T20 Only: Core Books?

[plazman30]

I'm interested in checking out T20 just out of curiosity. According the FFE website, the CD-ROM contains there books:

• The Traveller's Handbook (Core Rules)
• Traveller's Handbook Errata
• Book 1: Characters and Combat
• Book 2 - Vehicles and Starships
• Book 3 - Worlds and Adventures

Is The Traveller's Handbook the same as books 1, 2 and 3?

I also see there is a Traveller's Guidebook for Players. What is that in relation to these other books?

 

[Bartleby]

Question 1: I think so. I have the Handbook and it has all of those things.

Question 2 re: the Guidebook: IIRC The Handbook assumes you have some sort of D20 player core rules (like D20 modern or D&D) that explains how to make characters and how the core mechanics work. The T20 Handbook 'bolts on' to the core D20 rule system without explaining exactly how to do everything.

I believe the Guidebook acts as its own D20 core book and fully explains how to create a characters and generate ability scores etc. It is like a full players handbook with chapters on Classes, Levels, Equipment, Feats. I believe some of it overlaps with the Handbook but whereas the Handbook deals with everything from Characters, to Trade, to World Generation the Guidebook seems to be mostly geared towards Characters (though there is a combat section in it strangely enough).

I own both but never played them RAW so I am a little fuzzy on the details.