Hey guys! Ever found yourself caught in the endless cosmos of tabletop RPGs, trying to decide which system will best fuel your sci-fi adventures? Today, we're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison between two titans of the genre: Traveller and Stars Without Number. Both offer unique takes on spacefaring adventure, but cater to different tastes and playstyles. So, buckle up, and let's explore which of these RPGs might be the perfect fit for your next campaign.

Deep Dive into Traveller

Traveller, a name synonymous with classic sci-fi role-playing, has been around since 1977, making it one of the granddaddies of the genre. Its longevity isn't just about nostalgia; it’s about a system that offers a unique blend of realism, flexibility, and a vast, explorable universe. At its core, Traveller emphasizes character history and the consequences of choices, creating narratives that feel both personal and epic. One of the most distinctive aspects of Traveller is its character generation system. Unlike many RPGs where you start as a fresh-faced novice, Traveller characters begin their careers before the game even starts. This process involves rolling dice to determine your character's background, skills, and even potential mishaps during their service. You might end up with a seasoned space marine, a retired merchant with a lucrative pension, or a disgraced noble on the run from the law. This creates characters with immediate depth and a built-in history that can drive the narrative from the get-go. The game mechanics of Traveller are relatively straightforward, focusing on a d6-based system where you roll against a target number, adding modifiers based on your skills and the situation. This simplicity allows for a focus on storytelling and problem-solving rather than getting bogged down in complex calculations. Combat, while present, is often portrayed as a dangerous and consequential affair, encouraging players to think strategically and avoid unnecessary conflict. The Traveller universe is vast and detailed, with countless star systems, alien races, and political factions to explore. The Third Imperium, a sprawling interstellar empire, serves as the default setting for many Traveller campaigns, but the system is flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of settings and scenarios. Whether you want to play as daring explorers charting unknown worlds, cunning merchants navigating treacherous trade routes, or hardened mercenaries fighting for survival on the fringes of civilization, Traveller provides the tools and the backdrop to make it happen.

Unveiling Stars Without Number

Now, let's shift our focus to Stars Without Number, a more modern take on the sci-fi RPG genre. Created by Kevin Crawford, Stars Without Number is heavily inspired by old-school role-playing games like Traveller and Dungeons & Dragons, but with a streamlined ruleset and a focus on sandbox gameplay. It's designed to be easy to pick up and play, while still offering a wealth of options for customization and world-building. One of the key features of Stars Without Number is its emphasis on player agency. The game provides a framework for creating a vast and dynamic universe, but it's up to the players to decide where to go, what to do, and how to shape the galaxy around them. This sandbox approach encourages exploration, improvisation, and a sense of genuine discovery. Character creation in Stars Without Number is a blend of traditional and modern RPG design. Players choose from a variety of character classes, each with its own unique abilities and specializations. These classes, such as the warrior, expert, psychic, and the combination classes, offer a range of playstyles, allowing players to create characters that fit their vision. The skill system in Stars Without Number is simple yet effective, using a skill list with broad categories that cover a wide range of activities. This avoids the need for endless lists of specialized skills and allows players to easily apply their skills to different situations. The game mechanics of Stars Without Number are based on a d20 system, similar to Dungeons & Dragons. Players roll a d20, add their skill modifier, and compare the result to a target number. This system is easy to learn and allows for quick and decisive gameplay. Stars Without Number also includes rules for ship combat, trading, and faction management, adding depth and complexity to the game. The setting of Stars Without Number is a post-apocalyptic galaxy recovering from a cataclysmic event known as the Scream. This event destroyed faster-than-light travel and plunged the galaxy into chaos, leaving behind scattered colonies and remnants of a once-great civilization. This provides a rich and evocative backdrop for adventure, with opportunities for exploration, salvage, and rebuilding. The game also includes tools for creating your own star systems, planets, and alien races, allowing you to customize the setting to your liking.

Core Mechanics Compared

When comparing Traveller and Stars Without Number, the differences in their core mechanics become apparent. Traveller, with its d6-based system, emphasizes simplicity and realism. The focus is on skill checks and modifiers, creating a system where success depends on a combination of skill, experience, and a bit of luck. Combat in Traveller is often portrayed as a dangerous and deadly affair, encouraging players to avoid unnecessary conflict and think strategically. Stars Without Number, on the other hand, uses a d20 system, which is more common in modern RPGs. This system allows for a wider range of results and more dramatic outcomes. Combat in Stars Without Number is more forgiving than in Traveller, but it still requires careful planning and tactical thinking. Another key difference lies in character creation. Traveller's lifepath system creates characters with immediate depth and history, while Stars Without Number's class-based system allows for more customization and specialization. Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on your personal preferences. In terms of setting, Traveller offers a vast and detailed universe with a rich history and established lore. The Third Imperium provides a ready-made setting for adventure, but the system is flexible enough to accommodate other settings as well. Stars Without Number provides a more open-ended setting, with tools for creating your own star systems, planets, and alien races. This allows for more customization and a greater sense of player agency. Ultimately, the choice between these two systems depends on what you're looking for in a sci-fi RPG. If you prefer a more realistic and gritty experience with a focus on character history, Traveller might be the better choice. If you prefer a more streamlined and customizable experience with a focus on sandbox gameplay, Stars Without Number might be a better fit.

Setting and Lore Differences

The setting and lore of Traveller and Stars Without Number contribute significantly to their distinct flavors. Traveller typically utilizes the Third Imperium, a sprawling and ancient interstellar empire. This setting is richly detailed, complete with its own history, politics, and cultures. The Third Imperium offers a vast playground for adventurers, from exploring uncharted sectors to navigating the complex web of interstellar trade and diplomacy. The established lore provides a wealth of background information and potential plot hooks, making it easy for game masters to create engaging and immersive campaigns. However, the detailed nature of the Third Imperium can also be a drawback for some players, as it requires a significant investment of time and effort to learn the setting. Stars Without Number, in contrast, offers a more flexible and customizable setting. The default setting is a post-apocalyptic galaxy recovering from a cataclysmic event known as the Scream. This event destroyed faster-than-light travel and plunged the galaxy into chaos, leaving behind scattered colonies and remnants of a once-great civilization. This setting provides a blank canvas for game masters to create their own star systems, planets, and alien races. The lack of established lore allows for more creativity and a greater sense of player agency. However, it also requires more work on the part of the game master to develop the setting and create compelling storylines. Another key difference is the tone of the two settings. Traveller tends to be more grounded and realistic, with a focus on the challenges of space travel and the consequences of political and economic decisions. Stars Without Number is more pulpy and action-oriented, with a focus on exploration, adventure, and overcoming the challenges of a post-apocalyptic galaxy. The choice between these two settings depends on your personal preferences and the type of game you want to play. If you prefer a more detailed and established setting with a focus on realism, Traveller might be the better choice. If you prefer a more flexible and customizable setting with a focus on action and adventure, Stars Without Number might be a better fit.

Character Creation Showdown

The character creation process is a defining aspect of any RPG, and Traveller and Stars Without Number take very different approaches. Traveller utilizes a lifepath system, where characters progress through various careers and accumulate skills, experience, and even mishaps along the way. This system creates characters with immediate depth and history, as players roll dice to determine their background, skills, and even significant events that have shaped their lives. You might end up with a seasoned space marine, a retired merchant with a lucrative pension, or a disgraced noble on the run from the law. The lifepath system can be unpredictable, leading to unexpected and interesting character backgrounds. However, it can also be time-consuming and may not always result in the character you envisioned. Stars Without Number, on the other hand, uses a class-based system, where players choose from a variety of character classes, each with its own unique abilities and specializations. These classes, such as the warrior, expert, and psychic, offer a range of playstyles, allowing players to create characters that fit their vision. The class-based system is more straightforward and allows for more control over the character's development. However, it can also feel less organic and may not result in characters with as much depth as those created using Traveller's lifepath system. Another key difference is the level of customization. Traveller allows for a high degree of customization through the selection of skills, equipment, and contacts. Stars Without Number offers more customization through the selection of foci, which are special abilities that enhance the character's capabilities. The choice between these two systems depends on your personal preferences and the type of character you want to play. If you prefer a more unpredictable and organic character creation process that results in characters with immediate depth and history, Traveller's lifepath system might be the better choice. If you prefer a more straightforward and customizable character creation process that allows for more control over the character's development, Stars Without Number's class-based system might be a better fit.

Which One Should You Choose?

So, after all this, which one should you choose: Traveller or Stars Without Number? The answer, as always, depends on your preferences and what you're looking for in a sci-fi RPG. If you crave a realistic, gritty, and deeply historical experience, where character backgrounds are as important as their stats, Traveller might be your spaceship of choice. Its focus on the consequences of choices and the complexities of interstellar politics can create truly memorable campaigns. However, be prepared for a steeper learning curve and a more traditional approach to gameplay. On the other hand, if you prefer a more streamlined, sandbox-style experience with a focus on player agency and world-building, Stars Without Number could be the perfect fit. Its easy-to-learn rules, customizable setting, and emphasis on exploration make it ideal for creating your own unique sci-fi universe. Plus, the built-in tools for generating planets, factions, and adventures can save you a ton of prep time. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both! Many resources are available online for free or at a low cost, allowing you to experiment with each system and see which one resonates with you and your group. No matter which one you choose, get ready for thrilling adventures among the stars!