Hey guys! Ever found yourself pondering the vast expanse of tabletop RPGs, wondering which system will best fuel your sci-fi adventures? Today, we're diving deep into a cosmic comparison: Traveller and Stars Without Number! Both offer distinct flavors of spacefaring escapades, but cater to different playstyles and preferences. So, buckle up, because we're about to embark on a journey to determine which of these titans truly reigns supreme.

A Tale of Two Universes: Setting the Stage

Before we delve into mechanics and character creation, let's paint a picture of the universes these games offer. Traveller, the venerable old-timer, presents a sprawling, meticulously detailed galaxy. It's a setting steeped in history, with established empires, trade routes, and political intrigues. Think of it as the Game of Thrones of space operas, but with faster-than-light travel and laser pistols.

The Third Imperium, the dominant power, has seen better days. It’s vast but also decaying, rife with internal conflicts and external threats. This provides fertile ground for player characters to carve their own destinies. You might become daring merchants navigating dangerous sectors, intrepid explorers charting unknown worlds, or cunning spies unraveling galactic conspiracies. The emphasis is often on the nitty-gritty details of interstellar life, from managing finances to navigating complex social interactions.

Stars Without Number, on the other hand, offers a more sandbox-style experience. The setting, known as the Scream, is a galaxy recovering from a psychic catastrophe that shattered interstellar communication and plunged civilizations into isolated darkness. This event, known as the Scream, not only isolated planets but also unleashed psychic phenomena and bizarre mutations, adding a layer of danger and mystery to the setting.

Players in Stars Without Number are often pioneers, rebuilding connections between worlds, fighting off opportunistic warlords, or uncovering the secrets of the past. The game actively encourages world-building, providing tools for GMs to create their own planets, factions, and storylines. It's a universe of emergent narratives, where player actions have significant consequences and shape the galaxy's future. Stars Without Number's setting is designed to be easily customizable and adaptable, making it ideal for GMs who want to craft a unique and personalized sci-fi universe.

Character Creation: Forging Your Spacefaring Persona

Creating your character is where the rubber meets the road in any RPG. Traveller utilizes a lifepath system, where your character's history determines their skills and abilities. You roll dice to determine their career path, encountering various events and challenges along the way. This process can result in a rich and varied backstory, but it can also be somewhat random, potentially leading to characters that don't quite match your initial vision. Despite this, it can result in unique and unexpected character builds, fostering creativity and adaptability.

Characters in Traveller are defined not just by their skills, but also by their past experiences and the relationships they've formed along the way. A former Imperial Marine might have contacts in the military, while a seasoned trader will have a network of business partners. These connections can be invaluable assets in the game, providing opportunities and resources that would otherwise be unavailable. The lifepath system encourages players to think about their characters as individuals with a history, rather than just a collection of stats and skills.

Stars Without Number opts for a more streamlined approach. You choose a background, pick a focus (a special ability or area of expertise), and allocate skill points. This system is more direct and allows for greater control over your character's development. You can tailor your character to fit a specific role or concept, without having to rely on the whims of the dice. Furthermore, the foci system allows for a wide range of character builds, from psionic warriors to tech-savvy hackers.

Character creation in Stars Without Number is also influenced by the game's focus on player agency and world-building. Players are encouraged to develop their character's backstory and motivations, and to think about how their character fits into the larger setting. The game provides tools and prompts to help players create compelling and believable characters, and to integrate them seamlessly into the game world. Stars Without Number's character creation system is designed to be both flexible and empowering, allowing players to create characters that are both mechanically effective and narratively compelling.

Core Mechanics: How the Games are Played

Traveller employs a relatively simple skill-based system. You roll a 2D6 (two six-sided dice), add any relevant skill modifiers, and compare the result to a target number. Combat is gritty and dangerous, with a focus on tactical positioning and firepower. Also, the game emphasizes realism, with rules for everything from ship maintenance to economic transactions.

The system in Traveller is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing GMs to tailor the rules to fit their own preferences. The game also includes a wealth of optional rules and subsystems, covering everything from character aging to drug use. This level of detail can be both a blessing and a curse. Some players appreciate the realism and depth that it adds to the game, while others find it overwhelming and cumbersome. Ultimately, the success of Traveller depends on the GM's ability to manage the rules and create a compelling and engaging game experience.

Stars Without Number utilizes a similar 2D6 system, but with a few key differences. Skill checks are often resolved by rolling against a target number of 8+, making the system relatively easy to learn and use. Combat is faster and more cinematic, with an emphasis on decisive action and dramatic moments. On the other hand, the game incorporates psychic powers and technological artifacts, adding a layer of fantastical elements to the setting.

Stars Without Number also includes a robust system for generating and managing factions, allowing GMs to create complex and dynamic political landscapes. Factions can range from powerful corporations to religious cults, and each faction has its own goals, resources, and relationships with other factions. The faction system can be used to create compelling storylines and challenges for players, and to add depth and complexity to the game world. The game also provides tools for players to interact with factions, allowing them to forge alliances, undermine their rivals, and shape the course of galactic history. Stars Without Number's mechanics are designed to support a wide range of playstyles, from gritty survival to high-action adventure.

GM Tools and Support: Aiding the Storyteller

Traveller boasts a wealth of published materials, including adventures, sourcebooks, and supplements. However, much of this material is spread across different editions and publishers, which can make it difficult to navigate. Nonetheless, the sheer volume of content provides GMs with a vast library of resources to draw upon.

Stars Without Number shines in this category. The core rulebook includes a comprehensive set of GM tools, including procedures for generating planets, star systems, and even entire sectors. It also provides guidelines for creating factions, designing adventures, and running sandbox campaigns. The game is designed to be easily customizable and adaptable, making it ideal for GMs who want to create their own unique settings and storylines. Furthermore, the author provides a wealth of free resources online, including adventure seeds, random tables, and GM advice. The system also emphasizes creating a sandbox-style game, allowing the GM to create a dynamic and reactive world for the players to explore.

The Verdict: Which Game is Right for You?

So, which game should you choose? It depends on your preferences and priorities. If you're looking for a detailed and realistic simulation of interstellar life, with a focus on economics, politics, and exploration, Traveller might be a good fit. If you prefer a more streamlined and cinematic experience, with a focus on action, adventure, and world-building, Stars Without Number might be more your speed. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both games and see which one resonates with you.

• Choose Traveller if: You want a highly detailed, simulationist approach to sci-fi roleplaying with a rich, pre-established universe. You enjoy intricate rules and a focus on realism. Also, you like the idea of a character's past significantly impacting their present. Consider the lifepath system a feature, not a bug. If you don't mind sifting through a lot of older material. Lastly, if you prefer a classic, established RPG with a long history and a dedicated fanbase.
• Choose Stars Without Number if: You prefer a sandbox-style game with a focus on player agency and world-building. You want a streamlined and easy-to-learn system. You like the idea of psychic powers and technological artifacts adding a layer of fantastical elements to your setting. If you also, enjoy customization and adaptability and want to create your own unique setting and storylines. If you value comprehensive GM tools and support within the core rulebook. Finally, if you prefer a modern, OSR-inspired RPG with a focus on accessibility and playability.

No matter which game you choose, remember that the most important thing is to have fun and create memorable stories with your friends. So gather your crew, fire up your engines, and prepare for an adventure among the stars!