Difference between revisions of "Striker"

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'Striker' was a boxed set of rules for miniatures military combat in the Traveller game system, oriented towards small infantry units and some armor, with some provision for aircraft. There were also extensive rules for designing military vehicles and weaponry of various types, and quantifying their attributes for use in the game.
+
{{InfoboxBook2
 +
|name      = Striker
 +
|alsosee  =
 +
|author    = Frank Chadwick
 +
|available = http://www.rpgnow.com/product/80203/CTG07Striker?affiliate_id=875229
 +
|canon    = Yes
 +
|caption  = TBD
 +
|contents  = TBD
 +
|edition  = 1st
 +
|footnote  = Stock #704
 +
|format    = Game (Box Set)
 +
|image    = Striker.jpg
 +
|language  = English
 +
|pages    = 164
 +
|publisher = Game Designers Workshop
 +
|version  = Classic Traveller
 +
|year      = 1981
 +
}}
 +
[[Striker]] was a boxed set of rules for miniatures military combat in the Traveller game system, oriented towards small infantry units and some armor, with some provision for [[aircraft]].  
 +
* There were also extensive rules for designing military [[vehicle]]s and [[weaponry]] of various types, and quantifying their attributes for use in the game.
  
−
=Canonicity=
+
== Description (Specifications) ==
−
Technically, [[GDW]] called ''Striker'' "a complete adventure game of rules for miniatures", which makes it some kind of hybrid in the [[Classic Traveller]] [[canon]] between an [[adventure]] and [[rules]].  Notwithstanding, it did not receive an adventure number to show its place in the series of official adventures that were published for [[CT]], nor did it receive a rule book number. There has never been any doubt that expressed anywhere Marc Miller considers it firmly part of CT canon, the only issue is exactly what the proper name is for its place in canon.
+
A well-edited and professional game product, probably not surprising since GDW at the time was one of the more experienced and important publishers of wargames rules on the scene. Players could game out military battles from a handful of characters up to approximately battalion size for the most ambitious players, using every piece of military weaponry and equipment they could think of in the context of Traveller, no matter what [[Tech level]]. All they needed were the rules, a couple of tape measures, a pair of dice, a playing surface such as a large tabletop or empty floor space, and small miniature figures made of lead to represent the troops, or a suitable substitute. Homemade or store-bought miniatures of terrain features and buildings are strongly recommended.
  
−
It was published by GDW in 1981, in [[small format]].  Its full title was 'Striker: Rules for 15mm [[Traveller Miniatures]]'.  Readers will note that miniature figures are not strictly necessary for a complete and enjoyable game using Striker rules; acceptable substitutes can be improvised.  Also, any miniatures used wouldn't necessarily have to be 15mm size.  Finally, it is extremely easy to change the distance scale used in the game, and almost as straightforward to change the time scale.  In other words, fans of 1/285th-scale and 1/300th-scale miniatures combat could easily use Striker, as could [[referees]] seeking to resolve high-powered combat in a boarding action or [[starport]].
+
Referees conducting a normal role-playing session should find '''Striker''' a useful 'source book' for ideas and gadgets, and even inspiration for adventures and NPCs.
  
−
Striker is also available in the [[reissue]] [[version]] from [[Far Future Enterprises]].
+
The most remarkable achievement in ''Striker'' was a coherent rule system that let players design combat vehicles and weapon systems from any Traveller tech level and have them fully described for use in the rest of the Traveller game system as well as in Striker. The design system was roughly similar to the [[High Guard (book)|High Guard]] rules for [[spaceship]] design, but the ''Striker'' system necessarily provided finer detail to match the smaller size of [[Air/Raft]]s and armored vehicles compared to spaceships.
  
−
=Credits=
+
Any player who had [[Classic Traveller|CT]] [[Mercenary (book)|Book 4: Mercenary]] and was hungry for more would almost certainly love the content ''Striker'' attempted to provide. Any player who ever wondered exactly how [[Battle Dress|battle dress]], [[Grav tank|grav tanks]] and [[High-Energy Weapons|high energy weapons]] would act on a battlefield would enjoy these rules.
−
*Designer:  [[Frank Chadwick]]
 
−
*Development:  [[John Harshman]]
 
−
*General Assistance: [[Loren Wiseman]]; [[Paul Rich Banner|Rich Banner]]
 
−
*Aircraft Design System Assistance:  [[J.D. Webster]]
 
−
*Playtesting:  [[Greg Novak]]; [[Tom Harris]]; [[Neil Lasater]]; [[Steve Anderson]]; [[Frank Dixon]]; [[Don Grafmeyer]]; [[Chuck Kallenbach II]]; [[Peter Matthews]]; [[Al Bonzie]]; [[Gerhart Lushan]]; [[Tom Reed]]
 
−
*Illustrations:  [[William H. Keith, Jr.]]
 
−
*Art Director:  [[Paul Rich Banner|Rich Banner]]
 
−
*Assistant Art Director:  [[Chris Purcell]]
 
  
−
=Contents=
+
The rules were very appropriate for Traveller campaigns based upon [[mercenary]] units, and for resolving army and marine combat of different kinds, as well as dealing with encounters and various groups. They were also very useful for fleshing out how militaries in general functioned in Traveller and what [[equipment]] they had.
−
Striker consisted of three rule books, a separate sixteen numbered pages of ''Design Sequence Tables'', and a separate six unnumbered pages of combat tables.
 
−
:Rule Book 1:  Basic Rules (48 pages)
 
−
:Rule Book 2:  Advanced Rules (48 pages)
 
−
:Rule Book 3:  Equipment (48 pages)
 
−
All of this was in an 8.5-inch by 5.5-inch box with an attractive, full-color painting of what appears to be a small-unit commander with a [[map box]] and some headquarters troops equipped to approximately TL9 in the foreground, and a [[grav tank]] in the background, with open grasslands and a large rock outcropping behind the tank.  All the [[sophont]]s shown are humans.
 
  
−
=Description=
+
''Striker'' also played well as a stand-alone game even for some people who weren't interested in the rest of Traveller, but were interested in modern and/or science-fiction combat games.  
−
A well-edited and professional game product, probably not surprising since GDW at the time was one of the more experienced and important publishers of wargames rules on the scene.  Players could game out military battles from a handful of [[characters]] up to approximately battalion size for the most ambitious players, using every piece of military weaponry and equipment they could think of in the context of Traveller, no matter what [[tech level]].  All they needed were the rules, a couple of tape measures, a pair of dice, a playing surface such as a large tabletop or empty floor space, and small miniature figures made of lead to represent the troops, or a suitable substitute.  Homemade or store-bought miniatures of terrain features and buildings are strongly recommended.
 
  
−
Referees conducting a normal role-playing session should find Striker a useful 'source book' for ideas and gadgets, and even inspiration for adventures and [[NPC]]s.
+
=== Table of Contents ===
 +
====Rule Book 1: Basic Rules====
 +
:{| cellpadding=0
 +
|-
 +
|Introduction              || align="right" |4
 +
|-
 +
|Section I: Preliminaries  || align="right" |4
 +
|-
 +
|Section II: Playing the Game        || align="right" |13
 +
|-
 +
|Section III: Fire Combat              || align="right" |29
 +
|}
  
−
The most remarkable achievement in Striker was a coherent rule system that let players design combat vehicles and weapon systems from any Traveller tech level and have them fully described for use in the rest of the Traveller game system as well as in Striker.  The design system was roughly similar to the [[High Guard]] rules for [[spaceship]] design, but the Striker system necessarily provided finer detail to match the smaller size of [[air raft]]s and armored vehicles compared to spaceships.
+
====Rule Book 2: Advanced Rules====
 +
:{| cellpadding=0
 +
|-
 +
|Introduction              || align="right" |5
 +
|-
 +
|Section I: Advanced Rules  || align="right" |5
 +
|-
 +
|Section II: Optional Rules        || align="right" |28
 +
|-
 +
|Section III: Campaign Rules            || align="right" |34
 +
|-
 +
|Section IV: Integration with Traveller           || align="right" |39
 +
|-
 +
|Appendices          || align="right" |46
 +
|}
  
−
Any player who had [[CT]] [[Book 4]]: [[Mercenary]] and was hungry for more would almost certainly love the content Striker attempted to provide. Any player who ever wondered exactly how [[battle dress]], grav tanks and [[high energy weapons]] would act on a battlefield would enjoy these rules.
+
====Rule Book 3: Equipment====
 +
:{| cellpadding=0
 +
|-
 +
| Introduction to Book 3              || align="right" |4
 +
|-
 +
| Design Sequences  || align="right" |5
 +
|-
 +
| Sample Vehicles        || align="right" |29
 +
|-
 +
| Equipment Lists            || align="right" |31
 +
|}
 +
 +
====From the Back of the Box====
 +
The Universe of ''Traveller'' - Communication is limited to he speed of courier ships. Remote central governments exercise only limited control over the affairs of their frontier territories. [[Megacorporation]]s struggle for control of sparsely settled mineral-rich worlds. And everywhere, there are mercenaries for hire to settle disputes.
  
−
The rules were very appropriate for Traveller [[campaign]]s based upon [[mercenary]] units, and for resolving army and marine combat of various kinds, as well as dealing with mobs and various groups.  They were also very useful for fleshing out how militaries in general functioned in Traveller and what equipment they had.
+
''Striker'' fills an important place in the ''Traveller'' universe - rules for ground combat with 15mm figures and vehicles.
  
−
Striker also played well as a stand-alone game even for people who weren't interested in the rest of Traveller.
+
The basic combat system used in '''Striker''' is based on the popular [[Azhanti High Lightning]] game system. The movement system is simplified for use with larger forces and a ground scale of 1" = 25 meters. The basic rules are written with the beginning miniatures player in mind and can easily be used as a combat resolution system for existing '''Traveller''' games. All weapons and vehicles covered in '''Traveller''' and [[Mercenary (book)|Mercenary]] (Book 4) are rated for use in the game.
 +
 
 +
The true value of '''Striker''', however, lies with the advanced rules. A complete system for designing armored vehicles and aircraft at different [[tech level]]s is presented, along with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat rules. The package contains everything a ''Traveller'' adventurer needs for campaigning with miniatures.
 +
 
 +
==== Physical Contents (Boxed Set) ====
 +
''Striker'' consisted of:
 +
* Three rule books:
 +
** Rule Book 1: Basic Rules (48 pages)
 +
** Rule Book 2: Advanced Rules (48 pages)
 +
** Rule Book 3: Equipment (48 pages)
 +
* a separate folio of sixteen numbered pages of ''Design Sequence Tables'', and ...
 +
* A separate folio of six unnumbered pages of combat tables.
 +
 
 +
All of this was in an 8.5-inch by 5.5-inch box with an attractive, full-color painting of what appears to be a small-unit commander with a map box and some headquarters troops equipped to approximately [[TL-9]] in the foreground, and a [[Grav tank|grav tank]] in the background, with open grasslands and a large rock outcropping behind the tank. All the [[sophont]]s shown are [[human]]s.
 +
 
 +
== Meta-history & Background (Dossier) ==
 +
Technically, [[GDW]] called ''Striker'' "a complete adventure game of rules for miniatures", which makes it some kind of hybrid in the [[Classic Traveller]] [[:Category: Canon|canon]] between an adventure and [[rules]]. Notwithstanding, it did not receive an adventure number to show its place in the series of official adventures that were published for [[Classic Traveller]], nor did it receive a rule book number. There has never been any doubt expressed anywhere that Marc Miller considers it firmly part of CT canon, the only issue (and it's a pretty trivial issue) is exactly what the proper name is for its place within canon.
 +
 
 +
It was published by GDW in 1981, in their standard digest format. Its full title was ''Striker: Rules for 15mm Traveller Miniatures''. Readers will note that miniature figures are not strictly necessary for a complete and enjoyable game using Striker rules; acceptable substitutes can be improvised. Also, any miniatures used wouldn't necessarily have to be 15mm size. Finally, it is extremely easy to change the distance scale used in the game, and almost as straightforward to change the time scale. In other words, fans of 1/285th-scale and 1/300th-scale miniatures combat could easily use Striker, as could referees seeking to resolve high-powered combat in a boarding action or [[starport]].
 +
 
 +
''Striker'' is also available in the reissue version from [[Far Future Enterprises]].
 +
* Errata for this game were included in {{JTASref|12}}.
 +
 
 +
=== Credits (Primary Sources) ===
 +
*Designer: [[Frank Chadwick]]
 +
*Development: [[John Harshman]]
 +
*General Assistance: [[Loren Wiseman]]; [[Paul Rich Banner|Rich Banner]]
 +
*Aircraft Design System Assistance: [[J.D. Webster]]
 +
*Playtesting: [[Greg Novak]]; [[Tom Harris]]; [[Neil Lasater]]; [[Steve Anderson]]; [[Frank Dixon]]; [[Don Grafmeyer]]; [[Chuck Kallenbach|Chuck Kallenbach II]]; [[Peter Matthews]]; [[Al Bonzie]]; [[Gerhart Lushan]]; [[Tom Reed]]
 +
*Illustrations: [[William H. Keith, Jr.]]
 +
*Art Director: [[Paul Rich Banner|Rich Banner]]
 +
*Assistant Art Director: [[Chris Purcell]]
 +
 
 +
== References & Contributions (Sources) ==
 +
{{Advanced}}
 +
{{Sources
 +
|S1= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
 +
|S2= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[User:Maksim-Smelchak|Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{MET|}}

Revision as of 20:03, 18 February 2018

Striker
Striker.jpg
TBD
Author Frank Chadwick
Publisher Game Designers Workshop
Version Classic Traveller
Edition 1st
Format Game (Box Set)
Language English
Pages 164
Year Published 1981
Canonical Yes
Available from RPGNow
Stock #704
Table of Contents
TBD

Striker was a boxed set of rules for miniatures military combat in the Traveller game system, oriented towards small infantry units and some armor, with some provision for aircraft.

  • There were also extensive rules for designing military vehicles and weaponry of various types, and quantifying their attributes for use in the game.

Description (Specifications)

A well-edited and professional game product, probably not surprising since GDW at the time was one of the more experienced and important publishers of wargames rules on the scene. Players could game out military battles from a handful of characters up to approximately battalion size for the most ambitious players, using every piece of military weaponry and equipment they could think of in the context of Traveller, no matter what Tech level. All they needed were the rules, a couple of tape measures, a pair of dice, a playing surface such as a large tabletop or empty floor space, and small miniature figures made of lead to represent the troops, or a suitable substitute. Homemade or store-bought miniatures of terrain features and buildings are strongly recommended.

Referees conducting a normal role-playing session should find Striker a useful 'source book' for ideas and gadgets, and even inspiration for adventures and NPCs.

The most remarkable achievement in Striker was a coherent rule system that let players design combat vehicles and weapon systems from any Traveller tech level and have them fully described for use in the rest of the Traveller game system as well as in Striker. The design system was roughly similar to the High Guard rules for spaceship design, but the Striker system necessarily provided finer detail to match the smaller size of Air/Rafts and armored vehicles compared to spaceships.

Any player who had CT Book 4: Mercenary and was hungry for more would almost certainly love the content Striker attempted to provide. Any player who ever wondered exactly how battle dress, grav tanks and high energy weapons would act on a battlefield would enjoy these rules.

The rules were very appropriate for Traveller campaigns based upon mercenary units, and for resolving army and marine combat of different kinds, as well as dealing with encounters and various groups. They were also very useful for fleshing out how militaries in general functioned in Traveller and what equipment they had.

Striker also played well as a stand-alone game even for some people who weren't interested in the rest of Traveller, but were interested in modern and/or science-fiction combat games.

Table of Contents

Rule Book 1: Basic Rules

Introduction 4
Section I: Preliminaries 4
Section II: Playing the Game 13
Section III: Fire Combat 29

Rule Book 2: Advanced Rules

Introduction 5
Section I: Advanced Rules 5
Section II: Optional Rules 28
Section III: Campaign Rules 34
Section IV: Integration with Traveller 39
Appendices 46

Rule Book 3: Equipment

Introduction to Book 3 4
Design Sequences 5
Sample Vehicles 29
Equipment Lists 31

From the Back of the Box

The Universe of Traveller - Communication is limited to he speed of courier ships. Remote central governments exercise only limited control over the affairs of their frontier territories. Megacorporations struggle for control of sparsely settled mineral-rich worlds. And everywhere, there are mercenaries for hire to settle disputes.

Striker fills an important place in the Traveller universe - rules for ground combat with 15mm figures and vehicles.

The basic combat system used in Striker is based on the popular Azhanti High Lightning game system. The movement system is simplified for use with larger forces and a ground scale of 1" = 25 meters. The basic rules are written with the beginning miniatures player in mind and can easily be used as a combat resolution system for existing Traveller games. All weapons and vehicles covered in Traveller and Mercenary (Book 4) are rated for use in the game.

The true value of Striker, however, lies with the advanced rules. A complete system for designing armored vehicles and aircraft at different tech levels is presented, along with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat rules. The package contains everything a Traveller adventurer needs for campaigning with miniatures.

Physical Contents (Boxed Set)

Striker consisted of:

  • Three rule books:
    • Rule Book 1: Basic Rules (48 pages)
    • Rule Book 2: Advanced Rules (48 pages)
    • Rule Book 3: Equipment (48 pages)
  • a separate folio of sixteen numbered pages of Design Sequence Tables, and ...
  • A separate folio of six unnumbered pages of combat tables.

All of this was in an 8.5-inch by 5.5-inch box with an attractive, full-color painting of what appears to be a small-unit commander with a map box and some headquarters troops equipped to approximately TL-9 in the foreground, and a grav tank in the background, with open grasslands and a large rock outcropping behind the tank. All the sophonts shown are humans.

Meta-history & Background (Dossier)

Technically, GDW called Striker "a complete adventure game of rules for miniatures", which makes it some kind of hybrid in the Classic Traveller canon between an adventure and rules. Notwithstanding, it did not receive an adventure number to show its place in the series of official adventures that were published for Classic Traveller, nor did it receive a rule book number. There has never been any doubt expressed anywhere that Marc Miller considers it firmly part of CT canon, the only issue (and it's a pretty trivial issue) is exactly what the proper name is for its place within canon.

It was published by GDW in 1981, in their standard digest format. Its full title was Striker: Rules for 15mm Traveller Miniatures. Readers will note that miniature figures are not strictly necessary for a complete and enjoyable game using Striker rules; acceptable substitutes can be improvised. Also, any miniatures used wouldn't necessarily have to be 15mm size. Finally, it is extremely easy to change the distance scale used in the game, and almost as straightforward to change the time scale. In other words, fans of 1/285th-scale and 1/300th-scale miniatures combat could easily use Striker, as could referees seeking to resolve high-powered combat in a boarding action or starport.

Striker is also available in the reissue version from Far Future Enterprises.

Credits (Primary Sources)

References & Contributions (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
Retrieved from "http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/index.php?title=Striker&oldid=348030"