If you have a plain hilt that costs 1 point, could you in fact put two crystals in it for the remaining 4 points (2 points for each)? If you were smart enough I think that this could be possible. Now I know there will probably be purists that will argue because it has never been done, perhaps there has not been a jedi smart enough.

Thoughts?

Standard Hilts (everything in table 5-7 on pg. 125) aren't attachments. Even though they don't do anything without a crystal or training emitter in them, the hilt is considered to be the base weapon. So just having a lightsaber hilt by itself doesn't cost any hard points. So adding in a crystal just takes up 2 hard points, leaving 3 total (or if such a thing as 2 crystals in a standard hilt were possible without further attachments, taking 4 hard points total, and leaving 1 hard point for use).

In the aspect of rules in regards to what you're trying to do with a Basic Lightsaber hilt, the rules specifically say "A lightsaber may have one and only one crystal installed in it," and this applies to all hilts (with the exception of the Double-Bladed Lightsaber, of course, but while you technically have two, it's still treated as one.)

But what, exactly, are you trying to achieve by having 2+ types of crystals in a lightsaber? Higher damage output? Stacking of effects?

Just more to create something a little different... not extra damage but more of the defensive bonus from a second one, or perhaps the ability for a couple of different abilities. Not for the extra damage, I actually play a passive jedi that would rather out think the situation. I would mostly be looking for something like extra defensive from a Loridan crystal.. I do see how some extremists could inadvertently power game the damage in an adverse fashion...

I think it would also be neat to create a sort of Swiss army lightsaber that you could use different crystals at a time..

I wanted to make an artifact that caused a bit of contention and constantly changed hands from light to dark side as both sides sought it out.

By default, you're only permitted a single lightsaber crystal per hit. So pick the crystal that you think does best what you want a lightsaber crystal to accomplish and go with it. If you want to take advantage of different crystals, then you'll need a separate lightsaber for each crystal.

As Lathrop noted, the hilt attachments are just that... attachments, added to the base hilt that's listed in the Equipment chapter under Lightsabers.

Sounds like you might be better off just going with two Lightsabers, one with defensive qualities you want (like Lorrdian as you noted), the other with whichever other qualities you're aiming for for standard attacks. You don't even technically need to attack with the defensive weapon to get its bonuses, just have it on and active in one of your hands. Or if you prefer just to have/use a single lightsaber at a time, then just switch between which one you use based on the situation.

If you really want to, you could discuss with the GM about it. See if you can't get some sort of attachment to enable crystal swapping that takes up 2 hard points, with each crystal also taking a normal 2 hard points (this would also force you or another player to use one of the handful of talents to enable an extra hard point). Maybe it takes a Maneuver or even an Action for the mechanism to alter its components so it can choose the crystal it flows energy through. I'd personally vote for an Action because by default, putting everything into a Lightsaber correctly typically (by new canon at least), requires the force to perfectly place it in. So you'd probably need to be using the force (which typically takes an action) in conjunction with the internal mechanics to get the new crystal situated properly.

I pretty much knew that answer... lol

There is the artificer that allows you to throw something extra on things... would that be something like an extra defensive added (providing it has that) on or does that mean you can add something completely different on OR does that only pertain to the hilts?

Sounds like you might be better off just going with two Lightsabers, one with defensive qualities you want (like Lorrdian as you noted), the other with whichever other qualities you're aiming for for standard attacks. You don't even technically need to attack with the defensive weapon to get its bonuses, just have it on and active in one of your hands.

Wow I never actually thought of that that way.

I pretty much knew that answer... lol

There is the artificer that allows you to throw something extra on things... would that be something like an extra defensive added (providing it has that) on or does that mean you can add something completely different on OR does that only pertain to the hilts?

I think it is called Intuitive Improvements and it will probably only allow me to put a curved hilt of my already extended superior one. (as it says Hard points_

I have considered the modifications to the Crystal Attachment as extra "crystal wafers" in the emitter beam. This is new canon as shown in Heir to the Jedi. You could always consider those extra crystals as simple narrative, without altering the balance of the game.

there are also talents that may do what you want. like shien has a talaent that adds defensive quality to your lightsaber.

By default, you're only permitted a single lightsaber crystal per hit. So pick the crystal that you think does best what you want a lightsaber crystal to accomplish and go with it. If you want to take advantage of different crystals, then you'll need a separate lightsaber for each crystal.

It's a good think I don't have powergamers at my table or someone would try to assemble a bandolier of lightsabers, each customized for something different. With Quick Draw, of course. Gotta be able to switch fast.

It's a good think I don't have powergamers at my table or someone would try to assemble a bandolier of lightsabers, each customized for something different. With Quick Draw, of course. Gotta be able to switch fast.

That just sounds fun. Though any PC in my game would have difficulties finding all those crystals.

It is fun... That's how I rolled in the KotOR games. Two sabers means double the perks and having one set for shot blocking and one set for massive criticals in a duel. Of course, I had weird issues with the inventory - my lightsabers with yellow crystals duplicated (along with all the other crystals inside) every time I went to hyperspace, so I had quite the collection.

Not that my players will find enough crystals or saber-wielding foes to ever collect and have backup / alternative sabers.

I would consider allowing an alternate Dual-Phase mod that lets you swap crystals however, I would limit it to an incidental once at the beginning of the users turn, and you only gain the abilities of the active crystal.

If you have a plain hilt that costs 1 point, could you in fact put two crystals in it for the remaining 4 points (2 points for each)? If you were smart enough I think that this could be possible. Now I know there will probably be purists that will argue because it has never been done, perhaps there has not been a jedi smart enough.

Thoughts?

By default, you're only permitted a single lightsaber crystal per hit. So pick the crystal that you think does best what you want a lightsaber crystal to accomplish and go with it. If you want to take advantage of different crystals, then you'll need a separate lightsaber for each crystal.

As Lathrop noted, the hilt attachments are just that... attachments, added to the base hilt that's listed in the Equipment chapter under Lightsabers.

Yeah, this never made sense to my. Why restrict it to only one crystal when all previous sources established that lightsabers could have up to three crystals?

Cyclic Crystal Array for a mere 2 slots allows you to mount up to 3 light saber crystals in a single lightsaber.

You have to switch between them, but it lets you put a Ilum, Kimber and Sorian crystal all in the same lightsaber.

Cyclic Crystal Array for a mere 2 slots allows you to mount up to 3 light saber crystals in a single lightsaber.

You have to switch between them, but it lets you put a Ilum, Kimber and Sorian crystal all in the same lightsaber.

I was going to say, I know I saw a mod that did just this... couldn't remember which book it was in. Guardians, isn't it?

Lets you toggle between 2 crystals, activating one or the other. So you don't get the defense bonuses from one and the attack from the other at the same time. But you can switch between them pretty easily from round to round.

Cyclic Crystal Array for a mere 2 slots allows you to mount up to 3 light saber crystals in a single lightsaber.

You have to switch between them, but it lets you put a Ilum, Kimber and Sorian crystal all in the same lightsaber.

Cyclic Crystal Array for a mere 2 slots allows you to mount up to 3 light saber crystals in a single lightsaber.

You have to switch between them, but it lets you put a Ilum, Kimber and Sorian crystal all in the same lightsaber.

I was going to say, I know I saw a mod that did just this... couldn't remember which book it was in. Guardians, isn't it?

Lets you toggle between 2 crystals, activating one or the other. So you don't get the defense bonuses from one and the attack from the other at the same time. But you can switch between them pretty easily from round to round.

Yeah. I found out about that "toy" yesterday, reading these forums. I don't have that book (yet) nor the Game Master's Kit, just the core F&D book. I'm actually trying to figure out how to "rebuild" a character I've been playing since the old D6 days, and then converted to D20 (RCRB). Under both systems, his lightsaber had three Mephite crystals allowing him to adjust the blade length from .5 meters to 1.5 meters to 2 meters by adjusting the distance between the crystals (just like Vader's blade). Under existing lore, a lightsaber required multiple crystals in order to change blade length. Corran Horn's being a prime example. His Dual Phase lightsaber used two different crystals and changed length by switching from one to the other.

[...] Under existing lore, a lightsaber required multiple crystals in order to change blade length. [...]

Kind of.

We see in Star Wars Rebels, that Kanan can adjust the length of his lightsaber blade by fiddling with a knob (or something. It's hard to tell).

Kana's lightsaber may by atypical, since his can be broken down into two pieces. But it does set a canon precedent of changing the length of a lightsaber blade without having to swap crystals.

By the book, dual phase does adjust the length slightly. Not enough to alter the Reach, but enough to benefit a single attack.

The only way to change the crystals on the fly is the Cyclic thing. Or to take time and swap them out like you would other weapon mods.

By the book, dual phase does adjust the length slightly. Not enough to alter the Reach, but enough to benefit a single attack.

The only way to change the crystals on the fly is the Cyclic thing. Or to take time and swap them out like you would other weapon mods.

According to I, Jedi, and other Pre-Disney lore, A Dual-Phase Lightsaber (in particular, Corran Horn's) alters the actual reach of the blade. Corran's, for example, almost doubled in length, growing to over 2 meters from the standard length. Corran even mentions that he did that on a whim and didn't even know any techniques that used a blade of that length. The primary purpose of a dual phase (or other multi-phase) designs was to adjust the reach of the weapon. The "surprise" factor was just an added bonus effect.

I meant "by the book" as in the rulebooks. Novels are great to read, but they rarely translate well into balanced game mechanics.

F&D Core pg 197 lists the Dual-Phase Modification. And all it does is give you a single attack where you ignore the target's defense, since they are surprised by the sudden change in length of your blade. It doesn't say anything about adding distance since this game requires all melee targets be engaged with each other, nor does it say anything about requiring additional Khyber crystals to install. In fact, given that the Rarity on Dual-Phase is only 6, while the various Khyber crystals are 7-10, it's easier to get the components to waver the blade and get in a cheap shot, than it is to procure another crystal.

In Saga edition, dual-phase lightsabers could either change the length of the blade or adapt two crystals with different effects (Jedi Academy Training Manual, p.51). In that case, you lost the ability to gain Reach but could switch between 2 different crystal effects with a swift action.

In Saga edition, dual-phase lightsabers could either change the length of the blade or adapt two crystals with different effects (Jedi Academy Training Manual, p.51). In that case, you lost the ability to gain Reach but could switch between 2 different crystal effects with a swift action.

The RCRB rules followed the Corran Horn example, doubling reach as well as providing the "surprise value" as a bonus.