So, the boxed set arrived this morning.

Is there anything that anyone wants to know about it?

Anything you want to see?

Sure, sort of- I'm on the fence and would like to know how nice the maps are. The kit would be useful in order to introduce one or two groups to the game, but after that, there isn't much else I'd be able to re-use except the maps.

It'sa very nice. Worth it alone for the dice and galaxy map

I don't suppose they snuck the Abednedo species stats in there, did they?

I don't suppose they snuck the Abednedo species stats in there, did they?

No. But I am sure they will at some point in a career or setting book. None of the npcs are of the species.

Sure, sort of- I'm on the fence and would like to know how nice the maps are. The kit would be useful in order to introduce one or two groups to the game, but after that, there isn't much else I'd be able to re-use except the maps.

They have previously included maps in other beginners games. In fact, I think they have included a different map with each beginners game, IIRC.

The difference here is that the flip side of the map is now a Galaxy map, as opposed to another specific location.

Overall, I would say that the quality of the maps is the same as we have seen from FFG in the past. In other words, pretty good, if not at the level of “Maps of Mastery”. Same for the galaxy map, although this is obviously much bigger than we have seen in the CRBs so far.

New locations are highlighted, like Jakku, Takodana, Starkiller Base, D’Qar, etc….

Comparing old maps to this new one, I now understand why Ilum is not available as a source of lightsaber crystals — the First Order turned Ilum into Starkiller Base.

I’ll see if I can upload a decent picture of the map, but I’m not going to scan the whole thing in for you:

Comparing old maps to this new one, I now understand why Ilum is not available as a source of lightsaber crystals — the First Order turned Ilum into Starkiller Base.

Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.

What?

So...all the fan theories are true?

FFS

Thx for the reminder! Just ordered it; should be waiting, when I get home from holiday.

So...all the fan theories are true?

Check the locations for yourself. Compare the above map to this one:

So...all the fan theories are true?

Check the locations for yourself. Compare the above map to this one:

****. You're right.

That is some serious "Bye-Bye Vulcan"-level plot development.

The part that weirds me out is that Ilum wasn't just Legends -- it was Canon, based on the Clone Wars series. Why didn't they refer to the planet AS Ilum when they were on it? And why waste that planet when you could have just invented another one to nuke?

EDIT: I'm kind of annoyed because I really liked Legends-Ilum. And it is positively awesome in SWTOR.

Comparing old maps to this new one, I now understand why Ilum is not available as a source of lightsaber crystals — the First Order turned Ilum into Starkiller Base.

Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.

What?

So...all the fan theories are true?

FFS

Why so upset at that? It has been established, well before, that khyber crystals were used in the construction of the death stars' superlasers. The empire had access to the Jedi temple, and thus records. Ilum was likely not public knowledge.

Because they done went and Alderaaned a world with a unique history that I'd have liked to see/use in a campaign and which now has to be retconned or alt-historied if it is to be used? I was actually flirting with sending my canon, TFA-era F&D campaign in the direction of Ilum -- but that's not happening now. I guess I'd have preferred if they just came up with a new planet. Nothing would have been lost. They did it with the Hosnian system -- why not with the Starkiller planet?

Anyways. Not a huge deal. Just a curious move.

I wonder if maybe this is an accidental leak of information?

Maybe they planned to use that “Ilum gets turned into the Starkiller Base” storyline in another movie or comic, but which maybe got delayed?

Or maybe FFG just screwed up?

The empire had access to the Jedi temple, and thus records. Ilum was likely not public knowledge.

Ilum was a closely-held secret of the Jedi order, but I’m sure Anakin would have known about it.

So, yeah — I was quite surprised to see that Ilum was now gone and replaced by Starkiller Base, but it does make sense. And there’s certainly a lot of story opportunities you could write around that.

Its been strongly hinted that giant khyber crystals (rebels/a new dawn/kanan comics) were being used by the empire to create something (also if you derive the timeline probably the death star super laser). So given that the crystals powered the laser tbat destroyed Alderran,it makes sense that Starkiller base is Ilum. It was also an snow planet.

I'm surprised the Ilum thing isn't bigger news in star wars fan circles.

BTW this was postulated back last year before the ep vii release

http://newmediarockstars.com/2015/11/star-wars-maps-starkiller-base-ilum-theory/

BTW this was postulated back last year before the ep vii release

http://newmediarockstars.com/2015/11/star-wars-maps-starkiller-base-ilum-theory/

The other thing this theory page talks about but which I hadn't given much thought to until now is the "Rakata Prime as canon" idea. If it's on the OK-guys-we're-really-serious-now endorsed map...that has definitely got me curious. There's a LOT of Legends material (especially in the video games) tied up with the Rakata.

Ilum was usually shown as a cold world (in TOR and Clone Wars) so it makes sense. They never named the planet in the film, which never registered with me.

Dang now I'm actually pretty mad it got blown up.

Dang now I'm actually pretty mad it got blown up.

Why? Technically, it's much easier to get a crystal now, you don't even have to land on the planet!

Dang now I'm actually pretty mad it got blown up.

Why? Technically, it's much easier to get a crystal now, you don't even have to land on the planet!

there's a star where the planet used to be.

Dang now I'm actually pretty mad it got blown up.

Why? Technically, it's much easier to get a crystal now, you don't even have to land on the planet!

there's a star where the planet used to be.

You sure it's a star and not just a shorter-lived explosion?

It didnt have an equetorial shockwave.

vs

It didnt have an equetorial shockwave.

This is the scientific method at work, people.

I'm actually kind of glad this (seemingly) got cleared up. I remember the Ilum theory and thought it was pretty compelling, but up until today I didn't trust the data. Now I do. When I inevitably start running games in the New Republic era, it'll actually be kind of nice that Luke's Jedi never got to reclaim a planet with tons of lightsaber crystals. The reward for finding one will be all the sweeter.

EDIT: To get back on track, I'm curious if some of the TFA-era vehicles got stats for the game. Like the quadjumper, TIE/fo, or -- be still my heart -- the T-70?

No Vehicle stats only opponents