Hi all! I'm completely new to tabletop RPGs. My friends introduced me to D&D a while ago, but I haven't really played enough to get a hang of all the crazy checks, but Edge of the Empire took my interest since the dice system seems simple enough and, you know, Star Wars.

My copy of the core rulebook arrived today, so I had a quick read through the first few chapters and decided to see if I could do the most simple of the simple and build a character. I used one of the generators on here to help me, and I came up with this idea for a mechanic. Am I doing this right? I know the generator leaves only a little wiggle room to mess it up, but I thought I better check and make sure I was on the right track before I start trying to talk my friends into playing or trying to join something on Roll20. Thanks in advance!

Only thing that jumps out at me is that you usually can't start play with more than 2 ranks in a skill (making Skulduggery and Mechanics too high).

Personally, I'd spend as much of my starting XP on characteristics as possible - while it's easy to put skills up and buy new talents, characteristics only increase once per Specialisation (by buying the Dedication talent). Consider pumping Brawn or Agility to 3.

That makes sense I think I'm used to video game RPGs where the two are separated from one another.

I'll have another go later, but I think I should be good after this. Thanks for the help!

Consider pumping Intelligence to 4 for a mechanic, buying a tool kit or a hand scanner instead of a blaster, or picking the +5 obligation for 1000 credits so that you can have enough for a tool kit + a decent blaster. If you're intent on keeping the blaster, your human racial ability allows you to pick up Ranged Blaster Light at 1 rank, check the species tab. Or do whatever, these are just suggestions for a more optimal mechanic, but optimal isn't necessary in this game.

I don't know whether you did this while building your character but another "trick" is when a skill a Specialisation provides repeats a skill the Career provides (Mechanic, in your case) it's a big hint that the game wants your character to be good at this. By giving you the option of taking a free rank in each, the game offers a small numerical incentive to do this.

And don't forget to pick up 1d100 credits.

Follow the advice in the core rulebook to spend as much of your beginning XP into chatacteristics, a because this is the only time you can raise them with XP.

Everything has been hit on that I noticed, but I would like to reiterate bumping Intellect to 4. A 4 Intellect at the start for a Mechanic is huge making you the "smart go to guy". Our Mechanic has gotten more out of EotE than any other person at our table. A big reason for that is the players ability to think outside of the box and in the narrative along with the dice pool to make his ideas work.

Enjoy!

Our R2 unit mechanic is loved by all in the party as well and shines in a lot of situations!

Our R2 unit mechanic is loved by all in the party as well and shines in a lot of situations!

Boost Int to 5 for droids for 140xp. Dump stat, baby.

Cool, thanks for all the responses! I think I'm good to start trying to organise something with a few people now Just have to wait for my dice to arrive (well, maybe not. Might just get the app if I get impatient), but it should be long enough to do some research and pull together a fun campaign that isn't too railroaded

This one may be a bit meta.

Depending on your group, there are some skills you'll be asked to roll more than others. In Edge of the Empire you should regularly find yourself pitted against enemies that can't be taken head on. Think about the tasks that your group will undertake to avoid any direct conflicts that could turn your team in to a series of interesting puddles.

Noticing trouble in the first place - Perception, Vigilance

Avoiding trouble once you've found it - Stealth

Talking your way out of trouble once it's found you - Deception, Charm

Running away when that doesn't work - Athletics, Coordination

Getting out of the secure location where trouble is occuring - Skulduggery, Computers, Mechanic

Getting the first shot in when that isn't possible (or only shot, if you're Han) - Cool, Vigilance

That humans get one free rank in two skills makes them great for plugging any skill-gap your group may have.

This one may be a bit meta.

Depending on your group, there are some skills you'll be asked to roll more than others. In Edge of the Empire you should regularly find yourself pitted against enemies that can't be taken head on. Think about the tasks that your group will undertake to avoid any direct conflicts that could turn your team in to a series of interesting puddles.

Noticing trouble in the first place - Perception, Vigilance

Avoiding trouble once you've found it - Stealth

Getting in/out of a place where trouble occurs - Skulduggery, Computers, Mechanic

Talking your way out of trouble once it's found you - Deception, Charm

Running away when that doesn't work - Athletics, Coordination

Getting the first shot in when running isn't possible (or only shot, if you're Han) - Cool, Vigilance

That humans get one free rank in two skills makes them great for plugging any skill-gap your group may have.

This is where the character concept and background really should come in and makes making a character for EotE so fun.

Did he work for a Hutt fixing speeders for races?

Did he work at a local shop, but have a gambling problem?

Did he live in the middle of nowhere and have to fix his own stuff?

Where he came from and what he used to do should lead the way.

cheesewizard can you o up a pdf form of what you posted?

Running away when that doesn't work - Athletics, Coordination

Not going to lie this one made me think of Doctor Who.

I'd agree with the idea of a 4 intellect. My other suggestion would be to push back from the book and the character sheet and ask yourself what you want your guy to be? A mechanic is obvious, but is he going to be a mechanic that likes to gamble? Then you might want a 3 Presence and some love for Cool. Is he angry and in drunken brawls constantly? Some Brawn and points for Brawl then. Is he a sneaky fast talking swindler? Go with Cunning.

Having an idea of the kind of personality you want your character to have really helps guide your decisions of what to spend points on, particularly at creation.

With this character, I was kind of aiming for the reluctant hero type, just being dragged along for the ride because it's all he really knows now. So he would have been kind of shy and irritable, but ready to snap because he was under a lot of pressure all the time

I'd say points in Brawn and Brawl then if you want to put more snap in your snap.......