Hello everyone!

First of all, I'd like to say that I absolutely love the FFG Star Wars system. I'm not sure why I've not joined the forums until now, but better late than never!

Secondly, I'd like some advice on how best to stat up a character I've designed for an upcoming Age of Rebellion/Force and Destiny game. This character, to my knowledge, is the only Force-Sensitive in the group, but will begin the game without any training - or any knowledge of her own Sensitivity.

I've only written up the background so far, and would like to build her based on that, but my experience with the system is still minimal at best. With that in mind, I was wondering whether anyone here would agree to read my background, and give me suggestions based on that? If that's agreeable, I'll private message my background over to anyone who cares to read it.

Thanks!

Since I posted the above, I have sat down and worked on the character. Her sheet is accessible through my signature. Thoughts would be appreciated and welcomed!

The big question is "how important is being a Force user to your core concept?"

If it's going to be a lesser feature, and that her being a crack pilot is the main focus, then you're probably good with the build as-is, and can add Force powers later on as she learns more about her "latent" Force-sensitivity. I say latent because while she has a Force Rating, she can't really do anything with it at this point in time.

Now if being a Force user is a super-critical part of the core concept, then you may want to consider the Warrior/Starfighter Ace combo, as that gives you pretty solid piloting chops while also saving you some XP as you'd get Force Rating 1 as part of the Warrior career, and the only thing you'd really be loosing is a couple of skill ranks, which you could either repurchase with that XP or spend the saved XP on a basic Force power or two (Sense and Enhance are good options, with the later eventually providing a bonus on your Piloting checks).

I had considered using Warrior (Starfighter Ace) as my build basis, but the initial focus would be on her as a pilot for the Rebels. She will learn about the Force in time, I'm told, but that will just be an aspect of her character, not her sole focus.

Seems good to me. Everything looks legit. Decent spread of points and stats. It's usually considered best to put all starting points in abilities (giving you a stat spread of 3,3,3,3,2,2), but if you want to start with FS Emergent then it's no big deal to put some points in other things.

In all honesty, this system isn't something like Pathfinder that demands a 'build' or a min-maxed character. It's more important to like what you're playing and fit in with whatever the GM is running. Do that and you already have a 'good' character, regardless of stats.

You seem to have a good grasp of the core concept - a decent starting Pilot with a smattering of general useful skills and some potential for Force-use to grow into. As Donovan points out above, a Warrior/Starfighter Ace from Force & Destiny makes for a more Force-focused character. But for what you seem to be aiming at, Pilot/FSE works fine. If using the Force is the core concept of the character, then F&D careers might be better, but if it's an addition to the character's main focus, then Exile or Emergent is fine. To be honest, I think FSE seems to fit the 'self-taught Force adept' feel you're going for here, but neither approach is wrong.

I liked the personality and background. She's pretty but not a supermodel. She has some interesting elements (raised by wookiees, friendship/budding romance with an NPC) that aren't overpowering or too trite. She comes across as a plucky 'everyman' rather than a special snowflake. She's not the 'lost Princess of Alderaan' or the 'saviour of the wookiee race' or daughter or sister to some canon characters, just an ordinary girl with potential who wants to make a difference. Enough to engage a GM on future plots, but not so much that it makes anyone roll their eyes. And you have a nice writing style, which is something I always approve of.

In short, a nicely-done character. I would enjoy GMing for a character like this and you'd be welcome at my table (and I'm kinda picky about who I play with!)

Feel free to chat with us or ask advice, but don't get too hung up on 'builds' or trying make a 'perfect' character. It's not meant to be that kind of game. As long as you're having fun and everyone is enjoying a cool sci-fi adventure, you're 'doing it right'.

Marcy

I had considered using Warrior (Starfighter Ace) as my build basis, but the initial focus would be on her as a pilot for the Rebels. She will learn about the Force in time, I'm told, but that will just be an aspect of her character, not her sole focus.

You can still start in Starfighter Ace, but keep your Force purchases to a minimum until she starts to realize her potential. This way she at least starts with a Force rating and makes it a little easier to branch into other Force Specs at a later time.

I agree with going Starfighter Ace first. You can spin the story where your force abilities are natural (you do not know you are force sensitive), and show in your piloting skills and talents. Later on down the road is the potential for actual Force training, saving xp in the first place.

Thank you everyone for the feedback! It really appreciated.

To be honest, I think what put me off the most about Starfighter Ace is primarily the description of the specialisation itself: it seems to talk a lot about starfighters, whereas Riley has never piloted a fighter in her life (a freighter, yes, but nothing beyond that - yet). Also Warrior... I can imagine her being a natural fighter, but again she has had minimal exposure to a true skirmish, let alone a battle.

I know that I shouldn't get hung up on the titles and background fluff of Careers and Specialisations, but Ace (Pilot) is just what struck me as fitting first. I can easily make a second sheet for her and see how well the end result fits with her back story, but in the end either will do. As is said above, enjoyment is the key objective, not perfect builds.

I've never bought in to the idea Starfighter Ace is so much better than Pilot, to be honest.

Also, the odds are this type of character won't want Aggressor or Shi-Cho Knight, but could make good use of other Ace specs, like Gunner or Hotshot.

Well, before I planned on using this character for a campaign, I had created her primarily for a short series of fan-novels that I was penning. She eventually developed a rudimentary knowledge of the Force and the Jedi, and tries to honour their code by using her best interpretation of those tenets to guide her actions. So, despite not understanding the code fully, she tries hard to embody it.

With the above in mind, and taking into account that, in my story, she DOES eventually get a lightsaber (a battered thing, not unlike the one you gain as a Sith Warrior at the start of SWTOR). Her skill with it develops, and with time I could see her qualifying for Shii-cho Knight (and Protector after that). Again, this is all speculation based on a short narrative that I wrote for her a short time ago.

Well, before I planned on using this character for a campaign, I had created her primarily for a short series of fan-novels that I was penning. She eventually developed a rudimentary knowledge of the Force and the Jedi, and tries to honour their code by using her best interpretation of those tenets to guide her actions. So, despite not understanding the code fully, she tries hard to embody it.

With the above in mind, and taking into account that, in my story, she DOES eventually get a lightsaber (a battered thing, not unlike the one you gain as a Sith Warrior at the start of SWTOR). Her skill with it develops, and with time I could see her qualifying for Shii-cho Knight (and Protector after that). Again, this is all speculation based on a short narrative that I wrote for her a short time ago.

It seems you have a clear idea of how Riley will develop so keep her on the ace career and add Force sensitive emergent when it fits. I'd suggest getting Sense as the first power beacuse that seems to be a fundamental power for force senstivie and it allows Riley to be a better pilot, besides being very useful in combat. The only reason i would suggest switching to starfighter ace is that it avoid the need to buy FS Emergent, and makes the 4th spec, Protector cheaper.

Is the game you're playing a real life game or an online one? the Age/F&D mix is interesting, and quite fitting.

It's online. :-)

I'd like to make an Ace with Pilot and Hotshot specs that goes emergent into Ataru someday. This looks like a fun character and I think you will enjoy it greatly.

Thanks!

I don't have access to any sourcebooks - only the core three. Perhaps when I get around to buying more I'll find other specialisations that fit her better.

Thanks!

I don't have access to any sourcebooks - only the core three. Perhaps when I get around to buying more I'll find other specialisations that fit her better.

I think you would enjoy the Ace sourcebook.

I agree, and it's the first book on my list to buy. :-D Followed by the Warrior book, whenever it's released.

I've never bought in to the idea Starfighter Ace is so much better than Pilot, to be honest.

Also, the odds are this type of character won't want Aggressor or Shi-Cho Knight, but could make good use of other Ace specs, like Gunner or Hotshot.

Maelora's got an excellent point.

Since it does seem piloting is going to be the character's main focus, using the Ace career gets the character in-career access to some pretty solid specs to further bolster her piloting options. Personally, I'm a fan of the Hotshot spec from Stay on Target sourcebook (which I strongly recommend getting, and was a hoot to playtest), and that combined with Pilot and some Force abilities (like Enhance with the Control Upgrades to bolster your Piloting checks) will eventually make her the queen of the skies in contrast to most of the opposition.

Hopefully when the Warrior sourcebook comes out, we'll get some solid alternative spec options; right now I'm playing a Shii-Cho Knight in a friend's game, and I wound up going out-of-career for his second spec as he's not the pilot type at all (Agility 2 and a history of generally bombing out on Piloting checks) and Aggressor was just way too aggressive for the character's mentality.

Agreed, 'Warrior' seems an odd mix of specialisations, with one pilot-type spec and one DarkSide-leaning spec. As you say, it's one that could benefit from some complimentary options.

One of our PCs is a Pilot/Hotshot/Emergent and that seems to cover the 'force-enhanced x-wing jockey' concept perfectly.

I do see her going Shii-Cho Knight, but in-game events could easily change that. Either way, my GM was more than happy to promise me a Jedi-related storyline - it seems he was eager to run one anyway, and Riley right in with his planned tale.

It's online. :-)

Ah the play by post in the Age forum? It's a pity it already filled up, i wished to join it.

No, the game is off site, but still a play by post. :-)

I do see her going Shii-Cho Knight, but in-game events could easily change that. Either way, my GM was more than happy to promise me a Jedi-related storyline - it seems he was eager to run one anyway, and Riley right in with his planned tale.

Actually since Agility is one of your stronger stats, I'd recommend going for Ataru Striker if you do opt to go the route of using a lightsaber. It's a very solid combat spec with some good built-in defenses and two pretty amazing combat talents that will make you a dynamo in one-on-one combat. It's only downside is that you'll be burning through strain very quickly, so more often than not you'll be spending your advantages on recovering strain. Although having a Dantari crystal helps when used in tandem with Hawk-Bat Swoop.

Plus, you can use a Dedication to boost your Agility up higher, making Riley a better pilot and a better duelist as opposed to having to boost up her Brawn.

That makes sense!

To me the Ace in the title means natural savant. Anakin Solo at the age of 6 was a starfighter ace