Character Generation
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:12 am
Since there are some people new to Traveller and some people that may be just a little rusty, I thought that creating a SAMPLE Character [named Sam, for “Sample”] might be useful. [Well, that and, it is just plain fun].
STEP ONE: CHARACTERISTICS
There are six, 3 physical Characteristics …
Option 1: Rules as Written 2D6 for each ability rolled in order.
ROLLS on D6: 1+6=7, 5+5=10, 3+2=5, 3+3=6, 6+4=10, 1+1=2
Placed in order: STR=7, DEX=10, END=5, INT=6, EDU=10, SOC=2
Option 2: 2D6 generate 6 scores and rearrange.
SAME ROLLS on D6: 1+6=7, 5+5=10, 3+2=5, 3+3=6, 6+4=10, 1+1=2
Arrange for Physical Combat: STR=10, DEX=10, END=7, INT=6, EDU=5, SOC=2
Option 3: roll 3D6 and keep best 2 of 3.
ROLLS on D6: 1+4+5=9, 3+3+2=6, 2+4+4=8, 3+6+5=11, 4+3+4=8, 4+5+2=9
Placed in order: STR=9, DEX=6, END=8, INT=11, EDU=8, SOC=9
Option 4: roll 12D6 and arrange in groups of 2.
ROLLS on D6: 6+4+3+6+1+3+6+4+4+2+6+6
Placed in groups of 2: 1+2=3, 3+3=6, 4+4=8, 4+6=10, 6+6=12, 6+6=12
Arrange in any order: STR=12, DEX=10, END=3, INT=6, EDU=8, SOC=12
[obviously, the combinations are endless]
On a personal note, I like people to play a character they like. If you don’t like the rolls, then roll again. What do I care. I am also a firm believer that characters do not need great characteristics … they need to be interesting to be worth playing. So, moving on, I will use the OPTION 1 results.
Sam: STR=7, DEX=10, END=5, INT=6, EDU=10, SOC=2
STEP ONE: CHARACTERISTICS
There are six, 3 physical Characteristics …
Strength (STR)
Dexterity (DEX)
Endurance (END) = [same as “Constitution” in D&D]
and 3 non-physical Characteristics …
Dexterity (DEX)
Endurance (END) = [same as “Constitution” in D&D]
Intelligence (INT)
Education (EDU)
Social (SOC) = [Socio-Economic Status … 11+ is a “Nobleman”]
Each Characteristic starts out between 2 and 12 generated on 2D6. Quick rule of thumb …
Education (EDU)
Social (SOC) = [Socio-Economic Status … 11+ is a “Nobleman”]
2-5 is below average (28%)
6-8 is average (44%)
9-12 is above average (28%)
There are several common “House Rules” commonly used. I have no objection to ANY of them and will demonstrate all of them:6-8 is average (44%)
9-12 is above average (28%)
Option 1: Rules as Written 2D6 for each ability rolled in order.
ROLLS on D6: 1+6=7, 5+5=10, 3+2=5, 3+3=6, 6+4=10, 1+1=2
Placed in order: STR=7, DEX=10, END=5, INT=6, EDU=10, SOC=2
Option 2: 2D6 generate 6 scores and rearrange.
SAME ROLLS on D6: 1+6=7, 5+5=10, 3+2=5, 3+3=6, 6+4=10, 1+1=2
Arrange for Physical Combat: STR=10, DEX=10, END=7, INT=6, EDU=5, SOC=2
Option 3: roll 3D6 and keep best 2 of 3.
ROLLS on D6: 1+4+5=9, 3+3+2=6, 2+4+4=8, 3+6+5=11, 4+3+4=8, 4+5+2=9
Placed in order: STR=9, DEX=6, END=8, INT=11, EDU=8, SOC=9
Option 4: roll 12D6 and arrange in groups of 2.
ROLLS on D6: 6+4+3+6+1+3+6+4+4+2+6+6
Placed in groups of 2: 1+2=3, 3+3=6, 4+4=8, 4+6=10, 6+6=12, 6+6=12
Arrange in any order: STR=12, DEX=10, END=3, INT=6, EDU=8, SOC=12
[obviously, the combinations are endless]
On a personal note, I like people to play a character they like. If you don’t like the rolls, then roll again. What do I care. I am also a firm believer that characters do not need great characteristics … they need to be interesting to be worth playing. So, moving on, I will use the OPTION 1 results.
Sam: STR=7, DEX=10, END=5, INT=6, EDU=10, SOC=2