I've been blinded!

[howardfanatic]

I once complained that Traveller lacked scientists- a massive over sight in a science fiction game! I mean, I know it was possible to create a scientist using the Citizens supplement, but the character that created was closer to an engineer, since there were no science skills.
Well, never let it be said that I am so great a fool as to be unable to admit mistake. JTAS collected book 3 has two different Scientist characters for roll up with all associated skills. Awesome!
I just got my Traveller books today and have spent the evening perusing them. An excellent system... which is, of course, news to no one here.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I was wrong and if anyone else out there was disappointed hwne they got their Traveller rulebook and discovered the impossibility of creating Hari Seldon or Spock- fear not! JTAS vol. 3 has all you need, and more.

 

[ShapeShifter]

In the far future scientists will not really be needed. That's why the game emphasizes troops who can nuke planets from orbit.






Just to be sure.

 

[howardfanatic]

Oh gawd, I hope not... We have enough of that crap attitude right here in the 21st century.o:

Science? Huh! What is it good for? Ab-so-lutely nuthin'!

 

[Mithras]

To be fair to CT, all that book-learning, wether astro-physics or zoology was represented by lots and lots of Education points! Skills were all the practical expedition-related skills one might expect tp pick up in the use of the Education knowledge!

 

[howardfanatic]

Yeah, I figured that was how it was represented: That science was so ubiquitous that there was no need for a skill. I think that works well- it's very much like Star Trek (well, TOS and TNG anyway) in that way.
However, for my own personal tastes, I still like having a scientist profession that represents people with more than average knowledge and expertise.

 

[far-trader]

In the beginning (LBB1) I figured the "actual" Scientists (i.e. lab coats, researchers and teachers, the ones with "skills" like Quantum Physics-3 and Astronomy-4) were off stage as it were.

The only "scientists" one found "adventuring" (i.e. those created by character generation) were the field scientists with well rounded life skills but only a general grounding in the sciences (skill level-0 in a few areas or Jack-of-all-Trades, and lots of general education represented by Edu 8+).

Though even then there were some "Scientists" and "Science" applicable skills. Computer, Electronics, Engineering, Medical, and Navigation could all be said to have pure science elements, if one wanted to play them that way.

Of course later (when I got The Traveller Book) I discovered the Lab Ship and I started thinking there should be more research science options. For what it's worth I found the Supplement 4 "scientist" to be simply a codified version of my take. Still no problem though, LBB1 encouraged adding new skills, and our group did. If anyone had wanted to play a Scientist they could have.

Edit:

I couldn't recall the Scientist career gen you mention howardfanatic, and had a quick look through my JTAS and still didn't see it. Am I looking in the wrong place?

 

[aramis]

Imperial Academy of Science and Medicine, JTAS 22

 

[far-trader]

Thanks Wil I knew I'd seen it ages ago and vaguely recalled it, just didn't dig deep enough.

 

[howardfanatic]

Also, in book JTAS vol 3, there is a very good write up in JTAS #29, pgs. 29-16 to 29-23.