Hey all. I am in love with this game. We've played around ten sessions so far and it has been absolutely magical. So what I want to know is, should I buy the AoR Beta? The Beta is only around $25 at my local game store. If I ever were to buy it, buying now seems like a wise idea. But whenever I thumb through the book (done this around eight times), it seems like it's mostly just the exact same rules as EotE, but with new career specializations and a few new ship stats. The weapons and mods are all the same.

If I'm pressed for money, is it worth buying? Or is there not all that much new stuff in it?

At this point I'd probably wait for the AoR corebook to be released, it should only be a few months away, if that. If you are pressed for cash... probably best to save for the completed work.

On the other hand, I do find the beta book a good quick reference in regards to those 'exact same rules' portions (Combat, Equipment, Space), as it isn't cluttered by as much fluff or art work.

The bulk of the rules are exactly the same. This is intentional to promote intermixing the game lines. The differences are in some specs (some of them now reprinted in other Edge products), ships, species, and of course the Duty mechanic.

But if you're strapped for cash, at this point you might just want to wait til the full version comes out.

The only reason to get the beta now is if

A) You find a screaming deal somewhere

B) You really need the canned game in the back (that will more than likely be replaced)

Otherwise, I'd just get the real McCoy in a couple months.

As much as I want ALL of what is FFG's SWRPG, I refuse to buy BETAs. The CRB will have changes in it, and as much as it pains me, I can wait. I wear big boy pants now.

Just save the money for the next sourcebook.

Two questions:

How badly do you want it? How badly do you need it?

If you're a die-hard collector, and have to have everything in the line, then you'll probably want the beta for the sake of completion. $25 for the Age of Rebellion Beta is not a bad deal at all, especially if it comes with the pregens. The basic rules contained within will not deviate a great deal from the Edge of the Empire core rulebook because the system was much more mature during the Age of Rebellion Beta than it was during the Edge of the Empire Beta. For general rules purposes, the Age of Rebellion Beta is a much less expensive copy of the rules. You also will have access to things that aren't included in the Edge of the Empire core rulebook, such as the Duty mechanic, and all of the new careers and specializations.

That said, some of the items specific to the Age of Rebellion game (vehicles in particular) underwent major changes during the beta, and more changes will likely appear between the last beta update and the Age of Rebellion core rulebook. The Age of Rebellion core rulebook will most likely be in stores (in North America) in May, or early June, meaning that you'll get a more complete book with more art and "fluff" than you would by purchasing the beta.

On the other hand, the Age of Rebellion core rulebook has an MSRP of $60, though you can buy it for less at certain retailers. If it won't bust your budget, the core rulebook might be worth the extra $17 and month or so of waiting.

As an aside, I did a quick Ebay search and discovered that there are only a handful of Edge of the Empire beta copies floating around there anymore, and all of them are selling for more than their cover price. Prices on Amazon are a little bit better, but it's getting rarer.

I got it very cheap and my main reason for getting it was to check out the new specialisations and the Operation Shell Game adventure.

I'm kind of not buying it on principle. I did buy the Dark Heresy II Beta but that was because it was a PDF deal and I could recoup the cost against the real product when it was released. I'm not paying for a test version of their rules separately. Especially when it's a second release of the same rules they've had all the testing of with EotE and therefore there's even less need for a Beta.

I already think it's dubious enough that the games are being released as separate product lines with so much duplication of background and rules, instead of a single core rules book and then supplements.

I'm kind of not buying it on principle. I did buy the Dark Heresy II Beta but that was because it was a PDF deal and I could recoup the cost against the real product when it was released. I'm not paying for a test version of their rules separately. Especially when it's a second release of the same rules they've had all the testing of with EotE and therefore there's even less need for a Beta.

I already think it's dubious enough that the games are being released as separate product lines with so much duplication of background and rules, instead of a single core rules book and then supplements.

We actually get more even with the duplication this way. It also allows one to focus on the type of game they want to run including combining different parts.

As to the selling the beta. This is not FFGs fault it is a result of Lucas's idiotic license that excludes a PDF product because it is an "Electronic" game and Lucas arts had that license. So they have to print the beta. Which has a cost involved.

I'm kind of not buying it on principle. I did buy the Dark Heresy II Beta but that was because it was a PDF deal and I could recoup the cost against the real product when it was released. I'm not paying for a test version of their rules separately. Especially when it's a second release of the same rules they've had all the testing of with EotE and therefore there's even less need for a Beta.

I already think it's dubious enough that the games are being released as separate product lines with so much duplication of background and rules, instead of a single core rules book and then supplements.

We actually get more even with the duplication this way. It also allows one to focus on the type of game they want to run including combining different parts.

As to the selling the beta. This is not FFGs fault it is a result of Lucas's idiotic license that excludes a PDF product because it is an "Electronic" game and Lucas arts had that license. So they have to print the beta. Which has a cost involved.

Well I'm sticking to my belief that putting the rules and core background material in one book and then doing career and background extensions for AoR and FaD would be better, but I did not know that about the PDFs and fully agree that is utterly idiotic. And extremely frustrating. I would very much like to buy PDF versions of these products.

I got it very cheap and my main reason for getting it was to check out the new specialisations and the Operation Shell Game adventure.

That's one great point I neglected to mention in my first post. The module included in the Age of Rebellion beta will probably never be printed again outside of the Age of Rebellion beta. The adventure contained in the core rulebook will probably be different.

Here is one potential upside to having some duplicate information in each of the main books (EotE, AoR, F&D). If other people in your game group also want to have a set of the core rules, they don't necessarily have to buy the same rulebook you have. If they buy the AoR book, while you already have EotE, that means they get access to all the important main rules but it will also bring the different new stuff from the book into your game (classes, races, equipment, starships etc). So there's a little silver lining if you are so inclined to look for one

Can't please everyone. There are people who want to play only Force-user games that would complain about having to buy two books to do so. No matter the format there will always be unhappy people.

The biggest value after the AoR CB drops will be the adventure. So if the price is right I think it would be worth it.

I don't spend the time or money on betas, myself. I don't see any value in them for my games. The included adventure is somewhat intriguing, but otherwise I can wait on the main Corebook releases. On a secondary note I don't want to encourage the practice in general. I give FFG a lot of money and own a mountain of their products already, but the paid "beta" thing just isn't something that I can get behind.

Here is one potential upside to having some duplicate information in each of the main books (EotE, AoR, F&D). If other people in your game group also want to have a set of the core rules, they don't necessarily have to buy the same rulebook you have. If they buy the AoR book, while you already have EotE, that means they get access to all the important main rules but it will also bring the different new stuff from the book into your game (classes, races, equipment, starships etc). So there's a little silver lining if you are so inclined to look for one

That is true, I had not thought of that.

Hey all. I am in love with this game. We've played around ten sessions so far and it has been absolutely magical. So what I want to know is, should I buy the AoR Beta? The Beta is only around $25 at my local game store. If I ever were to buy it, buying now seems like a wise idea. But whenever I thumb through the book (done this around eight times), it seems like it's mostly just the exact same rules as EotE, but with new career specializations and a few new ship stats. The weapons and mods are all the same.

If I'm pressed for money, is it worth buying? Or is there not all that much new stuff in it?

There were errata released to the Beta book. The talents as printed have a few changes as do one or two of the trees and the Universal Recruit spec wasn't in the Beta. I've got Beta and will probably get the full version as well. I'm not wealthy but it's an affordable indulgence for me. If money was more restricted I'd say wait for the full version which should be out shortly.

If I'm pressed for money, is it worth buying?

No. Spend $40 in a month or two and get the final Core rules.

No

I bought both betas. My problem is that I have been a credited playtester for a few games, even having to take a crash course in learning the game from the game designer so I could demostrate the game in it's first appearance at Gencon Indy.

Saying that I often am very good at memorizing game rules, or having a "Feel" that allows me to at least know to look it up.

The problem I had with Both Core book Beta's is that the rules changed slightly when it was published, and without a FAQ or Errata it was hard for me to notice the changes until it was pointed out.

As regards the adventure in the beta book (which I don't have), I recall that in the press release for the AoR GM kit, one of the selling points for that product is some sort of tips and advice to string the adventures in the beta book, core book, and GM kit into a full-on campaign (Aor Beginner Box might be in there, too). When I read that, my first thought was, "FFG must still have a big stack of AoR betas that they want to sell!"

So, if you like pre-written adventures and you're thinking of buying the beta book for that, I'd bet that the price will continue to drop exponentially in the weeks before the full core book comes out.

I know people bemoan FFG a lot, but I actually think they can be reasonable. I know there is some people saying they're releasing a pointless GM screen for AoR, but they do include an adventure to run and considering the GM screen for EotE is perhaps the best pre-written adventure of all the adventures (excluding Beyond the Rim and The Jewel of Yavin), I think its okay. Besides...the company has to make money to continue making this stuff.

Actually, in addition to the module included with the GM screen, one of their biggest selling points is the inclusion of rules for "squads and squadrons," that many people anticipate being the oft-requested mass combat rules.

I know people bemoan FFG a lot, but I actually think they can be reasonable. I know there is some people saying they're releasing a pointless GM screen for AoR, but they do include an adventure to run and considering the GM screen for EotE is perhaps the best pre-written adventure of all the adventures (excluding Beyond the Rim and The Jewel of Yavin), I think its okay. Besides...the company has to make money to continue making this stuff.

What?!? They need to make money??............

You may laugh 2P51! But some seem to be under the assumption that a lot of what they do is a con to make money, and that is just not acceptable! Usually people use the 'You never have enough dice' argument to show that FFG is an underhanded developer.

I completely disagree with the idea and notion. People can be in it for the art and the love, but that don't pay the bills on its own!

You may laugh 2P51! But some seem to be under the assumption that a lot of what they do is a con to make money, and that is just not acceptable! Usually people use the 'You never have enough dice' argument to show that FFG is an underhanded developer.

I completely disagree with the idea and notion. People can be in it for the art and the love, but that don't pay the bills on its own!

I'm fine with paying for things. I have a pile of purchased FFG products to prove it. What makes me wary is where I have to pay for things I don't want to get the things I do want. That's long been a practice I disapprove of. I already have the rules, and the background, which constitute about 60% of the book at a quick estimate. By repeating all of this and making it the only way I can get the parts I do want, I'm paying for things I do not want.

And that is the essence of the complaint. Many are happy to pay for what they want. Many resent being forced to pay for things they do not want. That is a reasonable position.

and in that regards, you are within your right to complain. However the entire concept of this system was three separate game lines that could interconnect with each other to produce a much larger experience if that is what the players wanted.

To make that possible you could release a single smaller core rulebook with just the core rules and then have the Edge, Rebellion and Destiny stuff as separate sourcebooks. The problem there is development time VS return. To do that they'd basically have to shove everything out in pretty much one big bang. Which is expensive for our wallets and for theirs.

In staggering the release, they can continue to fund the lines. Money made from EotE goes into AoR, money made from AoR goes into FaD, and so on.

You can't please everyone and for the most part I think that they have done a fairly good job. Plus what we have seen is that there are some mechanics that differ between the game lines, such as Obligation/Duty/(Destiny?), and having squad/squadron system for AoR. Minor tweaks and improvements, but improvements non the less.

Plus as new ideas about how things can be used they can throw that into the newer CRB.

Maybe in a few years, 2018 you'd see a Star Wars: Galaxy Edition of the FFG system which combines all 3 CRBs. If you can hold out for that omnibus, good on you. I however want my Star Wars fix and I am not ashamed of paying my dealer, FFG, for as many hits as I can get. A company as good as them deserves it.