Megatraveller aliens

[zonk]

Looks like I'm never going to own Digest games alien modules, I don't want to pay the kind of money they bring.

So tell me what I'm missing. I don't want details, just what is in the Megatraveller Solomani/Aslan and the Vilani/Vargr books. What is different from the CT Aslan and Vargr books? Or for that matter both are covered, sorta, in the MT referee books.

What kind of details am I missing? Is it just 'cultural' detail or something I need?

How does it compare with the GT Aslan and Vargr? Do they cover it well compared to the MT Aslan and Vargr or am I going to be missing something?

 

[aramis]

Biggest (and most important) difference is the character generation tables, which include a special duty roll (something not present in CT.)

 

[anders lager]

DGP Aliens Books

Hi Zonk!
The DGP books elaborate upon the species a lot. I think the stories on the background of the species and their role in the shattered imperium are the books greatest strengths. Also, the Vilani are described in detail, for the first time in an "official" book. Both books are great, as are most of the DGP stuff, but I understand your feelings towards the current pricing on ebay....

I don't know but, I think that the Gurps aliens books are quite good too (of course you don't get the MT specifics there).

Please, send me a PM if you want more specifics.

/doc

 

[zonk]

Biggest (and most important) difference is the character generation tables, which include a special duty roll (something not present in CT.)

When you say the biggest difference is the chargen ... how different is it from CT chargen. I realize that the special duty roll isn't in CT, but other than that how different are they? Did they change the career tables? Or did they add new career tables? Both?

I remember when MT came out. We had stopped playing Traveller a short while before and consequently I never bought the Digest modules. I do remember looking at the Starship Owners manual and thinking it was great. I don't really remember any of the other modules but I might not have been paying attention.

 

[aramis]

For Aslan, Vargr, and Solomani, the addition of special duty, the use of the bonus skill rules, and the increase in number of cascades. You can extract all that data from a particular hypercard stack, if you can find it (and have hypercard).

 

[zonk]

For Aslan, Vargr, and Solomani, the addition of special duty, the use of the bonus skill rules, and the increase in number of cascades. You can extract all that data from a particular hypercard stack, if you can find it (and have hypercard).

Ah. Too bad then. Guess I'm out of luck

 

[sfchbryan]

Ah. Too bad then. Guess I'm out of luck

On the other hand, DGP didn't include any of the extended character generation from any of the CT Aliens modules.

 

[zonk]

On the other hand, DGP didn't include any of the extended character generation from any of the CT Aliens modules.

OK I'm lazy. I'd hafta go search through my CT Aliens in storage. It's been too long since I read it, what extended character generation? Do you mean that the CT extended character generation (as, for example, Mercenary did for army/marine characters)? If so doesn't the DGP aliens books do that too? In fact, as I've been led to believe, doesn't it do more than the CT extended character generation?

Not trying to be difficult I just don't know.

How, for instance, is the CT alien character generator better than the DGP alien character generator?

 

[sfchbryan]

OK I'm lazy. I'd hafta go search through my CT Aliens in storage. It's been too long since I read it, what extended character generation? Do you mean that the CT extended character generation (as, for example, Mercenary did for army/marine characters)? If so doesn't the DGP aliens books do that too? In fact, as I've been led to believe, doesn't it do more than the CT extended character generation?

Not trying to be difficult I just don't know.

How, for instance, is the CT alien character generator better than the DGP alien character generator?

No problem,
Extended character generation: Yearly assignments vs Term Assignments. However, with MT basic char gen the special duty roll gets you almost the same number of skills. And fewer survival rolls.

The big difference between the CT aliens books and the MT Aliens books:
1. DGP extensively used cascades (There are some very cool cascades in the DGP books). Of course, there is nothing to prevent you from adding to or building your own cascades.
2. Special Duty roll.
3. Extensive roleplaying examples of how to THINK like the alien in question. I thought that was the best part.
4. No extended character generation for any class. (No biggie if you own the CT aliens. Just cut & paste. There was no change from CT to MT in advanced generation). In fact, I just typed up the extended character generation to add to my copies of MT1 and MT2.

That is about it. No, really, that is about the only difference.

In MT 1 (Vilani & Vargr):
Vilani use the Player's Manual (w/ adjustments for age);
Vargr have the following:
Militia, Raider, Navy, Law Enforcer, Emissary, Explorer; Administrator; Doctor; Aristocrat; Scientist; Merchant; Belter; Corsair; Rogue; Hunter; Barbarian; and Leader.
In otherwords, Basic Char Gen & Supplement 4.

In MT 2 (Solomani & Aslan)
Aslan added the following in basic char gen:
Wanderer; Technician; Mariner; Teacher; Assassin;
Dropped the following char classes:
Pirates; Scientist (not the same as Technician); Envoys; Medics; Flyers; and Belters.

Solomani:
No changes from CT Aliens 6.

I'd still recommend getting a copy of V&V and S&A. Just keep an eye on ebay. I picked my 2nd copy of V&V for about $25. The hard one is 101 robots. Prices for that are insane. There is a copy of V&V & S&A on ebay right now. However the seller must not want to part with them based on his "buy now" price.

Hope that helps....

 

[zonk]

Yes I've bid on both many times, but lost each time.

The current ones have been up for bidding 5 times according to ebay. As you say he doesn't want to sell.

What you say is what I thought, lots of play detail. Aramis had previously mentioned the special duty roll.

No problem,
Extended character generation: Yearly assignments vs Term Assignments. However, with MT basic char gen the special duty roll gets you almost the same number of skills. And fewer survival rolls.

The big difference between the CT aliens books and the MT Aliens books:
1. DGP extensively used cascades (There are some very cool cascades in the DGP books). Of course, there is nothing to prevent you from adding to or building your own cascades.
2. Special Duty roll.
3. Extensive roleplaying examples of how to THINK like the alien in question. I thought that was the best part.
4. No extended character generation for any class. (No biggie if you own the CT aliens. Just cut & paste. There was no change from CT to MT in advanced generation). In fact, I just typed up the extended character generation to add to my copies of MT1 and MT2.

That is about it. No, really, that is about the only difference.

In MT 1 (Vilani & Vargr):
Vilani use the Player's Manual (w/ adjustments for age);
Vargr have the following:
Militia, Raider, Navy, Law Enforcer, Emissary, Explorer; Administrator; Doctor; Aristocrat; Scientist; Merchant; Belter; Corsair; Rogue; Hunter; Barbarian; and Leader.
In otherwords, Basic Char Gen & Supplement 4.

In MT 2 (Solomani & Aslan)
Aslan added the following in basic char gen:
Wanderer; Technician; Mariner; Teacher; Assassin;
Dropped the following char classes:
Pirates; Scientist (not the same as Technician); Envoys; Medics; Flyers; and Belters.

Solomani:
No changes from CT Aliens 6.

I'd still recommend getting a copy of V&V and S&A. Just keep an eye on ebay. I picked my 2nd copy of V&V for about $25. The hard one is 101 robots. Prices for that are insane. There is a copy of V&V & S&A on ebay right now. However the seller must not want to part with them based on his "buy now" price.

Hope that helps....