CT or Mongoose...should I convert?

[infojunky]

I would have switched to Mega Errata, but at the time I got it (the day it was released) I left for the Indian Ocean, for the next 9 months I had time to run my regular game but not the time to teach a bunch of guys how to play the new edition as Mine was the only copy.

With that I have flirted with the latter editions and they were fine, but it wasn't until the release of the Mongoose edition that fire was relit. Sometimes it think is is pure nostalgia, and all of my old notes mean something again. But mostly it is "Roll 2d6 and tell me how much you get", is the thing that feels right in my head. That and Mongoose's take on character generation, that so works with a group....

Back to MT, they did one thing that I used a lot, and in a lot of different games, and that is the Nugget system of adventure design. That is the one thing I used the most.

 

[Ulsyus]

Back to MT, they did one thing that I used a lot, and in a lot of different games, and that is the Nugget system of adventure design. That is the one thing I used the most.

I still use that today, with the WW SAS system for writing them up

 

[Echo]

I find both Classic and Mongoose Traveller to be broadly compatible, as is MegaTraveller, and I like them all. ‘Nuff said.

 

[wbyrd]

I may have a bias so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Mongoose Traveller is not much different, if someone can play CT, or MgT they can play the other. So it might boil down to which is easier for you and your players to get yer hands on.

As for the ship, so far the vessels in most sources are almost identical. If there are differences they aren't obvious to most players...but they are there so if you try crossing over ship the differences might show themselves at the worst possible time, and in the worst possible way.

Like I said I favor Mongoose... ( more sales means more work for me )but I am not going to say that it is superior or inferior. You may have to let your players tr both versions and see which works better for your group, and your players.

 

[Jacqual]

I play using the CT character generation (LBB#1, and CoTi) but for actual play I use the MGT task resolution for me it has worked out well. I like the MGT task system as it all works out better then CT's this kill passes on a 7, that one on a 8, and that one on a whatever. I like the standardization, for an an actual book I use the quiklink reprint of LBB 1-3 and my house rules. The reprint last time I ordered any was 12.00 a book from far Future.

 

[tzunder]

So far that's been my take. I haven't delved really deeply into MgT yet, but it really seems like if I just use my usual 8/10/12 rolls for 99% of the skill tasks and usual attribute rolls for anything else the thing will play just like CT.

Read the task difficulties in MongTrav, they work well, even if so many refs seem to ignore them, it's -6/-4-2/0/+2/+4+6 and it really helps.

 

[Shonner]

You could try Starter Traveller from DriveThruRPG for $19.99. For a while you could download it for free.

$20 for hardcover. Nearly the same rules. http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/80192/CTTTBThe-Traveller-Book

 

[sabredog]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful input!

The campaign starts Friday, so long as more than the three people from my last core group show up for it. I should probably have bought some air time or put up lawn signs. Oh well, you pays you dollar and takes your chances.

I'm going to allow MGT for chargen and skill list (I like the fresh new career paths and chrome), psionics (the psion book is pretty great) in limited supply, and a few tidbits from the various ship rules mainly in mined ideas for parts. I'll also keep the attribute modifiers and try to use the DM scale for task resolution. I should make up a new ref screen for all this.

For everything else I'll stick with Old Faithful. I'll let you know how it goes if anyone is interested.

 

[Ulsyus]

Best of luck with it, have a pile of fun, and keep the players hopping about!!

PS: By hopping I mean on their toes, not moving through space with advanced post-Jump technology...

 

[sabredog]

I hope I do.

First stop is (traditional, but I'm a traditional guy) sitting in a bar near the starport yards waiting for the yardmaster to notify them they have cleared safety checks and can take on passengers and freight. Unfortunately they have some things out of spec and need replaced even though they still work (this port is like that - like having a Cessna and having to replace perfectly good parts just because the FAA says you have too many hours on them)and won't be cleared to lift until they do.

The barkeep remarks that the reason ships are referred to as "she" is "Because they are high maintenance." Yuks all around and the players have to find something to pay for the work. At this point I have three different roads they can travel: they could, on Gehenna find any number of high risk, high profit jobs that run on both sides of the legal line on their own. Oragnleggers are always looking for help (its a high turnover business), the megacorp security firms are always hiring, as are the gambling dens, opium bars, etcc The wildlife researchers could probably pay well on collecting some of Gehenna's exotic lifeforms. On Gehenna that is definitely not as easy as it may sound. Heffalump hide prices are good right now - they could harvest some of those in the swamps and turn a nice chunk of change.

Or they will find a rumor about some gun running that needs o be done and sign on to procure the weapons and escort them down the maglev line to the starport and then off world to their destination on someone else's ship. Pirates and colonist woes along the way.

Or they will pick up a tip that a wealthy guy on another world has a ship on Gehenna that was just completed. he needs someone to ferry it to him and give it a shakedown cruise on his flight plan and list of tests. They can do that one, too, and maybe pick up a good patron for later if they get everything right and the ship to him in one piece.

I'm sure they'll find plenty to do for at least the first session, then once things have warmed up they can move on to bigger and better things. The above sorts of projects will help both me (with any MGT stuff) and them in sorting out how the game system and my universe works in case they haven't played before. A couple of hours of humorous danger and high adventure on the mean streets (or jungles) of Gehenna will do nicely.