Starter Traveller IS a CT ruleset, only its format was one rulebook, one charts book and a double adventure book (all 8 1/2 x 11), rather than the LBB format.
It also included some eratta that was never included in LBBs 1- 3.
Have Fun!!!
Returning gamer wanting to give traveller a shot.
- Thread starter arslayer
- Start date
Starter Traveller IS a CT ruleset, only its format was one rulebook, one charts book and a double adventure book (all 8 1/2 x 11), rather than the LBB format.
It also included some eratta that was never included in LBBs 1- 3.
Have Fun!!!
mike wightman
SOC-14 10K
Yup, Starter Traveller was the last ever version of the CT rules and did two things brilliantly:
it collects all the charts and tables into one booklet - great for referees
it finally gives the damage of the pulse laser
it collects all the charts and tables into one booklet - great for referees
it finally gives the damage of the pulse laser
curmudgeon
SOC-12
Which sectors are those? I can't seem to find them on RPGNow.
I completely agree - the Starter Traveller book of charts and tables is fantastic.
Everything you need, all in one place. I grabbed it a few years ago when it was free, and it looks like it's free again. Nobody with any interest in CT should be without a copy.
Fritz_Brown
Super Moderator
Ooooooooohhhh! They have MT Robots and the Judge's Guild stuff and some T5 wallpaper and oodles of other stuff for free, too. [SNAGGED] Thanks for the heads-up.
Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
I got out my copy of Starter Traveller, and discovered that I had forgotten that the two adventures are Shadows and Mission to Mithril. Mission to Mithril is one of my favorites, as it is cold, outdoors adventure, sort of like Alaska.
This sounds like a stupid question, but what is "digest size"?
Any of 5x8 inch, 5.5x8.5 inch, or 6x9 inch
Yeah, digest size just means something more along the lines of traditional paperback novel size - about half a common writing sheet (like Letter or A4). Probably refers to the size of a Reader's Digest magazine (historically at least). Hence the phrase 'Little Black Book' or LBB for the original CT books. My U.S. printed LBBs are 6 in x 9 in, trimmed quarter inch a dimension.
Easy to read like a novel, takes up less tabletop, not to mention probably encouraged keeping rules 'lite' back in the day.
Today, what I really like about that format - it works quite well with modern tablets and even phones.
Easy to read like a novel, takes up less tabletop, not to mention probably encouraged keeping rules 'lite' back in the day.
Today, what I really like about that format - it works quite well with modern tablets and even phones.
not quite. Pocket Paperback is smaller still. 4x6 to 4.5x7.5...
nats
SOC-12
Just whatever you do dont get the small MgT books the text is a lot smaller than the old CT books and barely readable for me. Get the full sized books wherever possible.
I think they just halved the text font for the small books which makes it tiny. Whereas for the CT LBBs they are actually printed properly in a readable font, its just the books that are small format not the font. They are very usable and I still think a great format for Traveller books.
I often feel on reading the MgT books that if they just took out a lot of the waffle and irrelevant-to-role-playing stuff, used a reasonable font and stuck with the LBB size, they could have made their books far more efficient, readable and also much cheaper to buy. And loads of peiople who grew up with the LBBS (like me) would have bee far happier.
Seems to me they might be making the whole same mistake again with T5 - a massive, full format, heavy book but is it all just 650 pages of waffle? Why on earth couldnt we have gone back to the LBB format for T5?
I think they just halved the text font for the small books which makes it tiny. Whereas for the CT LBBs they are actually printed properly in a readable font, its just the books that are small format not the font. They are very usable and I still think a great format for Traveller books.
I often feel on reading the MgT books that if they just took out a lot of the waffle and irrelevant-to-role-playing stuff, used a reasonable font and stuck with the LBB size, they could have made their books far more efficient, readable and also much cheaper to buy. And loads of peiople who grew up with the LBBS (like me) would have bee far happier.
Seems to me they might be making the whole same mistake again with T5 - a massive, full format, heavy book but is it all just 650 pages of waffle? Why on earth couldnt we have gone back to the LBB format for T5?
mike wightman
SOC-14 10K
It is still my dream to produce an updated version of CT, LBB1-3 format with a simple task system, tweaks to character generation, T4's personal combat, vehicle combat, modified system design, updated TL tables and equipment.
I just have to win the lottery and then throw lots of money at Marc...
I just have to win the lottery and then throw lots of money at Marc...
I wouldn't mind similar... but mine would be MT based...
Fritz_Brown
Super Moderator
I know you have a problem reading those books, but I think "whatever you do, don't get them!" is a little strong. I can read them perfectly fine, and I don't have super-vision or anything. How about instead: "Just make sure you take a look inside before buying them to see if you are comfortable reading them"? There's no reason for people to limit themselves unnecessarily. Personally I like the smaller format.
If they'd come out with MT with all the errata put in, I wouldn't care what format it was in.aramis said:
rich4421972
SOC-12
Well, he *did* say "an updated version of CT".
IMHO, the beauty of CT was its simplicity and the ease with which it could actually be played. The original starship rules (pre-high guard rules) are a testament to this. By making the rules more complex and lengthy, I think we are going to a place where only the most dedicated and longsuffering will be able to play a game. If there is any problem with the MgT books, it is their propensity to equate "updated" with long-winded and intricate.
I think T5 is a special case, though. It does hearken back to the days when Traveller was first of all a role-playing game (as opposed to a science textbook). I think parts of it are rather complex, but given a chance, I think players of the game will make of it what they will. It's hard to have these discussions since all we have is the preliminary CD PDFs (and some of us don't even have those). Having a physical book that is accessible to all may change everything.
Thank you for clarifying digest size for me and not giving me the ole' "I'm sure a google search would explain it." routine. I really should have googled it. I guess it just proves you guys really are a friendly bunch. I appreciate all the help thus far and am excited to get my copy of MgT on Wednesday. As I type, I am currently rolling a character using CT rules. It is pretty enjoyable. I can't wait to make a subsector.
I guess it just proves you guys really are a friendly bunch. I appreciate all the help thus far and am excited to get my copy of MgT on Wednesday. As I type, I am currently rolling a character using CT rules. It is pretty enjoyable. I can't wait to make a subsector.Similar threads
