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Looking at all the different versions of Traveller

I’m writing this article to help players and Referees new to the game who are looking for a bit of clarity and wayfinding. When I came back to Traveller to play, the GURPS version was live and detail-heavy supplements were hitting the shelves every month. Even then it was difficult for me to parse through the different versions of what had come before. So. Many. Versions. And now there are a handful more. That’s a lot of material out there. 

There are nine distinct published versions of Traveller out there in the wild that have come to us over time. Each one reflects a different riff on some fundamental ideas, a different interpretation of the game and setting by the authors. Perhaps details the Third Imperium setting in a different region of\r point in time, or maps to a different system of mechanics. Each version has a core rulebook and supplements that go with it to detail its particular universe.

Throughout the versions and over time, some aspects remain the same – characters developed with career terms, the idea of jump drives and that Age of Sail feel, the relative lack of transhumanism, the presence of various “mini-games” such as character/world/ship creation within the rules that are playable by a single person are all aspects common to all versions.

Let’s survey the different versions:

Classic Traveller ( CT )

This was the first edition developed in 1977 by a small outfit in Normal, IL called Game Designers Workshop, and it was the first sci-fi roleplaying game and a contemporary of the first version of Dungeons & Dragons. Classic Traveller was published in the characteristic “Little Black Books” ( LBBs ) and first detailed a “sandbox” style rules system as a toolset for Referees to create their own settings and subsections. Not long after the initial offering the system was expanded in every way, and the default setting of the Third Imperium in the game-year of 1105 was developed. CT continued to be published, revised, and expanded for nine years. A profound amount of supplemental expansion material was published for CT. This version has many active fans to this day, a reflection of perhaps the well-designed rules or the idea of legacy; we tend to stick with the version of the game we were introduced to.

MegaTraveller ( MT )

Almost ten years after the initial offering, the first truly new version ( there had been several incremental upgrades to CT before this ) came along with a new task system, expanded setting materials, and an advancement on the default setting timeline. The game mechanics were now very much interwoven with the Third Imperium setting, where it was now 1116 and the Emperor had been assassinated. Principal play and supplements all detailed a collapsing Third Imperium rife with Rebellion. MegaTraveller was set in an expansive area; most of the Third Imperium as it collapsed, and ran as a published game for five years.

Traveller: A New Era ( TNE )

In 1992, just five years after it’s predecessor MT, Traveller: The New Era hit the shelves. This game featured an entirely new mechanics system and was also strongly interwoven with the default setting, which had been advanced more than a hundred game-years to 1200. These mechanics are for the most part incompatible with other editions of Traveller. In TNE the Third Imperium is gone, shattered, to be replaced by chaos and barely-forming order within Charted Space. TNE also introduces the existential threat of “The Virus,” a digital phage-like AI that threatens to wipe out an civilization it comes into contact with. The default region of play is the former Domain of Deneb. TNE published materials and expansions for three years.

Marc Miller’s Traveller ( T4 )

Four years after the introduction of TNE, the original publishing company had folded and the original creator Marc Miller published a new version of the game from Imperium Games. This version uses an updated version of the mechanics featured in MegaTraveller. As a default setting, the clock is dialed backwards now to the first years of the Third Imperium, where the Sylea Federation gave birth to the new empire. Players participate in the expansion of the new Third Imperium, re-connecting with various “pocket empires” after The Long Night after the collapse of the Second Imperium. The default sector of play was Core, and this version ran for two years.

GURPS Traveller ( GT )

Published by Steve Jackson Games in 1998 and based on the GURPS mechanics and ruleset, this version was imagined and driven by GDW alum Loren Wiseman. The setting was a re-imagined Third Imperium in the year 1116, but in this version Emperor Strephon was not assassinated and the Rebellion never happened; the “original” CT timeline was simply advanced and The Rebellion and The Virus never occurred. The GT default setting within the Third Imperium was the Spinward Marches sector, although additional materials also developed the Solomani Rim. GURPS Traveller published new material until its license expired after 6 years. SJG supported its version with a wealth of supplemental material and although the GURPS  system certainly has its advocates, in Traveller circles more people seem to be fan of the GURPS books as source material, supporting their game based on non-GURPS mechanics.

Traveller D20 ( T20 )

In 2002 a Traveller version with game system mechanics compatible with the extremely popular d20 system was published by QuikLink Interactive. The default setting detailed Gateway Domain near the Solomani Rim of the Third Imperium at the game-year 1000, a little more than 100 years before the events comprising the CT setting. T20 was the first version concurrently “live” with another Traveller system ( GT ) and was published for six years. T20 supplements were written to be compatible with CT material and settings, and an extensive amount of works were published.

Traveller Hero ( TH )

In 2006 ( and concurrent with T20 ) a version of Traveller utilizing the mechanics from Hero Games Star Hero was published by ComStar Games. A distinction is the use of a pool of points with which to build characters, roughly similar to GURPS. All of the various settings/times covered in prior versions of Traveller with the exception of the CT milieu were embraced by HT. This version was published for two years.

Mongoose Traveller ( MgT )

Live version – In 2008 Mongoose Publishing produced a “reboot” version largely informed by Classic Traveller. The default setting was the Third Imperium in 1105, though the mechanics were intentionally set apart and offered as a way to portray play in various non-Third Imperium scoff settings. MgT is published today ( in 2017 ) though now in its second edition after eight years, and features an expansive portfolio of supplements and supporting material.

Traveller5 ( T5 )

Live version – In 2013 Marc Miller ( through Far Future Enterprises ) published the “ultimate” version, comprised completely of a profoundly expanded mechanics/ruleset without a core default milieu but comparable with all prior published Traveller milieus. T5 is also a “live” version. At present there is a single seriously-dense 700+pp volume, and no supplements or expansions. Both fans and detractors cite the incredible complexity of the material as a reason for their fervor.

Versions of Traveller

' Traveller' has been published in 11 official versions, each with their own set of underlying game rules and take on the Setting .

Traveller was initially designed as a generic science fiction RPG system, and the original setting was just one the designers favored out of the various available settings. While referees were encouraged to use the parts they wanted and change what they did not like, the wealth of background material made the Charted Space setting ubiquitous.

• 1.1 Major Versions
• 1.2 Publisher support

Description [ edit ]

Each of the versions of Traveller transformed the official setting of the Traveller universe. Classic Traveller takes place during the Third Imperium , Megatraveller during the Rebellion . The New Era takes place some years after a computer Virus escaped ending the Rebellion during a time of exploration/reconstruction. GURPS Traveller takes place in an alternate timeline where many of the events from MegaTraveller and The New Era never occurred. Finally, Marc Miller's Traveller takes place in the early days of the Third Imperium .

Some of the various versions are related to one another in terms of rules. For example, classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, and Mongoose Traveller use similar rule systems, with MegaTraveller being the most "variant" of the group. In addition, TNE uses the second edition Twilight rules system, T20 is based on the D20 license game system, and the GURPS versions and Hero versions use GURPS and HERO System, respectively.

While characters can usually move from related system to system with little or no effort, other creations such as ship designs may or may not, though deck plans (often loosely based on the underlying ship designs) are often used across versions.

Major Versions [ edit ]

Publisher support [ edit ].

In addition to the core publisher, several of the editions had material produced by other publishers. In many cases, these additional publishers were officially licensed by the original publisher.

Sources [ edit ]

• Wiki Mechanic
• Articles at advanced completion state
• Articles translated into Spanish

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Traveller: Rank the editions

Started by danbuter, July 05, 2013, 09:24:39 AM

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flyerfan1991

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Quote from: estar;668495 There is Hero Traveller as well.

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Quote from: danbuter;668510 What communist chose T4?!  :hand:

Quote from: Warthur;668519 I can only assume someone who just looooooooooves errata and bad editing and thought that Megatraveller didn't have enough of either...

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Quote from: nitril;668543 I voted traveller tne and mongoose traveller. The first one because it was the 2nd english language rpg I owned and the group was a tech oriented one so we had a blast. I recently bought mongoose version and I like it a lot. I did buy T20 and T4 but both of them failed to catch my interest long.

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The Iconic SF RPG Updated: Traveller Core Rulebook (Update 2022) Reviewed

Publisher: Mongoose Publishing

Authors and Designers: Marc Miller (Classic Traveller), Matthew Sprange (Mongoose Traveller Developer), and Gareth Hanrahan (Original Core Mechanics)

Artists: Katrina Hepburn and Sandrine Thirache (Layout), Xavier Bernard, Sergio Villa, Anderson Maia, Mark Graham, Nikita Vasylchuk, Douglas Deri, Ian Stead, Ankit Yadav, Cassie Gregory, Alessandro Rocco, and Colin Dunn

Genre: Classic science fiction roleplaying game

MSRP: $59.99 for the hardcover or $30.00 for the PDF at DriveThruRPG

In many ways, Traveller is to science fiction roleplaying what Dungeons & Dragons is to fantasy roleplaying. First published in 1977, Traveller has been through many editions and publishers in its long history, landing with UK publisher Mongoose Publishing in 2008. A second Mongoose edition came out in 2017, featuring greatly improved art and presentation as well as some revised rules mechanics. This “Update 2022” version keeps the 2nd Edition rules changes and adds some material that was notable absent from the previous corebook notably ship creation rules. I should note that, while I have run and played the 1st edition of Mongoose Traveller, I had not engaged with the 2nd Edition of the game until reviewing this book.

The second iconic element of Traveller is the tech-y, relatively realistic presentation of standard sci-fi elements like ships, travel mechanics, planetary systems, and the like. While the universe does include Faster-Than-Light travel and artificial gravity, the technology is otherwise fairly grounded. Ships have a utilitarian feel to them, and unlike the original 2nd edition core book can be built from scratch (a process that, unlike some previous editions of Traveller, does not require advanced high school math to complete). Moreover, we see several pages worth of Traveller’s iconic 2d deck plans for ships that would be commonly flown by PC groups. There is also a lengthy personal gear and non-starship vehicles. It’s worth noting that Traveller has always avoided wading deep into the “transhumanist” side of sci-fi, and so while there is some cybernetics, there is very limited AI and little in the way of body modification or brain swapping (as compared to something like Eclipse Phase).

Gameplay-wise, Traveller uses a 2d6 mechanic—roll 2d6, add modifiers for attributes and skills, try to beat a target number (8 by default). Added for the 2nd edition of the game is a “boon and bane” system that is similar to Advantage and Disadvantage in 5e D&D—when circumstances are favorable, roll 3d6 and count the highest two dice; when circumstances are unfavorable roll 3d6 and count the lowest two dice. As with many sci-fi systems, skills are at the core of the system, with a large but not overwhelming skill list. Combat is quick and fairly deadly, with damage coming off of physical attributes. The game engine is simple, plays fast, and should not present too much of a learning curve for new players and GMs coming off of other game systems.

Finally, while the 1st edition of Mongoose Traveller made the dubious choice to go for a retro-1970s look in terms of art and lay-out, Update 2022 has a clean, modern lay-out, with full color art. The art is not at the level of the very top of the industry (i.e. Free League Publishing), but it is solid and pleasant. The book is well-organized, and the PDF I reviewed has bookmarks (although they have very few second level bookmarks, which is disappointing). It’s worth noting that Mongoose’s products in general, and 2nd edition Traveller materials in particular, are a bit on the pricey side for the length of the books and what you get. Still, the Update 2022 Corebook is a beautiful book, and a solid value.

There are a host excellent sci-fi rpgs settings and systems out there, but Traveller has stood the test of time. The Third Imperium setting is one of my favorite sci-fi settings, and this Update 2022 book has got me back into Mongoose’s Traveller line. Traveller is a classic, but it is a classic for a reason, and if you are looking for a grounded sci-fi game with lots of space for the GM and players to explore, it’s hard to go wrong with this product.

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Nice review. For old-school Travellers, does the Mongoose edition have advantages or shortcomings relative to the original “little black books”?

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Traveller Explorer's Edition

The Explorer’s Edition provides all core game rules for Traveller, plus a universe creation system that allows referees to create new star systems on the fly for their players to visit and explore…

Traveller is the science fiction roleplaying game of the far future. The Traveller Explorers’ Edition is an introduction to the game for newcomers that provides all of the tools you need to create adventures or even an entire campaign. Create bold scouts and intrepid scientists who travel into the unknown aboard their trusty Type-S Scout/Courier, a rugged exploration ship perfect for the job.

Dock your ship at advanced starports, visit strange worlds, encounter alien beings and animals, and take on the challenges that the galaxy sets before you.

The universe awaits. Welcome to Traveller!

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[Traveller] What's the best edition and why?

• Thread starter Valerie Vixen
• Start date Sep 20, 2012
• Tags traveller

Active member

• Sep 21, 2012

Mongoose Traveller is a fine game, and the Pocket Edition is both inexpensive and easy to carry around. My recent college graduate son prefers it to alternative editions. Supplements are available for most of the expansion areas that you might want. Classic is also a fine game, and the availability of a CD with all of the books for $35 from Far Future Enterprises is a killer bargain. Depending on your budget, get both...  

They're way too similar to justify getting both. Based on your stated preferences, I think Dirk Desiato is right: you should grab Classic Starter Traveller ( http://www.rpgnow.com/product/80190/CT-ST-Starter-Traveller ). The price is reasonable and it's a complete game in under a hundred pages. The Mongoose system is a bit more refined, though. If that's a higher priority for you, the Mongoose book might win out. It's just as complete, and although it's more like 200 pages, they're less dense pages and don't have so many huge tables of magic numbers. Your preference for exploration means you should very, very definitely look into system generation and Scout campaigns. You could throw in whatever you pleased from the official setting ("Look! Weird aliens!") as it suited your purposes, but you wouldn't be saddled with all the canonical detail of the official setting at all. Traveller is very friendly to laser blast age of sail space fantasy. By default it feels a bit harder* as science fiction than Star Wars, but in a custom setting you could very easily tweak this. One obvious way to do it is to make psionics more common. The official setting largely quarantines psionics, but it is a piece of cake to throw a Jedi Order into a custom setting. *Edit: There's a sense of practicality. Player groups are typically engaged in some kind of profitable activity or military service, not saving the galaxy. This, too, is easy enough to change if you like.  

Valerie Vixen

Thanks for all the advice. I'm leaning toward Classic Traveller at this point.  

RedFox said: Thanks for all the advice. I'm leaning toward Classic Traveller at this point. Click to expand...

Eschatological Anamnesis

• Sep 22, 2012

I understand the OP asked for a version of Traveller , but upon consideration of the sorts of elements he's interested in, I have to add a another post- Traveller suggestion - Stars Without Number Let's look at the OPs' needs: - I don't mind if stuff is out of print, so long as it's not going for $100 and up. SWN is available in both a free PDF and and pay PDF/POD version. The pay version is slightly expanded, with cool art, etc. http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/produ...67&src=SNP_SWN_ImageLink&affiliate_id=323031 - I like simple, well-designed systems and consolidation (one or two small booklets making a complete game). My favorite D&D currently is Moldvay/Cook B/X, by way of example. So I'm going to lean away from FATE/GURPS unless those editions are superlative in other ways. SWN uses classic Moldvay/Cook derived D&D rules as its base. It's very simple to run. There are three classes, Expert, Soldier and Psychic. Each of the classes seems well balanced, and each has access to a basic set of skills, with experts having more access than the other two classes. - If given my druthers, I'd like gonzo kitchen sink settings if there's edition differentiation. The more flexibility to throw in whatever wild hare idea I have and lots of example wild hair ideas is just fine. Gimme weird aliens and whatever. SWN uses a very, very light background, with the intention that you can use the rules engine without dealing with the background, much like Classic Traveller. It's not as kitchen sink, as say, Starbazer Adventures, but it is a very open setting, if not what I would call gonzo. It follows a sort of "here are the basics, now be as gonzo as you want to be", without tons of material that tells you, in rules speak, how to be gonzo. You may want Starblazer Adventures for that - I don't like metaplotting or overly detailed settings. I burnt those bridges with White Wolf and Forgotten Realms. I need not just wiggle room but elbow room and lots of it. SWN gives you lots of room for this. As I discussed above, the meta-setting exists only to explain why systems can be so different and diverse, having been cut off from each other in an Age of Darkness. - I lean more toward space fantasy than hard sf, but more of a pulp vein. So an 'age of sail' type feeling for travel/communications, laser blasts, etc. To my mind, classes actually help with the Space Fantasy/Pulp feel. The tech level you describe is covered by the core book well. - I have an extremely exploratory playstyle. When I took that D&D playstyle test, I came up five stars in Explorer and not enough of any other interest to register, really. So if an edition handles exploration (or setting up exploration) games well, that's the one I'm going to be after most. This is where SWN really shines. The system generation is not as complex as that of Traveller , and there is more support for beginning Referees in using tables to flesh out systems, with a special 'Tag' system for easy generation of adventures. It's completely designed for the sandbox style of play, which it sound like what you are looking for to a tee. Download the free version and see if it is what you are looking for.  

Polychromatic Pikathulhu

I think it's a bit wrong when someone is asking for the best version of Traveller and you suggest something that is not Traveller. IMHO If someone wants the best version of Traveller he is looking for a version that is best at what Traveller is best at.  

Codename: Omega

dmjalund said: I think it's a bit wrong when someone is asking for the best version of Traveller and you suggest something that is not Traveller. IMHO If someone wants the best version of Traveller he is looking for a version that is best at what Traveller is best at. Click to expand...

I don't mind the suggestion of Stars Without Number. It's actually been on my radar for awhile (I've got the PDF on my hard drive but haven't taken an in-depth look at it yet). I'd only ask how closely it matches up to Traveller?  

Red Lantern

I liked Traveller: The New Era personally. Let the flames commence...  

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The 13 Best Travel Board Games You Can Play Anywhere (Even on a Plane)

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When you're stuck in a plane, train, or even the backseat of a car, you need a way to kill time... and board games are great for that!

Of course, mobile games are more convenient—unless you're like me and prone to motion sickness. Plus, these days I much prefer the tactile experience of cards and pieces, and we could all stand to spend less time staring at digital screens.

So, I think everyone should have at least one portable board game or card game that they can take with them while traveling!

What makes a great travel board game?

• Small box. When you're traveling, space is at a premium. Carrying the game around shouldn't be a nuisance and it should fit comfortably inside a carry-on bag. If the entire game can fit inside your pocket, that's as good as it gets!
• Minimal footprint. It can't take up too much table space. (Ideally, no table space at all!) Plus, it should have very few components. Not only are game pieces hard to handle while traveling, they're easy to accidentally bump off and lose forever.
• Length and replayability. Whether your flight is 1 hour or 12 hours, the game should keep you engaged and help make time fly by. But it should also be under an hour per game so you aren't forced to cut it short if it happens to run too long.

Here are my picks for the best travel board games that are tiny, portable, and able to be played pretty much anywhere!

Note: You'll notice a distinct lack of Button Shy games on this list. While Button Shy games are famously tiny—each game is only 18 cards—they tend to take up a lot of table space. I've yet to find one that can comfortably play on an airplane tray.

13. The Mind

Designed by Wolfgang Warsch

Supports 2 to 4 players

About 15 to 20 minutes

The Mind is a cooperative card game where everyone has their own hand of cards—from a deck numbered 1 through 100—and the goal is to play all cards in ascending order... without ANY communication.

With larger starting hands, the game gets more difficult. You start on Level 1 with one card each, then Level 2 with two cards each, up to whatever Level you can reach. Or you can just play (and replay) it on whatever Level you want to see how often you can win.

The Mind is a great card game for planes because it's mainly held in your hands (all cards played to a single pile) and the no-communication rule is a good fit when you're stuck in a loud plane with others around you.

Designed by Mark Tuck

Supports 1 player

About 5 to 15 minutes

Grove is a brilliant solo puzzle-style card game that only consists of 18 cards and 15 dice that are used as point trackers.

The cards are basically tiles, which you place by overlapping previously played cards. When you overlap trees of the same color, you increase the value of those trees (which are tracked using the dice).

How bountiful will your grove be? Grove is a beat-your-own-score type game with a lot of replayability. The backs of each card have different victory conditions for variety.

Each game of Grove is relatively short but punchy, and it's a fantastic game to play while traveling.

11. Timeline

Designed by Frédéric Henry

Supports 2 to 8 players

Timeline is a compact card game about figuring out where different events belong on a timeline.

Players have a hand of cards that each depict a specific event. Cards are played to a shared timeline and on each turn you have to place one card into the timeline. If it's not placed correctly, you draw another card. Otherwise, first to get rid of their cards wins!

Timeline is less about knowing the exact years when things happened and more about logically reasoning when things happened in relation to events already in the timeline. It's fun even if you know zero history!

Note: Timeline comes in several themed packs, which can be mixed and matched for more variety and difficulty. In addition to Timeline Inventions , there's also:

• Timeline Classic
• Timeline Events
• Timeline British History

Designed by Martino Chiacchiera, Hjalmar Hach, and Pierluca Zizzi

Similo is a deduction game where one player is trying to get everyone else to guess the right character from a grid of twelve.

On each turn, the active player plays a card and marks it as either SIMILAR or DIFFERENT. Based on that, the other players have to eliminate characters from the grid. If the correct character remains at the end, everyone shares victory!

Similo is like a better, more compact, and more fun Guess Who . The grid is randomized every time so there's replayability, plus the discussions that arise during elimination can be surprisingly funny.

Note: Similo comes in several themed packs, which can be mixed and matched for more variety and difficulty. In addition to Similo History , there's also:

• Similo Myths
• Similo Fables
• Similo Animals
• Similo Wild Animals
• Similo Harry Potter

9. Hive Pocket

Designed by John Yianni

Supports 2 players

About 20 to 40 minutes

Hive is one of the best head-to-head two-player board games if you want a pure abstract strategy game—and Hive Pocket is the portable travel edition that you can take anywhere.

There's no board in Hive ; the pieces ARE the board! As you place pieces and move them around, they dictate where future pieces can be placed and moved to. Each insect type has its own rules for how to move.

Hive Pocket has a tiny footprint and the tiles are made of durable plastic resin that's satisfying to play with. Moreover, Hive Pocket comes with two expansion insects already included!

Designed by Kei Kajino

Supports 2 to 5 players

Scout is a ladder-climbing card-shedding game in the style of Crazy Eights or Chinese Poker , but it has a few twists that take it to the next level and make it one of the best in the genre.

First, you can't re-order your hand once it's dealt. Second, when you play cards, you collect the cards played by the previous player. Third, if you can't play any cards, you "scout" by taking a card from the previous player and adding it to your hand—and they earn a point.

When someone empties their hand, the round ends. Each player scores a point for each card they collected plus any scout points they earned.

Scout is a simple but deep card game that feels like an old-school card game but plays like a modern classic. It's the perfect travel card game for families who want something a little meatier.

7. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

Designed by Thomas Sing

The Crew: Mission Deep Sea is a cooperative trick-taking card game—a lot like Euchre or Hearts , except everyone is trying to accomplish certain tasks and helping others to achieve their tasks.

Examples of tasks in this game: "Win exactly 2 Blue cards" or "Win only the last trick" or "Win at least 1 card of each color." There are nearly 100 task cards and a random set is chosen every game.

The hard part is, there's no communication allowed! Except using the one-time communication token. With that token, you can reveal one card and mark it as either your HIGHEST of that color, your LOWEST of that color, or your ONLY card of that color.

Trick-taking card games have been a staple of societies for centuries, but the cooperative twist in The Crew: Mission Deep Sea makes it one of the best of its kind. It's so addictive!

6. Zombie Dice: Horde Edition

Designed by Steve Jackson

Supports 2 to 100 players

About 10 to 20 minutes

Want to play a travel board game that's literally nothing but a set of 13 custom dice? Then Zombie Dice is your jam. ( Zombie Dice: Horde Edition includes the base game plus both expansions!)

In Zombie Dice , you're rolling and re-rolling three dice at a time, trying to score as many Brains as you can on your turn. Dice with Footsteps can be re-rolled, but dice with Shotguns can't—and if you ever have three Shotguns showing, you lose all the Brains from that round.

This is one of the purest push-your-luck games in existence, and it's so compact that you can play anywhere. Just make sure to roll inside the box cover to minimize the risk of losing any dice!

Designed by Steffen Benndorf

Qwixx is what's known as a "roll and write" game: you roll dice, then use the results to write on your score pad.

In Qwixx , you're trying to fill out blocks 2 to 12 for each of four colors. The thing is, once you fill in a block, you can no longer fill any blocks to the left of that block for that particular color.

Once a player has five blocks filled in a color, they can choose to lock that color (no one else can fill that color anymore). Once two colors are locked, the game ends. The more blocks you've filled, the more points!

Ultimately, this game is a balancing act between smart decisions and pushing your luck. Qwixx packs a ton of fun into such a small box, and it's so easy to play anywhere—even on a plane.

4. Love Letter

Designed by Seiji Kanai

About 15 to 30 minutes

Love Letter is one of the best portable card games of all time. It consists of a deck of 16 cards numbered from 1 to 8, with higher-value cards rarer than the lower-value cards.

This is a game of deduction and hand management. Each player starts with 1 card and the entire game is played like so: draw a card, play a card. The winner is whoever has the highest-value card in hand at the end.

But here's the twist: each card also has a special ability that triggers when played. One lets you peek at another's hand, another lets you trade hands, another lets you name a player and a card—if they're holding that card, they get eliminated from the round.

A round of Love Letter plays in just a few minutes, and whoever is first to win a predetermined number of rounds wins the game.

3. Fantasy Realms

Designed by Bruce Glassco

Supports 2 to 6 players

Fantasy Realms is my ultimate choice for portable card game. It's easy to learn and compact in size, with tons of gameplay packed in.

The game consists of a deck of 53 cards: 10 suits of 5 cards each, plus 3 wild cards. Each card has a base point value as well as a scoring mechanism that grants extra points (or loses points) depending on what other cards you have in your hand.

Players start with a hand of 7 cards, then turns are as a simple as drawing a card and discarding a card. Your hand at the end of the game determines your score and highest score wins.

Fantasy Realms can be taken anywhere and plays quickly. Every game is different as you try to figure out the best way to manage your own hand, and you can kill so much time without getting bored.

Note: Scoring can be unwieldy in Fantasy Realms , but the scoring companion app makes it much easier—just pick the cards in your hand and it'll spit out your score.

2. Palm Island

Designed by Jon Mietling

Supports 1 to 2 players

There's one thing about Palm Island that makes it so perfect as a travel card game: it can play entirely in the palm of your hand. You don't even need a table or a lap! No other game is this portable.

Palm Island consists of 17 double-sided cards, with each side split into top and bottom halves. You'll go through the deck several times, tapping cards into resources then spending resources to upgrade cards (i.e. rotating and flipping them to their better actions).

It's a simple but thinky solo game that's played in a beat-your-own-score manner, so there's plenty of replayability.

But the key feature of Palm Island truly is its portability. Hand-only games are exceedingly rare and very few of them are worth playing long-term. Palm Island is the best of its kind.

1. Dungeons, Dice & Danger

Designed by Richard Garfield

Supports 1 to 4 players

About 45 to 60 minutes

Dungeons, Dice & Danger is the meatiest experience you'll find for a game that's nothing more than a sheet of paper, a pencil, and five dice. You can really play it anywhere and lose yourself in it.

On your turn, you roll the four white dice and split the results into two pairs. Then, everyone uses those two pairs to mark off rooms on their personal dungeon sheet. (The active roller can also use the fifth black die to substitute one of the whites, but no one else can.)

You can only mark rooms that are adjacent to rooms you've already visited, and if you have no rooms to mark on a turn, you lose health which will reduce your score at the end.

You'll also be finding gems, looting treasure, unlocking special actions, and fighting monsters for more ways to earn points.

It's both surprising and impressive to get this much game out of just five dice. If you're going to be traveling a lot—especially on planes—I highly recommend Dungeons, Dice & Danger above all else.

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The world's best Ayurvedic retreats

From Kerala to the Dolomites, these tranquil hideaways offer a holistic reset

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Brits are stressed. According to Mental Health UK's Burnout Report for 2024 , 91% of UK adults have experienced pressure or stress in the last year.

As we struggle to cope with our hectic lives, the "allure" of a simpler time has spurred the "reclamation" of "ancient beauty and wellness rituals" in the West, said Anita Bhagwandas in Condé Nast Traveller . Ancient practices give people a chance to reconnect with themselves – something that Western beauty traditionally "ignores".

It's hardly surprising that people are looking for an "alternative to Western medicine and practices", said Lydia Swinscoe in the London Evening Standard . Increasingly, travellers are "embracing" Ayurvedic treatments as part of their trips abroad.

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The roots of this ancient system of medicine can be traced back to India , around 3,000 years ago. Derived from the Sanskrit words " ayur ", meaning life, and " veda " which roughly translates as knowledge or science, Ayurveda takes a "holistic and individualised approach to wellness", said Lauren Silva in Forbes .

Ayurvedic practitioners believe the universe is made up of five elements: ether (space), air, fire, water and earth. These elements combine in pairs to form the three primary doshas or energy patterns – vata , pitta and kapha – that are "present in everything and everyone".

The "goal" of Ayurveda is to bring the three doshas into balance, which in turn will promote good health. When visiting an Ayurvedic retreat, guests will first meet with a practitioner to determine their dosha , before embarking on a personally tailored treatment plan to restore the balance.

Data from travel search engine Kayak shows that bookings from the UK to India grew by 29% last year, climbing even further than pre-pandemic rates. It "makes a lot of sense" that people are searching for "connected experiences in one of the most spiritual places in the world", said Condé Nast Traveller.

Here are some of the world's best Ayurvedic retreats for a restorative break.

Ayurveda Parkschlösschen, Germany

"By far the most established five-star detox and health resort in Europe to have put Ayurvedic philosophy into practice", this luxurious hotel is well matched to "curious and open-minded solo travellers", said Sarah Siese in Condé Nast Traveller . Situated on one of the "prettiest stretches" of the Moselle River in Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate region, the wellness centre is home to a sprawling 2,000 square metre spa. Treatments are wide-ranging, from purifying herbal steam baths to the full-body " pizzichilli " using a "copious" seven litres of warm oil to stimulate the skin and metabolism.

ayurveda-parkschloesschen.de

Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions, Sri Lanka

Located near the "bustling fish market" of Negombo on Sri Lanka's west coast, this peaceful retreat offers 21-day treatment plans with nutritious meals carefully tailored to your dosha , said Swinscoe in the London Evening Standard. Guests are "whisked away" to the hotel's Ayurvedic doctor on arrival for a series of tests; the results are used to map out a daily schedule of treatments spanning everything from traditional massages to enemas.

jetwinghotels.com

Engel Ayurpura, Italy

Situated high in the Dolomites looking out over the "densely forested mountainsides", this glass-walled retreat is dedicated to Ayurveda, said Adriaane Pielou in Condé Nast Traveller . Dr Vaidya Swami Nath Mishra presides over the treatment programmes; pulse diagnosis is used to determine guests' dosha , meals and activities, and there are yoga and meditation classes each morning. With just 15 suites and rooms, Engel Ayurpura is a "calming, comfortable" place to visit alone.

ayurpura.hotel-engel.com

The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel, India

This "tranquil Keralan clifftop hideaway" is ideal for those new to the world of Ayurveda, said Harriet Compston at Country & Town House . The retreat's "deeply intuitive therapists" are on hand for a "combination of hard-hitting treatments and top-to-toe pampering". Beyond the hotel, guests can ramble, surf, kayak or paddleboard at the "crescent beaches, ringed by coconut palms".

theleela.com

Dharana Wellness Retreat at Shillim, India

"Lauded as one of India's most comprehensive Ayurvedic retreats", this wellness centre is high in the Sahyadri mountain range near Mumbai, said Megan Lambert in The Telegraph . Personally tailored programmes range from five- to 28-night stays; the "Ayurvedic favourite" is Panchakarma – a five-step healing experience that includes "lots of herbal oil massages" and meals built around a specific vegetarian diet.

dharanaretreat.com

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Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week, covering arts, culture and travel. She began her career in journalism at Leeds University, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Gryphon, before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group. Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler, where she oversaw The Experts column.

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Lots of Things 2 Travel and Search Collector's Edition

This item will be sent to your system automatically after purchase.

Start your search in this amazing hidden object marathon!

You will visit the most amazing corners of the world and national parks of America. You will visit certain peaks of mountains, African savannahs and much more. This game will offer you a new way of searching for objects, as well as a large number of enjoyable mini-games! Go through the levels in the "Layers" modes and search there for the right items among a variety of different things. This hidden object game is full of new interesting locations and hidden things. Use your search skills and logic to solve the puzzles and find all the hidden objects. The collector's edition includes: - 15 additional levels with different modes! - 5 mini-games - 4 collectible puzzles that you can collect as the game progresses!

Software description provided by the publisher.

ESRB rating

Supported play modes, product information, release date, no. of players, game file size, supported languages.

Play online, access classic NES™ and Super NES™ games, and more with a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

This game supports: Save Data Cloud

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PICO PARK 2

WARNING: If you have epilepsy or have had seizures or other unusual reactions to flashing lights or patterns, consult a doctor before playing video games. All users should read the Health and Safety Information available in the system settings before using this software.

A Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) is required for Save Data Cloud backup.

Copyright © Ocean Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

• Witch Queens
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Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Review: mongoose traveller 2nd edition (2016, 2022).

Traveller 2nd Edition was first released in 2016.  A revised update was released in 2021 and called the "2022 Edition."  Both are the same rules though the 2022 update has a few improvements in layout and editing.  For this review I am just going to consider the 2022 version and notes from the 2016 version. 

Traveller Core Rulebook Update 2022

PDF. 266 pages. Full-color covers and interior art. Bookmarked and hyperlinks table of contents. 

Traveller is experiencing a renaissance of sorts. We live in time where old-school games are really popular, sci-fi is having a new golden age (have you seen all the Star Treks we now have?) and Traveller is riding that wave.  The new Traveller is best seller on DriveThru with the 2016 version a Mithral bestseller and the 2022 version a Platinum bestseller as of this writing.  I also know my FLGS sells the books hand over fist. One of the reasons I wanted to do my deep dive into Traveller now was because of all of this.

So how is the 2022 Edition?

In a word it is gorgeous.  

Mongoose, back in the early d20 boom, earned a bit of a reputation of a "spaghetti publisher" as in "throw a plate of spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks."  As time went on their reputation improved. These days they get a lot of credit for not just having solid books, but also serving the d20 bust.  Though some less than perfect editing sneaks in. The 2016 edition seemed to have this problem; at least that is what I have read online.  Both books had high-quality color art, there are some pieces in the 2016 edition I actually like a little better, but in general, I am pretty happy with what I see.  Happy enough to wish I had grabbed the physical books when I was last at my FLGS. 

What about the rules?

The book is similar in many ways to Mongoose 1st Edition, but enough differences in layout and organization.  For the first time, the designer did NOT try to invoke the feeling of old Classic Traveller.  This is a GOOD thing.  To attract new players they needed to make this a new game.

Introduction

This covers the various reasons why you might want to play Traveller and the different ways to play. I was hoping that among the examples of Star Trek and Starship Trooper they would include the most British of all Traveller shows, "Blake's 7." Which always was my goto example. 

There are some suggested books to read such as Traveller Companion , High Guard , The Third Imperium , and more.  I don't have those so I can't comment on them here.  What it does tell me that this version of Traveller is set in the Third Imperium. So that is something to look forward too. 

We get some game and dice conventions and descriptions of the Tech Levels.

Traveller Creation

Character creation is next as expected. This follows much along the lines of all Traveller versions. You roll your six abilities/characteristics.  We are back to our standard six from Classic Traveller with the same point spread and averages. The CCP is still here too.

You pick your background skills and then move to the next phase. There are good flow charts for character creation and the character sheet is annotated.  You go into your pre-career (aka school) and then move to your career. 

Like the first edition , careers are laid out with face pages so everything you need for a career is at a glance.

This is quite helpful really.  The careers supported in this core rules are Agent, Army, Citizen, Drifter, Entertainer, Marine, Merchant, Navy, Noble, Rouge, Scholar, and Scout.  There is an extra "career" that of Prisoner. Possibly to do that epic Stainless Steel Rat or Farscape adventure.

Various benefits and of course mishaps occur, leaving you with extra cash, some property or medical debt. 

There are some Skill Packages now.  There is a push here to get all the players and characters working to gether to make sure there is cohesion. 

We then get some examples of Alien species. The Aslan and the Vargr. 

Skills and Tasks

This chapter is combined as it really should be.  The system is basic which is what you want.  The character rolls a 2d6 and need to get greater than an 8 to succeed.  There are various Die Modifiers added and the Target number (the "8") can be be altered depending on the task difficulty. There are example throughout which works well.  An "Impossible Task" for example would require 16 or more rolled on the check.  There are also levels of success and failure. So if the roll is missed by -6 that is an "Exceptional Failure."  A roll of 6+ over the target number is an "Exceptional Success."

The amount of time spent on a skill check can alter the results and there are opposed checks as well. 

The rest of the chapter covers all the skills, their specialities and descriptions.

Combat is a always separate and it is a special case of a skill check.  What I do like about this system is that combat can rely on STR or DEX as appropriate and is not hard-coded like say D&D. For example Initiative can be modified by DEX or INT.

The combat phase is broken down into Significant, Minor, and Free actions.  You can do one Significant and one minor action per round or three minor actions.  You can perform anynumber of Reactions or Free Actions as permitted. What can be done in these actions is detailed. Attacking an opponent is Significant action, as is giving orders (Leadership). Minor actions are things like aiming, reloading, changing stance. 

Damage is discussed and it is very deadly.  

Encounters and Dangers

This combined the old Encounters and Animal Encounters chapters of Classic-era Travellers. There are all sorts of environmental dangers, diseases, high and low gravity situations, radiation, falling and so much more. Hmmm. Maybe best just to stay on your homeworld.  To quote Leonard McCoy from the 2009 Star Trek movie "Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence."

Animals are discussed and even a few examples are given. 

NPCs are also presented with the ubiquitous d66 tables of quirks, motivations and more that Traveller fans love. 

Covers the economy briefly and plenty of things to spend your precious few credits on. The list here is not highly different.  What is different here is the new level of art added to the lists.  Descriptions of arms and armor are paired with great color art of these items.  More than that there are tech items, medical equipment, computers, and survival gear.  Various toolkits are also described such as Planetary Sciences and Psionicology Toolkits.

And of course guns.

Each bit of equipment comes with a TL rating.

Cover most moveable craft that are not Starships. Each one gets a TL rating, an associated skill needed to operate, speed factors, crew/pilot and of course cost. Nothing is free in the Imperium. 

Spacecraft Operations

A mostly alphabetical listing of everything (mostly everything) that can go on in a ship. 

Space Combat

Similar to other versions and the combat chapter above. This details how ships can fight including movement, targeting, and firing phases. Along with damage and reactions.  The chapter is not large but remarkably detailed.

Spacecraft Construction

I think I would have put this chapter before combat.  Mayb put combat after Common Spacecraft.

Distinctions are made between interplanetary and interstellar spacecraft.  Like character creation, there is a helpful flowchart. 

Common Spacecraft

I rather love this chapter. This lists all sorts of spaceships with their details and a full color picture and some deck plans. This is also laid out so many of the ships have all their details on the facing pages. 

Many of these ships are found in previous versions of Traveller too. So it adds a nice bit of continuity to it all. 

Stuck near the end is psionics again. There are talents and powers and the Psion Career.  I have always liked the Psionic powers section in Traveller, but this one really makes me want to play one.  The Careers are all numbered 1 through 12 with the "Prisoner" at 13 (Navy for example is 8).  The Psion career is appropriately numbered "X."

Covers basic trade between the worlds/systems/colonies.  There is a huge d66 list of Trade Goods to be used by Referees. 

World and Universe Creation

This chapter feels more like Classic Traveller than the others. Sadly no equations to apease the math geek in me but a lot of information all the same. The section is not huge and I a sure there are additional books for more worlds out there.  But there is enough here to get you started.

The index is comprehensive and hyperlinked.

Unlike previous versions of Traveller there is no included adventure here.

Ok. What can we say here at the end?  Or in other words who should buy this Traveller and what does it have over other Editions/Versions?

Who Should Buy This?

Much like D&D is synomous with Fantasy Roleplaying, Traveller is synomous with SciFi Roleplaying.  IF you want to try science fiction out then for me the obvious first step is to see what Traveller is doing.

Traveller 2nd Ed 2016 vs. 2022

Both corebooks are still on the market now.  They are the same system.  I have both and while the rules are largely the same the organization of the 2022 version is much better.

Classic Traveller vs. Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition

Ah. The old-school vs. new-school debate. We live in a time where not only you can get new Traveller in print you can get old Traveller in print as well.  Which one should you play?  I think the choice comes down to experiences.  Both games really let you play the same game. Both games are fun. Both games take on some basic assumptions but largely leave the rest of the universe to your imaginations.

IF you started with any version of Traveller and enjoy that, then stick with that, but certainly check this one out.  IF you have never played any version of Traveller before then the Mongoose 2nd Edition, 2022 version is the one to get.  You can buy it at DriveThruRPG or your FLGS.

Mongoose Traveller vs. FFE Traveller

We owe a lot to Far Future Enterprises for getting all the Traveller books from 1977 up to today scanned and added as a PDF to both their website and to DriveThruRPG.  That is a huge debt we owe them.  However, I can't exactly recommend Traveller 5 over Mongoose's version. There might be content in the FFE Traveller 5 that I could port over. But I think to show my appreciation for what they have done, I'll keep buying the older Traveller materials.

In the end, for me, Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition is, right now, the best Traveller I can buy. 

I'll make an effort to grab a print version the next time I am at my FLGS.  Right now there is no Print on Demand version for the 2022 edition.

This would be the nominal end of my Traveller reviews, but not so fast. There is still a THIRD way to play "Traveller" that is active and in print today.  

2 comments:

Great Review! There are two main differences between the 2016 core book and the 2022 core book: 1) SAMPLE SUBSECTOR + PATRONS: The 2016 version includes a sample subsector in the last chapter. The Sindal Subsector includes descriptions of some major systems and patrons and 'quests' that could be used in those systems. The 2022 core book does NOT have that chapter. 2) SHIP CONSTRUCTION: The 2016 core book does NOT include spacecraft construction rules of any kind. The 2022 book DOES contain a chapter on spacecraft construction. If you purchase the 2016 core book you will be forced to buy HIGHGUARD to learn how to create any type of ship.

From what I've seen, this is a pretty solid edition mechanically and the overall look is quite slick, although still not up to those old Chris Foss covers (shame about what they were wrapped around, though). Unfortunately, I swore never to make the mistake of buying anything from Mongoose ever again well over a decade ago and I'm sticking to that, so I'll certainly never own this iteration of Traveller.

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The 15 Best Things To Do On Edisto Island, South Carolina

Appreciate The Outdoors And Wildlife

Explore the island’s history, go shopping around town, try the local cuisine.

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Where Southern charm meets beautiful natural surroundings and rich history, you’ll find South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Among beloved vacation destinations like Hilton Head , Beaufort , and Bluffton , the Lowcountry is home to several smaller towns that don’t get as much attention but are just as worthy of a visit. South Carolina’s Sea Islands, located just off the coast of the mainland, are exactly the types of under-the-radar beach towns that make the perfect getaway. On Edisto Island, pronounced ED-IS-TOE (kind of like Eddie's Toe), you won’t find any high-rise condos or hotels, chain restaurants, or neon signs. Instead, you’ll discover uncrowded beaches, scenic tidal creeks and rivers, and charming beach houses and rentals that are suitable and affordable for any group size. Just 42 miles from bustling Charleston , time has a way of slowing down on Edisto Island. As you cruise the 14-mile-long Edisto Island National Scenic Byway on the way into town, you’ll find yourself taking one big exhale. By the time you make it onto the island, any worries will be long gone. Here are the best things to do on Edisto Island.

Spend Time At Edisto Beach State Park

You may be tempted to spend your entire day on the beach at Edisto Beach State Park, and we wouldn’t blame you. The better thing to do is spend a day relaxing on the serene shoreline, then come back the following day to discover everything else the park has to offer. Wander along trails that take you through hammock islands, maritime forests, and eventually to the Environmental Learning Center. While there, take time to learn about the island’s history and the types of flora and fauna that call it home. If you're keen to stay even longer, you can book a campsite or cabin, and spend the night.

southcarolinaparks.com/edisto-beach ; 8377 State Cabin Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-2156

 Visit The Serpentarium

Courtesy of SC Lowcountry Tourism

This zoo and education center focused solely on reptiles was the vision of brothers Ted and Heyward Clamp, who translated 50 years of snake hunting and adventure into the state’s first serpentarium in 1999. Home to incredible indoor and outdoor exhibits of alligators, turtles, lizards, and of course, snakes, a visit to this attraction is a one-of-a-kind experience.

edistoserpentarium.com ; 1374 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-1171

Experience The Island’s Natural Ecosystems At Botany Bay

Officially called the Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area, this 4,630-acre tract of land is the most historically and ecologically significant property on the island. Formerly privately owned and the site of a plantation, the land is now managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Visitors can experience Botany Bay’s gorgeous natural ecosystems that include maritime forests, salt marsh, tidal creeks, freshwater ponds, and hammock islands. If you visit, be sure to spend time on the beach, where the elements have bleached fallen trees bone-white, creating a striking sight to see.

Bike The Edisto Island Bike Path

If you want to see Edisto Island the right way, ditch the car and its noisy engine and opt for the sweet nostalgia of traveling on two wheels. Bike rentals can be found at Edisto Essentials or Island Bikes and Outfitters . Once you’ve snagged a set of wheels, set out on the Edisto Island Bike Path, a five-mile, flat-terrain trail that takes you all over town. If you get tired along the way, there are plenty of shops and restaurants where you can take a quick pitstop to refuel or rest.

See The Edisto Island Museum Exhibits

Edisto Island has always been home to someone. The island got its name in the 1500s thanks to the Edistow Native Americans, but it has seen many lives since then. Learn all about the many people groups, from Native Americans to Spanish pirates to English settlers to wealthy cotton planters to enslaved people, who have lived on the island and influenced its development at The Edisto Island Museum. The museum’s newest permanent exhibit called “From Africa to Edisto Island: The Gullah Story” gives voice to the rich history of Gullah culture on the sea islands. 

edistomuseum. org ; 123 Chisolm Plantation Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-1954

Explore The ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge

A former rice plantation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now protects this land that’s part of the larger 350,000-acre Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin System, the largest undeveloped wetland ecosystem on the Atlantic Coast. Spend a day hiking or biking around the land that’s home to all kinds of wild species, from fish to migratory and resident birds to reptiles. Guests can also fish, hunt, and visit the Oak Grove Plantation House, a late-Federal plantation-style home that’s on the National Register of Historical Places and now holds the refuge’s offices.

Buy Something For Everyone At The Shops Of Edisto Beach

Courtesy of Sabal & Oak

You’ll find two separate places to shop at one address here, which makes it an ideal place to spend an afternoon browsing. South Edisto Trading Co., also known as SET Co., offers branded T-shirts and apparel to commemorate your visit. At Sabal & Oak, find boutique clothing, accessories, and gifts.

shopsofedisto.com ; 114 Jungle Road, Edisto Island, SC 29438

Find A Beach Read At Edisto Island Bookstore

Edisto Island may be small, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to cross back over to the mainland to find everything you need for an outstanding weekend away. Any good beach trip requires an equally great beach read, and you can find the right novel to match your mood at the Edisto Island Bookstore, which has been a fixture on the island since 1989. Inside the quaint shop, search through shelves of used and new books in every genre. Just be sure to give shop cat Emily Grace a little scratch under the chin before setting off.

edistobookstore.com ; 547 SC-174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-1885

Find Handmade Art At With These Hands Gallery

With These Hands has promoted the arts in Edisto Beach for more than 37 years. The gallery showcases local and national art across a number of mediums, including pottery, glass, paintings, photography, jewelry, metal, fiber, and prints. Inside the colorful gallery and shop, you can find something perfect to accent your home, be it a framed oil painting of a South Carolina sunset or a handwoven seagrass basket to display on your dining table.

withthesehandsgallery.com ; 547 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-3509

Meet Locals At Revel Gifts & Gourmet Foods

Not just a specialty store, but a community gathering space, Revel is known for bringing the community together. Inside, you’ll find all kinds of gourmet food gifts from Bloody Mary mix to gourmet sea salt. You’ll also find a huge selection of gifts ranging from bath and body products to art to tableware. The real magic of Revel lies in its events. Stop by to hear live music on the porch, or come for Revel Reveal, where local artists have a chance to share their new work with the community.

revelshops.com ; 438 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-631-1096

Sample South Carolina Specialties At Briny Swine Smokehouse & Oyster Bar

Courtesy of Briny Swine

If there’s two things the state of South Carolina does right its barbecue and fresh seafood. At Briny Swine, you can get excellent versions of both (hence the name). Celebrating the Southern traditions of oyster roasting and pig picking, Briny Swine offers a simple menu of smoked meats and raw seafood. For the perfect pairing, start with a half-dozen roasted oysters (topped with barbecue butter, roasted garlic and parmesan, or charred jalapeno), then indulge in the brisket plate served with two sides and a roll.

brinyswine.com ; 3731 Docksite Rd., Edisto Beach SC 29438; 843-631-1460

Eat Like A Local At Whaley’s Restaurant & Bar

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves a local secret, then you’ll be right at home at Whaley’s, a former gas station that’s known for its top-notch seafood. Opened in 1948 (and one of the island’s oldest establishments), Whaley’s isn’t particularly fancy—except when it comes to the quality of the food. Order the crab cake or shrimp and grits. A tiki-style drink, listed on the menu as a “local libation,” is also a must.

whaleyseb.com ; 2801 Myrtle Beach, Edisto Beach, SC 29438; 843-869-2161

Treat Yourself To Dinner At Ella & Ollie’s

The Plantation Course at Edisto , the island’s only golf course, offers stunning views and is a favorite for linksmen visiting the island. But its restaurant Ella & Ollie’s, owned by Brandon and Katherine Rushing, the same duo behind Briny Swine, is the universal winner. Focusing on seasonality and locality, the restaurant is a special occasion place that doesn’t feel stuffy. Though you won’t be prompted to wear a jacket to dinner, you’ll still get to dine on gourmet dishes like Wagyu beef carpaccio, pan-seared scallops, and grilled elk chop. Lowcountry influence in creations like Quail & Hoe Cakes and Grit Puppies with andouille, smoked gouda, and pepper jelly gives diners an elevated taste of the region.  

ellaandollies.com ; 21 Fairway Drive, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-4968

Enjoy Waterfront Seating At Coot’s Bar & Grill

If a meal with a view of the water sounds right up your alley, you’ve got two options: pack a picnic for the beach or head to Coot’s Bar & Grill. As the island’s only beachfront restaurant, you won’t find a better view than the one from the back deck of this casual eatery. Look out for live music and drink specials on most nights of the week. If you’re wondering what to order, you ca’t go wrong with their famous hamburger or a classic fried shrimp po’boy.

facebook.com/cootsbarandgrill ; 102 Palmetto Blvd, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-631-1366

Buy Fresh Produce At George and Pink’s

SC Lowcountry Tourism

The family behind George and Pink’s has been farming on Edisto Island for more than 50 years, which means their crops—and their business—have stood the test of time. Pull off Highway 174 onto the sandy Eddingsville Beach Road and you’ll find this produce paradise shaded under the arms of ancient oak trees. In the summer, you can pick up tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, okra, watermelon, peaches, and more. Each season brings a different selection. Once you’ve stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies to get you through your stay on the island, treat yourself to a slice of fruit pie or some boiled peanuts as a reward for your future healthy eating.

7971 Eddingsville Beach Rd, Edisto Island, SC 29438; 843-869-2425

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