T5 Only: What is Traveller?

[one0six60]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and would like some help please.

I last played traveller when is was 11-13 so a good 30 years back now and would like to get some ideas on the new system T5.

I have some questions:
1. T5 is it currently up to date?
2. Is it easy to play/create?
3.Where can I get additional material?
4. Can you recommend good starting material?
5. How much is it?
6. Is there a box set and what does it contain?
7. What else do I need or be recommended to use?

I'd really also like to be pointed in the right direction on good sites to discuss and use material. I think to me its going to be like starting from scratch again and me and my friends want something to get back in to the genre.

Any help gratefully received.

 

[CosmicGamer]

Please don't take everything I say as 100% factual because I may not have the most recent info as I personally gave up on T5. It wasn't my cup of tea but others are enjoying it.

1. T5 is it currently up to date?
Please define what you mean by "up to date"

2. Is it easy to play/create?
By most counts, it is not "easy" without spending considerable time going through the 600+ pages. It is a product that gearheads may enjoy.

3.Where can I get additional material?
With over 600 pages, T5 is quite extensive. For additional resources, if needed, most people will likely start pointing you to other versions of Traveller that may be compatible as there is not much being published specifically for T5.

4. Can you recommend good starting material?
I'm not aware of a quick start. This web site is a good start. Check out the T5 forums and ask questions.

5. How much is it?
I believe the hard cover is out of stock. The CD is available from FEE, Far Future Enterprises, for $35.

6. Is there a box set and what does it contain?
Not that I am aware of.

Any help gratefully received.
While you did mention T5 only, I thought it worth mentioning CT and Mongoose because from the polls I've seen, they are played more than the T5 version of Traveller.

The old CT, Classic Traveller, version is available on Cd for $35 and is a great value as it includes much of the additional books, supplements, and adventures published. Very all inclusive. Very much still played by many.

The Mongoose version is "current". It could get costly if you are the type to pick up every book as there are quite a few and additional material is being produced on a fairly regular basis. Much of it is very similar to CT and it is very popular.

 

[aramis]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and would like some help please.

I last played traveller when is was 11-13 so a good 30 years back now and would like to get some ideas on the new system T5.

I have some questions:
1. T5 is it currently up to date?
2. Is it easy to play/create?
3.Where can I get additional material?
4. Can you recommend good starting material?
5. How much is it?
6. Is there a box set and what does it contain?
7. What else do I need or be recommended to use?

I'd really also like to be pointed in the right direction on good sites to discuss and use material. I think to me its going to be like starting from scratch again and me and my friends want something to get back in to the genre.

Any help gratefully received.

1) T5 version 5.09 is the closest to "up to date" Traveller edition. But Traveller is somewhat odd in its tech base.

2) To be blunt: for some people yes, for others, no. The core mechanic is easy enough: difficulty d6's vs Stat+Skill+Knowledge, roll low.

3) You can order Cirque from it's publisher or via DriveThru RPG. PM aramais for more information.

4) The T5 boards... there is no Quickstart edition at present.

5) The T5 CD is $35 from Far Future Enterprises. The PDF is available for $34.95 via DriveThru RPG

6) If you order the CD, it's in a DVD case... which said box contains the CD. The CD has the rulebook, a bunch of odds and ends, including locally useable images, a few fonts of deckplan symbols. The box may also contain a Patent card.

7) To run T5, you'll need paper, pencils, and at least 7d6. A printer is quite useful, as the fill-forms make the various processes for building stuff much easier to follow.

 

[one0six60]

Thanks guys, nice and quick responses.

Just struggling on the mongoose thing - is it still Classic Traveller with add on's?

And why does T5 not get the recognition as an improved game. I thought the idea was to bring Classic Traveller more up to date when it appears that Classic is still a good, well played and effective RPG. I'd really like to know the differences if it can be summarised?

Finally as a recommendation would you suggest as I am starting from scratch essentially to begin with Classic Traveller (CT?)

 

[aramis]

Thanks guys, nice and quick responses.

Just struggling on the mongoose thing - is it still Classic Traveller with add on's?

It never really was...

It covers the same ground as CT, is a complete rewrite from first principles, and is largely scaled the same way. Attributes scale the same as CT, skills are actually more than CT but less than MT. The skill list is different in many ways. Combat works somewhat differently from every other edition, and the damage taking is loosely based upon CT 1E, but again, it's not the same.

You can use CT adventures with only on-the-fly changes, and CT Bk2 ships aren't too badly different.

If you aren't comparing them side by side, it's easy to think of it as CT 3E, but when you start actually comparing... it's easily as different from CT as MT was. You can see what's been borrowed, and what has been changed, provided you're actually looking.

Overall, the core rules cover the same ground as CT Bk 1-3, and a little bit more.

But even world generation isn't actually the same...

Hell, Scouts have ranks!

If you want to see for yourself, 90% of the core rules are in the SRD, within the downloadable "Traveller Developer's Pack" over on Mongoose's website. (What's missing: 9 of the 10 careers, weapon damages, examples.)

 

[Timerover51]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and would like some help please.

I last played traveller when is was 11-13 so a good 30 years back now and would like to get some ideas on the new system T5.

4. Can you recommend good starting material?

I would recommend that you go back to Starter Traveller, which is available through DriveThruRPG, to get back into the basic Traveller rule system. Then wait until Traveller 5.1 comes out, which hopefully will be a bit more useable for the new/novice/or returning player.

 

[one0six60]

Thanks guys