Player's Book: What's needed?

[Daddicus]

In the "What does T5 Need" thread, Damann asked for a "simple player's guide".

I agree provisionally, but I am not sure what belongs in it. Please use this thread to comment on the idea.

 

[Daddicus]

Obviously, the character creation stuff is needed. However, that section in the current manual is hard to follow. I think a dedicated player's guide needs to cross-reference page numbers for tables, checklists, specific information about each topic, etc.

For example, page 71's section on education should include references to the character generation checklist on page 78, Education-1 and Education-2 tables on pages 100 and 101, the Skills table on 142, etc. And, those tables should point back to page 71 as well (and perhaps each other, in some cases).

 

[mike wightman]

Task resolution, combat, typical equipment at a range of TLs

 

[Draconian]

I had to wrestle with what to tell my players, what they needed to know about the system, and I came up with this thread:

http://www.travellerrpg.com/CotI/Discuss/showthread.php?t=32135

 

[Shonner]

Obviously, the character creation stuff is needed. However, that section in the current manual is hard to follow. I think a dedicated player's guide needs to cross-reference page numbers for tables, checklists, specific information about each topic, etc.

For example, page 71's section on education should include references to the character generation checklist on page 78, Education-1 and Education-2 tables on pages 100 and 101, the Skills table on 142, etc. And, those tables should point back to page 71 as well (and perhaps each other, in some cases).

Make everything quick-start and quick-solve.

 

[pendragonman]

Literally, just the stuff that was in LBB 1

 

[Quint]

Character generation, combat rules, just like the old LBB1.

I think that some argument could be made for a broad discussion of tech levels, perhaps of the different settings (though it might be nice to see some discussion of something other than the OTU) just to help them contextualize each of the different professions.

Oh, and some stuff on alien races - or some method of talking about making minor human races/cultures seem different. That might actually be a better or more palatable idea.

D.

 

[JimMarn]

Sigh. My imagination must be slowing down or something. I never thought of using 3D Maker items in Traveller.

I do remember a 'universal pantograph' in several sf novels many years ago, that could be used to make non-unique things.

But I didn't connect the two until now.

Thanks !

 

[robject]

Literally, just the stuff that was in LBB 1

Characters and combat, armor and weapons, yes -- almost. We also need vehicle, smallcraft, and starship lists.

 

[Timerover51]

Use Starter Traveller as a basis, and produce the equivalent for Traveller 5.

 

[mike wightman]

Have you seen the Pathfinder beginners box?

That, done for T5.

 

[Dagrill]

Literally, just the stuff that was in LBB 1

I would say LBB1, with added examples for new players, so they have a vague idea what they are doing, to include a work-through of the education system as well.

Kind Regards

David

 

[robject]

Have you seen the Pathfinder beginners box?

That, done for T5.

The Pathfinder RPG Beginner Box Includes

• 64-page Hero's Handbook, detailing character creation, spells, equipment, and general rules for playing the game
• 96-page Game Master's Guide packed with adventures, monsters, magical treasures, and advice on how to narrate the game and control the challenges faced by the heroes
• A complete set of 7 high-impact polyhedral dice
• More than 80 full-color pawns depicting tons of heroes, monsters, and even a fearsome black dragon
• Four pregenerated character sheets to throw you right into the action
• Four blank character sheets to record the statistics and deeds of your custom-made hero
• A durable, reusable, double-sided Flip-Mat play surface that works with any kind of marker

Cost: $35 ($45 with PDF).

 

[OjnoTheRed]

My 20c:

1. Benchmarks: World Ranges, Sizes, Money
2. Character Creation
3. Combat
4. Abbreviated Skills / Knowledges list (one page summary, two pages of single-sentence definitions)
5. Abbreviated Tasks (2 pages)

The Ranges and Sizes Benchmarks are needed if you have combat. Money and costs benchmarks are needed to make sense of "so my character has Cr12,000. Is that good?". The last two round out what skill levels and attributes really mean in-game.

 

[daltoncalford]

NLBB = NEW Little Black Book, 64-72 page, A5 Sized Softcover Booklets

NLBB 0 = Introduction To Role Playing, Understanding A Character, Task Resolution, Simple Combat.
NLBB 1 = Getting Started (Human Character Creation, Skills, Schools etc)
NLBB 2 = Adventure (Background on Starports, Equipment Lists, Standard Starships, Worlds no generation rules, just explanation and how to use them)
NLBB 3 = Conflict (Advanced Ground Combat, Mass combat, Space Combat etc)
NLBB 4 = Referee's Guide (Setting up a game, epic etc)

With a series of small booklets, without makers/builders etc., a new player can quickly come to grips with the system.

Further books would hold the makers/builders, but, the players don't need that in a basic set.
Small books make it easy to edit/review and replace if the errata/errors become too much.

Artwork can be added as postcard sized handouts that are outside the core books.

LBB formats, being single column, are easier to publish/use on tablets/ereaders/phones than two column letter sized formated pdfs.

Keep the books small, minimal details at first, allowing for expansion in further books.

KEEP IT SIMPLE - we want new players, not a bunch of old guys with bricks collecting dust on the shelves.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

SWEET!

NLBB = NEW Little Black Book, 64-72 page, A5 Sized Softcover Booklets

NLBB 0 = Introduction To Role Playing, Understanding A Character, Task Resolution, Simple Combat.
NLBB 1 = Getting Started (Human Character Creation, Skills, Schools etc)
NLBB 2 = Adventure (Background on Starports, Equipment Lists, Standard Starships, Worlds no generation rules, just explanation and how to use them)
NLBB 3 = Conflict (Advanced Ground Combat, Mass combat, Space Combat etc)
NLBB 4 = Referee's Guide (Setting up a game, epic etc)

With a series of small booklets, without makers/builders etc., a new player can quickly come to grips with the system.

Further books would hold the makers/builders, but, the players don't need that in a basic set.
Small books make it easy to edit/review and replace if the errata/errors become too much.

Artwork can be added as postcard sized handouts that are outside the core books.

LBB formats, being single column, are easier to publish/use on tablets/ereaders/phones than two column letter sized formated pdfs.

Keep the books small, minimal details at first, allowing for expansion in further books.

KEEP IT SIMPLE - we want new players, not a bunch of old guys with bricks collecting dust on the shelves.

I dig this idea! Very good, nice, simple, expandable and nostalgic, way to go.

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

Art thou high?

Have you seen the Pathfinder beginners box?

That, done for T5.

Dude, if folks are griping about the size and cost of just the B³, can you imagine how they'll scream about the price of that get up (since Rob so nicely posted the details)?

I mean I would absolutely love to see that, I don't know how well it would go over.

As side note, I love how this modern D&D variant includes, not just a starter set of polyhedrons but they are also high impact dice. Lucky kids these days, I remember my crappy blues with black mark them yourself crayons. That was in the days when dice like those included in the Pathfinder box were only from some obscure German company and cost like US¢ 50-75 due to import and production costs. Also THAC0!

 

[SanDragon]

THAC0!!!

 

[pendragonman]

Anyone else think that Thaco sounds like comic book machine pistol fire?


THACO THACO THACO THACO!!!!!!

 

[Magnus von Thornwood]

Nope.

Anyone else think that Thaco sounds like comic book machine pistol fire?


THACO THACO THACO THACO!!!!!!

It is the name of the company that makes machine pistols. Well, it is an acronym: Tactical Hijinks & Action Company, LIC out of Deneb. Magash if I remember correctly.