If you love the aesthetic of Metro 2033, the punk-rock attitude of The Road Warrior, and the weird science of Twisted Metal, then Deadlands: Hell on Earth is your perfect game.
The PDF is not just a rulebook; it is a love letter to 90s horror, cold war anxiety, and the enduring human spirit to flip off the apocalypse.
Final Verdict: Buy the Hell on Earth Reloaded PDF if you want to play a campaign. Buy the Classic PDFs if you want to read one of the most unique, bleak, and hilarious lore bibles ever written for a tabletop game.
Gas up the dune buggy, load the silver bullets, and remember: In the wasteland, the only prayer that works is a four-letter word.
If you're looking for a specific rule, character sheet, or lore summary, let me know and I can explain it or point you to a legitimate free resource.
For those looking to dive into the post-apocalyptic "Wasted West," obtaining the Deadlands: Hell on Earth
PDF requires choosing between different editions of the game, each offering a unique mechanical experience. Primary Digital Editions
You can find official PDF versions of the rulebooks through the Pinnacle Entertainment Group Shop or the Pinnacle Store on DriveThruRPG. Hell on Earth Classic
: This is the original version of the game. It is known for having deeper, more flavorful mechanics, including hit locations and unique subsystems for every type of magic user. Hell on Earth Reloaded
: Designed for the Savage Worlds system, this version is more streamlined and faster to play. It uses unified mechanics for most characters, making it easier for new Game Masters to manage. Deadlands: Hell on Earth d20
: A version adapted for the d20 system, popular during the early 2000s, though less commonly played today. Key Sourcebooks Available as PDF
Beyond the core rules, several essential sourcebooks are available digitally to expand your campaign: Deadlands: Hell on Earth d20 | Pinnacle Entertainment Group
Deadlands: Lost Colony (Classic & D20) – PDF. $12.49. * Hell on Earth Classic: The Junkman Cometh (PDF) $4.99. Pinnacle Entertainment Group Deadlands - Hell On Earth - The Junkman Cometh - Scribd
You can find Deadlands: Hell on Earth PDF rulebooks and supplements through several official and reputable digital retailers. Since there are multiple editions (Classic and Reloaded), ensure you select the one compatible with your game system. Core Rulebooks & Player Guides
Deadlands: Hell on Earth Classic: This is the original core rulebook for the "Wasted West" setting. It is available as a watermarked PDF for $9.99 at DriveThruRPG
Deadlands: Hell on Earth Reloaded: This version is updated for the Savage Worlds system. The PDF is available for $19.99, while the specific Player's Guide (PDF)
is priced at $4.99 at Pinnacle Entertainment Group (PEG Inc). Key Supplements & Adventure PDFs The Wasted West (Classic)
: A essential worldbook detailing the history of the Last War and the secrets of the Combine, available for $4.99 at DriveThruRPG or PEG Inc Hell on Earth Companion
: Offers new options like Cyborgs and Witches. You can find it at PEG Inc or view a sample through Cloudfront City o' Sin (PDF)
: A 128-page book focused on Las Vegas and the Cult o' Doom, available at PEG Inc Denver (PDF)
: Details the Combine's plans and includes new powered armor rules, found at PEG Inc. Free Resources & Printables One-Sheet Adventures: Quick-start scenarios like Christmas At Ground Zero are available for free at PEG Inc's Free Downloads. deadlands hell on earth pdf
Character & Vehicle Sheets: Official form-fillable character sheets are available for free at PEG Inc, while community-shared classic sheets can be found on Scribd.
Deadlands: Hell on Earth is a tabletop roleplaying game that blends post-apocalyptic survival with supernatural horror and Western tropes. It serves as a dark "possible future" to the original Deadlands: The Weird West RPG Writeups Core Setting: The Wasted West The year is
(or 2097 in later editions). Thirteen years prior, a global conflict known as the
ended when supernatural nuclear weapons—fueled by "ghost rock" (souls of the damned)—blanketed the planet. The Reckoners:
These powerful entities won the war, "terrorforming" the world into a fear-ridden wasteland before mysteriously vanishing across the Mississippi. The Geography: Most of the action takes place in the Wasted West
. The East Coast is largely a lost cause, crawling with undead and extreme radiation. Ghost Rock Storms:
Massive, supernatural storms scour the blasted cities, making survival outside the wastes nearly impossible for those without protection. RPG Writeups Key Character Types & Factions
Players don't just play survivors; they play specialized "heroes" with unique abilities: Pinnacle Entertainment Group Doomsayers:
Rad-slinging cultists who use the power of the apocalypse itself. Powerful psychics whose brains burn with mental energy.
Technomagical scavengers who can build advanced gear out of literal trash.
Righteous warriors fighting to restore order and protect the innocent. Self-appointed defenders of justice in a lawless land. PDF Editions & Compatibility
If you are looking for the PDF, be aware there are two primary versions that are directly compatible: Deadlands Classic Original "crunchy" rules with d20 elements. Savage Worlds Deluxe Modern, streamlined gameplay with faster combat. Recommended PDFs for Campaign Expansion
To get the most out of the setting, consider these key sourcebooks available as PDFs:
The Wasted West: A Comprehensive Overview of Deadlands: Hell on Earth Deadlands: Hell on Earth
(often called the "Wasted West") is a genre-blending tabletop roleplaying game that serves as a post-apocalyptic sequel to the original Deadlands: The Weird West . Originally published in 1998 by Pinnacle Entertainment Group (PEG)
, the game explores a dark future where the heroes of the 19th century failed, leading to a global cataclysm known as the "Last War." 1. Setting and Premise: The World After the Bombs
The game is set in the year 2094, roughly 130 years after the events of the original
. In this timeline, the supernatural resource "ghost rock" powered a technological revolution, but it also fueled a devastating arms race. The Last War:
The Cold War between the United States and the Confederate States (which survived in this timeline) turned "hot" when ghost rock bombs—nuclear-like weapons that harvest souls—were dropped on major cities. The Reckoners:
These malevolent deities of the apocalypse, who were the hidden antagonists of the original game, finally succeeded in terraforming Earth into a "Deadland." They now walk the Earth in physical form, feasting on the fear of survivors. The Geography: If you love the aesthetic of Metro 2033
Much of the world is an irradiated wasteland. Iconic locations include (the ruins of Salt Lake City) and the
, a neo-fascist empire led by the cyborg General Throckmorton. Pinnacle Entertainment Group 2. Character Archetypes and Mechanics Hell on Earth
maintains the "Weird West" flavor but updates it with high-tech and post-apocalyptic tropes. Players typically take on the roles of:
Magitech engineers who scavenge pre-war technology and imbue it with spirits. Doomsayers: Mutated cultists who wield the power of radiation.
A modern order of knights who use "white magic" and melee weapons to protect the innocent.
Humans with psychic powers gained through grueling military training. Pinnacle Entertainment Group 3. Publication History and Rule Systems
The game has been released under several different systems over the decades: Classic System:
The original 1998 edition used a unique system involving playing cards, poker chips, and polyhedral dice. d20 System:
During the early 2000s "d20 boom," a version compatible with Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition was released. Reloaded (Savage Worlds): In 2012, the game was updated for the Savage Worlds system, streamlining the rules and updating the metaplot. Adventure Edition (SWADE): As of 2021, a new version for the Savage Worlds Adventure Edition is in development to align with current rules. Pinnacle Entertainment Group 4. Cultural Impact and Legacy Deadlands: Hell on Earth
is praised for its unique "Spaghetti Western meets Mad Max" aesthetic. It expanded the
universe into a trilogy of settings: the Weird West (past), Hell on Earth (future), and Lost Colony Pinnacle Entertainment Group For those looking to dive into the game today, the Hell on Earth Classic: The Wasted West PDF
provides the most comprehensive look at the original lore and world-building. Pinnacle Entertainment Group of the Sykers or more details on the history of the Combine
Deadlands: Hell on Earth Reloaded - Pinnacle Entertainment Group
Deadlands: Hell on Earth is a post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that serves as a dark future to the original Deadlands: The Weird West. If you are looking at the PDF version, you are likely either exploring the Classic rules or the Reloaded (Savage Worlds) edition. Core Setting: The Wasted West
The game takes place in the year 2094, decades after a "Great Rail Wars" conflict escalated into a nuclear apocalypse fueled by ghost rock bombs.
The Reckoners Walk: The supernatural "Horsemen" have finally crossed into the mortal world and walk the Earth in physical form.
Deadly Environments: The world is covered in Ghost Storms and irradiated ruins called "Maelstroms".
The Factions: Survivors include Doomsayers (mutant priests), Junkers (tech-wizards using ghost rock), and Syker (psychic soldiers). Notable Features in the PDF
The Metaplot: The PDF usually details how the "good guys" lost in the Weird West, leading to this timeline where the Reckoners won.
Character Diversity: You can find stats for unique concepts like Toxic Shamans and Ravenites. If you're looking for a specific rule, character
Tech & Gear: Modernized but "weird" weaponry, including the SK-70 assault rifle and specialized survivor gear like wrist crossbows. System Variants:
Classic PDF: Contains the full "corpse" of the setting with extensive lore and specific, crunchier rules.
Reloaded/SWADE PDF: A more streamlined "skeleton" of the setting designed for faster play using the Savage Worlds system. Essential Supplements
If you're digging into the PDFs, look for these key companion books:
I can’t help locate or provide PDFs of copyrighted games or other paid material. If you want legal options, here are lawful alternatives:
If you’d like, I can:
Tell me which of those you want and I’ll proceed.
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One of the genius aspects of the HoE line is its sourcebooks, many of which are only available as PDFs today. A complete library includes:
Owning the PDFs allows you to hyperlink between these documents (using apps like GoodReader or Foxit), making cross-referencing "Junker" blueprints with "Templar" spells instantaneous.
To understand HoE, you need a quick history lesson. The original Deadlands setting is an alternate 1870s Weird West where supernatural evil—known as the Reckoners—twisted reality, creating undead gunslingers, mad scientists with steam-powered gizmos, and arcane spell-slingers called Hucksters.
In the canonical timeline, the heroes of the Weird West failed.
On July 4, 2076, at the height of the American Bicentennial, the bombs dropped. But these weren't just nuclear warheads; they were ghost rock bombs (the magical coal of the setting). The detonation tore a hole in the fabric of reality, unleashing the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death (who arrives riding a ghostly motorcycle).
The result is a world where:
You have the PDF. Now what?
Hell on Earth is a post-apocalyptic horror setting published by Pinnacle Entertainment Group. It is set in the year 2094, following a catastrophic event known as "The Reckoning." In the lore, the nightmares of the Old West eventually manifested into a nuclear and supernatural holocaust that destroyed civilization.
The game blends three distinct genres:
Because Pinnacle is a small company that respects its intellectual property, finding legal PDFs is easy and supports the creators of the setting.
Warning: Beware of random "free PDF" sites. Because Pinnacle uses Print-on-Demand, their books are watermarked. Pirated copies often contain missing pages, poor scan quality, or malware.