New and pumped

[Shard]

Obviously, I am new here. I just found out about Traveller recently, mostly being into D&D and other fantasy settings before now.
So, let me get right to it. I am thinking of going for the Traveller20 system, since I like the D20 system, and it is nice to get into something that is still in print. If I was to do this, would I just need the main "Traveller's Handbook"? Are any other books highly recommended?
Anyways, I'm excited to get into a sci-fi game with this much depth. Any help with those questions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[xdiox]

First off, welcome aboard. I'm new to the t20 system too. I played some CT back in the day, but went t20 because my players are all d&d players. The Travellers Handbook is what you need to start. You can download the d20 SRD from the WotC site. Have fun and ask lots of questions. Also, set the board to show all topics up to say a year back. You'll find alot of answers that way.

 

[brudin]

yup, welcome aboard shard

 

[Takei]

Originally posted by Shard:
Are any other books highly recommended?

Welcome to the wonderful worlds of Traveller, and the CotI boards.

I'd recommend Gateway to Destiny as it gives you a lot of background and a HUGE area to set your game in. After that it's a case of deciding what you're after:
The Traveller's Aides cover all sorts of extra kit, ships, vehicles, an adventure and some fiction.
The Epic Adventures are, well, adventures! (These are set in the Gateway domain).

If you wanted to start with a smaller adventuring area then I'd recommend getting the Sydymic Outworlds Cluster pdf or the T20 screen (for the Linkworlds Cluster) as both of these offer a more limited adventuring area and kick-off adventures.

 

[deadlock]

Greetings and salutations,

Welcome aboard, Shard!

Like Takei has mentioned, Gateway to Destiny is recommended as it gives a lot of background information for the Gateway Domain as well as mapping out a huge area to set your game within. If you do not wish to adventure in that section of the known universe, then check out some of the GURPS Traveller books at SJGames. They have source books on a few domains in the Traveller20 universe. You might want to check out fan web sites too. I have found some very useful information pertaining to the game on these sites. And if you have questions about something, ask. There are no stupid questions.

Well, I think that is enough to get you started at the moment.

 

[Madarin Dude]

　　　Look at soem of the sites in the D-20 web ring. There is ship designs and helpful things like that. Enjoy the game.

 

[Shard]

Thanks for the big welcome. I will look around for the books mentioned, I'm not sure if my local game store will carry them though or if it will fall to online shopping.
As for a universe, I have all the free downloads from this site (like the maps) and so I might play around with those to get a better grasp of the rules. Then I will look into that Gateway to Destiny. I really like how big the published universe is, same with all the random generation elements.
I also used to play Battletech, and so all the spaceship and vehicle design really appeals to me.
Anyways, I'll be sure to ask anymore questions I have.

 

[Shard]

Okay, here is another quick question. What is some recommended software for use, either for deckplans / chargen / system generation, etc.

 

[far-trader]

One resource for deckplans you might want to look at if you have good net access and don't mind signing up for a yahoo account is the Yahoo Traveller Deckplans Group.

Also there is (or was, haven't checked in a while) a Traveller Deckplan Webring (that as a net search should get it) and Gearhead Webring for the nuts and bolts part of it.

Finally browse the links in the "Starport" (menu button above) for more good sites.

Happy hunting and welcome aboard

 

[aramis]

Software for Ship Plans?
Wintel World: CC2
Mac: MacDraft
Mac, on the cheap: Appleworks

Welcome... I'm a MegaTraveller Grog, myself, tho I playtested T20. (T20 is good, but I wish I'd done more with big ships during playtest...)

 

[BetterThanLife]

Andrew Moffetts excellent High Guard Shipyard is great for knocking out T20 ships. (Though the mechanics aren't quite the same as the T20 handbook designs ships the results are the same.) THe big difference between what the T20 system uses and HGS is T20 goes right at EP where HGS uses a Powerplant number, as the original LBB (Little Black Book or original Traveller rules) 5, Highguard, did. You will have to put up with LBB5 stats but the text export is perfect for using with T20 as long as you don't get caught up in the alphanumeric string at the top of the page.

I do highly recommend the various Traveller's Aides here. Especially if you don't want to sit down and do all the crunchy bits for new vehicles and starships and as a place to start for designing your own. Why reinvent the Grav-Module? (Or was that wheel? How quaint!

)

Originally posted by Shard:
Thanks for the big welcome. I will look around for the books mentioned, I'm not sure if my local game store will carry them though or if it will fall to online shopping.
As for a universe, I have all the free downloads from this site (like the maps) and so I might play around with those to get a better grasp of the rules. Then I will look into that Gateway to Destiny. I really like how big the published universe is, same with all the random generation elements.
I also used to play Battletech, and so all the spaceship and vehicle design really appeals to me.
Anyways, I'll be sure to ask anymore questions I have.

 

[hirch duckfinder]

T20+gateway+linkworlds/sydemic outworlds=happy ref+happy players

wish i was just discovering it

 

[Falkayn]

Originally posted by Shard:
Okay, here is another quick question. What is some recommended software for use, either for deckplans / chargen / system generation, etc.

If you don't mind Excel spreadsheets you might want to give my T20 Starship Design Spreadsheet (v1.7) a go. Andrew Moffatt's High Guard program is very good, but I find the spreadsheet easier to use when designing T20 starships.

You can get it from my Traveller Downloads page.