Pocket Empires: Sell me on it or warn me off

[Michael Schulz]

So, this Pocket Empires book, is it a solid resource for Traveller players of other eras and rule sets? Is it some good reading? What are the rules like, will I require spreadsheets? Its name keeps coming up on other forums and I am intrigued but need assistance.

 

[Michael Schulz]

So, this Pocket Empires book, is it a solid resource for Traveller players of other eras and rule sets? Is it some good reading? What are the rules like, will I require spreadsheets? Its name keeps coming up on other forums and I am intrigued but need assistance.

 

[Border Reiver]

Very useful book I think though I've not gone into the half of it yet. I've found it useful for all eras and especially useful for the creation of a strategic level campaign set in Zarushagar during the Rebellion in combination with the Imperial Squadrons book.

BTW you could use a spreadsheet if you want but pen and paper mk1 mod1 work pretty well.

 

[Border Reiver]

Very useful book I think though I've not gone into the half of it yet. I've found it useful for all eras and especially useful for the creation of a strategic level campaign set in Zarushagar during the Rebellion in combination with the Imperial Squadrons book.

BTW you could use a spreadsheet if you want but pen and paper mk1 mod1 work pretty well.

 

[mike wightman]

I agree with Border Reiver.

Pocket Empires, either with (preferably) or without Imperial Squadrons is a valuable resource for any era of Traveller.

It's probably the best T4 supplement IMHO.

 

[mike wightman]

I agree with Border Reiver.

Pocket Empires, either with (preferably) or without Imperial Squadrons is a valuable resource for any era of Traveller.

It's probably the best T4 supplement IMHO.

 

[aramis]

PE is one of 2 T4 supplements I really have used with other sets. (The other is Psionic Institutes.)

The Multi-generational rules are nice to have.

Can easily integrate with TNE's WTH for some really fun detailed colony building adventure... heehee

 

[aramis]

PE is one of 2 T4 supplements I really have used with other sets. (The other is Psionic Institutes.)

The Multi-generational rules are nice to have.

Can easily integrate with TNE's WTH for some really fun detailed colony building adventure... heehee

 

[Ursus Latex]

Yes! Splendid lil' book. The rules are good and easy to use with all other systems (preferably SciFi). Plus it excells at what it does all other systems I know.

UL

 

[Ursus Latex]

Yes! Splendid lil' book. The rules are good and easy to use with all other systems (preferably SciFi). Plus it excells at what it does all other systems I know.

UL

 

[Jeff M. Hopper]

Not to mention the fact that I am selling one on ebay. Just check the Duty Free Shop section of this forum for details.

 

[Jeff M. Hopper]

Not to mention the fact that I am selling one on ebay. Just check the Duty Free Shop section of this forum for details.

 

[kenbet]

It's a good reference book.

 

[kenbet]

It's a good reference book.

 

[darktalon]

Pocket Empires is one of my favourite Traveller books, and was well worth the months it took me to find (this was before DriveThruRPG started selling it). It's fairly easy to convert to other versions of the game, though the same can probably be said for most Traveller supplements, and it's very useful for any campaign which focuses on empire-building.

 

[darktalon]

Pocket Empires is one of my favourite Traveller books, and was well worth the months it took me to find (this was before DriveThruRPG started selling it). It's fairly easy to convert to other versions of the game, though the same can probably be said for most Traveller supplements, and it's very useful for any campaign which focuses on empire-building.

 

[Judas]

Could someone explain what Pocket Empires is?

 

[Judas]

Could someone explain what Pocket Empires is?

 

[Whipsnade]

Judas,

It's a release from T4 and one of only 2 or 3 products from that version of Traveller that are generally acknowledged to be any quality. (Sadly, T4 is more known for its misses than hits.)

Pocket Empires, or PE, resembles a pen and paper version of those computer 'god games' like Civilization. Various rules, charts, tables, and examples are given to guide you through a multi-generational effort to found, build, strengthen, and advance a small or 'pocket' empire far beyond the borders of the young Third Imperium.

PE has high level economic rules, strategic level naval/ground warfare rules, rules for TL advancement, rules for cultural and political manipulation, even rules for dynastic issues within your ruling family. We hadn't had anything like this since CT's Trillion Credit Squadron and never in such nifty detail. That's one reason why folks like PE.

PE presents two 'back stories' as examples. One concerns a 'home grown' pocket empire trying feverishly to rearm and recover past territory in the face of a Third Imperium that is growing more closer. The other story features the one PE suggests as a campaign; a wealthy noble family leaves the Sylean Federation ahead of Cleon's founding of the Imperium. They have no desire to become small fishes in Cleon's big pond and instead set out to create a pocket empire that the Imperium will have to absorb on terms much better to the family.

There is some errata; not much compared to T4's usual offerings but enough to be irritating. The errata can be found on-line however along with some rules fixes.


Have fun,
Bill

 

[Whipsnade]

Judas,

It's a release from T4 and one of only 2 or 3 products from that version of Traveller that are generally acknowledged to be any quality. (Sadly, T4 is more known for its misses than hits.)

Pocket Empires, or PE, resembles a pen and paper version of those computer 'god games' like Civilization. Various rules, charts, tables, and examples are given to guide you through a multi-generational effort to found, build, strengthen, and advance a small or 'pocket' empire far beyond the borders of the young Third Imperium.

PE has high level economic rules, strategic level naval/ground warfare rules, rules for TL advancement, rules for cultural and political manipulation, even rules for dynastic issues within your ruling family. We hadn't had anything like this since CT's Trillion Credit Squadron and never in such nifty detail. That's one reason why folks like PE.

PE presents two 'back stories' as examples. One concerns a 'home grown' pocket empire trying feverishly to rearm and recover past territory in the face of a Third Imperium that is growing more closer. The other story features the one PE suggests as a campaign; a wealthy noble family leaves the Sylean Federation ahead of Cleon's founding of the Imperium. They have no desire to become small fishes in Cleon's big pond and instead set out to create a pocket empire that the Imperium will have to absorb on terms much better to the family.

There is some errata; not much compared to T4's usual offerings but enough to be irritating. The errata can be found on-line however along with some rules fixes.


Have fun,
Bill