Endless Vigil A Sourcebook for Sentinels!!!

By Hoda25, in Star Wars: Force and Destiny RPG

Regarding species in supplemental products.

If we assume each one of three core rulebooks offers six unique species to its product line (i.e.: We've seen Rodians in Edge of Empire, but not in Force and Destiny, so I consider that example fair game.), I submit that we will not see repeats within the same product line. For example, I do not expect to see "Zabrak" in Endless Vigil, but they could pop up in any Edge of the Empire or Age of Rebellion books. We have seen a strong species whose book-crunch seems to align with at least one new career.

This is already confirmed, if not by the Devs than by precedence. The only repeated species we've seen have been repeated across different lines:

Bothans - Edge and Age;

Droids - Edge and Age

Duros - Edge and Age;

Gran - Edge and Age;

Humans - Edge, Age and Force;

Ithorians - Age and Force;

Lanniks - Age and Force;

Quarren - Edge and Age;

Twi'Leks - Edge and Force;

Even though the lines are essentially one and the same, FFG is looking at each one as its own consolidated game. Meaning that, while they may repeat information and mechanics and stats across different lines, they won't do so inside a single line.

Regarding Fixed Species.

With any confidence, tell me that printing Lanniks TWICE suggests careful planning. I believe the species was initially flawed, or somehow abused in the rules as written, or deemed too weak. In any outcome, their inclusion in Keeping the Peace was a serious surprise. However, I like the changes to the species, and expect more highly-playable species to get edits in future books. This idea could help explain away any remaining confusion about female Devaronians, for example. I think FFG is trying to do this editing already, with Lanniks and Corellian Humans as examples.

Actually, it has been confirmed that the version of Lanniks in Keeping the Peace is the official version, and the version that came out two months later in Lead by Example is not. Perhaps some kind soul can link us to the place where the Devs confirmed that.

As for female Devaronians, I think that either Disney of FFG is changing their canon appearance away from the fuzzy version.

Regarding Balance within the Force.

If every Force-user sourcebook has a new Force Power AND new lightsabers, AND new fluff or crunch available for other non-Force-users, why NOT be a Force-user all of the time? I agree with the general sentiment: the Bounty Hunter sourcebook has taken FAR too long. At this point, I expect it to be the capstone of career sourcebooks. There may not be easy reciprocity between Force-user specific material and non-Force Users' stuff. This said, please stop using holocrons as plot-saving devices. The newest Force Power from the adventure was sub-par; save 'em for a wider career base choice, and please STOP naming the Force Power after its 'inventor;' else, we could have an entire "Skywalker" Force Power rulebook.

I seriously doubt the Bounty Hunter book will be the final career book out. My intuition says that it will either be the Mystic (boo :( ) or the Warrior. They've definitely slowed down the announcement and release rate of Edge books, but to make the Bounty Hunter book last, they'd be waiting at least two more years for Age and Force to get all their other career books out, and that doesn't make much sense.

And so far, I can't find any major imbalance between Force users and non-Force users. In fact, with a growing number of Force powers, Force users get a little weaker, because they have many more options on which to spend XP, meaning they're more likely to grow out rather than up. And the new lightsaber crystals haven't been game breaking in any way - the Varpeline crystal requires you to get and spend 2 Triumphs to get it effect, the Kimber Stone is just a bigger Training Saber, and most of the new ones have a Crit rating of 3 that doesn't decrease and little to no Vicious, which are the big selling points of the standard Ilum Crystal.

Re: Lannik -- Order 66 Podcast e. 71. Max Brooke confirmed that the version in Keeping the Peace is the correct version.

Thanks, BB-8(88)!

Edited by Absol197

Yeah, in spite of the name, a Starfighter Ace can make for a pretty solid Piloting:Planetary-focused character. Though I suspect Racer will be to Starfighter Ace as Driver is to Pilot, though I am hoping for Racer to borrow a bit more from Stay on Target's Hotshot (which is a really awesome spec in and of itself IMHO).

I'm kind of picturing a Force-sensitive Sherlock Holmes for the Investigator, though Maelora's may be on to something with it being a F/S version of the Marshal (from Far Horizons). I do see Sentry being more or less Space!Batman, though possibly borrowing more from the cinematic version of Batman, whose investigative skills are often a secondary element if utilized at all in favor of him being an urban ninja (perhaps literally for the Nolan version).

Now I imagine someone combining something like Racer, Warden, and Artisan to create Kato from Green Hornet.

Edit: Or better yet: Modder

Edited by kaosoe

Aww man, my friend just got lucky. He and I are playing solo games and switching between the GM position. We both have our own stories and characters. He's a roguish Sentinel, I'm a pacifist Mystic. I so wanted that Mystic book to be next, but it seems like it's gonna take at least a few months to more than a year.

Someday, I'll be able to grab that sweet, sweet Mystic book.

Yeah, in spite of the name, a Starfighter Ace can make for a pretty solid Piloting:Planetary-focused character. Though I suspect Racer will be to Starfighter Ace as Driver is to Pilot, though I am hoping for Racer to borrow a bit more from Stay on Target's Hotshot (which is a really awesome spec in and of itself IMHO).

I'm kind of picturing a Force-sensitive Sherlock Holmes for the Investigator, though Maelora's may be on to something with it being a F/S version of the Marshal (from Far Horizons). I do see Sentry being more or less Space!Batman, though possibly borrowing more from the cinematic version of Batman, whose investigative skills are often a secondary element if utilized at all in favor of him being an urban ninja (perhaps literally for the Nolan version).

I thought FFG designs its SWRPG to be shared or stand-alone products. Although we may get a force-based Planetary Pilot (Racer) in Endless Vigil, this may be the first time this career option has been offered to Force and Destiny (only) fans. Sure, other gamers may use other product books outside of F+D to make an entire 'pit crew' of characters, I think FFG is mindful of how to meet the needs of its fans. For example, I enjoy F+D over the other two core rulebooks. Adding 'Ithorian' to Savage Species means 1) a repeated species from a non-F+D title, and 2) a survivalist, non-violent species to 'theme-lessly' match the Hermit or Navigator or 3) a strong Willpower Force User to go along with other options.

And at least one of them is pretty! The crazy-hair species that the sister Jedi Masters belong to at the beginning of Season 6.

Mikkians. I would be pretty okay to see them in one of the books.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Mikkians. I thought they were cool, though we only got a brief glimpse of them. Though I will not get this whole pretty thing. I don't think FFG is all that bad on the matter. Unless we have a very narrow definition of the pretty races. FFG for the most part has seemed to do a fairly good job on providing visually appealing species for us to play.

Does he look like a Bith?

This question will be asked again with the next supplement.

One thing I notice: there is no mention of a new Force power in either the news article or the product description.

It looks like there's a chance we won't be getting one this time 'round.

Ok, there's no mention of it (and you probably have stats to back up that force powers only appear when they were mentioned in the first announcement), but I can definitely imagine a new force power to go together with investigator.

And I sure hope that Zeltron is one of the species so that people finally shut up about them ;) At least it does not look like I'll be getting any more creepis this time.

(P.S.: Yay for Sentinel book!)

(P.P.S.: And I still think Miraluka is the most idiotic species of the expanded universe, but that's just me.)

I don't actually have stats for it, because I'd taken it as a given: every F&D career book was hoping to have a new Force power (there'd be no reason for an Edge or Age book to have one).

Except the only two we have so far announced the presence of that power in the announcement article. So either this book won't have one like I was expecting, or it does and they just didn't feel the need to tell us about it here.

Either way, a pattern is broken. However, if it turns out that there is a power, we can rest easy knowing all six career books will have one.

I actually wouldn't mind if this book didn't have a new Force power, as a lot of what the Sentinel as a career would do with the Force is covered by Seek (finding things) and Misdirect (concealment).

That being said, I could see a case for Psychometry as a power appearing in the Sentinel book, given it's heavy bias towards uncovering information through the Force.

And heck, that picture of the Pantoran guy in the warehouse looks an awful lot like he's using Psychometry to figure out what Halen to that poor victim.

So possibly.

I'm not entirely convinced Seek can't be psychometry, just saying.

Considering Sentinel is kind of a subterfuge/crime fighting character (considering the multiple mentions of Batman in this thread), a more offensive power could work. I mentioned on another thread, but some combination of Force blinding and dim other's senses. A stealthy Shadow can use it when trying to sneak around, while a more aggressive Shien Expert or Sentry can lead into combat with it.

Or something more diverse, like an interpretation ionize, morichro or malacia.

I'm pretty confident the book will have a new Force power, seeing as how both the previous two career books did. This wouldn't be the first time the write-up for a career book neglected to mention something that would be in the book itself.

I know. I'm trying to be a good fan and sit tight, but the lack of any mention is worrying me irrationally.

But irrational worry is par for the course for me, so don't let my grumblings get in the way!

Edited by Absol197

Hey, no problem. As long as you keep feeding us those delicious crunchy numbers and statistics you're entitled to grumble as much as you want. :)

Heh. I've pretty much covered everything at this point in one place or another, so I may not be able to keep much NEW stuff coming.

I will retread old ground when new announcements significantly change the results, though.

Aww man, my friend just got lucky. He and I are playing solo games and switching between the GM position. We both have our own stories and characters. He's a roguish Sentinel, I'm a pacifist Mystic. I so wanted that Mystic book to be next, but it seems like it's gonna take at least a few months to more than a year.

Someday, I'll be able to grab that sweet, sweet Mystic book.

I'm right with you there: Mystic has been my favorite career since I first picked up the F&D Beta book as my first purchase in the FFG SW RPG line. So I'm eagerly awaiting it, too. You've probably seen me griping about it in various places!

Unfortunately, the initial pattern in Force career books is still holding steady: Traditional Jedi Career (Consular, Guardian, Sentinel) followed by Non-Traditional career (Mystic, Seeker, Warrior). So if the pattern holds all the way through, we're either going to be next after Endless Vigil, or Mystics will be dead last :( .

Edited by Absol197

One thing I must say is that we have books announced for Q3 this year, but none yet for Q4, theres still time for Bounty Hunter to be a christmas present under every fans tree!

Wait, Q...3?

*Checks article again*

Huh. Well I'll be darned. If they're trying to get it out before the end of Q3,then they're expecting a record-breaker. So far the record is 92 days from announcement to release, and between July 5 (EV's announcement date) and September 29 (the last Thursday of the quarter) that's only 86 days. Yowsa! It would need to be On the Boat by ~August 2 to even have a chance. They'd best get printing!

And while I really, REALLY want to say that there's a low chance of a Bounty Hunter book by Christmas because the pattern says we need another Region book next...I just can't. I'm a broken woman, unable to have faith in the pattern anymore now that Force has betrayed me. Oh, why! I expected this from Age, but Force? How could you do this to me!?

Edited by Absol197

Regarding the new Sentinel Sourcebook, I feel inspired by the Racer specialization for several reasons.

Regarding Piloting (Planetary) Force-user careers, I fear how Navigators (Savage Spirits) lose half of their talent tree to Astrogation and Piloting (Space). Sadly, this career cannot double rank in Planetary; it only gets the same skills as all Seekers in regards to Piloting. Otherwise, only the Peacekeeper career (currently) offers beginning Force-users this skill as a career skill. Like all FFG characters, enough XP and Talent Tree grafts provide amazingly-specialized or well-rounded options.

Has pod racing been discussed in other sourcebooks? I understand dogfight rules exist, but I wouldn’t automatically consider pod racing a ‘dog fight.’ Have pod racers appeared in other books with statistical reference to the vehicle(s)? Swoop bikes?

I became enamored by the homesteading/business options offered in Far Horizons. Could a playgroup begin as members of a Pod Racing Team? While Far Horizons maintained cohesion of an adventurer-business/homestead within its six career options, I cannot easily see six Sentinels comprising the pod racing team.

If building a starting group of players as a Pod Racing Team, what five other (not including the obvious inclusion of Racer) careers/species might you expect to round out the party?

First off no Pod racing yet, but Swoop racing is in Suns of Fortune... now who would i have in a Pod Racing team (im picking from all lines here)

Podracer, this is the driver obviously, they drive the thrusters off the thing... literally some times!

Rigger/Moder, this is the lead mechanic, they get the thing tuned perfectly, also drives the team transport.

Entrepreneur/Gambler, This is the Team Principle, face of the team, gets the sponsorship deals done, found the talented Pod racer to begin with.

Sage, This is the data analyst, and lead strategist, they sit on the Pitwall during races. Battle Meditation is their actual speciality though, letting the Podracer access the exceptional skills of the entire team even when out on course at breakneck speeds.

Finally Protector, team doctor and bodyguard to the Podracer, keeps the Podracer in peak condition even after a night out celebrating their latest victory.

I can imagine there is a team of droids to go with this as well, some mechanics, others in analysis rolls and support rolls.

Edited by Richardbuxton

First off no Pod racing yet, but Swoop racing is in Suns of Fortune... now who would i have in a Pod Racing team (im picking from all lines here)

Podracer, this is the driver obviously, they drive the thrusters off the thing... literally some times!

Rigger/Moder, this is the lead mechanic, they get the thing tuned perfectly, also drives the team transport.

Entrepreneur/Gambler, This is the Team Principle, face of the team, gets the sponsorship deals done, found the talented Pod racer to begin with.

Sage, This is the data analyst, and lead strategist, they sit on the Pitwall during races. Battle Meditation is their actual speciality though, letting the Podracer access the exceptional skills of the entire team even when out on course at breakneck speeds.

Finally Protector, team doctor and bodyguard to the Podracer.

I can imagine there is a team of droids to go with this as well, some mechanics, others in analysis rolls and support rolls.

Well thought out, especially the Sage idea.

The sage is actually right on the limit of being able to pull off the Battle Meditation thing, they would need 4 LS force pips on 3 dice to be able to do what they want, but One Wth The Universe would help, and perhaps getting the Navigator specialisation would fit very well thematically, even if some of the talents would be less useful.

Maybe a propagandist for a cheerleader. Though, some of the talents deal directly with Duty, so you'll have to work around those.