Larsen,
I posted to another thread previously before I read this one. My apologies if my response there appears "out of turn", so to speak.
Originally posted by Larsen E. Whipsnade:
For me, the d20 baggage T20 carries makes it totally unsuitable for Traveller. The fact that levels - and the extra damage resistence they represent - even exist in a Traveller game is unthinkable. I played D&D in the late 70s and, even with only 3 levels available, the munchkin-like nature of D&D was readily apparent. As a wargamer first and a roleplayer second, 'bulletproof' PCs don't appeal to me. It feels like cheating somehow. You're supposed to win with your wits and skill and not through some game mechanic.
Old friend, I must say it can't be that unthinkable if QLI has been making money on "Traveller with Levels" for over two years now.
I see your point, and I've heard it repeated on many a board. Levels, etc., are often touted as the devil's work, created to destroy all good games, etc. I've heard it so much that now I have come to associate it with people who make judgements without any true experience in the matter (not that such might be the case here, but it does seem that way.)
Let me put it in perspective from my view on this: Saying that you can't play Traveller with levels is like saying...
... you can't play a game where your character dies in character creation.
... you can't play a game where you can't make any choices for your character in terms of skills, training, etc.
... you can't play a game where highly advanced computers take up a small office building.
... you can't play a game where a single starship for conducting interstellar trade costs more than most governments can afford, and yet you can make your payments with only 87 dtons of cargo and eight passengers.
and so on. People gripe about d20; people gripe about CT; people just gripe. I don't know if it's because they feel that their favorite system is threatened by the mere hint of interest in another one, or what. There's things that are wrong with all of them, and we're all adult enough to spot them and point them out. Sometimes, we even get frustrated and upset about it, especially if someone has a differing opinion. Just read Malenfant's words on almost every topic for an example of this. (Just kiddin', Mal.)
But do you want to know what's the
same with all of the different games and gaming systems, and even approaches to Traveller? There are people out there that have fun.
They have fun taking their far trader to distant worlds and scalping the natives.
They have fun getting trapped in a noble's machiavellian machinations and then getting out again.
They have fun exploring new star systems and exploiting the Ancient base found therein.
They have fun slaughtering chamax, rescuing combat drug-crazed scientists and solving murders on space stations.
They have fun in the Spinward Marches, the Solomani Rim and a wide range of places both within and beyond Charted Space.
They have fun with those shared experiences, and it doesn't matter whether they rolled 2d6 or 1d20 to get there or not. They have fun.
And that's why I like Traveller.
Period. CT, MT, TNE, T4, GT, T20, HERO, Storyteller or whatever system you care to run it in. It's not the system to me; it's the fun I have playing the game and sharing the experiences.
So let's have some fun and keep on Travellin', shall we?
Imagine, all this for just two credits,
Flynn