So we're about to start up a campaign and one of my players brought up the idea that he kind of wants to go the Ezra Bridger route of becoming a force user. A young thief who slowly discovers that he's force sensitive and is eventually found and trained by a master. Except that he doesn't want to be a jedi but something more akin to a Shaolin monk who truly attempts to travel the path of balancing the light and dark. As there are plenty of examples of alternative force user traditions, this isn't an issue.

As a side joke, he mentioned not even wanting a lightsaber but wouldn't it be cool to have Light-Shuriken. At first, it just was a silly joke, but then the more I started thinking about it, the more awesome I thought the idea was. I took the stats for the Acsian Throwing Dagger and slightly modded it to the following for a standard shuriken.

Mono-molecular Shuriken

The auto fire simulates the idea that he's capable of throwing more than 1 at a time. But, he must also declare, before he rolls, how many he's throwing and that becomes the limit on the auto fire. The cost is slightly cheaper than the dagger as he's going to have to buy multiple shuriken and it just didn't seem fair at 50 credits a pop. Would still use Ranged (light) as

And then I started contemplating the light-shuriken. These would have to be custom made by a tech. The only thing that can be altered is the type of crystal used. Plus it will required a specific skill (LightShuriken) to use them properly.

Is this too much?

Why not modify a wrist blaster that shoots energy shuriken?

I assume he might want a stun setting but given Ezra used his stun catapult into his saber nothing says this shaolin can't get away with a shoto he can sheath on his wrist like Thundarr's Sunsword and he could get away with carrying two or more in case they're damaged taking a hit since lightsabers have this unnerving habit of cutting off limbs...?

You might consider dropping Auto Fire and replacing it with Linked, and maybe throwing more than one counts as attacking with two weapons, which will bump the difficulty. He'd also be limited to throwing two per round, which I think is reasonable.

For the light-shuriken, would he need a kyber crystal per shuriken? Because that's going to get expensive fast. Also, depending on how serious you think he is about not wanting a lightsaber, I'd maybe let him take ranks in Lightsaber to account for his proficiency with the light-shuriken.

Very Tron like.

I think it is a great idea, but that the light-version needs to be cheaper, or come with like 3 of the same type. Or, if you just have one, create a talent that lets them pull the single shuriken back like it is on a string or chain, Using the force obviously. Also since he is trying to follow a path perfectly balancing the light and dark side, according to the old way of finding the lightsaber color, he would have a purple shuriken. Just a fun fact. also you would have to be careful to make it so he has to use dark pips often as he uses the light pips, or else he will just b a light side force user.

You might consider dropping Auto Fire and replacing it with Linked, and maybe throwing more than one counts as attacking with two weapons, which will bump the difficulty. He'd also be limited to throwing two per round, which I think is reasonable.

For the light-shuriken, would he need a kyber crystal per shuriken? Because that's going to get expensive fast. Also, depending on how serious you think he is about not wanting a lightsaber, I'd maybe let him take ranks in Lightsaber to account for his proficiency with the light-shuriken.

My biggest problem with linked is that it means his second hit has to hit the same target and its just as easy to do as throwing a single one. Auto fire increases the difficulty the moment he decides to throw more than one. I want him to have that ninja action-movie feel of whipping out a bunch of shuriken at multiple targets. He can throw one with accuracy or a handful with reckless abandon.

Of course, now I'm picturing him throwing them with both hands, on auto fire.

Well if he is throwing more than one with two hands wouldn't he be dual wielding? and if dual wielding does not let you target two different people, unless you have a certain talent from the smuggler tree.

I think it is a great idea, but that the light-version needs to be cheaper, or come with like 3 of the same type. Or, if you just have one, create a talent that lets them pull the single shuriken back like it is on a string or chain, Using the force obviously. Also since he is trying to follow a path perfectly balancing the light and dark side, according to the old way of finding the lightsaber color, he would have a purple shuriken. Just a fun fact. also you would have to be careful to make it so he has to use dark pips often as he uses the light pips, or else he will just b a light side force user.

I like the idea of giving him 3 for the original cost. Perhaps because of the way they're made, the crystals can be cut down smaller and thus used for 3 shuriken. I'm just worried that if it's too cheap, he'll end up with too many of them.

I'll keep in mind the use of both light and dark pips.

I will second the idea of dropping autofire and encourage two-weapon fighting. This will eliminate the confusion with applying "Auto-fire" and "Limited Ammo 1" on the same item.

Second, what skill will these objects be using?

I'm assuming Ranged-light on both. But the light-disk/shuriken really steps on the toes of Throw Lightsaber, since at this point breach ranged weapons are strictly limited to anti-vehicle weapons. Having to wade into engaged with someone is one of the balancing factors of having a breach sword.

I want to think that one of the old d20 Star Wars force-using classes had an ability called "Imbue Weapon" or something. It let the wielder imbue the weapon with some of his/her own force power whilst in combat.

Perhaps in your player's case, you might think about requiring shurikens of some sort of special 'force capacitive' material. The player could, briefly (basically for that encounter/attack/whatever works best) charge them with his force ability, allowing them to be more lethal than the average shuriken, but still avoiding the whole "why not just throw a lightsaber" thing. This would also allow for them to be decently expensive since the special handwavium they're made of is rare, but not SO expensive that the player would never throw/risk them.

I don't know if you'd want a mechanic for powering them up in the first place, as that might bog things down. I'd think that imbuing a weapon in that fashion could probably be considered an innately dark-side action (focusing pure force with the sole intent to injure or kill a living being) that could help provide a foil to any overtly light-side actions the player may perform.

EDIT: I realized that my input was simply from the thematic side, not the mechanical. That basically stems from the idea that at the end you'd have your "light shuriken" with an explanation that might be easier to deal with than potentially needing a steady source of crystals and a tech that knows lightsaber tech.

Ranged light would be good, but you might want to make him use a lightsaber style skill, or even invent your own skill. But remember, you can only ever target one enemy per round, even with two weapons. unless you have the right talent. which would mean he would need to purchase a new specialization. Also, which CRB are you using?

Another cool idea could be a vibro-throwing weapon.

Personally I think linked is fine; I mean It's not like these things do much damage to start with! XD

Followup? Do you expect the Lightsaber shuriken to return?

I would advise against letting it do so. Allowing that would completely eliminate the need to Lightsaber throw. instead, I would suggest having them spend their next action to use Move to bring it back, or to pick it up the old fashioned way.

that makes sense, I am just thinking that in games like the force unleashed your lightsaber comes back in a max of 1 or two seconds. I'm not sure that it should warrant a whole action. Maybe make a force move check first, then if you generate enough force points, it comes back at the beginning of the next round.

I'd go with limited ammo Auto-Fire rather than Linked, it seems more appropriate and allows for multiple targets.

As for the Light-sherkin I'm not so sure but I don't have a better idea yet and what you have isn't OP so go with it. I would say though that you should limit it to 2 Light-Sheriken per crystal and allow no HPs.

I'd also suggest using the Shien Expert Tree because it has a clear path (Street Smarts > Shien Technique > Grit > Saber Throw > Disruptive Strike) that fits well into the narrative you've got with Sheriken and you are staying as close to RAW as possible without House Rules (other than subbing Sheriken). Until you reach Saber Throw have the PC use their Move to get them back, this can represent the learning curve necessary to be proficient in the technique.

Another idea for return is to use that magnetic mod in Dangerious Covenants (Can't remember the name)

For a completely different take on it i would suggest Armorer and Gunslinger for your PC. It requires a thematic modification of the Saber Throw talent to allow its use with the Shuriken. Then i would remove all linked/auto-fire from the item. Allow him to use the Quick Draw incidental in the middle of a combat check (other incidental talents can do as much, so i see no reason to not allow this).

And finally require him to use the Two Weapon Combat rules for attacking, so increasing the dificulty, but with the improved Quick Draw talent he could hit 1 target 4 times in a round. Spitfire is what lets him hit multiple targets. Each Saber Throw Force Pip after the first would allow a Shuriken to return, although i would not allow throwing and catching 4 Shuriken in a single round.

Assuming a brawn of 3-5 the PC isn't going to do much damage after soak is applied.

if he is going for a Monk style character the Armour bolstering talents are very thematic too, representing his improved reflexes quite well.

Don't know if it would interest your player, but there is a force tradition known as Zeison Sha. Their preferred weapon was chakram, called a discblade, that they threw and guided with the Force. If you'd like a little info, see here: Zeison Sha

Don't know if it would interest your player, but there is a force tradition known as Zeison Sha. Their preferred weapon was chakram, called a discblade, that they threw and guided with the Force. If you'd like a little info, see here: Zeison Sha

Man, I can see an awesome Specialization built around this concept.

I will second the idea of dropping autofire and encourage two-weapon fighting. This will eliminate the confusion with applying "Auto-fire" and "Limited Ammo 1" on the same item.

Second, what skill will these objects be using?

I'm assuming Ranged-light on both. But the light-disk/shuriken really steps on the toes of Throw Lightsaber, since at this point breach ranged weapons are strictly limited to anti-vehicle weapons. Having to wade into engaged with someone is one of the balancing factors of having a breach sword.

Mentioned in my original post but possibly lost in it's length. I'd let him use ranged light for a standard shuriken but he'd have to take a new skill to use the lightshuriken. They are handled completely differently than a lightsaber, so if he wanted both, he'd have to take 2 different skills.

I want to think that one of the old d20 Star Wars force-using classes had an ability called "Imbue Weapon" or something. It let the wielder imbue the weapon with some of his/her own force power whilst in combat.

Perhaps in your player's case, you might think about requiring shurikens of some sort of special 'force capacitive' material. The player could, briefly (basically for that encounter/attack/whatever works best) charge them with his force ability, allowing them to be more lethal than the average shuriken, but still avoiding the whole "why not just throw a lightsaber" thing. This would also allow for them to be decently expensive since the special handwavium they're made of is rare, but not SO expensive that the player would never throw/risk them.

I don't know if you'd want a mechanic for powering them up in the first place, as that might bog things down. I'd think that imbuing a weapon in that fashion could probably be considered an innately dark-side action (focusing pure force with the sole intent to injure or kill a living being) that could help provide a foil to any overtly light-side actions the player may perform.

EDIT: I realized that my input was simply from the thematic side, not the mechanical. That basically stems from the idea that at the end you'd have your "light shuriken" with an explanation that might be easier to deal with than potentially needing a steady source of crystals and a tech that knows lightsaber tech.

Imbue weapon is a cool idea and fits with another post about a specific force tradition that was mentioned later. Perhaps the shuriken use something akin to the kyber crystals but in a different way, possibly they store a small portion of the force for a very limited time (long enough to throw).

And it should be more heavily reliant on the dark side of the force. The player has already mentioned that he'd like to do a philosophy of truly walking a fine line between both sides of the force. I will probably start a new post on my thoughts on this.

Ranged light would be good, but you might want to make him use a lightsaber style skill, or even invent your own skill. But remember, you can only ever target one enemy per round, even with two weapons. unless you have the right talent. which would mean he would need to purchase a new specialization. Also, which CRB are you using?

Another cool idea could be a vibro-throwing weapon.

We're primarily using EotE but I'm pulling from all three cores. And as already said, he'll have to buy a specific skill to use the light shuriken.

Followup? Do you expect the Lightsaber shuriken to return?

I would advise against letting it do so. Allowing that would completely eliminate the need to Lightsaber throw. instead, I would suggest having them spend their next action to use Move to bring it back, or to pick it up the old fashioned way.

My initial thoughts were that he is going to have to learn enough Force Move to bring them back and until then he'd just have to physically go pick them up. And then the player mentioned maybe creating some kind of retrieval device, such as they're on some kind of cord, which will mean he'll never be able to get them past short range. No matter what, with either of those ways he's going to have to spend an action to return them.

For a completely different take on it i would suggest Armorer and Gunslinger for your PC. It requires a thematic modification of the Saber Throw talent to allow its use with the Shuriken. Then i would remove all linked/auto-fire from the item. Allow him to use the Quick Draw incidental in the middle of a combat check (other incidental talents can do as much, so i see no reason to not allow this).

And finally require him to use the Two Weapon Combat rules for attacking, so increasing the dificulty, but with the improved Quick Draw talent he could hit 1 target 4 times in a round. Spitfire is what lets him hit multiple targets. Each Saber Throw Force Pip after the first would allow a Shuriken to return, although i would not allow throwing and catching 4 Shuriken in a single round.

Assuming a brawn of 3-5 the PC isn't going to do much damage after soak is applied.

if he is going for a Monk style character the Armour bolstering talents are very thematic too, representing his improved reflexes quite well.

I looked at gunslinger and I'll bring it up to him. It's great that it's so easy to take a straight-forward concept like a gunfighter and turn it on its head.

I haven't seen the Armorer specialization. What does it do that would add to his concept?

Don't know if it would interest your player, but there is a force tradition known as Zeison Sha. Their preferred weapon was chakram, called a discblade, that they threw and guided with the Force. If you'd like a little info, see here: Zeison Sha

I am completely in love with this. I just forwarded the link to the player. I'd already teased him with the idea of a chakram and quite frankly, this tradition plays perfectly into what his concept is.

Armorer is a tech based Force Specialisation, it brings in elements of the Artisan, plus some of Gadgeteer from the EotE core book. But it has Sabre throw in its tree as well. It's about using the force to improve your armour, weapons and gear all with the purpose of defending the weak, it's from the Guardian source book "Keeping The Peace".

IMHO it's very thematic for a Techno Monk.