1 hour ago, Dr Lucky said:

Even if we aren't getting more career books, I could see a book for each line with one more spec per career. That would be easily combined with some other alternate rules, maybe lifted from the Genesys Expanded Player's Guide.

Surely there's at least one more spec possible in each career. For EotE, I could imagine some of these:

Bounty Hunter: Infochant
Colonist: Administrator or Artist
Explorer: Cartographer or Jockey
Hired Gun: Gladiator
Smuggler: Forger
Technician: Security Tech

I wouldn't say no to an expanded player's guide sort of book. An extra spec for each career would give us 18 new talent trees, plus maybe 2 more to round out the Jedi career and a handful of new universal specs?

I would love to see FFG take on one of the most successful but limiting factors of their system... the career trees. The existing trees are awesome and the ability to mix and match keep us all going forever... but, they also limit the potential growth of the system for those central careers. I would love to see a tack on advanced tree for each career to represent a seasoned veteran or super specialized individual. Ranked talents would get additional ranks, some of the supreme talents could be included in careers that didn't already have them and the access to these ranks could be limited by the investment into the tree. I.e you must have taken the tree and unlocked the signature ability, then the advanced tree grows out of that. It would add additional opportunities to monetize content, new player options and would incentivize people to stay within a career longer, where currently min/maxing includes some dipping.

I know some would feel we are paying for more of the same, but it would allow the designers to build new talents and improve upon some of the existing trees. Personally, if I had the option to keep delving down (up?) a tree where the "buy in" was unlocking the signature ability, it's a more cost effective approach to use of your points than buying additional specs and paying the penalty.... dependant of course on the content of the the advanced tree. I'd be willing to workshop some stuff with some people in a new thread if anyone was interested in exploring this as a home brew option.

I think there is also room for FFG to lean on the species more. As mentioned already, the universe is a big place and we all love the region books, even though they don't always turn the profit of career books. Maybe a good version of this would be a line of region books that include 6 new species each and the new feature below...

But the real piece de resistance would be species talent trees. FFG announces a species collection book which includes many of the existing species (and new ones so it brings value) but then adds the new species talent trees. More limited in size and scope, these would nevertheless lean on those traits that the species is known for an allow a character to choose to more fully represent that species in gameplay. You would only get one of course and it would be freely unlocked. The new region/species line of books could heavily incorporate this to feature new details on those species and some not included in the large collection.

4 minutes ago, Khazadune said:

I think there is also room for FFG to lean on the species more. As mentioned already, the universe is a big place and we all love the region books, even though they don't always turn the profit of career books. Maybe a good version of this would be a line of region books that include 6 new species each and the new feature below...

But the real piece de resistance would be species talent trees. FFG announces a species collection book which includes many of the existing species (and new ones so it brings value) but then adds the new species talent trees. More limited in size and scope, these would nevertheless lean on those traits that the species is known for an allow a character to choose to more fully represent that species in gameplay. You would only get one of course and it would be freely unlocked. The new region/species line of books could heavily incorporate this to feature new details on those species and some not included in the large collection.

I'm always down for more species, but I have to admit I'm not sure species-exclusive talent trees would be the way to go. My gut feeling is that it makes the prospect of keeping all those species released so far (how many do we have now? Must be around 100 surely) balanced against each other several times more difficult than before. Also it adds another mechanism for players to keep track of straight from character creation.

I'll keep an open mind of course if you have further details on how you see it working, but that's just my initial two cents.

40 minutes ago, Kualan said:

I'm always down for more species, but I have to admit I'm not sure species-exclusive talent trees would be the way to go. My gut feeling is that it makes the prospect of keeping all those species released so far (how many do we have now? Must be around 100 surely) balanced against each other several times more difficult than before. Also it adds another mechanism for players to keep track of straight from character creation.

I'll keep an open mind of course if you have further details on how you see it working, but that's just my initial two cents.

That is a good point, balance and complexity of the system would definitely have to be considered. I think it is possible to balance, if done carefully, although the system's easy character creation has been one of the hallmarks that make it enticing for new members. Still maybe as an optional rule set it could be considered by more advanced players, but that limits its market. Hmm, you bring up great points.

1 hour ago, Khazadune said:

But the real piece de resistance would be species talent trees. FFG announces a species collection book which includes many of the existing species (and new ones so it brings value) but then adds the new species talent trees. More limited in size and scope, these would nevertheless lean on those traits that the species is known for an allow a character to choose to more fully represent that species in gameplay. You would only get one of course and it would be freely unlocked. The new region/species line of books could heavily incorporate this to feature new details on those species and some not included in the large collection.

Species specific talent trees could be awesome! I've got so many ideas already...

I'd like to see a species book.

Here are some of the species I want to see (might play, I think Theelin' might already have official stats... the name sounds familiar to the ogg dude generator but then there's the unofficial species menagerie)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Chalactan (canon)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Epicanthix (non canon, sound like a dream species to me, probably all 2 attributes except for a 3 in willpower, 90 xp and 2 ranks in combat skills... so not that different from humans)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Miraluka (canon, yeah that surprised me too)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Petrusian (canon)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Theelin (canon)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Zeltron (apparently canon now)

5 hours ago, EliasWindrider said:

I'd like to see a species book.

Here are some of the species I want to see (might play, I think Theelin' might already have official stats... the name sounds familiar to the ogg dude generator but then there's the unofficial species menagerie)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Chalactan (canon)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Epicanthix (non canon, sound like a dream species to me, probably all 2 attributes except for a 3 in willpower, 90 xp and 2 ranks in combat skills... so not that different from humans)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Miraluka (canon, yeah that surprised me too)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Petrusian (canon)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Theelin (canon)

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Zeltron (apparently canon now)

Amazing, especially since many are near humans. Is this all the canon species that are currently not included or just a selection of those you found interesting?

36 minutes ago, Khazadune said:

Amazing, especially since many are near humans. Is this all the canon species that are currently not included or just a selection of those you found interesting?

Just the ones I found interesting (I went down a list of near humans on wookieepedia, to come up with the list, I was also looking in particular for near humans that were likely to get a bump to willpower, with canon species being preferred over legends)

I think FFG should consider what WOTC recently did with 5E and do a new beginners box aimed at attracting new roleplayers and potentially system neutral. The D&D essentials kit was a great step up from the starter kit with a basic character creator and player handouts so a fresh beginners box would be good.

6 species to pick from (Human, Wookie, Twi'lek, Droid, Duros, Gungan)

6 Slim down careers/specs (Smuggler/Pilot, Engineer/Mechanic, Soldier/Medic, Colonist/Politico, Jedi/Padawan, Sentinal/Artisan)

And rather than create a linear adventure create a location with various problems to solve.

9 minutes ago, MrTInce said:

I think FFG should consider what WOTC recently did with 5E and do a new beginners box aimed at attracting new roleplayers and potentially system neutral. The D&D essentials kit was a great step up from the starter kit with a basic character creator and player handouts so a fresh beginners box would be good.

6 species to pick from (Human, Wookie, Twi'lek, Droid, Duros, Gungan)

6 Slim down careers/specs (Smuggler/Pilot, Engineer/Mechanic, Soldier/Medic, Colonist/Politico, Jedi/Padawan, Sentinal/Artisan)

And rather than create a linear adventure create a location with various problems to solve.

That’s a really good idea.

11 hours ago, MrTInce said:

I think FFG should consider what WOTC recently did with 5E and do a new beginners box aimed at attracting new roleplayers and potentially system neutral. The D&D essentials kit was a great step up from the starter kit with a basic character creator and player handouts so a fresh beginners box would be good.

6 species to pick from (Human, Wookie, Twi'lek, Droid, Duros, Gungan)

6 Slim down careers/specs (Smuggler/Pilot, Engineer/Mechanic, Soldier/Medic, Colonist/Politico, Jedi/Padawan, Sentinal/Artisan)

And rather than create a linear adventure create a location with various problems to solve.

Rather than 6, I think 9 are needed.

I think a bounty hunter/gadgeteer needs to be added to that list (too iconic not to have it) sentinel/artisan should be replaced with sentinel/shadow, add consular/healer, replace jedi/padawan with jedi/knight (with the spend 30 xp to get a second force rating)... and it needs a gun focused character probably ace/gunner

7 hours ago, EliasWindrider said:

Rather than 6, I think 9 are needed.

I think a bounty hunter/gadgeteer needs to be added to that list (too iconic not to have it) sentinel/artisan should be replaced with sentinel/shadow, add consular/healer, replace jedi/padawan with jedi/knight (with the spend 30 xp to get a second force rating)... and it needs a gun focused character probably ace/gunner

These were just of the top of my head as there'd be a temptation to through a deathwatch in there as people might have watched rebels and liked the jetpacking. As it is a beginners box it doesn't always have to fit the mould.

10 hours ago, MrTInce said:

These were just of the top of my head as there'd be a temptation to through a deathwatch in there as people might have watched rebels and liked the jetpacking. As it is a beginners box it doesn't always have to fit the mould.

It's a pretty good first take (going for 6 I'd only replace artisan with shadow and, padawan with knight, and a you have to spend 30 xp to boost fr to 2 at creation, because improved reflect, a few ranks of parry and reflect and fr 3, to be reasonably useful for force powers)

You really nailed smuggler/pilot and colonist/politico for the Han and Leia archetypes. I think Ace/hot shot is a pretty good alternative for the gambling pilot with a gun (ranged light) because of ace, but it doesn't have the name "smuggler" which makes smuggler/pilot the better choice. Engineer mechanic was another great choice (ranged light because of engineer), I questioned soldier/medic because of the lack of a big gun character archetype, but the mercenary soldier fits that better than any soldier spec, and ace gunner is the best ace spec (heavy is too focused) and you really really need a healer, and soldier/medic is better than colonist/doctor especially since colonist politico was already filling the colonist career. So yeah soldier/medic was also the singular right choice. So 2/3rd of perfect under the 6 spec constraint.

Nothing even being reprinted now. Hey, why not put out a new single core rulebook, a revised ruleset, taking into account all the errata.

Anything's better than oblivion.

I'm abusing my position as prophet for my own agenda for just a moment, Force forgive me 😛 !

Currently, my tied-favorite board game (tied with FFG's excellent Twilight Imperium ), Spirit Island, is getting a digital version made on Steam... maybe.

they're doing a crowdfunder, but it's not going well right now, probably because it's not on the big platform most people know. If you like board games, or appreciate what I do here (even though I haven't had much of a chance to do it recently...), I'd ask that you at least take a look !

No pressure, i know it's definitely not everyone's thing, but i like it a lot and i think a fair few people here might, too .

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled predictions and discussions!

EDIT: And speaking of our regular discussion, I'm finding out so frustrating that even there GeneSys Expanded Player's Guide isn't showing up on the Upcoming page under Roleplaying games. How's a prophet supposed to prophesy without accurate data!

The lack of care to the Upcoming page recently is making me quite sad . As does the no Star Wars books...

@Absol197

You have to leave the Upcoming page without filters to see the other RPG products.

The Expanded Players Guide has been "In Development" since August 13th.

1 minute ago, salamar_dree said:

@Absol197

You have to leave the Upcoming page without filters to see the other RPG products.

The Expanded Players Guide has been "In Development" since August 13th.

I know, but it hasn't always been that way, and doing all that scrolling is frustrating! It used to be that all RPG products would show up when you put the, you know, RPG filter on it. I actually missed the fact that the EPG was announced for over a month because I was only checking the Upcoming page for a while there. Which should not be how it goes.

Or at least, that's not how it USED to work, back when my numbers meant something!

2 hours ago, Absol197 said:

I know, but it hasn't always been that way, and doing all that scrolling is frustrating! It used to be that all RPG products would show up when you put the, you know, RPG filter on it. I actually missed the fact that the EPG was announced for over a month because I was only checking the Upcoming page for a while there. Which should not be how it goes.

Or at least, that's not how it USED to work, back when my numbers meant something!

Yeah. I have no idea why the Upcoming Page is so messed up.

43 minutes ago, salamar_dree said:

Yeah. I have no idea why the Upcoming Page is so messed up.

They have gotten lazy about updating it. It is lownpriority

10 hours ago, Absol197 said:

I know, but it hasn't always been that way, and doing all that scrolling is frustrating! It used to be that all RPG products would show up when you put the, you know, RPG filter on it. I actually missed the fact that the EPG was announced for over a month because I was only checking the Upcoming page for a while there. Which should not be how it goes.

Or at least, that's not how it USED to work, back when my numbers meant something!

I wonder if it's a conscious choice on FFG's part to not update that page as often. They've gotten a lot of crap from customers about things being stuck on a boat or at the printers (both situations they can't really control all that much, especially when they were printing overseas), so it could well be a corporate decision that Upcoming products page is low priority in terms of updating. While it's annoying to not be able to track the status of a given product, it's probably less aggravation for their customer service department to not have to field as many calls about why a given product is still at the printers or on a boat.

I still say they need to get at LEAST one adventure book (Jewel of Yavin, Onslaught at Arda 1, Chronicles of the Gatekeeper, etc) for each of the three games going per year as well as a setting/focus book (Suns of Fortune, Strongholds of Resistance, Nexus of Power, etc) for each game per year. There you have six books that will sell each year right there that GM's will, and in the latter case players will also, scoop up. They can feel free to keep release books in the Lucas Eta as they see fit or the Sequel Trilogy which comes to an end this year (in anyone actually wants to play in the middle of that train wreck).

After all the books that fans have purchased along the way, and work that's gone into creating this great system and plenty of books of support it, it would be a disaster to let it die out. Just taking the six I'm suggesting alone is at least three releases per quarter which will bring in revenue under their existing license before even having to deal with Disney on their Sequel Trilogy golden child. Besides making them steady money, it makes fans happy, and keeps the game relevant. I do hope they continue to reprint previous career books and core books, but I recall reading somewhere in this thread that reprints would cease, which is not good for the future.

Is there anything in pipeline right now?

MJ

1 hour ago, Midnight_X2 said:

Is there anything in pipeline right now?

Anyone who knows would be unable to say, under conditions of their NDA, since nothing is currently announced.

Well Absol197, you've got a new book to try and work your calculations on.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2019/11/6/starships-and-speeders/

Article says Q1 of 2020, but I'm personally guessing it'll either be end of March or more likely somewhere in April. I could very well be wrong, but I think the number of supplemental books that got released in the initially targeted quarter can be counted on a single hand with some fingers left over.

On 5/10/2019 at 7:18 PM, Dr Lucky said:

Given that Gear and Gadgets is following Allies and Adversaries, I'm placing my bet now on the title of the next compilation book:

Starships and Speeders

Called it! Way back in this thread on May 10.