Classic T5 LBBs

[robject]

This from this thread.

... For that matter, given Robject's relationship with Marc, I am not sure why Robject does not produce such a set of [best of CT] rules, and lets Marc sell them.

Moderator Note: I am not advocating violation of Marc's copyright, but pointing out what could be done for a Game Master's personal use. I suspect that many players have already done this.

I've thought of doing this for T5. Pouring T5 content into the format of the three LBBs or The Traveller Book (heck, I've already done the simplest part of that: porting ACS into TTB's ship design chapter over here).

 

[Timerover51]

This from this thread.

I've thought of doing this for T5. Pouring T5 content into the format of the three LBBs or The Traveller Book (heck, I've already done the simplest part of that: porting ACS into TTB's ship design chapter over here).

If you in fact are interested in doing this, I do have the digital download for T5 and would be willing to assist. A trimmed down version of T5 for the beginner gamer is desperately needed.

 

[Daddicus]

The problem with the LBBs was that they were out of date shortly after release. Specifically, when the next volume came out.

IF (and only if) T5 were left intact design-wise, then LBBs would work. Otherwise, you have to release them all at the same time, which is a practical impossibility.

I would buy them for sure, but I would fear the race to oblivion.

 

[David Johansen]

Ideally T5's comprehensive top down design should prevent that. As long as things remain compatible with the core there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[mike wightman]

It's a waste of time until T5 is fixed.

Personal combat is the most obvious example. It has to work rules as written before you can even attempt a digest sized edition of a player's book.

This was supposed to have a team working on it - a year ago.

Perhaps the 40th anniversary next year will be T5.2, but by then Mongoose will have their entire second edition line in print, a starter edition boxed set and a hardback book that once and for all defines the MgT Third Imperium.

Meanwhile T5 has fan projects, a hint of a setting book, and a core game still in beta.

 

[SanDragon]

I believe in you, Big Black Book!

I believe in you!

There. That's out of the way.

Has there been any agreement on what will go in?

Who will go for it?

 

[David Johansen]

I think I'd remove the makers and replace them with weapon, armour, vehicle, animal, and sophont stats. If the big 6 sophonts aren't available put in some minor races.

I'd cut most of the benchmarks and so forth. The crew salaries should be in the starship section anyhow. Get rid of any discussion of the Third Imperium setting too.

Keep character creation and combat and ships and worlds but leave out complications like stage effects, non-standard drives, and so on. Include the classic ships. Cut tasks to one or two pages.

I think that approximates the content of the LBBs + Citizens of the Imperium which would be the goal.

 

[SanDragon]

But, all the character careers, or just the big five?

Since I have no idea what would be in place of Other...

 

[David Johansen]

Citizen

 

[Timerover51]

Personally, I would include all of the possible character careers mentioned in Supplement 4: Citizens of the Imperium.

For those that do not have the book, the following careers are given.

The twelve character types contained in this booklet are:
Pirates: lndividuals crewing interplanetary or interstellar vessels, who make their living by attacking, hijacking, or plundering commerce.
Betters: lndividuals who prospect and mine asteroid belts in search of mineral deposits, artifacts, or salvage materials.
Sailors: Members of the Nautical Force Command (the wet navy) of a world.
Diplomats: Members of the Foreign Service of a government.
Doctors: Trained individuals conducting medical practice.
Flyers: Members of the Close Orbit and Airspace Control Command (the air force) of a world.
Barbarians: Rugged individuals from primitive planets accustomed to hardship and well-trained in wilderness and survival situations.
Bureaucrats: lndividuals serving a government or organization in management or executive capacities.
Rogues: Criminal elements familiar with the rougher or more illegal methods of accomplishing tasks.
Nobles: lndividuals of the upper classes who perform little consistent function, but often have large amounts of ready money.
Scientists: lndividuals trained in technological or research sciences who conduct scientific investigations into materials, situations, and phenomena.
Hunters: lndividuals who track and hunt animals of varying sizes and types for profit or enjoyment.

A few of these are picked up in T5: the Noble, Rogue, Scholar=Scientist, Functionary=Bureaucrat.

However, the rest all fill in missing places in the career spectrum, especially the Doctor/Medic, the Pirate, the Belter, the Barbarian, and the Hunter (the Safari ship as a standard ship type). Adventure 10: Safari Ship requires the Hunter as a player character or NPC.

The Sailer and Flyer skill sets lead naturally into the nautical and aerial forces for a world. While MegaTraveller did use the Flyer skill in Close Orbit and Airspace Control Command, aside from the Wet Navy articles in Challenge, which I consider poorly done, nothing really was done with the Sailor character. In both Adventure 2: Research Station Gamma and Adventure 8: Nomads of the World Ocean, someone with Sailor Skills could be of enormous usefulness to a party.

The Traveller Book does make provision for Vehicle cascade skills which include Flyer and Water Craft, which further cascade, but these are more incidental skills than a specific character class. However, you could adapt the skills in The Traveller Book to reach a needed character.