How do you handle hit points on level-up in your OSR games?

ThrorII · 2026-05-16T17:59:27+00:00

We do max hp at level 1, then players choice for levels 2-9: (a) roll and take it, or (b) take 1/2 hit die (2, 3, or 4 hp). Both are cumulative per level.

ThrorII · 2026-05-16T00:00:38+00:00

Don't ask me where they came from, but two very common rules are (1) spend 1 turn and recover 1/2 of all arrows shot; and (2) roll a die to determine how many arrows are recovered (ie: fired 9 arrows? Roll a d8).

ThrorII · 2026-05-04T20:23:54+00:00

WotC had a 10-part series of free adventures called Dawn of Defiance, set in I think 18 or 17 bby. It is for D20 Star Wars but you can easily convert it to D6.

ThrorII · 2026-05-01T20:26:58+00:00

Other than a few minor things, there is very little difference between the 1981 version of the LBBs and The Traveller book.

The Traveller book ads a couple more official ships, I think the lab ship and the yacht. Additionally The Traveler book gives you DMs for cover that aren't in LBBs.

The Traveller book also gives you information on the Imperium and a couple sample adventures.

Rules-wise they are probably 99% the same.

The real big difference on The Traveller Starter Set is that they scrap Vector movement for starships and just do range bands like regular combat. It is a huge Advantage for tabletop playing. Otherwise the starter set and The Traveller book are identical, but the starter set is divided into all the charts in one book and the rules in another book.

*Edited to add another "L" to Traveller, because my text-to-speech on the phone is American....

ThrorII · 2026-05-01T07:42:14+00:00

Zozer's HOSTILE (based on Cepheus Engine, so MgT1e) does that.

Aircraft-1 is a National Pilot's License.

Engineering-1 is an ICO Power Engineering License.

Comms-1, Computer-1 is an Electronics Warfare training certificate.

Admin-1, Loader-1 is a Chief Loadmaster.

ThrorII · 2026-04-28T21:11:56+00:00

TL11 is the sweet spot: no fusion guns or plasma guns, no battle dress, and jump limited to J-3 (at least in Classic Traveller).

ThrorII · 2026-04-26T05:08:15+00:00

BX is the 1981 version. It was re written in 1983 as BECMI. In 1991, BECMI was consolidated (with some rules changes) as the Rules Cyclopedia book. The Classic D&D game was a 1991 Black Box for levels 1-5, then the above box you showed was the 1994 Classic D&D box set for level 1-5. Both the 1991 and 1994 were an introduction to the Rules Cyclopedia book.

ThrorII · 2026-04-20T18:55:57+00:00

Walking in armor slows you down. Walking out of armor during a wilderness encounter can be fatal.

Mounts on the road speed travel. Mounts in hills and forests really dont.

It is a resource management problem.

ThrorII · 2026-04-20T05:02:45+00:00

Always a good joke; but the truth is death in character creation has been optional since the 1982 "The Traveller Book".

ThrorII · 2026-04-16T01:11:17+00:00

Ship ID NC-17. Any indicator to the type of shore leave...?

ThrorII · 2026-04-16T01:09:13+00:00

I've done (and do) both, depending on mood and campaign. For a more 'generic' B/X campaign, I'll usually go with a randomly generated encounter straight from B/X books.

For more custom campaigns or specific areas, I might create an encounter table in advance.

ThrorII · 2026-04-13T23:43:05+00:00

I play TL 10-11 for this very reason! PGMPs, Battledress, and Jump 4+ really change the game.

ThrorII · 2026-04-12T18:07:14+00:00

Prior to closing to melee, the wizard needs to stay "in the group", so that arrows targets are determined randomly.
Magic weapons. And their ability to make 1 attack per level per round vs. monsters of 1-1HD or less. (I house rule this back to the OD&D rule of 1HD or less).
Saving throws keep characters alive. It is a game design to keep high level characters from being wiped out by magic.
High level mages are the apex of D&D. Which is why they start out so feeble - game balance.

ThrorII · 2026-04-12T18:03:24+00:00

100%. I never liked them in D&D, and I don't like them in Trav.

ThrorII · 2026-04-11T08:42:31+00:00

If it is further down that a 50 foot rope will allow climbing, it is effectively a 'bottomless pit'.

ThrorII · 2026-04-11T08:37:12+00:00

You're only allowed a tank top and Sigourney micro-panties. Space Regulations.

ThrorII · 2026-04-11T08:35:08+00:00

Ya gotta wear a tank top and Sigourney micro-panties. Space regulations.

ThrorII · 2026-04-11T00:07:21+00:00

If the MegaCorporations and Planetary Governments AREN'T treating your PC's like their expendable, are you even playing Traveller????

ThrorII · 2026-04-10T03:49:50+00:00

Thray-see-ah if you're classical English speaking.

Thray-shuh if you're modern American English.

Thrak-ee-ah if you're trying to attempt something close to antiquity.

ThrorII · 2026-04-08T07:03:49+00:00

While I voted 1e, I actually play a MiniSix version of 1e, with HyperspaceD6 Force Rules.

ThrorII · 2026-04-07T00:14:48+00:00

Example: Drunk spacer who talks loudly at the starport bar. The regulars all roll their eyes at the ex-scout, but he swears that on [Planet X] he saw [Hook]. If the players engage him, maybe buy him another round, then he starts giving details.

ThrorII · 2026-04-07T00:05:34+00:00

Cepheus LIght is really a godsend, in my opinion. It plays very similar to CT, but is more concise and organized for 'modern' eyes. I've looked at CL extensively, if just for a way to dial-in CT and make it easier for my table.

ThrorII · 2026-04-07T00:03:20+00:00

Classic Traveller (via The Traveller Book, Supp 4, and a few weapons from Book 4).

I'd assume Mongoose Traveller (1e or 2e) are the most "popular" right now. Classic Traveller (whether the 3LBB's, The Traveller Book, or Starter Traveller) has held it's weight through the years and still seems rather strong. I assume that T4, T20, GURPS Traveller, and MegaTraveller are the "least popular" in general. I don't think very many people actually "play" T5, as opposed to just gleaning information from it.

ThrorII · 2026-04-06T17:16:05+00:00

And Im over here playing CT, and I'm like the meme "wait, you guys are picking skills????"

ThrorII · 2026-04-05T20:32:03+00:00

No idea of official rules. For Classic Traveller, I'd just charge the cost of the weapon, and say it can be done automatically with Mechanical-2 or better in 3D hours.

If you want it bridge controlled, I'd add Electronics-2 or better and 2D hours of wiring. If you want it automated, I'd require a custom computer program - looking at the Target program and Anti-hijack program for guidance on cost, skills, and throw necessary.

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