Traveller 2e Character Creation

[Balfuset790]

So, with the unfortunate lack of a character creation example other than an example character sheet - which does nothing to go through the process and career of the Traveller in question - I have a few questions.

Looking through the flowchart on page 10 it looks as though Travellers no longer roll for skills in their first term, nor after succeeding on an Advancement roll as they did in 1e. This looks as though it's going to result in a MUCH lower number of skills for a character mustering out. I created an example character to test the new system, 4 terms, 2 in Civilian (Worker) and 2 in Marine (Support) and came out the end with only 4 skills at 1, and about 8 at 0. Maybe it's just me but that seems very... low... for a character coming out of 16 years worth of career at the age of 34.

Is this intentional? I know I could easily house rule the additional skill rolls back in but I fear breaking some intended balance if I were to do that.

[Balfuset790]

Second question.

If I take a standard career term as my first term - Nobile (Dilettante) in this case - and then choose to join a Military Academy in term 2. Assuming I successful enter, do I still gain all of the associated Service Skills with the military branch at 0 as listed under skills, or does this count as 'Basic Training' for a new career so I only get one skill?

Also, I assume that when I enter the career associated with the Academy, my Academy skills count as Basic Training so I get a regular skill table roll as normal instead?

[Jeraa]

So, with the unfortunate lack of a character creation example other than an example character sheet - which does nothing to go through the process and career of the Traveller in question - I have a few questions.

Looking through the flowchart on page 10 it looks as though Travellers no longer roll for skills in their first term, nor after succeeding on an Advancement roll as they did in 1e. This looks as though it's going to result in a MUCH lower number of skills for a character mustering out. I created an example character to test the new system, 4 terms, 2 in Civilian (Worker) and 2 in Marine (Support) and came out the end with only 4 skills at 1, and about 8 at 0. Maybe it's just me but that seems very... low... for a character coming out of 16 years worth of career at the age of 34.

Is this intentional? I know I could easily house rule the additional skill rolls back in but I fear breaking some intended balance if I were to do that.

If you read the text and not the chart, you still get those.

Skills and Training
Each career has four or five types of skill table associated with it – Personal Development, Service Skills, Specialist Skills (divided into three sub-tables corresponding to assignments), officer skills and Advanced Education. In each term you spend in a career, pick one of these tables and roll 1D to see which skill you increase.

If you make a successful advancement roll, then you move to the next rank and gain an extra roll on any of the Skills and Training Tables for this career. You also get any bonuses listed for your new rank. You may only attempt to advance once per term.

[-Daniel-]

In playing with the 2e process I am finding I average about 2-3 skill pips per term. Add in the one for the skill package and the potential of two more for connections and it gets closer to an average of 3-4 for a four term character.

[haveahappy]

I'm finding 5 and 6 term characters to be more rewarding to make.

I thought 4 terms was about the ideal but actually in 4 terms I've had a few players muster out with no mishaps and reasonable ranks of 3 or 4 which is less interesting than say, a 6 term character who mishapped out.

There's a house rule I've seen used too where once character gen in finished - you all then roll a mishap to see why you've become travellers....

[-Daniel-]

There's a house rule I've seen used too where once character gen in finished - you all then roll a mishap to see why you've become travellers....

Hum.... very interesting idea. It almost calls for a d66 table just for that use.

[haveahappy]

There's a house rule I've seen used too where once character gen in finished - you all then roll a mishap to see why you've become travellers....

Hum.... very interesting idea. It almost calls for a d66 table just for that use.

Yeah actually I think it's a great idea especially as players seem so afraid of that aging table.

4 terms is a bit too short if nothing goes wrong - It's only enough time to get to rank 3 or 4, and in the absence of a mishap, why would someone run off to be a traveller when things are going so well?

If players don't want to have an "old" character, then I think just willingly rolling a mishap after character gen is a good way to give them some character-driven reason to be there.

[-Daniel-]

There's a house rule I've seen used too where once character gen in finished - you all then roll a mishap to see why you've become travellers....

Hum.... very interesting idea. It almost calls for a d66 table just for that use.

Yeah actually I think it's a great idea especially as players seem so afraid of that aging table.

4 terms is a bit too short if nothing goes wrong - It's only enough time to get to rank 3 or 4, and in the absence of a mishap, why would someone run off to be a traveller when things are going so well?

If players don't want to have an "old" character, then I think just willingly rolling a mishap after character gen is a good way to give them some character-driven reason to be there.

Well and the more I think about it, the table does not have to be all "mishaps" but rather various reasons to leave the career. Could be a return to a family business, the character was offered a great opportunity that didn't pan out, always had a dream to go out and explore but just finally did it, all kinds of reasons. And yes, some mishaps too.

[MongooseMatt]

Yeah actually I think it's a great idea especially as players seem so afraid of that aging table.

They really are, aren't they?

[-Daniel-]

Yeah actually I think it's a great idea especially as players seem so afraid of that aging table.

They really are, aren't they?

To be honest, I have never really understood the fear of the aging table at Terms 5. 6 and above, then it becomes a much greater chance of being hit. But before that, I never worried too much about it.

[Balfuset790]

Second question.

If I take a standard career term as my first term - Noble (Dilettante) in this case - and then choose to join a Military Academy in term 2. Assuming I successful enter, do I still gain all of the associated Service Skills with the military branch at 0 as listed under skills, or does this count as 'Basic Training' for a new career so I only get one skill?

Also, I assume that when I enter the career associated with the Academy, my Academy skills count as Basic Training so I get a regular skill table roll as normal instead?

Don't suppose anyone can address this question, can they...?

[-Daniel-]

Second question.

If I take a standard career term as my first term - Noble (Dilettante) in this case - and then choose to join a Military Academy in term 2. Assuming I successful enter, do I still gain all of the associated Service Skills with the military branch at 0 as listed under skills, or does this count as 'Basic Training' for a new career so I only get one skill?

Also, I assume that when I enter the career associated with the Academy, my Academy skills count as Basic Training so I get a regular skill table roll as normal instead?

Don't suppose anyone can address this question, can they...?

I could but then it would just be my opinion.

Give them the roll. That is my answer.

[haveahappy]

Is this intentional? I know I could easily house rule the additional skill rolls back in but I fear breaking some intended balance if I were to do that.

Our group made rolls in first term as per the lack of instruction NOT to on page 16.

Only the chart implies that you shouldn't, and I do think it's sufficiently vague as to go either way. Therefore I am inclined to believe that you ARE supposed to get first term skill rolls, in addition to basic, as before.

It would be AMAZING to get an "official" confirmation on this though, given it makes such a huge difference to results
The extra skills were always a nice offset to not having good rank or benefits.