Sample personal “starting equipment” lists from science-fiction role-playing games. Does not include items commonly available in a starship’s “ship’s locker” (vaccsuits/space suits, emergency medical gear, extra oxygen tanks, and so forth). Where noted, these lists assume one full oxygen tank provides 12 hours of oxygen under normal conditions, or 4 hours under stressful conditions.
Cyberpunk Equipment List
From the late 1980s, Mike Pondsmith was very spot-on envisioning basic kit for the early 21st century, although modem, mini-light, and alarm clock ended up built into the cellular phones. From Pondsmith’s rules: “The Cyberpunk future is mobile. Like the cowboys of the Old West, most people carry their lives on their backs – miniaturized sleeping, eating and entertainment components crammed into carryalls and the back seats of cars. The stuff you carry is around known in streetslang as your outfit. A typical outfit might include (the listed items)… crammed into a shoulderbag or duffle sack.”
Updated from View From the Edge: The Cyberpunk Handbook by Mike Pondsmith (1988), R. Talsorian Games Inc., p. 18…
- Inflatable bed (folds to a 6″x6″ package for easy storage).
- Compressible sleeping bag (down or synthetic insulation), wads to the size of a paperback book (about 4″ x 7″).
- Micro-stereo compo (a micro-sized “boombox”-style portable music player with stereo speakers or headphones, possibly CO, tape player, TV and certainly radio).
- Handful of tapes or CDs (or other offline digital media storage device).
- Laptop or pocket computer (for notes, writing, business; links to computer networks).
- Cybermodem, cables (if you’re a Netrunner).
- Pocket cellular phone (the phone is bought, the service is rented by the month).
- Mini-light/alarm clock.
- Mini-micro heater.
- Handgun, knife or both. Possibly an assault rifle or submachinegun (SMG), and a couple backups as well. Always extra ammo.
- Body armor (usually an armor jacket or bullet-proof T-shirt).
- Personal things, like clothes, toothbrushes, etc.
Mothership Equipment Lists
These kits from the original version of Mothership gave characters a choice from four lists. The 2023 “first edition” set changed this rule to rolling on a table based on the character’s class.
From Mothership (0e) sci-fi horror RPG, by Sean McCoy (2018), Tuesday Knight Games, p. 39:
Excavation Loadout
- Bioscanner (detects life within 100 meter radius)
- Body cam (broadcasts sound and view back to central hub, like a nearby command center or dispatch)
- Crowbar (doubles as a metal melee weapon)
- Hand welder (also a nasty weapon at close range)
- Infrared goggles
- Laser cutter (also a nasty weapon at close range)
- Lockpick set
- Vaccsuit (minor armor, oxygen tank, mag-boots, short-range comms)
Exploration Loadout
- Binoculars
- Camping gear
- First aid kit
- Flare gun
- Flashlight
- Locator (personal tracker so others can find wearer’s signal)
- MREs x 7 (meals ready to eat) (lots of calories, just add water)
- Rebreather (filters air while underwater, up to 20 minutes)
- Rigging Gun (grappling hook projectile)
- Survey kit (maps nearby kilometers, notes breathability, gravity, other environmental features)
- Vaccsuit (long-range comms, oxygen tank)
- Vibechete (high-frequency vibrating machate)
- Water filter
Extermination Loadout
- Electronic tool kit
- Frag grenade x6
- SMG (submachinegun)
- Standard battle dress (moderate armor, heads-up display, body cam, short-range comms)
- Stimpak x6 (temporary boost to health and strength)
Examination Loadout
- Automed x6 (nanomech pills, helps disease and stress resistance, healing)
- Cybernetic diagnostic scanner (for repairing androids)
- Hazard suit (minor armor, good versus pathogens and environmental exposure, limited oxygen supply)
- Medscanner
- Pain pills x6
- Scalpel
- Stimpak x6
- Stun baton
- Tranq pistol
d20 Modern Future Equipment Lists
Rather than tracking money and prices, the d20 Modern system uses an abstract Wealth score to represent a character’s access to funds and acquiring equipment. For reference:
- Impoverished or in debt (Wealth +0)
- Struggling (+1 to +4)
- Middle Class (+5 to +10)
- Affluent (+11 to +15)
- Wealthy (+16 to +20)
- Rich (+21 to +30)
- Very rich (+31 or higher)
The lists below assume a character gets a “basic package” of gear at character creation. If a character has greater Wealth to use, more items may be available as noted. Brand names are just suggestions to be replaced by other names as fits the game’s campaign setting.
From d20 Future Tech, by Rodney Thompson and JD Wiker (2006), Wizards of the Coast, p. 29.
Academic Package: The academic package applies to any character whose life is devoted to studying, teaching, or research.
- Basic Package: Binoculars (standard), briefcase, camera (digital), clothing (business), clothing (casual), day pack, fake ID, first aid kit, flashlight (penlight), instrument (keyboard or stringed), laser pointer, marbles (bag), multipurpose tool, overcoat, slingshot, universal communicator, wheeled suitcase (15 lb. capacity), windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +7: Computer (desktop), display contacts, jetpack, modem (broadband), PDA, stun baton.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Computer (notebook), Kirsch Sunflower (economy coupe).
- Wealth Bonus +11: Computer (card).
Adventurer Package: This package is tailored for any character who spends her time in the wilderness (or disused parts of a city).
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (40 lb. capacity), backpack, binoculars (standard), blackout goggles, camera (digital), clothing (casual), chemical light sticks (5), compass, contractor’s field bag, duct tape, flashlight (battery, flood/flash-sea), holster (hip), knife, map (road atlas), multipurpose tool, Pathfinder, pull-up pouch vest, rope (150 ft.), search-and-rescue kit, sleeping bag, speed loader, tent (2-person dome), universal communicator, violet rations (12).
- Wealth Bonus +5: Beretta 92F, grenade (midnighter).
- Wealth Bonus +7: Electro-optical scope, laser pistol, laser sniper rifle.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Charge pistol, Kirsch Sunflower (economy coupe), jetpack.
Athlete Package: The athlete package is ideal for any character practicing physical sports, from team sports to rock climbing.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (10 lb. capacity), backpack, binoculars (standard), chemical (antitox), chemical (boost), climbing gear, clothing (casual), club, first aid kit, flashlight, Health-Alert, holster (hip), hydrate,jetpack, map (road atlas), tent (2-person dome), universal communicator, wallcrawler gear, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +8: Aquaconverter, laser pistol, PDA.
- Wealth Bonus +10: Cretan Motors Kentaur (pickup truck), compression gun, portable video camera.
- Wealth Bonus +12: Computer (cord), Cretan Motors “Hecoton” (pickup truck), display contacts.
Blue Collar Package: The blue collar package is most applicable to factory workers, physical laborers, and similar unskilled laborers.
- Basic Package: Backpack, briefcase (or standard handbag), camera (disposable), clothing (business), clothing (casual), coat, first aid kit, flashlight (standard), jetpack, map (road atlas), mechanical (or electrical) toolkit (basic), sleeping bag, universal communicator.
- Wealth Bonus +6: PDA.
- Wealth Bonus +8: Computer (desktop).
- Wealth Bonus +10: Kirsch Sunflower (economy coupe).
Celebrity Package: This package is aimed at any character whose activities revolve around being in the public spotlight.
- Basic Package (req. Wealth Bonus +9): Aluminum travel case (40 lb. capacity), backpack, camera (digital), chemical (antitox), clothing (business), clothing (casual), clothing (formal), disguise kit (morphic), fake ID, first aid kit, flashlight (standard), flechette pistol, holster (concealed carry), jetpack, map (road atlas), multipurpose tool, portable video camera, sleeping bag, stun baton, tent (2-person dome). universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +11: Computer (cord), display contacts.
- Wealth Bonus +13: SKG Lamplighter (economy sedan).
- Wealth Bonus +15: Cretan Motors “Hecoton” (pickup truck).
Creative Package: The creative package is optimal for artists of all types-illustrators, novelists, actors, photographers, and so on.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (40 lb. capacity), backpack, camera (digital), digital audio recorder, first aid kit, flashlight, instrument (stringed). map (road atlas), portable video camera, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +9: PDA, sleeping bag.
- Wealth Bonus +11: Computer (desktop), display contacts, printer, scanner.
- Wealth Bonus +13: Computer (card).
Criminal Package: This package is ideal for any character who earns her living on the shady side of the law: bank robbers, con artists, thieves, and so on.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (10 lb. capacity), camera (digital), chemical light sticks (5), clothing (casual), day pack, duct tape, fake ID, fatigue jacket, flashlight (standard), handcuffs (steel), holster (concealed carry), map (road atlas), stun baton, universal communicator.
- Wealth Bonus +7: Laser pistol.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Charge pistol, tangier gun.
- Wealth Bonus +11: Laser sniper rifle, 5KG Lamplighter (economy sedan).
Dilettante Package: The dilettante package is tailored for characters who drift from one interest to another and never spend too long on one pursuit.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (75 lb. capacity), briefcase, camera (digital), clothing (business), clothing (casual), clothing (formal), Derringer, digital audio recorder, fake ID, flashlight (penlight), GPS receiver, instrument (any kind), PDA, overcoat, pepper spray, portable video camera, skis and poles, stun baton, universal communicator.
- Wealth Bonus +10: 5KG Lamplighter (economy sedan).
- Wealth Bonus +12: Computer (card), display contacts.
- Wealth Bonus +14: Nakazawa Delta-9 (family wagon).
Doctor Package: The doctor package is tailored for any character who practices medicine, from holistic healing to osteopathic surgery.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (40 lb. capacity), camera (digital), chemical light sticks (5), chemical (rejuve), chemical (revivall), clothing (casual), coat, first aid kit, flashlight (penlight), flashlight (standard), map (road atlas), medical kit, med kit (advanced), med kit (fast use), PDA, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +11: Nakazawa Delta-9 (family wagon), portable video camera, surgery kit.
- Wealth Bonus +13: Computer (card), display contacts, printer.
- Wealth Bonus +15: 5KG Lamplighter (economy sedan).
Emergency Services Package: This package is good for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, emergency management workers, and any kind of character who helps those in need.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (10 lb. capacity), binoculars (rangefinding), bolt cutter, camera (digital), car opening kit, clothing (casual), compass, contractor’s field bag, duct tape, evidence kit (basic), fire extinguisher, first aid kit, flare gun, flashlight (battery flood), handcuffs (zip-tie). lock release gun, map (road atlas). medical kit, medkit (advanced), medkit (fast use), multipurpose tool, police scanner, rope (150 ft.), tool belt, uniform, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +6: Chemical (rejuve), chemical (revivall), surgery kit.
- Wealth Bonus +8: Jetpack.
- Wealth Bonus +10: Cretan Motors Kentaur (pickup truck).
Entrepreneur Package: The entrepreneur package is best suited for those characters who prefer to be the masters of their own destinies.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (75 lb. capacity), binoculars, camera (digital), chemical light sticks (5), clothing (business), clothing (casual), coat, duct tape, first aid kit, flashlight (battery flood), flashlight (penlight), flashlight (standard), Glock 17, holster (concealed carry), map (road atlas), multipurpose tool, portable video camera, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +11: Display contacts, printer, scanner, wristcomp.
- Wealth Bonus +13: Computer (card), Gaia Motor Company Virgo (minivan).
- Wealth Bonus +15: Nakazawa Delta-9 (family wagon).
Investigative Package: This package is aimed at characters involved in criminology, espionage, behavioral profiling, and similar professions.
- Basic Package: Binoculars (rangefinding), camera (digital), chemical (boost), chemical light sticks (5), clothing (business), day pack, disguise kit (morphic), duct tape, evidence kit (basic), fake ID, fatigue jacket, first aid kit, flashlight (penlight), flashlight (standard), handcuffs (steel), handcuffs (zip-tie) (25), holster (concealed carry), laser pistol, map (road atlas), piercing panel, stun baton, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Portable video camera, tangier gun.
- Wealth Bonus +11: Nakazawa Delta-9 (family wagon).
- Wealth Bonus +13: Computer (card), display contacts.
Law Enforcement Package: The law enforcement package is ideal for any character who spends her time protecting the innocent, upholding the law, and maintaining order.
- Basic Package: Chemical light sticks (5), clothing (casual), Colt Double Eagle, disguise kit, evidence kit (basic), fire extinguisher, first aid kit, flashlight (penlight), flashlight (standard), handcuffs (steel), holster (hip), holster (concealed carry), lock release gun, map (road atlas), multipurpose tool, patrol box, pepper spray, Ruger Service-Six, search-and-rescue kit, speed loader, stun baton, stun shield, undercover vest, uniform, universal communicator.
- Wealth Bonus +5: Evidence kit (basic).
- Wealth Bonus +7: Light duty vest.
- Wealth Bonus +9: SKG Lamplighter (economy sedan), telephone line tracer.
Military Package: This package is aimed at members of the armed forces, mercenaries, federal agents, or any character whose role in life is to defend his way of life (or his employer’s).
- Basic Package: Backpack, Beretta 92F, binoculars (rangefinding), climbing gear, clothing (casual), demolitions kit, fatigues, fatigue jacket, flare gun, gas mask, grenade (concussion), grenade (tear gas), holster (hip), Health-Alert, hydrate, knife, light combat armor, map (tactical), multipurpose tool, police scanner, search-and-rescue kit, sleeping bag, smoke grenade, tent (2-person dome), uniform, universal communicator, violet rations (12).
- Wealth Bonus +5: Bayonet, Ml6A2.
- Wealth Bonus +7: Laser pistol.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Laser rifle, Nakazawa Delta-9 (family wagon).
Religious Package: The religious package is ideal for clergy: ministers, rabbis, theological scholars, and so on.
- Basic Package: Binoculars (standard), camera (digital), clothing (formal), duct tape, first aid kit, flashlight (standard), map (road atlas), uniform, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Computer (desktop), display contacts, portable video camera, printer.
- Wealth Bonus +11: Computer (card).
- Wealth Bonus +13: Kirsch Sunflower (economy coupe).
Rural Package: The rural package is best suited for farm workers, hunters, colonists, pioneers, and other characters outside of the usual urban lifestyle.
- Basic Package: Backpack, coat, duct tape, first aid kit, flashlight (battery flood), fusion torch, map (road atlas), rope (150 ft.), sawed-off shotgun (12-gauge shotgun), sleeping bag, stun baton, universal communicator, Winchester 94 (.444 hunting rifle).
- Wealth Bonus +8: Harris-Musselman dirt bike.
- Wealth Bonus +10: Cretan Motor Kentaur (pickup truck).
- Wealth Bonus +12: Cretan Motor “Hecaton” (pickup truck).
Student Package: This package is designed for characters who are engaged in scholastic studies of some kind.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (10 lb. capacity), backpack, camera (digital), instrument (percussion), instrument (stringed), chemical light sticks, (5), club, day pack, duct tape, first aid kit, flashlight (penlight), sleeping bag, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +8: PDA, portable video camera.
- Wealth Bonus +10: Display contacts, Kirsch Sunflower (economy coupe), wrist-comp.
- Wealth Bonus +12: Computer (card), display contacts.
Scientist Package: This package is good for researchers, forensic investigators, lab technicians, and other characters who make science the focus of their lives.
- Basic Package: Aluminum travel case (10 lb. capacity), briefcase, chemical kit, clothing (business), clothing (casual), coat, day pack, digital audio recorder, evidence kit (basic), Health-Alert, laser pointer, multipurpose tool, pager, portable hard drive, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +7: Computer (desktop), display contacts, PDA.
- Wealth Bonus +9: SKG Lamplighter (economy sedan).
- Wealth Bonus +11: Computer (card).
Technician Package: The technician package is ideal for any character who works on machines, electronics, or computers.
- Basic Package: Camera bag, camera (digital), clothing (business), clothing (casual), coat, day pack, digital audio recorder, duct tape, electrical tool kit (basic), lineman’s buttset, mechanical tool kit (basic), microtorch, multipurpose tool, tap detector, tool belt, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +7: Computer (desktop), display contacts, Kirsch Sunflower (economy coupe), PDA.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Computer (card).
- Wealth Bonus +11: Nakazawa Delta-9 (family wagon).
White Collar Package: The white collar package is the counterpart of the blue collar package, set aside for managers, small business owners, clerks, local politicians, bureaucrats, and executives.
- Basic Package: Briefcase, caller ID defeater, clothing (business), clothing (casual), clothing (formal), digital audio recorder, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, flashlight (standard), Health-Alert, map (road atlas), multipurpose tool, overcoat, portable video camera, skis and poles, universal communicator, windbreaker.
- Wealth Bonus +7: Computer (desktop), Kirsch Sunflower (economy coupe). multifunction PDA/cell phone.
- Wealth Bonus +9: Computer (laptop).
- Wealth Bonus +11: Gaia Motor Company Virgo (minivan).