Looking to start a new character with my group. My end-goal aspirations is to coerce NPCs to work for me in an intergalactic smuggling ring. Effectively, I want someone who is persuasive enough to convince others to work for him, good enough with a blaster to take down anyone who challenges him, and sly enough to avoid authorities or rival criminals. So far the Charmer, Smuggler, and Gunslinger all seem like fitting Talent Trees. I'm open to advice on which might meet my needs the most, as well as the standard campaigning you should expect with a group.

Thoughts?

Entrepreneur & Scoundrel. Tack on Gunslinger or Marauder to improve your choice of combat talents. But since Scoundrel already gives you ranged light it's not exactly necessary. A few ranks and a modified heavy pistol will probably serve your needs just fine.

Diplomat: Advocate + Gunslinger.

EDIT 1: Everything about the Advocate is based on manipulation. It's a brilliant talent tree for an underhanded criminal, working from the shadows. Blackmail is a really cool talent, and they're one of the ultimate support characters for a party.

EDIT 2: Thinking more about it, I think I'd go with Enforcer over Gunslinger. Not necessarily for mechanical reasons, but because I think it would fit the profile of a gang-lord more. Also, talents like Fearsome and Talk the Talk are really nice flavour. You'd need to emphasize Brawn over Agility in the initial build, though.

I'd suggest Politico, because its one of the best general social trees, with Scathing Tirade, Inspiring Rhetoric and Nobody's Fool. In general, Nobody's Fool would fit the character of a crime lord very well (you've learned how to come out on top of others who would try to manipulate you). Other than that, Entrepreneur, Quartermaster, Advocate, Charmer and Scoundrel all fit for the social aspect. For combat, I might suggest Gunslinger, Marshal (has some social benefits), Mercenary Soldier (Leadership), Enforcer, or maybe Marauder, if you plan on being more of a melee character

I forgot about Enforcer, that's a great spec for this character. Then any of Quartermaster, Entrepreneur, Agitator, or Politicio for the heavy social side of things depending on how you want to play out the character.

Personally I like Entrepreneur & Enforcer, it's the heavy, tough business is business type of criminal. Scary as hell, good in a fight, but smart with finances.

These are all great suggestions! Thanks for all your contributions!

Okay, now, what about Species? Which species would you hold as one of the better as far as starting with the best build for a coercive, manipulative, quick-drawing bastard out to make his name. And what what initial build would you use for Brawn, Agility, etc?

Species are much more subjective -- there are a lot of angles, depending on if you're starting with Enforcer or starting with the more "talky" career.

Falleen for a charming approach, but you'd have to load up on Brawn if you go Enforcer. But there's lots of Legends precedents for Falleen being gangsters. (You could say the same for Twi'lek.)

Bothan for the sly approach, but again with the Brawn load-up. Togruta would also be a possible choice here.

Wookiee or Trandoshan or Nautolan might make an interesting choice if you are going to start with the punchy approach.

Neimoidian for the manipulative, brawn is low, but you can up agility for a ranged light character.

Twilek too, Human is always a great all around character as well

Neimoidian for the manipulative, brawn is low, but you can up agility for a ranged light character.

Twilek too, Human is always a great all around character as well

Looking over this again, there are a LOT more options for Agility/Ranged + Cunning/Presence than for Brawn/Melee + Cunning/Presence. (Like, a LOT more.) Brawn is a dump stat for more species than it should be IMHO. Still, I love the idea of a beefy, scary-looking ganglord who also happens to be extremely persuasive and charming when he wants to be. Kind of like Ron Perlman's character Clay Morrow from Sons of Anarchy.

What about a Dark Sider that's a consular or a shadow?

So after some thought I have a bit more of a perspective of the personality I'm aiming for with my character.

Effectively, think Captain Jack Sparrow... in SPAAAAACE! This guy initially attempts to manipulate anyone and everyone into doing his work for him, fighting his enemies for him, and into trusting him when perhaps they shouldn't. However, like Captain Jack, when it comes down to that inevitable struggle he's no slouch, only with a blaster instead of a sword.

Don't get high on your own supply.

Performer Scoundrel sounds like what you may be after. Jack has ranks of Distracting Behaviour by the boatload! It also lets you have a sword and a pistol although I wouldn't suggest using both in a single round (it's incredibly hard to do)

Performer Scoundrel sounds like what you may be after. Jack has ranks of Distracting Behaviour by the boatload! It also lets you have a sword and a pistol although I wouldn't suggest using both in a single round (it's incredibly hard to do)

Hmm. Didn’t one of the books come out with a weapon that was a combination of a blaster and a sword?

And don't forget, the Corellian Whiskey's always gone