I own the Star Wars Essential Atlas and have found it an invaluable tool in my games. Does anyone else use it as well?

I just picked this book up recently, and I already will want to take it with me to every game I run. The descriptions of the worlds and places are great reference. Many of them go into decades ABY, which isn't useful for my game, but it's still neat to have. the maps alone are fantastic. I am considering getting a second copy to butcher up good for the maps.

The later sections that detail the movies are good reference too.

I use it all the time, and I would suggest looking for the online updates and index. I enjoy scouring bookstores for deals on the Essential series books, they're great to have laying around the table come gametime.

I use it too since years (began with Saga Edition) and it´s really a great source.

Do the Core books for Edge, Age and Force have different planet profiles?

i found it to be a great help, and all the descriptions gave me several ideas for adventures. My group pilfering the frosty remains of Shadda-Bi-Boran would have never happened without this book.

I use it a lot, especially when my players run off the rails and I need ideas fast.

Do the Core books for Edge, Age and Force have different planet profiles?

They're comparable, but the game book profiles are focused on the ANH time and stress the planet's values in terms of game themes. In that regard, the profiles in EoE are more valuable for your EoE game than the profiles in TEA. That said, if you plan in broader terms, TEA is full of a lot of broadly applicable information.

I think his question was whether there are different profiles among the different Core RPG books. I don't have mine handy to confirm.

That said, I use the Atlas maps a lot to plan campaigns and sessions, mainly by looking up the systems on Wookieepedia to determine where I want an adventure to be set or where to move the action next. It's also useful for putting together a theater of operations for a Rebellion cell, criminal organization, smuggling ring, etc.

I used mine just the other day. I'm running a one-shot set during the Jedi Civil war and needed to know some planets near the edge of Sith territory. There's a section covering just that within the atlas. Money well spent.

Absolutely head over heels in love with my copy.
It's been invaluable for me.

I do

Thanks for mentioning this book, it looks great. I will be using it soon!

The Atlas is excellent as much because of the "extras" as the galaxy maps and planetary profiles. I very much do recommend it.

It is always on hand. Just as the encyclopedia is...

Does anyone recommend any of the other star wars essentials books for help with campaign settings?

I have the New Essential books for droids, alien species, starships, and weapons and tech. The pictures and info for each entry are great. And a couple of them have really good info in the first part of the book for different companies and corporations. There are a couple here and there illustrations showing groups of similar items - like one for blasters, and another one for speeder bikes.

I think these books are invaluable for this game. However, that being said, most or all of the information and pictures in the books can also be found on the wookieepedia, which is in your smartphone...

(Personally, I will always prefer actual books. But the Internet is sure handy these days.)

I use it to plan for campaigns. It also helped me cement the early galactic timeline in my head. I certainly recommend it.