Traveller Core Rulebook Update 2022 (MGP40058)
R**R
Old Traveller Fan
Finally got around to getting a new version of this very old SciFi game system that gave us lots of good times long, long ago…Book quality is fine and overall very nicely done and enjoyable to read. Artwork and other graphics are great. The game system itself is excellent and doesn’t appear to have changed much over the decades which is a testament to it. Mongoose has volumes of supplements and there are very interesting things on the Web for it. You can play with just this book and roll your own universe (literally), or adopt the rich background of “known” space and all its intrigue, aliens, and technologies.Some things could be written a little clearer for me. For example, the 2 pages dedicated to a flow chart for character generation left me wondering about mustering out benefits when tossed out due to a failed survival event. The answer, I am sure, is elsewhere in the text, but it would be nice to not flip around for it if you are provided a dedicated flowchart.The only other negative is that they already had to publish errata which is now a printed page that I had to download and stuff in the book. This bopped off a rating star as it should have been caught in editing for such a mature game and high quality publisher.If you purchase direct from Mongoose, you also get a PDF version, but shipping charges and top price on an already expensive book kept me at Amazon. Would be nice if there was a way to register the book with Mongoose for a PDF download, especially if they have to edit it after it’s been published. (Someone mentioned in a previous review that they still got the PDF from Mongoose, but I don’t see where to get it on their website… I reached out to Mongoose about it.). (Edit: Mongoose got back to me the next day with a PDF. Upping them to five stars for their exceptional support.)Note that there is currently—as of Jan 2023—a simplified PDF basic rules version available for a buck out there if you want a good starter sample. If you are at all interested in this game, that is a great way to be introduced to it and decide if you want to start investing in the rest of it.Overall, it’s a great purchase and fun to read—and hopefully play again soon! I am looking forward to getting more of their products.
O**N
A system in a book
To start, I do not own the original book from ten years ago, but I do own the GDW black book from 1982, as well as the GURPS version. So, this will mostly be a review not of a reprint but of this incarnation of the game system.Overall:I liked this product very much. The system and setting are well done, and book provides everything you need to play (other than dice, pencil paper and friends) for a pretty reasonable cost. With that said, the rules are pretty densely packed with few examples, which may make this a difficult game for newer gamers.The Pros:1. The Traveller setting is great. The lack of faster-than-travel communications is what enables a future universe with spaces for adventure. It's brilliant. There is a reason the setting has been around since the 70s.2. This has the entire game in a playable fashion in one book. Sure, if you want a new alien race or to play with the big superheavy battleships, you will need supplements, but do you really need rules to know that the 15k ton assault cruiser is going to reduce your 200 ton cargo ship to space dust?3. They did a really good job incorporating the actions of individual players into space combat. This is very well done.The middle:1. The rules are dense. They are (relatively) complete and do a pretty good job at explaining how to play, but there are few examples of play. If you are experienced at gaming, this is not really an issue. If you are new to gaming, this might be tough... One example I would have loved to see is, after randomly rolling up a planet, how do I take that information and make an adventure hook out of it? I know how, but the rules don't spell it out.The cons:1. The art is really bland, and it's used to convey information rather than tone. Where it really doesn't work is in the armors, where they are all just standing upright without a background. (and they all kinda look the same) It would be really nice to have art that had them in context, especially if it showed action or adventure -- what does it "feel" like to be in that armor? The worst is those like the medkit -- with an illustration of a two-toned box with a plus on it. I conveys neither information nor tone.2. The chart on pages 14-15. Holy Smokes! Couldn't they have just done a standard flowchart? We are taught how to read those in school. The chart they have with weird graphic arrows (and no decision boxes) was two complete pages of confused mess.3. I found it really difficult to make a character that was interesting. The lifepath system is OK, but my imagination beats random rolls any day.
G**N
Essential rulebook for Traveller players and referees
A much needed update for the Traveller RPG system. A definite upgrade and easier to use than the 2008 Mongoose version.
T**D
Traveller Core Rulebook 2023 update
Iordered the Traveller 2023 Core Rulebook. It came right on time and was in excellent condition upon arrival.
K**Z
Excellent RPG
Love the rules format and love the game itself. however, although I paid a top price, the book arrived like it came right off someones bookshelf!!! Of course, that is the seller's fault. Otherwise, this is an awesome book.
L**K
Space, but without a phallic rocket.
Traveller is a classic for a reason. Really enjoying the rules and building a campaign. Plus side is that mongoose will still give you the pdf even if you buy it here, at the end stage capitalist hellscape.
J**O
Game play
Games for my grand kids and my friend to play with.
H**2
The best version for new Traveller players.
If your new to Traveller I highly recommend you pick up this book. It is the revised and clearer reprint of 2nd edition Mongoose Traveller.
M**G
Welcome refresh of an old friend!
I have been playing the Traveler system since 1982 - with the 3 book boxed set. This is a superb refresh. The art is crisp and great to look at, the rules are set out very clearly, the print quality is great and the content remains top drawer.All you need to build and run your own "hard sci-fi" adventures are in this book - think Star Trek, Blakes 7, Firefly, Babylon 5 etc - you could happily run games with the feel of all these TV shows with this rule set. All you need to play is some 6 sided dice, pens and paper.Great fun.
W**E
Essential for any DM planing on running it
not used it yet but plan to along with the other books i have collected so far, it good Condition as well, Only Negative i have and it a big one for another book in the series High Guard Update 2022 is not Available and it the Only book i am missing,i would give this a 10/10 if i could order the last book but for now it get a 7/10 it still a good book to get tho.
J**R
The RPG for deap sci fi adventures
This really is by far the best starting book for any sci-fi adventure.1. Run character creation as a group to explore emergent storytelling.2. Branch out into the story you want to tell. Want an epic established setting -get reading on the Third Imperium. Want to play your own universe via a star map? Go for it.This book is enough to start and the other books just grow this out to an experience as deep as any other roleplaying game can offer.
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