I did a search on the forums and the questions about them are over a year ago so forgive me if this is old news but as someone new to this game: can you play a Mandolarian as a PC?

You can play anything the GM allows.

Not officially. There are player made Mandalorians kicking around though.

Before that question can be answered, you're first going to have to define "Mandalorian." They're a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

So what is it that- in your mind- makes one Mandalorian? Is it the armor? The culture? The attitude? The gadgets? The Taung?

You could certainly be a guy from the planet Mandalore, they made that a thing.

Sure. Being a Mandalorian is about adhering to a philosophy. Test yourself against the best to make yourself stronger.

I'm GMing a new EotE campaign, and one of my players is playing a Mandalorian. Mechanically they're a standard Human, and as part of their Obligation they swore an Oath to follow...well, it's easier to cut-and-paste from their character sheet:

Tor Varad swore an oath to follow Resol’nare, the ancient code of the Mandalorians. Sometimes called the Six Actions, the oath requires a true Mandalorian to wear beskar’gam armor, speak Mando’a, defend himself and his family, raise his children as Mandalorians, contribute to the welfare of the clan, and, when called upon by Mandalore, go on crusade.

Ba'jur bal beskar'gam,

Ara'nov, aliit,

Mando'a bal Mand'alor—

An vencuyan mhi.

Or in Basic:

Education and armor,

Self-defense, our tribe,

Our language and our leader—

All help us survive.

I wish there was a good study guide for Mando'a, i rather suck when i try to use it at my Saga group.

I'm not a Mandalorian, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.....

Whip something up and hand it to your GM. If they go for it, Ta Dah! You're a Mandalorian!.....

Thanks for the help guys

Interesting that you can techncially play one as a Human but I thought FFG would have put out a Mandalore supplement at this point to make them their own species. Isn't Corelllian Human its own species?

Isn't Mandalore a culture made up of different races? I'm sure it will get touched on when a Bounty Hunter book is released.

I'm sure FFG will stay away from the Mando plight. With the revision to "Canon" that is going on right now, it would not be in their best interest to put out a source book or anything for them. Lucasfilm has already redefined what the Mandalorians are from the novels. They even have stated that Jango was not a Mando, Just a bounty hunter who happened to get a hold of some Mando armor. Right now we have different levels of Canon for the SW Universe. We have G, T, C and S. C-canon is where any novels are, and that can get over ruled by T-canon, TV canon. The Clone Wars series. So that series has put a huge hole in a lot of the novels that have come out. Leeland Chee and some others are reworking the idea of canon to be just Star Wars canon. There will be no more levels, so that means some of the things that have happened in books, comics, video games may get "wiped" out where they contradict each other...and there is a lot that does.

So I would not hold my breath on seeing anything Mando concrete from FFG any time soon.

But as far as your games and table, let your imaginations run wild and have fun with it. It is up to the GM if he wants to let that in his game or not.

Corellians are not technically a separate species. They are still human, just a slightly different race. It would be like having similar but unique stats for the human races on earth.

I'm sure FFG will stay away from the Mando plight. With the revision to "Canon" that is going on right now, it would not be in their best interest to put out a source book or anything for them. Lucasfilm has already redefined what the Mandalorians are from the novels. They even have stated that Jango was not a Mando, Just a bounty hunter who happened to get a hold of some Mando armor. Right now we have different levels of Canon for the SW Universe. We have G, T, C and S. C-canon is where any novels are, and that can get over ruled by T-canon, TV canon. The Clone Wars series. So that series has put a huge hole in a lot of the novels that have come out. Leeland Chee and some others are reworking the idea of canon to be just Star Wars canon. There will be no more levels, so that means some of the things that have happened in books, comics, video games may get "wiped" out where they contradict each other...and there is a lot that does.

So I would not hold my breath on seeing anything Mando concrete from FFG any time soon.

But as far as your games and table, let your imaginations run wild and have fun with it. It is up to the GM if he wants to let that in his game or not.

Corellians are not technically a separate species. They are still human, just a slightly different race. It would be like having similar but unique stats for the human races on earth.

I remember the Mandalorians from the Clone Wars and the Mandalore Clans from the, what was her name...Traviss? Boba Fett novels in the EU. I thought that this game would have some kind of variant rules for them but if the GM allows you to house rule ideas then I work with that. I just didn't know if FFG had some kind of official rules or statements about them.

Yeah..."Canon" is being reworked (Thank you Mouse) as a team was specifically put together to comb through the novels, TV, Movies, Comics, and I would tihnk RPGs in order to come up w/ a consistant and OFFICIAL Canon of the Star Wars Universe.

I personally would like to see what Beskur Armor would be before I would play a Mandalorian since Beskur Armor is the "Adamantium" of the Star Wars universe.

And if you have noticed the EU has been put on Hiatus until these next 3 movies are out, since the new series was supposed to come out already but is not now So ABRAHMS DO NOT MESS THESE MOVIES UP!!!!!

I remember the Mandalorians from the Clone Wars and the Mandalore Clans from the, what was her name...Traviss? Boba Fett novels in the EU. I thought that this game would have some kind of variant rules for them but if the GM allows you to house rule ideas then I work with that. I just didn't know if FFG had some kind of official rules or statements about them.

Traviss helped redefine Mandalorians as a culture that absorbed anyone of any species, though it was predominantly human. Opinions on how Traviss handled the Mandalorians are mixed. She had a tendency to be something of a mandophile, and anything that wasn't Mando "just wasn't as good." For some people, even people amicable or ambivalent to the idea (myself included), her constant preaching became grating after a while.

The writers of The Clone Wars (perhaps to snub Traviss, and a bunch of other Star Wars fans?) tried to re-write Mandalorians as a planet full of pacifists that gave up "violence" long, long ago. In this bizarro (well, children's) version of the Galaxy Far Far Away, Jango Fett was exiled/evil/whatever for not being a human variant of The Clone Wars' other Mary-Sue, all-pacifist race, the Lurmen.

There was quite a bit of backlash against that, and from what I understand the pacifist "Mandalorians" were retconned to being a single clan of Mandalorians, and not at all representative of the Mandalore as a whole. The state of canon is a mess right now, however, and the Wookieepedia article on Mandalorians reflects that. The last time I read the talk page, some of the Wookieepedia editors appeared to be in open revolt against some of the Clone Wars episodes dealing with Mandalorians.

Most Fandos rightfully ignore the mess created by The Clone Wars (and the behind-the-scenes drama between Traviss and various other Star Wars authors) and just stick to what existed before, or whatever they like.

Wow, see, this is the stuff I don't get. You had an author that was hired to write some novels, and they did, but then George wants to keep telling HIS story, and decides that what has come before doesn't fit well with what he wants to tell, and then everyone hates him for it. I hate to tell you George/prequel/Clone Wars haters out there, but without all that, we would not have the new movies on the horizon. So while I do agree that when you have something that you love that is then decided not to fit into the Universe, it does suck. But the decision to make The Mando's pacifist, and change what had been published had nothing to do with making it more "children's" or whatever. George Lucas has stated that he never intended for Boba Fett or Jango Fett to ever have been Mandalorians in the prequels. So "fans" can recon what they want, but when people ***** about what George Lucas has done to his universe, they are no longer fans of Star Wars anymore. They have become fans of one other persons idea of of one thing in the that universe. For those of you all I can say is this, then why still cling to Star Wars, and then ***** about it. I am very happy that we have new movies, and shows coming instead of just novels, comics, and half assed video games.

Most "Fandos" aren't Star Wars fans then if they choose to dismiss the current continuity of the universe. While everyone is entitled to thier opinion, and I respect that, I just don't get when people say they love Star Wars, but keep bashing on the new stuff. Then you don't love it, you love one idea or one facet of it. And that is fine, love what you want to, but why put down the other parts you don't like? People act like GL is some hack ruining their ideas... When in reality it is quite the opposite. If you don't like it, don't watch it, read it, or play it. Not everyone has to like Firefly, Andromeda, BSG, TNG, DS9, SG1, or whatever.

Anyway, enough of my ranting here. My only point I was trying to make (without trying to start the Flaming Fan war of fire) was that don't expect FFG to even touch on the "Mandalorians" right now in any true capacity except for maybe an armor or weapon here and there. Why do we need "stats" on them anyway? If people want to play their idea of a Mando warrior and the GM will allow it then go for it. That is the greatest thing about a RPG, you can do what you want to do. In any game, be it shadowrun, SW, D&D, pathfinder, whatever. If I ran SW game and I want to kill Vader before episode IV, then I can, screw canon!

So enjoy what you enjoy, but in the process, why put down what you don't like? Everyone is different and we all enjoy different things, but why do most of us have to be disparaging on the things we disagree with?

Final note directly to Yoshi. If you truly believe that the writers and creators of the Clone Wars intentionally set out to "snub Traviss and a bunch of other Star Wars fans", you my friend need to find a new hobby or something. Perhaps join up with those guys that think the Earth is flat or 6,000 years old, or the lunar landing conspiracy folks...becuase saying that these writers, directors, and even George set out to destroy what "fans" love is just ludicrous...

Yes bulwyf, play as a Mando, or whatever you want and enjoy the game as you want. Not everyone can/will agree on everything, and as you know, the GM has final say on those things. Best of luck to you and your group.

I really enjoyed the clone wars treatment of mandalorians. I would be overjoyed if they continue that on. Star wars rebels has a female mandalorian on the crew. If I recall the death watch managed to convince most people to give up mandalores pacifist movement to reclaim the warrior (spacd viking) ways.

My problem is that if George does not like what the other writers do to his universe, why did he let them in the first place?

I mean, i can't just write novels, make PC games and such, keep his universe alive and his pockets filled with money to then just get a 'Nope, but thanks for the cash' and all that work gets tossed out. If he did not like it he could have intervened any time he wanted. But not after 20-30 years of nodding, smiling, and taking the cash.

As for the Mandos: I kinda liked the divided society, it got us some good stories.

But it will not be soon to get more official infos about them, and only then will FFG dare to put them into a book.

My problem is that if George does not like what the other writers do to his universe, why did he let them in the first place?

Easy. Money.

I had the chance to speak with Timothy Zahn at a Florida gaming convention (he attends due to being long-time friends with the folks that run the con) several years back (shortly after the release of Attack of the Clones) about writing for Star Wars, and one of the things he mentioned was that most of the writers go in with the full knowledge that George is the final authority, and that if he later decides to change something, then the writers have two options. Shrug their shoulders and go on writing, thereby collecting a paycheck, or raise a stink and not be asked to write anymore Star Wars stories.

Part of Traviss' issue was that she made some hilariously inaccurate estimations of troop strength for both the GAR and the Separatists, and when Lucas override those for something more sensible, she pitched a fit. There was already the growing backlash from her Mandophile preaching in the books she was writing, and this reaction to telling the guy ultimately in charge of the franchise, "no, you're the one that's wrong!" probably was a major factor in her no longer writing for the Star Wars franchise. The "Mandos are pacifists" was probably a 'take that!' on the part of the story team for TCW, taking full advantage of being armed with canon to stick the knife to what some have perceived as Traviss' fanwankery where all things Mandalorian are concerned.

Bulwyf,

Currently, there's no special rules for playing a Mandalorian. Simply choose a Human (or any other species really), take a few points' worth of Oath Obligation to reflect their adherence to the Mando Code, and pick a combat-centric career and specialization. Take some extra Obligation to get a decent weapon (at least a blaster carbine) and a set of Padded Armor, describe said armor as being in the Mando style but not quite the full set that Boba Fett and Jango Fett wore in the films (which is probably more akin to heavy battle armor), and you're good to roll.

I like the culture Traviss created for the Mando. I think when she got to writing beyond the clone commando novels she got a little preachy. But I think the base stuff on their culture was really good.

To the OP - As has been stated start with the Resol’nare oath. Maybe use it for credits to buy some armor, talk to your GM about house ruling some Mandalorian armor. It doesn't need to be uber, just that you need the armor for the Resol’nare.

As to the Mandalorian problem - I will preface this with a few things, I am a fan of the Traviss books, she's a former war correspondent and if you can get over her bias towards soldiers they are generally good reads. I'm a fan of her Mando culture, to the point where I have the Mandalorian prayer for the dead tattooed on my right shoulder with the Mythosour, as a memorial to lost friends and family.

That being said, I enjoyed the Clone Wars treatment of it. While it threw out some of Traviss' work I don't think it negated most of it. The Mandalorians in the TCW show had only recently become pacifists, Pre Vizsla's death watch were very similar to the Mandalorians we saw in the Republic Commando novels, aside from the only seeing humans aspect.

Wow, see, this is the stuff I don't get. You had an author that was hired to write some novels, and they did, but then George wants to keep telling HIS story, and decides that what has come before doesn't fit well with what he wants to tell, and then everyone hates him for it. I hate to tell you George/prequel/Clone Wars haters out there, but without all that, we would not have the new movies on the horizon. So while I do agree that when you have something that you love that is then decided not to fit into the Universe, it does suck. But the decision to make The Mando's pacifist, and change what had been published had nothing to do with making it more "children's" or whatever. George Lucas has stated that he never intended for Boba Fett or Jango Fett to ever have been Mandalorians in the prequels. So "fans" can recon what they want, but when people ***** about what George Lucas has done to his universe, they are no longer fans of Star Wars anymore. They have become fans of one other persons idea of of one thing in the that universe. For those of you all I can say is this, then why still cling to Star Wars, and then ***** about it. I am very happy that we have new movies, and shows coming instead of just novels, comics, and half assed video games.

Hey, now, let's tone back the nerd rage a bit, shall we?

First of all, nowhere did I state that I was some sort of mandophilic Traviss drone. In fact, while I did enjoy some of her novels, I specifically mentioned that her constant preaching got annoying after a while. Second, it is an undisputed fact that The Clone Wars created a huge mess as far as Star Wars continuity is concerned. You can't click on any article even tangentially related to the Clone Wars (the event, not the show) without having a disclaimer posted at the top of the page explaining that half of it is no longer canon and the other half doesn't fit into the pre-established timeline.

When George Lucas decides that he wants to license out some books to pay for an extension to his swimming pool full of money, the stories that are told aren't his stories. They may exist in a universe he conceived, but they're not his story. People don't hate George Lucas for telling "his" story, they hate the fact that people have been given license by George Lucas to "erase" some very well-done stories set in the Star Wars universe. This is a shared setting that thousands of people have contributed to over decades. It is frankly unfair to suggest that it is 100% the work of George Lucas.

As I have stated before, George Lucas benefits from peer review. When he does not have access to critical peer review, or when he gives someone carte blanche to write or change whatever they want, the result is inevitably of poorer quality than it would have been had it been peer reviewed. A wonderful example of this is how Star Wars could have turned out had George Lucas not been surrounded by people with the testicular fortitude to tell him "no."

Mr. Lucas, for all the wonderful things he has given us through Star Wars, lacks that today and that absence of criticism is probably the underlying reason for why the Prequels were (as a whole) weaker than the Original Trilogy. If we're making the "Lucas approved it, therefore it is superior and no one has any right to be critical" argument, then can't the same be said for literally every work ever published under the name "Star Wars?" Are we really saying that anything "new" is automatically better and "more true to Star Wars" than everything that has come before? If George Lucas had other stories that he wanted to tell, why did he approve the contradictory stories in the first place?

George Lucas is not infallible. I will not apologize for suggesting that his work, or the work of his designees be thoroughly criticized. Criticism makes Star Wars better. Please don't present this as a false dichotomy where one must gobble up The Clone Wars like pigs at a trough or not be considered a True Fan. Star Wars is bigger than any one of our preferences, and believe it or not, it's possible to be a fan of Star Wars without automatically liking every contradictory facet of the EU. I'd also like to point out that George Lucas may be credited with making Star Wars, but it is no longer his universe. He sold the rights to it.

I never stated that making Mandalorians a bunch of pacifists was done with the aim of making the show appeal more to children. What I was saying is that The Clone Wars is a show written for and marketed towards children. They are the target audience. That doesn't mean the show can't be viewed or enjoyed by adults, but let's be honest here: this isn't a cerebral anime.

Perhaps you love anything passing itself off as Star Wars, and can enjoy it uncritically. That's fine. It is your right to do so. As for me, along with many other Star Wars fans, I will be waiting until after I have seen the new movie(s) to pass judgment.

[controversy]I personally think the easiest way to resolve most of the canon issues is to break Star Wars continuity into two different classes: one for kids and one for grownups. The Clone Wars and Rebels can hang out with the rest of Star Wars media that was aimed at children, contradicts other canon, and/or isn't thematically appropriate, like the Young Jedi Knights and the Galaxy of Fear book series. [/controversy]

Final note directly to Yoshi. If you truly believe that the writers and creators of the Clone Wars intentionally set out to "snub Traviss and a bunch of other Star Wars fans", you my friend need to find a new hobby or something. Perhaps join up with those guys that think the Earth is flat or 6,000 years old, or the lunar landing conspiracy folks...becuase saying that these writers, directors, and even George set out to destroy what "fans" love is just ludicrous...

Was it hard, knocking that strawman over?

Here's my exact quote: The writers of The Clone Wars (perhaps to snub Traviss, and a bunch of other Star Wars fans?) tried to re-write Mandalorians as a planet full of pacifists that gave up "violence" long, long ago.

Personal attacks notwithstanding, I made that comment that offended you so partially in jest. There is a well established history of petty conflict between Traviss and other authors in the EU- particularly Troy Denning. Most people who followed the books closely are at least somewhat aware of it. This really isn't the realm of conspiracy theories (or mocking the deeply held beliefs of certain religious groups?) but more of an acknowledgement of how petty and vindictive the writing process has been any time the subject matter veered towards Mandalorians.

As an aside, I find it a teensy bit ironic that you spent an entire paragraph accusing anyone who didn't like The Clone Wars as being not a True Fan, but then went on to say that people should use whatever parts of canon they enjoy, and not to be disparaging to things they disagree with. You'll notice that I said pretty much the same thing at the end of my post as well. If the Fandos don't like it, they can (and should) ignore it.

Part of Traviss' issue was that she made some hilariously inaccurate estimations of troop strength for both the GAR and the Separatists, and when Lucas override those for something more sensible, she pitched a fit. There was already the growing backlash from her Mandophile preaching in the books she was writing, and this reaction to telling the guy ultimately in charge of the franchise, "no, you're the one that's wrong!" probably was a major factor in her no longer writing for the Star Wars franchise. The "Mandos are pacifists" was probably a 'take that!' on the part of the story team for TCW, taking full advantage of being armed with canon to stick the knife to what some have perceived as Traviss' fanwankery where all things Mandalorian are concerned.

This.

Star Wars is bigger than any one of our preferences, and believe it or not, it's possible to be a fan of Star Wars without automatically liking every contradictory facet of the EU. I'd also like to point out that George Lucas may be credited with making Star Wars, but it is no longer his universe. He sold the rights to it.

Star Wars has been bigger than George Lucas for a very long time. I'm glad he finally realized it and gave up his stranglehold on the universe.

I'm quite a fan of the TCW treatment of Mandalorians. It made sense. Looking at the history of the Mandos, you've got a cycle of power, where the Mandos start to take territory before the Republic (or, as the case may be, Jedi Order) bats them down. It's not chance that these rises and ebbs coincide with wars between Republic and Sith. Historically, the Mandalorians serve as Sith cannon fodder. Eventually someone is going to piece that together and start working to stop that endless cycle. I guess it took the public eradication of the Sith to make the Mandos rethink their station in life. No longer could they count on someone to help them beat the Jedi because "This time is going to be different!"

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Eventually, the group is going to wise up and do what needs to be done to maintain prosperity over the long haul. That's Satine.

And, yes, there are going to be those who believe the old ways are best, and they will strive to return their people to them. That's Vizsla.

The pacifism was explained in the Essential Guide to Warfare that the Old Republic wanted to stop that cycle by crushing the Mandos around 740 BBY and installed a new goverment that due to the lost conflict preached non-violence.

Of course that could not sit well with all the clans.

And that got us a few IMO nice episodes about the struggle within an old proud warrior society that ended with the planet in a civil war.