So, you're diving into the vast expanse of sci-fi RPGs, huh? Excellent choice, my friend! Two names that often pop up in these discussions are Traveller and Stars Without Number. Both offer compelling universes to explore, but they cater to different tastes and playstyles. Let's break down the key differences and figure out which one might be the perfect fit for your next adventure.

Core Mechanics and System Differences

When diving into core mechanics, both Traveller and Stars Without Number employ relatively simple systems, but their approaches differ significantly, shaping the overall feel of gameplay. Traveller, the granddaddy of sci-fi RPGs, uses a 2D6 (two six-sided dice) system for most tasks. You roll two dice, add any relevant modifiers based on your character's skills and attributes, and compare the total to a target number. This system is straightforward and quick, but can sometimes feel a bit swingy, with unpredictable results adding a layer of chance – or perhaps, fate – to every action. Character creation in Traveller is a unique and often perilous journey in itself. You don't simply choose a class or race; instead, you roll your character's background and career, which can lead to unexpected twists and turns, potentially even an early demise! This system creates characters with rich, pre-existing histories and a sense of having already lived a life before the game even begins. The focus is less on heroic destiny and more on the practicalities of surviving and thriving in a vast, often uncaring universe.

Stars Without Number, on the other hand, also uses a 2D6 system but adds a skill system that provides more granularity and control. Your character's skills directly influence their success rate, reducing the reliance on pure luck. Character creation is more streamlined than in Traveller. You choose a focus (akin to a class) that grants specific abilities and skills. While it might lack the unpredictable narrative of Traveller's life path system, it allows for more targeted character builds and a clearer sense of your character's capabilities from the outset. A key element of Stars Without Number is its emphasis on sandbox gameplay. The system provides robust tools for generating planets, star systems, and even entire sectors of space, encouraging exploration and player-driven narratives. The game actively supports the GM in creating a dynamic and reactive universe, where player actions have meaningful consequences on a galactic scale. This makes the game feel incredibly open and full of possibilities, empowering players to chart their own course and make their mark on the stars.

Setting and Lore: A Universe Apart

Delving into setting and lore, Traveller boasts a sprawling and detailed universe known as the Third Imperium, a vast interstellar empire with a rich history and complex political landscape. The setting is gritty and realistic, emphasizing the challenges of interstellar travel, resource management, and the constant threat of piracy and war. While there is an overarching narrative of the Imperium's rise and potential fall, Traveller is primarily a sandbox game. Players are free to explore the galaxy, trade goods, take on mercenary contracts, or even carve out their own empires. The game provides a wealth of background information on various worlds, cultures, and technologies, allowing GMs to create compelling and believable scenarios.

Stars Without Number offers a more flexible and customizable setting. While it provides a default setting with its own history and factions, the game encourages GMs to create their own unique sectors of space using the provided world generation tools. The default setting is a post-apocalyptic frontier, where humanity is scattered across the stars after a cataclysmic event known as the Scream. This creates a sense of mystery and danger, as players explore lost colonies, uncover ancient secrets, and struggle to survive in a hostile universe. The setting is less rigidly defined than Traveller's, giving GMs more freedom to tailor it to their players' preferences. You can easily incorporate elements from other sci-fi settings, such as Firefly, Mass Effect, or Dune, to create a truly unique and personalized experience. In essence, Traveller presents a pre-packaged, detailed universe ready for exploration, while Stars Without Number offers a toolkit for building your own.

Character Creation: Life Path vs. Class-Based

The character creation process is a fundamental aspect of any RPG, and it significantly influences the type of stories that emerge. Traveller's life path system is renowned for its depth and unpredictability. Instead of simply choosing a class and assigning stats, players embark on a simulated career, rolling dice to determine their character's background, skills, and even potential misfortunes. This can lead to characters with unexpected skills and a rich backstory, making them feel like fully realized individuals from the very beginning. You might start as a fresh-faced recruit in the Imperial Navy, rise through the ranks, suffer a career-ending injury, and then transition into a life of trading or exploration. Or, you might wash out of the academy and end up as a lowly spaceport worker, forced to scratch out a living on the fringes of society. The possibilities are endless, and the randomness of the system often leads to surprising and compelling character concepts.

Stars Without Number adopts a more streamlined, class-based approach. Players choose a focus, which determines their character's primary skills and abilities. This allows for more focused character builds and a clearer sense of your character's role within the party. While it might lack the narrative depth of Traveller's life path system, it provides more control over your character's development and ensures that they are competent in their chosen field. For example, a Psychic focus will excel at manipulating minds and wielding psychic powers, while a Warrior focus will be a formidable combatant. This system is particularly appealing to players who enjoy optimizing their characters and building synergistic teams. The choice between a life path system and a class-based system is a matter of personal preference. Traveller's system emphasizes narrative and emergent storytelling, while Stars Without Number's system prioritizes character optimization and tactical gameplay.

GM Tools and Support: Ready-Made vs. DIY

Considering GM tools and support, both Traveller and Stars Without Number offer resources to aid game masters, but their approaches cater to different styles of game mastering. Traveller has a long history and a vast library of published adventures, supplements, and worldbooks. This provides GMs with a wealth of ready-made content to draw upon, saving them time and effort in preparing their campaigns. However, the sheer volume of material can be overwhelming, and adapting existing content to your own campaign can sometimes be challenging. The setting is also quite detailed and can require significant investment to fully grasp, especially for newcomers.

Stars Without Number shines in its focus on providing GMs with tools to create their own content. The game includes extensive world generation tables, faction creation rules, and guidelines for designing compelling adventures. This makes it ideal for GMs who enjoy building their own worlds and crafting unique stories. While it might require more initial effort, it also allows for greater flexibility and customization. The game also includes a number of useful GM tools, such as a system for tracking faction relationships and a method for generating random encounters. These tools are designed to streamline the game mastering process and help GMs create dynamic and engaging campaigns. In essence, Traveller offers a wealth of pre-made content, while Stars Without Number empowers GMs to build their own universes from scratch.

Which Game is Right for You?

Deciding which game is right for you depends entirely on your preferences and playstyle. If you enjoy gritty, realistic sci-fi with a focus on exploration and survival, Traveller might be a good fit. Its detailed setting, unpredictable character creation, and emphasis on player agency create a unique and immersive experience. However, be prepared for a steeper learning curve and a more complex rules system. If you prefer a more streamlined and customizable experience with a focus on sandbox gameplay and GM empowerment, Stars Without Number is an excellent choice. Its robust world generation tools, flexible setting, and emphasis on player-driven narratives make it ideal for creating your own unique sci-fi universe. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try both games and see which one resonates with you. Both Traveller and Stars Without Number offer compelling and rewarding sci-fi RPG experiences, so you can't go wrong!

So, whether you're a seasoned RPG veteran or a newcomer to the genre, I hope this comparison has helped you navigate the vast expanse of sci-fi RPGs and find the perfect game for your next adventure! Happy gaming, guys!