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I'm trying to expand the range of universal/generic systems I'm acquainted with, and took a look at Unisystem. I had a very superficial run-in with it in one of its licensed-franchise forms some years ago, and would now like to take a look at it in its pure, setting-agnostic form. But when searching publications related to the system, I am having trouble finding a book that would be the equivalent of a system core (similar to the role of Cypher System Rulebook of Cypher, the EABA 2.0 book of EABA, the Basic Set of GURPS, and the like).

What book should I look towards for acquainting myself with the system in its most basic, generic form?

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    \$\begingroup\$ I think the system introduction tag is a better fit than the product identification tag, but I'll leave both in. \$\endgroup\$
    – Akixkisu
    Apr 17, 2021 at 12:43
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Akixkisu Both seem of use for describing what this is focused on, yes, thanks. \$\endgroup\$
    – vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica
    Apr 17, 2021 at 13:00

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Unisystem is a proprietary engine. There is no public core, but...

Unisystem was designed by C.J. Carella for the games Witchcraft and Armageddon, but the game developer and publisher Eden Studios brought an exclusive license to the system and its derivatives, using it to release updated editions of Witchcraft and Armageddon in addition to several of their own products. Some of these, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, use a cinematic version of Unisystem with a less complex skill and combat resolution engine. (Unfortunately, the company itself seems to have gone radio silent for several years now.)

With all that said, All Flesh Must Be Eaten is a good place to start if you're looking for something like a "core" to Unisystem. It was the first product Eden Studios published under the engine and it contains the most explanation of how the system works, such as how to construct a monster, and bills itself as widely adaptable.

If you're looking to write a hack in a genre where Unisystem has already been used, games in that genre are a good next step; if you're interested in "cinematic Unisystem", picking up any of those books, in-genre or out, will also get you an appendix with instructions for converting from classic Unisystem.

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