THE 3 BOOKS

[EvilDrGanymede]

Originally posted by T. Foster:
When GDW released this exact product (well, almost -- minus Book 8 and minus Solomani Rim, but plus AHL & Striker) in 1987 it was 2 96pp books and 1 112pp book. Eliminate a little bit of overlap and it could be a single 300pp book. Too bad cheesy cover art, tying it to a controversial new setting, and one truly hellacious errata problem prevented a lot of people from seeing this for what it actually was... [/QB]

Interesting. See, to me the setting in the MegaTrav box was totally transparent. OK, so Strephon got killed, but that was easy enough to undo if you didn't like it. So I don't see why the setting change is a big deal at all, I can't recall anything else in the MT Box Set that radically changed CT.

Otherwise, I agree, the stuff in the MT box (and maybe the Ref's Companion) was pretty much what I described.

 

[EvilDrGanymede]

Originally posted by T. Foster:
When GDW released this exact product (well, almost -- minus Book 8 and minus Solomani Rim, but plus AHL & Striker) in 1987 it was 2 96pp books and 1 112pp book. Eliminate a little bit of overlap and it could be a single 300pp book. Too bad cheesy cover art, tying it to a controversial new setting, and one truly hellacious errata problem prevented a lot of people from seeing this for what it actually was... [/QB]

Interesting. See, to me the setting in the MegaTrav box was totally transparent. OK, so Strephon got killed, but that was easy enough to undo if you didn't like it. So I don't see why the setting change is a big deal at all, I can't recall anything else in the MT Box Set that radically changed CT.

Otherwise, I agree, the stuff in the MT box (and maybe the Ref's Companion) was pretty much what I described.

 

[hirch duckfinder]

books 1-3 still set the basis of the game . the main problem i have is the characters didn't have enough skills . this is addressed in books 4-7 ( who wants robots ; not me )
. the main problem with 1-8 is the confusing layout , due to the books being relaesed one at a time as modular expansions . if this was organised well , it would be the best version by miles , and should easilly attract new players .
i , for one , don't like task systems . i enjoy the negotiation between ref. and players re. use of skills ( with ref. having final word , of course ) . task systems make it all a bit too concrete and specific ; not at all like "real life" .

 

[hirch duckfinder]

books 1-3 still set the basis of the game . the main problem i have is the characters didn't have enough skills . this is addressed in books 4-7 ( who wants robots ; not me )
. the main problem with 1-8 is the confusing layout , due to the books being relaesed one at a time as modular expansions . if this was organised well , it would be the best version by miles , and should easilly attract new players .
i , for one , don't like task systems . i enjoy the negotiation between ref. and players re. use of skills ( with ref. having final word , of course ) . task systems make it all a bit too concrete and specific ; not at all like "real life" .

 

[Golan2072]

You could still do alot with the 3 first books (though they are quite limited); the rest just add variety and color. I use the 4 first LBBs as basis, HG for chargen and "grafts" into the LBB-2 starship construction system, LBBs 6-7 for chargen (I don't really like the Merchant Prince trading system - LBB-3 (or was that 2?) has a more flavored one IMHO and LBB-8 as the occasional outlet for my gearheading desires. I own the LBBs 0-8 reprint (all in one condensed volume), as well as a few random additions (DAs 1-2, SS3, TCS, Citizens of the Imperium, Beltstrike) picked along the way.

In sci-fi terms, Alien is books 1-3; Aliens is book 4; Star Wars is book 5 space combat with severe munchkinism (but still fun to watch); Babylon 5 is books 4-5 with wierd looking "phased-plasma guns" (PPG's).

 

[Golan2072]

You could still do alot with the 3 first books (though they are quite limited); the rest just add variety and color. I use the 4 first LBBs as basis, HG for chargen and "grafts" into the LBB-2 starship construction system, LBBs 6-7 for chargen (I don't really like the Merchant Prince trading system - LBB-3 (or was that 2?) has a more flavored one IMHO and LBB-8 as the occasional outlet for my gearheading desires. I own the LBBs 0-8 reprint (all in one condensed volume), as well as a few random additions (DAs 1-2, SS3, TCS, Citizens of the Imperium, Beltstrike) picked along the way.

In sci-fi terms, Alien is books 1-3; Aliens is book 4; Star Wars is book 5 space combat with severe munchkinism (but still fun to watch); Babylon 5 is books 4-5 with wierd looking "phased-plasma guns" (PPG's).

 

[Blue Ghost]

Originally posted by trader jim:
I have a question, and dont laugh, just think about it!

How many of you play Traveller with just the 1st 3 books? Does any one play with just thw three books?? we could carry this further.
Does anyone designs scenieros and adventures useing just the 3 books???

Now heres the KICKER...Are the first 3 books even relevent anymore??? just courious...

As far as the band of idiots I used to game with was concerned, you only needed one book;

BOOK 4 BABY!!!...WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Occasionally we'd refer to the basics for starship ops and economics, but our group's motto was "Lock and load!..."

 

[Blue Ghost]

Originally posted by trader jim:
I have a question, and dont laugh, just think about it!

How many of you play Traveller with just the 1st 3 books? Does any one play with just thw three books?? we could carry this further.
Does anyone designs scenieros and adventures useing just the 3 books???

Now heres the KICKER...Are the first 3 books even relevent anymore??? just courious...

As far as the band of idiots I used to game with was concerned, you only needed one book;

BOOK 4 BABY!!!...WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Occasionally we'd refer to the basics for starship ops and economics, but our group's motto was "Lock and load!..."

 

[The Oz]

I used to play with just the three books, and recently I've run a couple games with just the Big Black Book (since it's a lot easier to carry just one book).

But I still used ideas and concepts from the other books, even though all character generation was strictly out of the book.

 

[The Oz]

I used to play with just the three books, and recently I've run a couple games with just the Big Black Book (since it's a lot easier to carry just one book).

But I still used ideas and concepts from the other books, even though all character generation was strictly out of the book.

 

[RobertFisher]

Hey all! If anyone's been wondering where I've been, I've had some (non-serious) health problems that have kept my from keeping up with things.

My CT campaign has missed about 4 weeks. But we finally got back into it this week. I hope I'll get around to updating the campaign log soon...

Now, on to the topic at hand:

I intended to stick, as much as possible, to Bks1-3 plus Sup4, Sup6, & BITS 101 Patrons.

When the group decided they were ready for Traveller sooner than I expected, I needed Sup3 & the Deluxe Traveller Spinward Marches map.

Once the game commenced & I was asking question around here, I began to realize that Starter Traveller was invaluable. Unfortunately, its lacking some things from Bks1-3, so I still need them around.

I did manage to acquire The Traveller Book, but I haven't had a chance to really look at it yet.

Likewise, with the decision to use the OTU, I've been referencing Sups 8 & 11 enough out of the BFB that I've bought the LBBs & am waiting for them to arrive.

& I like having the other stuff handy in the BFBs. I might use something out of the other books or supplements on occasion though I don't use them all the time. I try to read the adventures for inspiration.

 

[RobertFisher]

Hey all! If anyone's been wondering where I've been, I've had some (non-serious) health problems that have kept my from keeping up with things.

My CT campaign has missed about 4 weeks. But we finally got back into it this week. I hope I'll get around to updating the campaign log soon...

Now, on to the topic at hand:

I intended to stick, as much as possible, to Bks1-3 plus Sup4, Sup6, & BITS 101 Patrons.

When the group decided they were ready for Traveller sooner than I expected, I needed Sup3 & the Deluxe Traveller Spinward Marches map.

Once the game commenced & I was asking question around here, I began to realize that Starter Traveller was invaluable. Unfortunately, its lacking some things from Bks1-3, so I still need them around.

I did manage to acquire The Traveller Book, but I haven't had a chance to really look at it yet.

Likewise, with the decision to use the OTU, I've been referencing Sups 8 & 11 enough out of the BFB that I've bought the LBBs & am waiting for them to arrive.

& I like having the other stuff handy in the BFBs. I might use something out of the other books or supplements on occasion though I don't use them all the time. I try to read the adventures for inspiration.

 

[migo]

Both have their pros and cons but Andy Slack has already written up a quick and dirty task system for his Traveller Ultralite rules. That, coupled with the mad idea in my head for starships, might allow me to cut my game down to the core rules and one added page. And that would be great, because I like the portability the LBBs offer in place of The Traveller Book.

Got a link? I'm interested on account of planning on just getting the core books.

 

[migo]

Both have their pros and cons but Andy Slack has already written up a quick and dirty task system for his Traveller Ultralite rules. That, coupled with the mad idea in my head for starships, might allow me to cut my game down to the core rules and one added page. And that would be great, because I like the portability the LBBs offer in place of The Traveller Book.

Got a link? I'm interested on account of planning on just getting the core books.

 

[Maynard]

I liked all the later supplements coming out; it's always a good thing to read other's ideas, and they all gradually added more and more color, which kept the game of ongoing interest. Who could have not spnet hours poring over High Guard or Trillion Credit Squadron when they hit the shelves????

I liked it when MT came out, and added stuff like 'superbonded dense' armor, rules for smaller or larger powerplants, solar panels, extended system generation, task resolution,etc. Even all the bugs and errata were fun. I like the COACC supplement as well, and the Research rules in Referree's Companion.

I have a fairly large collection of the LBB's and supplements, but my favorites are Prison Planet, Leviathian, Safari Ship, and Aboard the King Richard; the last is not a GDW LBB, but still cool for it's time.

Secrets Of The Ancients was a real letdown for me; I think it was badly thought out, given the buildup of mystery surrounding them until that LBB came out. If I could change anything, it would be to remove all that lame 'Grandfather' and his 'pocket universe' crap from the Canon and replace it with something better.

 

[Maynard]

I liked all the later supplements coming out; it's always a good thing to read other's ideas, and they all gradually added more and more color, which kept the game of ongoing interest. Who could have not spnet hours poring over High Guard or Trillion Credit Squadron when they hit the shelves????

I liked it when MT came out, and added stuff like 'superbonded dense' armor, rules for smaller or larger powerplants, solar panels, extended system generation, task resolution,etc. Even all the bugs and errata were fun. I like the COACC supplement as well, and the Research rules in Referree's Companion.

I have a fairly large collection of the LBB's and supplements, but my favorites are Prison Planet, Leviathian, Safari Ship, and Aboard the King Richard; the last is not a GDW LBB, but still cool for it's time.

Secrets Of The Ancients was a real letdown for me; I think it was badly thought out, given the buildup of mystery surrounding them until that LBB came out. If I could change anything, it would be to remove all that lame 'Grandfather' and his 'pocket universe' crap from the Canon and replace it with something better.

 

[mike wightman]

It's a shame that the weapons from Mercenary didn't make it into the later versions of Classic game, and I would have liked to have seen official rules for High Guard weapons, screens and armour (not the drives, or larger hulls though ) in Book2 ship design and combat.
CT 1-3 must be the most houseruled game in my collection - it's part of the fun of the game for me.

 

[mike wightman]

It's a shame that the weapons from Mercenary didn't make it into the later versions of Classic game, and I would have liked to have seen official rules for High Guard weapons, screens and armour (not the drives, or larger hulls though ) in Book2 ship design and combat.
CT 1-3 must be the most houseruled game in my collection - it's part of the fun of the game for me.

 

[penal battalion]

I bought the reprints 0-8 and supplements. I hadn't played traveller for 10 years or so.I forgot how much I loved the old classic game. Book 3 was enough to start my feverish mind rolling and whoosh! Whole new capagain and load of eager players who like me started up again after many years.
Classic and roleplaying by a wing and a prayer seem to deliver all the rules(with a few house rules) needed. My phobia of D+D stops me even looking at d20.
Nice to see some one else loves Safari ship

 

[penal battalion]

I bought the reprints 0-8 and supplements. I hadn't played traveller for 10 years or so.I forgot how much I loved the old classic game. Book 3 was enough to start my feverish mind rolling and whoosh! Whole new capagain and load of eager players who like me started up again after many years.
Classic and roleplaying by a wing and a prayer seem to deliver all the rules(with a few house rules) needed. My phobia of D+D stops me even looking at d20.
Nice to see some one else loves Safari ship