GURPS Traveller question

[Michael Taylor]

I know this may seem like the dumbest question imaginable, but since I have had little exposure to GURPS I have to ask it. If I get GURPS Traveller (the hardback book) do I need to get anything else to play gurps traveller? Like the gurps core book for instance?

 

[mike wightman]

A download of GURPS lite would be enough to start with.

If you want the full complexity and all the options in one place (actually two places ) then buy 4th edition.

 

[Michael Taylor]

thanks. what's your opinion on the system? I like PVs for characters.

 

[mike wightman]

The core of the rules system is very simple - roll 3d6 and get less than your skill +/- modifiers.

Everything afer that is pretty much optional. It has all the rules needed to be one of the most complex games on the market, but at the same time it can be one of the simplest - it all depends on how much of the crunchiness you want to use.

Character generation is points based, there are four attributes, hundreds of different skills, advantages, disadvantages, quirks. Most importantly it has been refined over the years so the whole lot balances.

One piece of advise would be to make sure the referee and player work together to generate a character, unless you have players you trust not to munchkinise the whole process.

Here's a link to the free download of the GURPS lite rules.

And here is a link to a discussion about the GURPS system over at rpgnet.

 

[Michael Taylor]

thanks for your help Mike

 

[Anthony]

As another thing to consider:

GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars has also actually been given a date (august), and should have a decent chance of coming close to the announced date.

Not sure how complete in and of itself it's supposed to be; it shouldn't require additional expansion sourcebooks (specifically, it won't require any of the 3e GT books), but it might be hard to use without Basic.

 

[obsidian]

One of the best points [I think] of GURPS is all weapons/armor are relative to each other.Other games use sliding scales depending on the size categorie of the firer/target[pre D20 Star Wars],or have ridiculous differences in damage-standard/mega damage[Rifts]

 

[JeffreyAllanBeeler]

GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars

I was reading Steve's blog and according to that do not be surprised if it comes in earlier as it is doing better in productionthan some other products.

 

[Flynn]

Does anyone know if GT: Interstellar Wars will be out at Gen Con Indy this year?

Just curious,
Flynn

 

[clementk]

Originally posted by Flynn:
Does anyone know if GT: Interstellar Wars will be out at Gen Con Indy this year?

It's theoretically possible if there is a delay in another book. See the latest mention of GT:IW in the Daily Illuminator (link). GT:IW's listing in the new and upcoming releases is marked as "Farther Out" (past August) (link).

 

[Kirth]

Originally posted by Anthony:
As another thing to consider:

GURPS Traveller: Interstellar Wars has also actually been given a date (august), and should have a decent chance of coming close to the announced date.

Not sure how complete in and of itself it's supposed to be; it shouldn't require additional expansion sourcebooks (specifically, it won't require any of the 3e GT books), but it might be hard to use without Basic.

"It won't require any of the 3e GT books"

That's a lot to cram into one book. (Unless I misunderstaood what you meant.) Some stuff would have to wait for new supplements.

I know that according to SJG's pdf catalog, almost everything except starships and maybe one other from 3e is easy to convert to 4e.