r/traveller

W2A2 is a VTT tool that was created with a few big principles in mind: make any TTRPG session as easy to play as possible, be user friendly for beginners but still offer advanced tools for more experienced players, and most importantly, be affordable and not subscription based.

This app stores everything locally and allows the GM to host a game in a matter of minutes, without having to pay for any hosting services. It includes all things you'd normally expect from a VTT tool, and a few additional features that we thought of while testing through our own sessions.

App is still in development, should be available in a few weeks! 

I'm quite excited about this. Until now, the only RPGs I've run are old-school D&D-likes, so I'm happy for the opportunity to explore a totally different game.

I've read the '77 ruleset and that's the one we will be using. I found its style quite refreshing; these are very terse and precisely written books, unlike the D&D editions from the '70s. At the same time, my experience with OSR games gives me already a bit of confidence that I'll be able to handle situations as they arise.

I prepared for this session by first generating a subsector. Drawing all the trade routes has been... fun... especially since I've used the 3:6 chance for a world given by the rules, which has resulted in 44 worlds and consequently many more potential routes to check. The system I found that worked for me is to check all potential 1-jump routes first, starting with 'A' worlds and going down the alphabet; then all possible 2-jump routes, etc. This means that I can save checks if for example a 2-jump route is already covered via two 1-jump routes.

I generated world codes for each world and then did one of these worlds in detail, including potential patrons and their assignments/missions, animal encounters, and normal encounters. I've put quite some time into it but I still feel unprepared! Traveller doesn't seem much dependent on maps like D&D is, and being without a terrain map feels unusual to me. I hope that what I jotted down will suffice for one session :)

So yeah, just wanted to report a bit about my experience. If there is interest, I will report back how it went.

I've found both Mongoose and twodsix but there seems to have been another Discord as well?

Any chance for an invite?

I'm a long-time fan of the game. I've never really found a group I could play with that lasted very long. I have a full collection of the LBBs, except for Issue 1 of the Journal of the TAS magazines. I've also had several of the 1980s-era hardbacks, etc. I found it to be the most programmable game from a software development standpoint.

But between breaks in role-playing eras, lack of tables, etc. Multiple publishing changes, alternate systems like Traveller T20.

But I'm out of touch with where Traveller is in 2026.

Is there a connected VTT and Online character sheet manager? I would certainly need to find or referee online games.

Thanks

I've bought directly from Mongoose twice this year. I like getting comped a PDF copy, makes searching for info a lot easier, But, the wait for the item to arrive is ludicrous. A week for them to process and pack the order and then 10-14 days for Fedex to drop it at my local post office and another 1-2 days for them to finally deliver it. 3 weeks.

So, which online retailer has the best selection of Mongoose Traveller books?

So, I have the Traveller 2e rulebook, the central supply catalogue, and the Marches 1-5 adventure book. Is there anything else that’s a ‘must have’? Haven’t run a game yet, but will soon.
- what should my next purchase be?
- what are the best online resources?

Thank you!

Looked at the Mongoose Traveller 1E collection, it's clear they were trying to maintain a similar aesthetic to Classic Traveller with the book covers and the black and white interiors.

And the switch back to 2D6 mechanics also harkens back to the Classic Traveller era.

How do the two games compare? What's better about one vs the other?

I’m just getting everything together for my players ready for the start of our in person campaign and to that end I’m getting together a “players kit” for player as they have never played before.

Each kit contains:

A hard copy of the Core Rulebook Update 2022
Several A4 Character Sheets
Hard copies of house rules
Notebook
Pencils and eraser
Dice for those who need them

I’ve also said that I’ll provide tea, coffee, and water during the game.

My wife thinks I’m spoiling my group by providing this as the only thing I’ve asked for them to provide is the snacks. What do you think am I spoiling them or am I just being a good ref / host?

I'm wrapping up my current campaign and looking at starting a new one with the same group. A couple players expressed interest in a pirate campaign. Excluding Pirates of Drinax what resources are available for such a campaign?

Does High Guard say whether reaction drives can be used for planetary takeoff and landing and how much fuel does it use?

I imagine that if they can sustain 1G+ of acceleration for hours they can break free of gravity, but can’t tell how how fuel that would take. Just that they’re more fuel efficient than 2300 or Pioneer’s drives.

Edit: I’m working on a setting with NO gravity manipulation technology

So starting a new campaign and managed to get a Psion with 14 PSI but only 5 STR.... but I still have 11 DEX. Thanks to the skill package I did get Gun Combat - Energy 1 and got a laser pistol with a benefits roll. I also bought a tl12 Stunner.

So while not defenseless, I still want melee capabilities just in case.... plus I think it'd be cool!

I have Telepathy,Clairvoyant, and Awareness.
We are doing a Bounty Hunter themed campaign where of course bounties could pay better alive, and certain social situations may just not allow guns blazing.

Unarmed looks great for Grappling, more concealable, Monofilament Claws, and situations where weapons are prohibited. It also would make more narrative sense for her to know martial arts/self defense rather than kendo.

Blades look great due to lower costs, more options.... and (though I think they are lacking) PSI blade/dagger. Plus futuristic swords are cool as hell.

So question is... do I go Tifa route or 2B route?

(I know its probably not optimal to even bother with melee at all.... but I want to and would love any opinions/advice)

Hi all, I’m a newbie to Traveler. Does anyone have strategies to use when rolling characters? It looks like it’s worth trying to get into university or an academy. After that, are there any favorite party builds? I assume you need a pilot, a mechanic, a heavy weapons/melee specialist, and maybe a face? Any favorite skills?

Any thoughts would be welcome and thanks.

Does the series have a lot of new information or is it mostly a rehash of the other Traveller books? Are the adventures interesting? Thoughts? Thanks!

Curious what people think about this and their experience if they did it. I think 2e did a good job dropping the Pistol specific specialties for example, the 3 remaining feels right.

Mechanic has a nice distinction from Engineering, but for the sake of an rpg, would it be simpler to make it a specialty of engineering?

Profession has its place in certain kinds of games, but I'd argue it's generally useless, and you know that before the game starts. Plus if it's suddenly needed, other skills can easily sub in.

I like Diplomat, but it seems niche. I found myself wanted to allow it when a player asked, but it usually just didn't fit. Great when it works though.

These are just some random thoughts. What would you change, if anything, and what would you put on the skill table in it's place, if needed?

I made a Droyne sample character who casted into a Drone. In my second term the oytrip came under attack. Afterwards, the Leaders decided I had failed to protect the young sufficiently and I was outcast.

I spent time in the Imperium recovering before I became a thief. Then I was recruited into Imperial Intelligence. However, I was put in prison for learning a secret I was not supposed to know. I was released on parole after one term.

But seriously? What did they expect hiring a natural telepath? Jeez!

Is anyone aware of a JTAS article, source book section, or a product from drivethrurpg that gives some lore / rule information on jumpsuits / overalls for ship crew? I could have sworn I once saw something about this that went into some detail about the type of coveralls that are worn by crewmembers (similar to the coveralls from the Expanse).

I know there's the JTAS article about clothing in the Imperium and the uniform and equipment of the IISS. I may also be association halucinating with a promotional video for the new Expanse RPG game being created. ​

If you know nothing else about the system other than that it contains a scout base, where would you expect to find the scouts?

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Im starting my first Traveller game soon, so i took an evening to introduce my players and have them make characters. We got a full spread of experiences! This was with a max of 5 terms (This is in a non-human homebrew so im gonna describe races bluntly).

1. A catgirl marine who joined straight out of military school and lasted all her terms.

2. An enderman who joined the army, proceeded to fail his first survival and roll a 2 on mishaps and nearly die, who then became a pirate (rogue) who got skimped on by his boss

3. An armadillo who joined the marines as shock infantry, then got kicked out after 3 terms and also became a pirate

4. A 2nd endeman who wanted to be a scientist, but couldn't cut it and got drafted into the scouts and stayed all her terms

5. A 2nd catgirl noble dilleante who got super lucky with psionics (racial), and 3 levels in jack of all trades who almost got assasinated by family and became a model afterwards

6. A parasite infesting a lizard who is effectively a mad scientist trying to spread his parasitic race to other species.

Everyone seems excited which makes me happy!