Hammer Slammers Compatibility

[Erik Growen]

I have come across a copy of the Hammer's Slammers Traveller book from 2009 and was wondering if it would be compatible with the Traveller rules from 2016 (the core book that I have)? Would many/ any adjustments need to be made to make use of it? I do have the Mercenaries supplement as well which I figure I could probably make use of as well to create a game based on the novels (which I just recently began to re-read). Has anyone else run a Hammer's Slammers game that might be able to give some hints or tips?

Erik

 

[Vormaerin]

1e and 2e are largely compatible. The exact skill lists are a little different, but the basic way the rules work is identical.

 

[Saladman]

Yeah, compatibility is pretty high. The only suggestion I'd add is don't go open book, all the books for things like vehicles and guns that are present in both Hammer's Slammers and the core book or Central Supply. But that's as much about tone and campaign buy-in as it is about balance.

Similarly, the Slammers book assumes you'll use Core for setting-appropriate careers like colonist, journalist and medic, but you probably shouldn't include core book careers like military (Slammers does that) or scouts.

I've had the book forever, but haven't ever run a campaign. The book covers careers, setting lore, vehicles and weapons, but stops short of discussing things like troupe play (seems like everybody making both a grunt and an officer for different scenes could work) and mass battles or a faction system (so Mercenaries will be a good add on for it).