Book 2 Experience

[RobertFisher]

I've read lots of good house rules on handling "experience", but I've decided I need to try to understand Book 2's system before I go choosing house rules.

So, I wrote this summary in an attempt to understand it. Any comments on my interpretation would be welcome.

Also, a couple of questions:

Do the physical fitness improvements ever become "permanent" after one or two 4-year programs? If "yes", that seems like it could be a bit too much. On the other hand, if "no", then Str/Dex/End could never be improved by more than one point. Although, I suppose that isn't so bad. Better than no improvement at all, eh. But most active characters are going to have aging rolls to contend with every 4 years as well...

Secondly, if a character fails a determination roll, how long does he have to wait before starting another program in the same category? Or another program with the same specific skill?

 

[RobertFisher]

I've read lots of good house rules on handling "experience", but I've decided I need to try to understand Book 2's system before I go choosing house rules.

So, I wrote this summary in an attempt to understand it. Any comments on my interpretation would be welcome.

Also, a couple of questions:

Do the physical fitness improvements ever become "permanent" after one or two 4-year programs? If "yes", that seems like it could be a bit too much. On the other hand, if "no", then Str/Dex/End could never be improved by more than one point. Although, I suppose that isn't so bad. Better than no improvement at all, eh. But most active characters are going to have aging rolls to contend with every 4 years as well...

Secondly, if a character fails a determination roll, how long does he have to wait before starting another program in the same category? Or another program with the same specific skill?

 

[aramis]

The second 4 year set is permanent, by my read, just like skills of level 2+.

And you didn't list the Bk4 Instruction skill and its results. Intentionally?

 

[aramis]

The second 4 year set is permanent, by my read, just like skills of level 2+.

And you didn't list the Bk4 Instruction skill and its results. Intentionally?

 

[E.D.Quibell]

Originally posted by RobertFisher:
Secondly, if a character fails a determination roll, how long does he have to wait before starting another program in the same category? Or another program with the same specific skill?

Failure to achive this throw indicates that the program isnot carried out, and a new one may not be attempted for at least one year (from the Traveller Book).

 

[E.D.Quibell]

Originally posted by RobertFisher:
Secondly, if a character fails a determination roll, how long does he have to wait before starting another program in the same category? Or another program with the same specific skill?

Failure to achive this throw indicates that the program isnot carried out, and a new one may not be attempted for at least one year (from the Traveller Book).

 

[E.D.Quibell]

I also have a different take than your summary.

From the four choices (Skills, Weapons, Physical and Education) only one of these can be improved at one time.

So if you improve your weapons then you _can't_ improve your skills or physicals or education at the same time. You have to wait until you have finished improving your weapons before going on and improving your skills.

Basically you get a skill per four year term (well two over eight years). This fits with character creation.

Also the text implies that you _can't_ increase Education above your Intellegance score.

Hope this helps

Regards

Ewan

 

[E.D.Quibell]

I also have a different take than your summary.

From the four choices (Skills, Weapons, Physical and Education) only one of these can be improved at one time.

So if you improve your weapons then you _can't_ improve your skills or physicals or education at the same time. You have to wait until you have finished improving your weapons before going on and improving your skills.

Basically you get a skill per four year term (well two over eight years). This fits with character creation.

Also the text implies that you _can't_ increase Education above your Intellegance score.

Hope this helps

Regards

Ewan

 

[RainOfSteel]

I would like to take this opportunity to point out that CT experience system states words to the effect that "advanced technology" may have an impact on the process, and leaves it to the GM to adjudicate such matters. TL-15 Learning methods may differ from TL-8 learning methods.

 

[RainOfSteel]

I would like to take this opportunity to point out that CT experience system states words to the effect that "advanced technology" may have an impact on the process, and leaves it to the GM to adjudicate such matters. TL-15 Learning methods may differ from TL-8 learning methods.

 

[RobertFisher]

Originally posted by Aramis:
The second 4 year set is permanent, by my read, just like skills of level 2+.

Yeah. That's what I thought the 1st time I read it. The 2nd time I was less sure.

And you didn't list the Bk4 Instruction skill and its results. Intentionally?

Only intentional in that I hadn't read it yet. I did skim it the other day, but I still need to sit down & really read it.

Originally posted by Ewan Quibell:
Failure to achive this throw indicates that the program isnot carried out, and a new one may not be attempted for at least one year (from the Traveller Book).

Thank you!

From the four choices (Skills, Weapons, Physical and Education) only one of these can be improved at one time.

Hmm. Yes. I can see that.

Also the text implies that you _can't_ increase Education above your Intellegance score.

Well, at least not using the method described...

Originally posted by RainOfSteel:
I would like to take this opportunity to point out that CT experience system states words to the effect that "advanced technology" may have an impact on the process, and leaves it to the GM to adjudicate such matters. TL-15 Learning methods may differ from TL-8 learning methods.

Yes. A very good point, although something I'd intentionally left out of the summary. (I didn't want to encourage players who read the summary to expect alternatives. I'd rather they just come across alternatives in their travels.)

Indeed, my own attitude is that there are many methods, both mundane & high-tech, to gain & improve skills or characteristics. Those listed in Book 2 (as well as the Instruction skill) are just common & (rules-wise) well-defined methods.

Many thanks for all the replies!

 

[RobertFisher]

Originally posted by Aramis:
The second 4 year set is permanent, by my read, just like skills of level 2+.

Yeah. That's what I thought the 1st time I read it. The 2nd time I was less sure.

And you didn't list the Bk4 Instruction skill and its results. Intentionally?

Only intentional in that I hadn't read it yet. I did skim it the other day, but I still need to sit down & really read it.

Originally posted by Ewan Quibell:
Failure to achive this throw indicates that the program isnot carried out, and a new one may not be attempted for at least one year (from the Traveller Book).

Thank you!

From the four choices (Skills, Weapons, Physical and Education) only one of these can be improved at one time.

Hmm. Yes. I can see that.

Also the text implies that you _can't_ increase Education above your Intellegance score.

Well, at least not using the method described...

Originally posted by RainOfSteel:
I would like to take this opportunity to point out that CT experience system states words to the effect that "advanced technology" may have an impact on the process, and leaves it to the GM to adjudicate such matters. TL-15 Learning methods may differ from TL-8 learning methods.

Yes. A very good point, although something I'd intentionally left out of the summary. (I didn't want to encourage players who read the summary to expect alternatives. I'd rather they just come across alternatives in their travels.)

Indeed, my own attitude is that there are many methods, both mundane & high-tech, to gain & improve skills or characteristics. Those listed in Book 2 (as well as the Instruction skill) are just common & (rules-wise) well-defined methods.

Many thanks for all the replies!

 

[aramis]

Robert, Ewan:

since CT characters in CT Basic CG can get anywhere from 1 per four years to (base, 1st Term, Position Promotion) 4 per 4 years, being able to attempt all four at once is NOT going to exceed the CT BCG rates.

Allowing all three physical stats at once, however, will, as that allows:
Str, Dex, End, Edu, CS1, and NCS1... or 6 attempts per 4 years. Which, BTW< will result in 2-4 per term, typically.

 

[aramis]

Robert, Ewan:

since CT characters in CT Basic CG can get anywhere from 1 per four years to (base, 1st Term, Position Promotion) 4 per 4 years, being able to attempt all four at once is NOT going to exceed the CT BCG rates.

Allowing all three physical stats at once, however, will, as that allows:
Str, Dex, End, Edu, CS1, and NCS1... or 6 attempts per 4 years. Which, BTW< will result in 2-4 per term, typically.

 

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Ewan Quibell:
From the four choices (Skills, Weapons, Physical and Education) only one of these can be improved at one time.

So if you improve your weapons then you _can't_ improve your skills or physicals or education at the same time.

As it reads, yes. The way we played only Skills, Weapons, and Education are exclusive. Physical can be done alongside the others without interfering. If the character concentrates on Physical alone and makes the discipline throw the effect is permanent and cumulative with successive programs.

We also allowed a one-time Body-building program which gives +2 Str, no benefit to End or Dex. Access to specialized equipment shortens the Str program to two years, with a throw required for each year (success giving permanent +1 to a max +2).

Today I'd call it the TravellerFlex

 

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Ewan Quibell:
From the four choices (Skills, Weapons, Physical and Education) only one of these can be improved at one time.

So if you improve your weapons then you _can't_ improve your skills or physicals or education at the same time.

As it reads, yes. The way we played only Skills, Weapons, and Education are exclusive. Physical can be done alongside the others without interfering. If the character concentrates on Physical alone and makes the discipline throw the effect is permanent and cumulative with successive programs.

We also allowed a one-time Body-building program which gives +2 Str, no benefit to End or Dex. Access to specialized equipment shortens the Str program to two years, with a throw required for each year (success giving permanent +1 to a max +2).

Today I'd call it the TravellerFlex

 

[grymlocke]

howdy (formerly nurboy here...)just wanted to tell you about a system I came up with while in college (actually, I used the college system translated...)I rated each skill on a unit basis (like college courses) that required that number of hours a week to study for a quarter/semester, mid-term role, then final role, modifiers for intructor's skills, etc...

it proved fairly easy because we where all familiar with the (real life)system...

maximun of skill level 4 though study, beyond can only be advanced trough use.
I borrowed the runequest system, for skill advancement through use and made it 2d6 based instead of percentage.

worked out well overal....

 

[grymlocke]

howdy (formerly nurboy here...)just wanted to tell you about a system I came up with while in college (actually, I used the college system translated...)I rated each skill on a unit basis (like college courses) that required that number of hours a week to study for a quarter/semester, mid-term role, then final role, modifiers for intructor's skills, etc...

it proved fairly easy because we where all familiar with the (real life)system...

maximun of skill level 4 though study, beyond can only be advanced trough use.
I borrowed the runequest system, for skill advancement through use and made it 2d6 based instead of percentage.

worked out well overal....