicle stat blocks and engagement phases, and Chapter 6: Traversing the Unknown for the rules governing travel through the deep ether.
We're blown away by the support the campaign has gotten already. Thank you so much for supporting Space 1889: After!
We've already unlocked our first two stretch goals!
At 40K, we'll add another 10 pages to the Map Book! We're already very close! Now.. onto gameplay:
There are a lot of interesting characters roaming the ether in Space 1889: After. Because this setting adapts the classic steampunk space-opera into 5th Edition, your character’s background translates directly into their functional Career and Ship Role.
To help you and your crew master the skies before your books even arrive, we have put together a series of How to Play videos on YouTube.
These digestible guides walk you through the fundamentals of character creation and game play. Our channel also has a series of videos discussing overviews, villains, vehicles, and more. These videos offer a perfect primer to get your table table-ready. Head over to our channel, subscribe, and let us know in the comments which mechanic you want to explore next!
Ancestries of the Ether
The planets and open space of Space 1889: After are populated by diverse peoples, each uniquely adapted to their home worlds. When building your character, your choice of ancestry shapes your perspective on the grand space race and grants distinct mechanical traits tailored for the 5th Edition ruleset.
The Character Breakdown
When designing a character for the skies of Mars or the deep ether, your background determines how you interact with a ship's components during high-stakes aerial combat:
The Pilot / Ethernaut: Built for the quick-thinking characters who want to take the wheel. They utilize Physics checks to navigate treacherous thermal drafts or pull off tight maneuvers in a dogfight.
The Engineer / Worker: For the hands-on characters who keep the gears turning. They rely on Engineering checks to patch ruptured steam pipes and repair targetable ship components mid-battle.
The Gunner: Designed for the tactical sharpshooters. They are trained in heavy artillery range-finding, fuse timers, and possess features like Careful Shot to preserve precious ammunition.
The Captain / Officer: Built for the leaders who coordinate the crew, direct actions, and keep the vessel operating as a unified front.
The Marine / Lookout: For the defenders who excel at spotting incoming aerial threats and repelling enemy boarding parties.
Choosing Your Lineage: The Races of the Inner Worlds
In Space 1889: After, your character’s origin shapes how they navigate the high society of Earth, the ancient canal cities of Mars, or the wild, untamed jungles of Venus. Whether you are playing a human pioneer or a native of the inner worlds, your lineage provides distinct mechanical features and deep roleplay hooks.
Here are the primary lineages your crew can choose from:
Humans (Earthborn): Resourceful, ambitious, and technologically driven. Driven by Victorian ingenuity, Earthborn characters excel at adapting to the harsh environments of space and mastering complex ether-flier mechanics.
Martians: A proud people from a dying world of ancient, red deserts. Players can choose between three distinct cultures:
High Martians: Nomadic, fierce, and possessing leathery wings capable of flight in the thin Martian air.
Canal Martians: The urban dwellers of Mars, dedicated to commerce, bureaucracy, and maintaining the planet's vital, centuries-old water networks.
Hill Martians: Reclusive and deeply traditionalists who live away from the cities, keeping ancient martial arts and survival skills alive.
Automatons (The Mechanical Vanguard): Forged from brass, iron, and clockwork gears, these sentient machines are a testament to Victorian engineering. Originally built for heavy labor, factory maintenance, or deep-space boiler repair, many have developed a unique spark of consciousness during the ten-year silence. Mechanically, they offer built-in armor plating, immunity to psychological exhaustion, and a structural frame that doesn't need to breathe the thin ether - making them exceptional mechanics or front-line defenders on an ether-flier.
Ogres (The Heavy Laborers): Towering, physically imposing, and possessing unmatched brute strength, Ogres represent the raw muscle of the inner worlds. Often found working the docks of Earth's sky-ports or hauling massive scrap metal from derelict Martian ruins, they are the ultimate anchors for any away team. What they lack in high-society etiquette, they more than make up for with high hit-point maximums, powerful carrying capacities, and a natural resilience to blunt trauma.
There are many interesting characters roaming the ether in Space 1889: After. What kind of character are you building first? A gritty sky-sailor or a re-engineered gadgeteer? Let us know in the comments!
[TRANSMISSION LOG: STATUS - LOCKED IN]Subject: SUCCESS! The Window to the Stars is Open!
To the Vanguard,
We’ve done it. Thanks to your incredible support, the offset print run for Space 1889: After is officially funded! The pressure gauges are steady, the engines are humming, and this book is becoming a physical reality.
Because you stepped up, we can formally guarantee the high-quality production this setting deserves. But clearing the launchpad is just the beginning of our voyage.
Next Coordinates: Our cartographers are already looking to the horizon. If we can reach our next milestone, we will unlock the Expanded Tactical Map Book, providing your table with the exact hexagonal grids needed to navigate the Great Dark. Let's keep the pressure up! We are letting you, our incredible backers, steer the fleet! Adventure five is officially in production, and we need your help naming the central vessel that will carry your crew through the deep ether. As members of the vanguard, the honor of christening this vessel falls to you. Will she be an imposing iron workhorse or a sleek classical explorer? Cast your vote below to permanently stamp your mark on this adventure’s hull!
We are officially LIVE! The mechanics for Space 1889: After 5e are fully written and playtested. Now, we need your help to bring them to life in the physical world. This campaign is dedicated to funding high-quality, offset-printed rulebooks, a brand-new adventure book, and premium physical tools designed to elevate your gaming experience. Choose your tier, secure your physical copies, and let’s take to the skies!
From the Digital Ether to Your Bookshelf
The skies of Mars are ready for exploration. After extensive drafting and tuning to ensure seamless integration of ship roles, vehicle stat blocks, and aerial dogfights into the 5th Edition ruleset, we are ready for the ultimate next step.
Space 1889: After is going to print!
This campaign is entirely focused on manufacturing premium, durable physical products that deserve a permanent spot at your gaming table.
What We Are Funding
By backing this campaign, you are helping us produce a premium suite of physical gaming materials:
The Core Rulebook (Offset Printing): Get the complete Space 1889: After 5e rules in a stunning, high-quality offset print edition. This includes full vehicle stat blocks, ship roles (Captain, Pilot, Engineer, Gunner), and reworked sci-fi skills like Physics and Engineering built to survive years of page-turning.
The Brand-New Adventure Book: A physical collection of thrilling scenarios and campaigns designed to throw your players straight into high-stakes ether travel and aerial combat right out of the box.
Premium Gaming Tools: Custom physical tools and accessories designed specifically to streamline vehicle management, tracking, and combat positioning during your sessions.
📅 What to Expect Next
Because the writing and mechanical design are already complete, our updates throughout this campaign will focus on production milestones, physical component previews, stretch goals, and deep dives into play.
Thank you for backing, sharing, and helping us bring these rules into the material world. Head over to the main project page, lock in your physical backer tier, and let's launch this fleet together!
The countdown has begun! In just one week, Space 1889: After launches on BackerKit.
We're looking forward to welcoming both longtime Space 1889 fans and new explorers as we set course for the Victorian Future. This campaign will bring Space 1889: After to the fifth edition of the world's most popular roleplaying game with premium offset-printed books, a brand-new Adventure Anthology, a spiral-bound Map Book, and more.
If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to prepare for launch.
Follow and reserve your pledge to claim your pre-launch incentives! If you collect each pin from the campaign, they all combine into one mega pin!
Almost Time to Cast Off
Thank you for joining us as we prepare to return to the skies of Mars, the jungles of Venus, and the mysteries of the Great Dark.
We'll see you on July 7.
Follow the campaign and reserve your pledge today!
The response to Space 1889: After has been incredible, and thanks to your support, we've already unlocked our first stretch goals!
Because the Space 1889: After Core Rulebook and Adventure Anthology are already complete, every stretch goal is focused on adding even more value to your rewards. Instead of funding unfinished content, we're expanding the experience with premium upgrades, additional adventures, and bonus rewards.
✅ Unlocked So Far
🗺️ Expanded Map Book
Our first few stretch goals have already increased the Map Book, giving you even more tactical maps of key locations from the setting for your tabletop adventures.
📚 The Fifth Adventure
We've also unlocked an entirely new adventure for the Adventure Anthology, expanding the lore of the inner worlds and giving your crew another dangerous mission to undertake in the Great Dark.
Thank you for helping us reach these milestones so quickly!
Next Stop: $45,000
We're getting close to our next stretch goal!
🎯 At $45,000, every physical copy of the Space 1889: After Core Rulebook and the Adventure Anthology will also include a digital PDF copy at no additional cost.
And There's More Beyond the Horizon - we have planned out additional stretch goals that include additional lore, accessories, and more!
Hey all! Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign so far! We're less than $1K away from our next stretch goal - which will add 10 more maps to the map book!
Now - onto ship combat!
Ready for sky-ship dogfights? The Space 1889: After 5e core rules feature dynamic aerial combat rules where players take on essential crew roles (Captain, Pilot, Engineer, Gunner). Vehicles have full 5e stat blocks, targetable components, and specialized mechanics, while reworked skills like Physics and Engineering govern your high-stakes maneuvers and mid-battle repairs.
Dedicated Vehicle Statistics & Components Vehicles are no longer just set dressing; they function with full mechanics. The Perfect Metal Beasts Chapter introduces specific stat blocks for air vehicles. Ships have their own hit point pools, armor classes, and functional Components that can be targeted, as well as distinct Drawbacks when damaged.
Character Careers & Essential "Ship Roles" Instead of players just sitting back while the captain steers, vehicle combat is a highly collaborative effort. When you choose a Background (Career), it grants your character proficiency in specific Ship Roles. These roles are essential for aerial combat and traversing space:
Captain / Officer: Commands the crew and coordinates actions.
Pilot / Ethernaut: Manages the wheel and maneuvers the ship.
Engineer / Worker: Keeps the engine room running and repairs components under fire.
Gunner: Operates the ship's heavy artillery and range-finding equipment.
Marine / Lookout: Handles defense against boarding parties and spots incoming threats.
Modification of Core 5e Skills To make aerial dogfights feel authentic, standard 5e skills have been reworked to govern vehicle operations:
Physics: Replaces Arcana and is used for equations, ether navigation, and Piloting checks. The Referee can also use a variant Dexterity (Physics) check to account for the split-second reflexes required to pilot a ship in active combat.
Engineering: Also replaces Arcana and is used to fix, construct, or break machinery and ships. Under fire, a Referee might call for a Dexterity (Engineering) check to repair a failing engine room while dodging shots.
Heavy Artillery and Firepower Aerial engagements rely on massive weaponry. Gunners have specialized training in range-finding and setting fuse timers for explosive shells. Characters with the Gunner career even get a unique feature called Careful Shot, which increases their Ammunition Die maximum by one step.
If you are planning an encounter, you will want to look directly at Chapter 5: Perfect Metal Beasts for the specific vehicle stat blocks and engagement phases, and Chapter 6: Traversing the Unknown for the rules governing travel through the deep ether.
I pledged to the last kickstarter for this. When I asked about the difference between this and the last one, I received a response that the map book, adventure book, etc was all new, but there doesn't seem to be anything new to the actual rule book other than it's offset printed (the last one was print on demand, I believe, as I've double checked my DrivethruRPG receipt for that). While the offset printing may be nicer, I don't know if I wish to commit to buying this book again just for that.
What I have always been interested in since the first announcements was getting the adventure bound book, and especially with the extra adventure. Is there anyway, you can get a pledge for us that's just the adventure? I also was looking for a like $1 get in the door pledge and I could add on the adventure, but I had to actually pledge for the corebook/adventure just to be able to pose this question.
I used some stuff from this book in my Spelljammer game, and am really toying with a crossover with Deadlands...so I'm happy to support Space: 1889 Next... just have no reason to buy the same book twice.
Thank you!
David.
We're blown away by the support the campaign has gotten already. Thank you so much for supporting Space 1889: After!
We've already unlocked our first two stretch goals!
At 40K, we'll add another 10 pages to the Map Book! We're already very close! Now.. onto gameplay:
There are a lot of interesting characters roaming the ether in Space 1889: After. Because this setting adapts the classic steampunk space-opera into 5th Edition, your character’s background translates directly into their functional Career and Ship Role.
To help you and your crew master the skies before your books even arrive, we have put together a series of How to Play videos on YouTube.
These digestible guides walk you through the fundamentals of character creation and game play. Our channel also has a series of videos discussing overviews, villains, vehicles, and more. These videos offer a perfect primer to get your table table-ready. Head over to our channel, subscribe, and let us know in the comments which mechanic you want to explore next!
Ancestries of the Ether
The planets and open space of Space 1889: After are populated by diverse peoples, each uniquely adapted to their home worlds. When building your character, your choice of ancestry shapes your perspective on the grand space race and grants distinct mechanical traits tailored for the 5th Edition ruleset.
The Character Breakdown
When designing a character for the skies of Mars or the deep ether, your background determines how you interact with a ship's components during high-stakes aerial combat:
The Pilot / Ethernaut: Built for the quick-thinking characters who want to take the wheel. They utilize Physics checks to navigate treacherous thermal drafts or pull off tight maneuvers in a dogfight.
The Engineer / Worker: For the hands-on characters who keep the gears turning. They rely on Engineering checks to patch ruptured steam pipes and repair targetable ship components mid-battle.
The Gunner: Designed for the tactical sharpshooters. They are trained in heavy artillery range-finding, fuse timers, and possess features like Careful Shot to preserve precious ammunition.
The Captain / Officer: Built for the leaders who coordinate the crew, direct actions, and keep the vessel operating as a unified front.
The Marine / Lookout: For the defenders who excel at spotting incoming aerial threats and repelling enemy boarding parties.
Choosing Your Lineage: The Races of the Inner Worlds
In Space 1889: After, your character’s origin shapes how they navigate the high society of Earth, the ancient canal cities of Mars, or the wild, untamed jungles of Venus. Whether you are playing a human pioneer or a native of the inner worlds, your lineage provides distinct mechanical features and deep roleplay hooks.
Here are the primary lineages your crew can choose from:
Humans (Earthborn): Resourceful, ambitious, and technologically driven. Driven by Victorian ingenuity, Earthborn characters excel at adapting to the harsh environments of space and mastering complex ether-flier mechanics.
Martians: A proud people from a dying world of ancient, red deserts. Players can choose between three distinct cultures:
High Martians: Nomadic, fierce, and possessing leathery wings capable of flight in the thin Martian air.
Canal Martians: The urban dwellers of Mars, dedicated to commerce, bureaucracy, and maintaining the planet's vital, centuries-old water networks.
Hill Martians: Reclusive and deeply traditionalists who live away from the cities, keeping ancient martial arts and survival skills alive.
Automatons (The Mechanical Vanguard): Forged from brass, iron, and clockwork gears, these sentient machines are a testament to Victorian engineering. Originally built for heavy labor, factory maintenance, or deep-space boiler repair, many have developed a unique spark of consciousness during the ten-year silence. Mechanically, they offer built-in armor plating, immunity to psychological exhaustion, and a structural frame that doesn't need to breathe the thin ether - making them exceptional mechanics or front-line defenders on an ether-flier.
Ogres (The Heavy Laborers): Towering, physically imposing, and possessing unmatched brute strength, Ogres represent the raw muscle of the inner worlds. Often found working the docks of Earth's sky-ports or hauling massive scrap metal from derelict Martian ruins, they are the ultimate anchors for any away team. What they lack in high-society etiquette, they more than make up for with high hit-point maximums, powerful carrying capacities, and a natural resilience to blunt trauma.
There are many interesting characters roaming the ether in Space 1889: After. What kind of character are you building first? A gritty sky-sailor or a re-engineered gadgeteer? Let us know in the comments!
