Traveller Deck Plan 6, Dragon Class System Defense Boat, is the latest (and probably last) set of Traveller deck plans published by Steve Jackson Games. This series of deck plans covers roughly the same ground as Classic Traveller's Supplement 7, Traders and Gunboats. This is the last major vessel type covered in Traders and Gunboats, and therefore rounds out the series. The SDB is the most commonly encountered local patrol vessel in Traveller, and as such normally is the "opfor" facing the PC's. The SDB is heavily armed and armored, cramped, and is occasionally pressed into rescue service, it's alternate common role.
The deck plans are no longer packaged in ziplock container bags. A new packaging method, using a cardstock cover open at top and bottom, then shrink-wrap replaces the bag (more about which later). The cardstock is folded to form a "spine" with a printed title, for use with a conventional bookshelf display rack.
There are nine 22 by 17 inch sheets for the maps, covering the three decks of the SDB, and the occasionally used "jump shuttle" for interstellar travel. Each map is in 25 mm scale, and has hex grids on one side, and squares on the reverse (the cover cardstock notes compatibility with D20 squares). One of the sheets carries ship stats for the various versions of Traveller. A Cardboard Heroes sheet with various crew illustrations rounds out the product. The map sheets are clearly marked and illustrated, and follow the deck plans from Traders and Gunboats closely.
Much of the utility these plans provide could easily be replaced by buying FFE 002 (The Supplements), and detailing only a few critical spaces aboard the SDB. It's the least useful set of deck plans produced (next to the Assault Cutter), as the PC's will more likely than not be on the recieving end of a boarding party, not the reverse.
Now on to the meat: The Catalog! Called "Where We're Going", it is twenty pages of SJG goodness, with a Hellboy promotional cover. The need for a printed catalog is real, no sarcasm intended. SJG's product line has changed considerably over the last several years, and not all gamers have access to the Internet. The catalog also contains SJG and industry news and retailer "suggestions" (mostly having to do with the preferred placement of product). On page 3, the explanation for the new packaging method was revealed. Retailers felt that ziplocks hurt sales, as they wished product to be stacked spine out.. It's easy to understand why: Thirty products could be stacked in the same space required to show one product's front page. SJG claims that the new packaging enables the product to be easily stored in file folders, such as in a filing cabinet.
Most thoughtful of them- Now not only can I haul around a hundred-pound filing cabinet between game locations, I also have to buy the product to inspect it! No longer will I plop my plans in a spillproof flexible bag that stuffs into a backpack. Cabinet: The Filing! has arrived.
I paid twenty bucks for this? FFE 002 is only fifteen bucks more, Evil Stevie. The Deck Plans have pretty much run their course.
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(Due to spamming, old forum discussions are no linked.)