With F&D now out (in beta) I was wondering how y'all would build a pugilist. The idea being that the character is a melee specialist that does not use a lightsaber (who wants the attention it attracts, am I right?). I'm thinking like a teras kasi master.

I'd like to use as little as possible from other books, relying on F&D for as much as possible. I know the Marauder spec from Edge would do the job, but that's out of the scope of F&D.

For Race, humans are always a good, well-rounded choice. The Nautolans seem passable with a starting 3 Brawn, but the 1 Willpower isn't that great for a Force-sensative.

From what I'm reading, starting spec of Guardian: Soresu Defender. Just ignore reflect, defensive circle, and strategic form (since they all require a lightsaber). Everything else but the required Soresu Form can be used without a glowstick. Guardian: Protector is a nice in-career spec to branch off into with access to Force protection and a variety of +Strain/+Wound talents. Seeker: Ataru Striker has a nice left-hand column that gives dodge and parry. Warrior: Shii-Cho Knight also has a good assortment of non-lightsaber talents, too.

Gear would be a combat knife (cheap and the parry talent requires a Melee weapon) and a pair of Refined Cortosis Gauntlets for the pugilist theme (even though the description makes it sound like it should be considered a Melee weapon for purposes of the parry talent). Throw on the weighted head from Edge (the only non-F&D aspect of this character) to improve the damage.

Force powers: Enhance seems like the best bet—only 20XP to add Force dice to Brawl checks! Misdirects and sense both have great commit effects for passive bonus. The Protect/Unleash power, emphasis on Protect, will help against ranged attacks until you get in close to beat them up with your gauntlets.

How does that sound to all y'all? Critiques welcomed!

-EF

Is the text of the Parry talent "Melee" or "melee"? Because Brawl weapons and lightsabers are included under "melee."

(EDIT: for clarification)

The exact wording on the parry talent:

When the character suffers a hit from a Brawl, Melee, or Lightsaber combat check, after damage is calculated (but before soak is applied, so immediately after step 3 of Perform a Combat Check, page 148), the character may take a Parry incidental. He suffers 3 strain and reduces the damage dealt by that hit from the attack by a number equal to two plus his ranks in Parry. This talent may only be used when the character is wielding a Lightsaber or Melee weapon.

So Melee with a capital M.

-EF

So Melee with a capital M.

Bah. Sweet talk the ST into allowing it include Brawl for the Talent... or to allow the Gauntlets be counted as Brawl and Melee,

So Melee with a capital M.

Bah. Sweet talk the ST into allowing it include Brawl for the Talent... or to allow the Gauntlets be counted as Brawl and Melee,

Once we get a F&D Beta forum, I'm going to suggest that the gauntlets count as Melee weapons for talents such as this. The description makes it sound like it'll work.

-EF

So Melee with a capital M.

Bah. Sweet talk the ST into allowing it include Brawl for the Talent... or to allow the Gauntlets be counted as Brawl and Melee,

Once we get a F&D Beta forum, I'm going to suggest that the gauntlets count as Melee weapons for talents such as this. The description makes it sound like it'll work.

-EF

I agree. Just a bit of text at the end, something like "these gauntlets can be used to activate the Parry talent." This is fluff-friendly, lore-friendly, and just a good idea in general

out in beta??? i didnt see the beta books for sale in the shop page.

out in beta??? i didnt see the beta books for sale in the shop page.

It's at GenCon, been in many people's hands for a couple days now. But no notice thus far on the availability outside of gencon.