If you want a simple, well tested system, play Classic Traveller.

T5 is for people who want to know what bandwidths they can see and which notes they can hear.  Yes, it does that.

The makers are really pretty innovative.  You start with a basic descriptor and layer on additional descriptors that modify the weapon, armor, or vehicle's characteristics accordingly.  So an Advanced Heavy Gaus Combat Rifle is actually a design.  The maker just rates it based on the terminology.

I'd love an upgraded Fire, Fusion, and Steel.  But the makers do around 95% as much on about 10% of the effort.

Quote from: estar;666733I am a long time beta tester. The main issue is that it is a toolkit ... period.

It has very little in the way of prepared content instead of a huge list of Guns it gives you the ability to make your own guns. The same for the rest of the different subsystems.

It perhaps most closely related to T4.

If you want something playable out of the box get MongTrav if you want the ultimate Traveller get T5.

Would you say it's a toolkit in the same way that Hero is a toolkit, or that GURPS is a toolkit?

Quote from: David Johansen;666858The makers are really pretty innovative.  You start with a basic descriptor and layer on additional descriptors that modify the weapon, armor, or vehicle's characteristics accordingly.  So an Advanced Heavy Gaus Combat Rifle is actually a design.  The maker just rates it based on the terminology.

How this works might actually be interesting, even though the book might contain other parts that are too minutia.  

Even in original Traveller some will say that all 8 rule books and 13 supplements are core, even though I consider the first three stand alone core, deciding I don't find the later rule books useful for my campaigns.  So, when viewed as an omnibus book, one could consider whole chapters not core in Traveller 5, from the descriptions I have read.  Perhaps this would help Shawn see something worth while in it, since he mentioned liking a few aspects, though it is easier for him to use Mongoose, as I first edition.  Some few will say that Mongoose is incomplete without the 9 rule books and 12 supplement books considered core.  If one evaluated Traveller 5 as an omnibus of all potential rules, then it is not really longer than other editions.  Now, if Marc mentions that further rule books and supplements are in the works? haha

Quote from: BarefootGaijin;666856In one sentence, can anyone tell me if it is worth playing the new T5 over the older T1 LBBs? I have people around with both and I am interested.

For a mountain climber, who likes a challenge climbing the highest peaks, etc, Traveller 5 is one such mountain.  But it is a mountain of shit.  Don't know if it's worth the challenge climbing it.  No fanboy has made it to the top yet.

Then there is the other part about convincing players in your group to play it.  It's like herding nerds.

So in answer to your question, BarefootGaijin.  I cannot.

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;666865For a mountain climber, who likes a challenge climbing the highest peaks, etc, Traveller 5 is one such mountain.  But it is a mountain of shit.  Don't know if it's worth the challenge climbing it.  No fanboy has made it to the top yet.

Then there is the other part about convincing players in your group to play it.  It's like herding nerds.

So in answer to your question, BarefootGaijin.  I cannot.

Since T5 is a toolkit, would that mean that only the DM would need to buy a copy?  I perused the tome today, and I simply couldn't see everybody at the gaming table picking a copy up.  Other games that have similar (literal) weight --DCC and Pathfinder Core-- have enough utility in there for players to make it worth their while to acquire, but I don't have that same feel when I paged through T5.

Quote from: flyerfan1991;666867Since T5 is a toolkit, would that mean that only the DM would need to buy a copy?  I perused the tome today, and I simply couldn't see everybody at the gaming table picking a copy up.  Other games that have similar (literal) weight --DCC and Pathfinder Core-- have enough utility in there for players to make it worth their while to acquire, but I don't have that same feel when I paged through T5.

I don't recommend playing the game, let alone buying it.  Here's a typical review of Traveller 5 http://fromkickassistan.blogspot.com/2013/06/first-impressions-of-t5-day-that.html

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;666868I don't recommend playing the game, let alone buying it.  Here's a typical review of Traveller 5 http://fromkickassistan.blogspot.com/2013/06/first-impressions-of-t5-day-that.html

That pretty much summed up my 5-10 minutes worth of perusal.  I'm glad I passed.

Quote from: flyerfan1991;666869That pretty much summed up my 5-10 minutes worth of perusal.  I'm glad I passed.

It's just sad.  People shouldn't be passing this test.  Traveller 5 was going to be something kool and awesome (see //www.traveller5.com ).  What we ended up with wasn't supposed to happen.  The Traveller 5 that was released is just wrong.

Marc still has 1st edition in reprint.  So, don't be hard on the guy over much.  I do indeed enjoy 1st edition.

Your story about the failed Star Hero campaign the other day made me laugh a bit Shawn.  I have all the 5th Star Hero books and two revised hardbacks.  One of the few full games I regret buying.  Don't think I will even find use for even the setting parts, since I can easily make that up.

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;666871I //www.traveller5.com ).

The difference between the original idea and the final product is remarkable.  

Take the pdf of 1st's books one through three and one's house rules in like format, modifying page numbers appropriately, and one has one's own unique Traveller Ultimate Edition.

Quote from: Kuroth;666872Marc still has 1st edition in reprint.  So, don't be hard on the guy over much.  I do indeed enjoy 1st edition.

Your story about the failed Star Hero campaign the other day made me laugh a bit Shawn.  I have all the 5th Star Hero books and two revised hardbacks.  One of the few full games I regret buying.  Don't think I will even find use for even the setting parts, since I can easily make that up.

1st edition of what?

I have a question for you.  Now that Hero Games site is back up, do you know if they have a character sheet PDF to download for star hero?  They did find a character sheet somewhere that is locked so you can't save it after filling it in.  The players were looking for one the other night.

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;6668741st edition of what?

Traveller, of course. http://www.farfuture.net/hardcopy.html

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;666874I have a question for you.  Now that Hero Games site is back up, do you know if they have a character sheet PDF to download for star hero?  They did find a character sheet somewhere that is locked so you can't save it after filling it in.  The players were looking for one the other night.

Star Hero 6?  I don't know.  For 5th, I would have to look around for one of those.  I might have a 5th one about though.

Quote from: Kuroth;666875Traveller, of course. http://www.farfuture.net/hardcopy.html

Ok.  That 1st Edition.  Yes.  A much better game.  And there's 2nd editions of some of those rules (characters no longer die during CharGen).

Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;666877Ok.  That 1st Edition.  Yes.  A much better game.  And there's 2nd editions of some of those rules (characters no longer die during CharGen).

Having starting a campaign with Mongoose Traveller I have to say it probably the best edition of Traveller yet. Everything that Classic has (and compatible) but just better refined with going the route Mega Traveller did.

Quote from: 1989;666861Would you say it's a toolkit in the same way that Hero is a toolkit, or that GURPS is a toolkit?

No it is a Traveller toolkit that gives the tools to make any type of hard to medium sci-fi setting.