Lancer vs Traveller
Compare Lancer and Traveller side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Lancer | Traveller | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi | Scifi |
| Play Style | Tactical, Mecha, Grid-Based, Character Building, Combat-Heavy, Heroic, Crunchy | Sandbox, Simulation, Exploration, Deadly, Realistic, Character Building, Faction Play |
| Core Mechanic | Narrative scenes use d20 roll-over (10+ succeeds), with backgrounds granting advantage and triggers adding flat bonuses. Mech combat is grid-based and tactical — no initiative, players and NPCs alternate turns. Pilots progress through License Levels (LL0–LL12), unlocking new chassis, weapons, and systems across five manufacturers with 30+ mech frames. | Roll 2d6 + skill + modifier ≥ 8 to succeed. Character generation is a mini-game. |
| Dice | d20 + d6 | 2d6 |
| Complexity | High | Medium |
| Accessibility | High | Low |
| Community | Medium | Medium |
| License | Lancer Third Party License | Traveller Fair Use Policy |
| Cost | Free (PDF) / $$ | $$ |
| Publisher | Massif Press | Mongoose Publishing |
| Year | 2019 | 2022 |
| Best For | Groups who want deep tactical mech combat with meaningful customization layered on top of accessible narrative play — giant robot enthusiasts seeking a modern alternative to BattleTech. | Hard sci-fi sandbox campaigns with trading, exploration, and realistic space travel. |
| Highlights | Free core PDF, extensive mech customization with 30+ frames, clean split between rules-light narrative and crunchy tactical combat, Comp/Con companion app is well-integrated, active community | Comprehensive sci-fi toolkit, lifepath character creation, detailed trade/travel systems |
| Considerations | Mech combat dominates — narrative half feels thin by comparison, steep learning curve from sheer volume of mech options, genre-locked to sci-fi mech fiction, requires grid/VTT for combat | Lifepath character creation can produce unplayable results, subsystem rules are spread across multiple supplements, steep buy-in if using official sourcebooks |