The post-apocalyptic world of Deadlands: Hell on Earth takes the "weird west" of the original Deadlands and fast-forwards it into a "wasted west" of 2094. After a supernatural nuclear war, the world is a radioactive graveyard where the monsters of legend are very real, and the survivors are just trying to make it to tomorrow.
Here is a short story set in that world to get you in the mood for the game: The Toll of the Wasted West
The Geiger counter on Silas’s wrist didn’t just click anymore; it hummed a low, mournful tune that harmonized with the wind whistling through the rusted ribs of the Boise ruins. He adjusted his gas mask, the rubber seal stinging against his grit-caked skin. In the Wasted West, the air didn’t just kill you—it insulted you first with the smell of ozone and rot.
Silas was a Junker, a scavenger of the arcane and the mechanical. In the satchel slung over his shoulder sat a glow-plug from a pre-war hover-tank and a handful of "ghost rock" shards—the screaming, soul-infused coal that had powered the world into its own grave.
"Keep moving, Silas," he rasped, his voice echoing in the mask. "The sun’s going down, and the Glow-minds don’t like company after dark."
He felt it before he heard it—a sudden drop in temperature that had nothing to do with the setting sun. The shadows in the alleyway behind him didn’t just lengthen; they curdled. A Harrowed—an undead soul clinging to its own corpse—stepped out from behind a collapsed storefront. It wore a duster that had seen better centuries and held a six-shooter that looked like it was made of bone.
"That's a lot of tech for one man," the Harrowed said, its voice sounding like dry leaves skittering on pavement. "The Combine would pay a lot of bullets for that satchel. Or maybe just one."
Silas didn't reach for his gun. He reached for his mind. As a Syker, his brain was his best weapon, a leftover of the psychic super-soldier programs from the Last War. He felt the familiar pressure behind his eyes as he began to weave a kinetic shield.
"I don't work for the Combine," Silas said, the air around him beginning to shimmer with invisible force. "And I don't give refunds to the dead."
The Harrowed cocked the hammer of its pistol. The ruins went silent, waiting for the first crack of thunder that would signal another night of survival—or another soul added to the wastes. What is Deadlands: Hell on Earth?
If you are looking for the PDF or the lore behind this setting,
The Setting: A "Wasted West" alternate history where the Reckoners (evil spirits) finally succeeded in bringing about the apocalypse via "Ghost Rock" nuclear bombs.
The Heroes: Players take on roles like Templars (holy warriors with glowing swords), Junkers (magical engineers), Sykers (psychic soldiers), or Doomsayers (mutant priests of the radiation).
The Mechanics: Like the original Deadlands, it uses a mix of polyhedral dice, playing cards for initiative, and poker chips (Fate Chips) to represent luck and survival.
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. deadlands hell on earth pdf
The game blends three distinct genres:
Yes—legally.
If you love:
...then Deadlands: Hell on Earth is your perfect game.
Searching for the "Deadlands Hell on Earth PDF" is your first step into a larger, weirder, and dustier world. Skip the illegal file-sharing sites. Go to DriveThruRPG or Pinnacle’s website, spend the $15, and download a piece of RPG history.
Now grab your gas mask, revolver, and a can of beans. The ghost storm is coming, and the Reckoners are hungry.
Welcome to the Wasted West, partner. Try not to go insane.
Have you played Hell on Earth? What is your favorite Junker invention? Let us know in the comments below (and remember—always support the original creators by buying the PDF).
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: The post-apocalyptic world of Deadlands: Hell on Earth
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:
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 What is Deadlands: Hell on Earth
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.
Deadlands: Hell on Earth remains one of the most evocative settings in the history of tabletop role-playing games. Originally released by Pinnacle Entertainment Group, it took the "weird west" of Deadlands and fast-forwarded it into a harrowing, irradiated future. For players looking to dive into this wasteland, securing a Deadlands Hell on Earth PDF is the first step toward surviving the Wasted West.
The setting takes place in the year 2094, following a devastating supernatural nuclear war. The "Reckoners"—the malevolent entities that fueled the horrors of the Old West—succeeded in turning Earth into a literal living hell. The result is a post-apocalyptic landscape where traditional survival tropes meet dark magic, cybernetics, and mutated horrors.
One of the primary reasons fans seek out the PDF version of the classic rulebook is the sheer density of the "Classic" system. The original Hell on Earth rules are famous for their depth, using a unique combination of polyhedral dice, playing cards, and poker chips (Fate Chips). While the physical books have become rare collector's items, the PDF format allows modern players to access these complex rulesets, detailed lore, and iconic artwork without scouring eBay for out-of-print hardcovers.
In Hell on Earth, players take on the roles of survivors with extraordinary abilities. You might play a Junkman, a techno-wizard who can cobble together supernatural gadgets from wasteland scrap, or a Templar, a sword-wielding crusader fighting to bring hope back to the radiated ruins. There are also Sykers, powerful psychics whose brains were altered by alien minerals, and Doomsayers, mutants who worship the very radiation that destroyed the world.
The PDF version is particularly useful for Game Masters (or Marshals, in Deadlands parlance). Digital copies offer searchable text, making it significantly easier to look up obscure combat modifiers or specific creature stats during a session. Furthermore, most official PDFs from sites like DriveThruRPG are high-quality scans or digital conversions that preserve the gritty, comic-book-style aesthetic that defined the 90s era of gaming.
For those who prefer a more streamlined experience, there is also the Hell on Earth Reloaded edition, designed for the Savage Worlds system. While the Classic PDF offers nostalgia and crunch, the Reloaded PDF provides a faster, more cinematic way to play. Both versions capture the same desperate atmosphere: a world where ammo is scarce, the water is toxic, and the ghosts of the past are very, very real.
Whether you are a veteran of the Wasted West or a newcomer looking to see how the world ended, the Deadlands Hell on Earth PDF is an essential artifact. It serves as a gateway to a world of "Wasted West" adventure, where the only thing more dangerous than the radiation is the creature lurking in the ruins of the local mall. If you'd like to get started with a campaign, let me know:
Do you prefer the Classic rules (crunchy) or Savage Worlds (fast)?
Here is the most important section for SEO and ethical gaming. Do not search for pirated copies. The game is still supported by its creators.
The official rights holder is Pinnacle Entertainment Group (PEG) . They currently sell legitimate PDFs through two major storefronts: