Ok, I've dropped a small fortune for the Age of Rebellion and Edge of the Empire Core Books and a handful of the source books such as Stay on Target and Sons of Fortune. My son now wants to run a Force and Destiny game, a children of the force campaign in an environment to be named. So do I really need to blow another wad on Force and Destiny or will most of what I need be in the smaller and cheaper source books?
Your input is appreciated.
Ready the wad for blowing.
Sorry, but if you want to get awesome with the sabers and the forceness, yeah you need FaD.
That's a question you're gonna have to answer for yourself. If I were running a Force-focused game, I'd probably want to use Force and Destiny as my primary CRB. But you've already got two Force-using specializations and five Force powers to play with.
I'd say that you would have to look at those specs and powers, and decide whether they are sufficient for your purposes!
Yeah, if you're doing the whole Force-y thing what with the lightsabers and the telekinesis and the lightning and the evil v. good, then yes, F&D would be necessary.
No RPG is necessary, but if you are going to RPG and want to do it in the Star Wars universe I recommend it.
It would also depend on what your son is hoping to go for. If you're going for the Luke Skywalker experience then what you have is enough. If you're going for the TCW experience you're gonna need F&D. In the long run I think any Force based campaign benefits from the more in-depth look offered by F&D.
It's worth i,t introducing talents such as Parry and Reflect, modifiable/personalisable Lightsabers, higher powered force powers. But most importantly it has a heap of ideas for GM's in running a party of force users, not to mention the Morality system that brings a depth to using the force that the other systems don't have.
Also don't worry that your other books are useless, there are some fantastic combinations using FaD+other spec, such as star fighter ace and any piloting or driving spec from any other book.
Is the Force & Destiny Beta still available?
Better ask if he wants to run a Star Wars Rebels type of game over a Dark Times game.
I've yet to pick up the F&D Core rules but I have the F&D Beta and figure that's enough since I've got the Edge and AoR core rulebooks although I've yet to pick up the Sons of Fortune book.
If he's a fan of Star Wars Rebels and interested in a game in that vein then what you've got should be okay.
Until they're willing to explain the backdrop for the game they're running we can only guess what might or might not be necessary but if he's good at running games he should be fine.
Best of luck in any case with the Force Awakens due out in under a month might be worth inspiring him by watching along with him episodes of Star Wars Rebels! 
Great idea to play children of the Force! I wish my kids wanted to play! Absolutely but FaD, it's a great book and you will be glad once you have those great memories with your youngings. This IS the book you are looking for, for that kind of game.
If the Force is going to be a major factor in your campaign, and along with it the legacy of the Jedi and their teachings, then I'd say Force and Destiny is very much worth picking up.
You can get by with just the EotE and AoR books, as between them they cover the bulk of the entry-level powers that Force and Destiny characters would have available to them, and you can get a PC up to Force Rating 3 by using the Exile and Emergent universal specializations.
Right now, the only book I'd say you'd really need to snag for the FaD line is just the core rulebook (which has a number of changes from the Beta that are not covered in the Beta Updates), and you can probably find it online for a good less than the list price.
Yeah, FaD is a bit pricy, but it has rules for lightsabers, dedicated Force Powers, and Morality, along with the standard enemies.
That being said, the better question is what kind of Force Campaign are you going for.
A "Children of the Force" campaign seems like you would be going through the low end, beginning levels of the Force, where it is more about Roleplaying and learning about the Force, and the prerequisite responsibilities. In this situation, finding any technology, let alone lightsabers, would be an adventure in itself.
A bit more background would probably be useful in answering whether you want to bring in FaD or not.
Hmm.... Sounds like the next batch of holiday money has to be earmarked. Well, the owner of the gaming shop will be happy to run an $80 purchase past the register. Thanks for the input.
Do it!
I will order the book...
I will order the book...
I will order the book...
The different books basically come down to what sort of characters you want to play, and if you are playing as Children of the Force then it's unlikely they will mostly consist of Smugglers and Rebels. The other two books are good for pre existing characters who have a slight touch of the force about them, but if you want an entire party of force users to have variety and depth then FaD is definitely the book you need. You could certainly make do with what you have already, but FaD will give you far more options and flavour.
If you want it to feel like Jedi, yes, you need F&D. It includes a LOT more power trees in that corebook.
Remember: AOR and EotE each have 1 experience tree and 3 powers each, with overlap on the powers. 6 more powers rounds things out quite a bit.
Further, it gives better lightsaber construction rules. And, of course, some Jedi-specific vehicles.
Ready the wad for blowing.
Gotta love the British expressions.
Might be able to mediate costs with the skill decks over the book. Maybe.
Just bought my copy yesterday. Overall, it would depend on where you get your books, as places that offer a discount would be an even more attractive place to start.
Right now, the only book I'd say you'd really need to snag for the FaD line is just the core rulebook (which has a number of changes from the Beta that are not covered in the Beta Updates), and you can probably find it online for a good less than the list price.
What changes got made?
Force centered careers and specializations, force specific gear and abilities, and a new system for Morality that replaces Obligation and Duty.
I'd make a point to buy it now before FFG randomly drops it without warning like every other RPG they've ever made.
Just sayin.
I'd make a point to buy it now before FFG randomly drops it without warning like every other RPG they've ever made.
Just sayin.
Fortunately sales for SW stuff appears to be doing much better than WFRPG, heck the Forum Post numbers alone suggest at least double the sales and the number of active forum users has definitely increased since Force and Destiny was released. Product is regularly sold out quickly, even reprints of EotE Core.
But this is still not the 300lb Gorilla, and other companies have failed to find a way to profit continually.
The next 5 years will undoubtedly be good for FFG due to the 5 movies being released and the run on from that, but eventually it will have to stand on its own.
We may see a version 2.0 that has updated rules but more importantly a complete rewrite of the fluf text to be in the new era of First Order and Resistance.
I'd make a point to buy it now before FFG randomly drops it without warning like every other RPG they've ever made.
Just sayin.
Fortunately sales for SW stuff appears to be doing much better than WFRPG, heck the Forum Post numbers alone suggest at least double the sales and the number of active forum users has definitely increased since Force and Destiny was released. Product is regularly sold out quickly, even reprints of EotE Core.
But this is still not the 300lb Gorilla, and other companies have failed to find a way to profit continually.
The next 5 years will undoubtedly be good for FFG due to the 5 movies being released and the run on from that, but eventually it will have to stand on its own.
We may see a version 2.0 that has updated rules but more importantly a complete rewrite of the fluf text to be in the new era of First Order and Resistance.
Don't forget the books and shows.
I'm expecting there to be quite a few source books.