So... Knight level play is for people who would like to start out as fairly well tested and experienced "padawan-like" adventurers, right? How come EotE and AoR do not have this same type of "knight play"? Just curious because I mentioned knight play to my group and nobody else knew what I was talking about (I'm the only force user so they play put off the two aforementioned books). Maybe it's just me but I think it'd be cool if those two books had a similar level of play with them. Thoughts?

Starting with more XP has always been an option even if never called out specifically in EotE or AoR. The reason, I think, was because FFG knew that with FFG people would want to play at varying levels depending on the type of game. Maybe start a little more experienced to simulate a group of Jedi or something similar. Thus the call out for "knight" level in F&D but not the other cores.

As mouthy said. I suspect they were worried players would be up in arms that a starting Jedi could do noting and not have a proper lightsaber (exaggeration, but your abilities are quite limited at creation). So Knight Level was created, its a nice name, but doesn't define what it actually is all that well. If the GM is happy with it then there is no problem for any character to begin with that extra Xp and cash. Just so long as everyone does, or no one, there needs to be consistency there for everyone.

Be warned though, a Lightsaber is powerful, but 10k of equipment is very powerful too, the GM should be right on top of what everyone is getting and should feel free to limit some items. One idea i have seen is for every one not getting a glow stick to pool their money and buy modifications to their ship, or a small vehicle to use Portside.

So if a group were to start out all in "knight-level" for a group that played out of every book...would an acceptable compromise be +150xp for everyone and that everyone gets to choose between one completely modified weapon (or something of the like) or 9000 credits? Also, if the entire group is starting in "knight-level", then a modified group resource as well? Either better ships or modified ships, etc.?

Starting with more XP has always been an option even if never called out specifically in EotE or AoR. The reason, I think, was because FFG knew that with FFG people would want to play at varying levels depending on the type of game. Maybe start a little more experienced to simulate a group of Jedi or something similar. Thus the call out for "knight" level in F&D but not the other cores.

Noooo...starting with more XP has always been badwrongfun. Until that blasted Force and Destiny beta. That is why I did it for almost all my games ever. Because it was taboo. But now that it's legitimate, all the excitement is gone

They embraced my rogue GMing tactics and made a respectable man out of me. *sigh*

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In all seriousness, yeah I've always liked the extra XP & equipment route. It allows you to define the PCs more, it gives you a chance to highlight the importance of using your starting XP on characteristics, and I really feel like it gives your players a little more wiggle room in writing their backstories and such.

I used to get players that would make a 150 XP character and go, "That's supposed to be a Jedi Knight?" to which I'd laugh and shrug because the name does a terrible job of telling you where a 150 XP character tends to fall on the grand scale. In truth, they're like starting a d20 Star Wars character off at 3rd level rather than 1st (and this is on a scale where a Jedi Knight is at least 7th level).

HappyDaze, on 23 Mar 2016 - 4:21 PM, said:

I used to get players that would make a 150 XP character and go, "That's supposed to be a Jedi Knight?"

When my players asked the same question, I told them " No, now you are a padawan"

I used to get players that would make a 150 XP character and go, "That's supposed to be a Jedi Knight?" to which I'd laugh and shrug because the name does a terrible job of telling you where a 150 XP character tends to fall on the grand scale. In truth, they're like starting a d20 Star Wars character off at 3rd level rather than 1st (and this is on a scale where a Jedi Knight is at least 7th level).

Yeah I would say it's level 3-4, definitely. 300 XP would be just touching what I see as actual "Jedi Knight" power level. But then again, what makes one a Jedi Knight?

"Padawan level Play" doesn't quite have the same ring to it

Considering 300xp could be spent on a Talent tree alone, plus skill ranks, Force Powers and Signature Abilities on top, i definitely agree that the 150xp is more a recruit who has seen one or two battles. A story can make the character a seasoned soldier, but there is still a very long way for that character to grow.

Myself and several gaming buddies have come up with a plethora of Knight Level pre-gens from all three product lines for use in various con modules, and generally speaking it works pretty well.

The one potential problem is that 9000 credits is a whole lot of money to hand a PC in one big chunk, and can lead to some pretty brutal weapon combos, or at the very least allow a PC to start with a weapon or armor that has the superior customization attachment. GM supervision is strongly encouraged when the PCs go shopping, if only so that the GM is aware of what sort of combos the PCs are now packing, such as blaster rifle + spread barrel + superior weapon customization or laminate armor with enhanced optics, in-helmet comlink, and weapon mounts.