What are the best post-apocalyptic tabletop RPGs? That is a hard question to answer, but I’ll take a crack at it. The post-apocalyptic genre has been a favorite of mine ever since I first watched Mad Max.

Since it is impossible to limit the selection of these great games to one, I created a list of the best post-apocalyptic tabletop RPGs.

Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook PDF

War… War never changes… New from Modiphius the Fallout Tabletop RPG!

From the description:

“In 2077, the storm of nuclear war reduced most of the planet to cinders. From the ashes of nuclear devastation, a new civilization will struggle to arise. A civilization you will shape.

“How will you re-shape the world? Will you join with a plucky band of survivors to fight off all-comers and carve out your own settlement? Will you team up with pre-existing factions like the Brotherhood of Steel or Super Mutants to enforce your own ideals on the Wasteland? Ghoul or robot, paladin or raider, it’s your choice – and the consequences are yours. Welcome to the Wasteland. Welcome to the world of Fallout.

“This DIGITAL COPY of our 438-page rulebook contains rules and lore for roleplaying in the Fallout world, as well as concept art from the Fallout videogames. Utilizing Modiphius’ celebrated 2d20 cinematic role-playing system, the Fallout RPG will take players on an exciting journey into the post-apocalypse!”

Get the Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook PDF now on DriveThruRPG.

Apocalypse World

Apocalypse World set the RPG world on its head. The unique rules have inspired hundreds of games using the “Powered by the Apocalypse” game engine.

Apocalypse World is a violent and grotesque take on post-apocalyptic tabletop gaming that is not for the squeamish. This wasteland is dark and disgusting, so you better be prepared. However, it has to be on any list of the best post-apocalyptic tabletop RPGs.

NOTE: If you prefer a game without the X-rated content, Lumpley Games has released Apocalypse World: Burned Over Hackbook. This redesign makes Apocalypse World playable for a wider audience.

Gamma World

It all started with Gamma World. The company that created tabletop role-playing games (D&D) entered the apocalypse with this tour de force of mutated madness and wasteland weirdness.

Gamma World was originally published in 1978 and has had a number of editions. The editions saw wide-ranging rule changes and additions to the setting.

The RPG has dedicated fans to this day and it deserves a close look by role-players and fans of the genre.

Other Dust

Other Dust is a modern OSR post-apocalyptic tabletop RPG setting.

It blends hi-tech with apocalyptic destruction and can be played as part of the Star Without Number universe.

Get ready for nanites, radiation, and the remnants of an earth that reached the stars and is now fallen.

Tiny Wastelands

The apocalypse comes fast and hard to the rules-lite TinyD6 system in Tiny Wastelands.

Instead of providing one main setting, this RPG includes a number of “micro-settings” that explore different aspects of the post-apocalyptic genre.

Tiny Wastelands includes rules for vehicles, mutations, and settlements.

Fallout: Wasteland Warfare – RPG

War. War never changes… Except now you can play the Fallout video game series as a tabletop RPG with Fallout: Wasteland Warfare.

Launch yourself into the messed-up retro-future that has taken video game fans on tons of adventures.

Now, experience those adventures around the gaming table with your friends with this pen-and-paper adaptation.

Wander the Wasteland…

If you hear the wastelands call, then any of these RPGs will fulfill the longing. Load your shotgun and gas up your interceptor because there are wrongs to be righted in this blighted world.

The Best Post-Apocalyptic Tabletop RPGs