Let's Read: Traveller, 1977 Edition, Characters & Combat, page 30

Okay, now that we’ve established the conditions for combat, we get to see how combat in Traveller actually works. After an introductory paragraph that tells us what we, as experienced gamers, already know, we get to the “Basic Required Throw,” which means that every single attack roll is 8+ on 2d6. That number does not change. However, it can be modified up the wazoo with a whole bunch of variables, including range, type of weapon, type of armor, whether you’re moving or not, whether the defender is moving or not, expertise, skill levels, and probably a few more on top of that. That should be fun to figure out. All modifiers are cumulative, of course.

The Range Matrix determines how dangerous the attack is; I guess if you’re closer, it hurts more. Yeah, I can see that. A close-up shot is more accurate than a long-range one, unless your name is Oliver Queen. I assume the Range Matrix shows up on the next page, but I’m not looking ahead.

Next, it’s Wounding and Death. Well, that sums it up pretty nicely. Strength and experience don’t matter, just the weapon being used. Damage is rolled based according to the ‘wound column’ on (I assume) the Weapon table. So, a 3D would mean roll three dice. This can be modified with a + or – to the roll, again depending on the weapon.

I just realized: I haven’t seen a hit-point mechanism yet. Ah, and the next paragraph explains it: wounds come of your physical characteristics (strength, dexterity and endurance) and are temporary. “Each die rolled is taken as a single wound or group of hits.” Oh, okay. So if I roll 2D and get 3 and 5, then one of the characteristics takes 3 points of damage, and the other one takes 5. Any modifiers can affect separate characteristics; a 1D+3 could have the die roll (say a 2) affect one characteristic, and the other three can be split among all three characteristics.

Oh, my…the first wound can stun or daze the target, and the entire wound received is applied to one characteristic. So that 2D from above would mean 8 points all hitting one characteristic. Ouch. That’s brutal. So, that first shot could outright kill you. I get the feeling combat in Traveller doesn’t take very long to resolve.

So, once a characteristic is down to zero, you’re unconscious, and any leftover points get put to a different characteristic; no characteristic gets reduced below zero. If all three are at zero, you’re pushing up alien daisies. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to roll up a new character.

Geez, this is quite the shift from D&D or Champions; your little bundle of characteristics and skills is quite vulnerable to gunfire and the like. Even a well-placed spear could take out an average character under the right conditions. Methinks not getting into firefights is a good idea, even for Army and Marine vets.