One of my players just bought the Seeker-Pathfinder source book and is wondering if I could allow him to tame a wild Rancor to be his mount/companion. Would you allow a light side Jedi-in-training to obtain something like this? Would it be too OP if you use the Rancor stats from the EotE CRB? Would you allow the player to use it for combat as well?

Would it be OP? Probably, yes. Would I allow it? Probably, yes. Would there be significant restrictions on where he could -bring- said mount? Oh, you betcha.

Not to mention you need to feed it, put it somewhere when you travel, and IIRC, that talent requires high Force Rating to work on big creatures, like a Rancor.

As a general rule, say 'yes' to whatever players want in game. As GMs, it falls to use to adjudicate the use of PCs wants in game.

I thoroughly enjoy the Seeker class. I've found a few good mounts, so I'm impressed with your player's want for a riding Rancor!

I'll presume you've already checked the silhouette of this creature against this character's Force Rating. If it works, then roll with it.

I doubt any sect of Witches will be irritated by those bold move, or at least interested in testing the rider's suitability for their beloved mounts.

Failures surrounding ANYTHING about this Rancor should be as wicked as you'd see fit- we can't expect the mount NOT to bite the hand that feeds it (but more likely swallow the handler whole!). Walking around town will be a problem, as would travel in space. These considerations become additional motivation hooks for the game. Even taking Sparky to the vet will be a massive pain for everyone.

So, as a fan of Seekers and bonded animals, allow it and all of the headaches such a large and terrible mount would have on the rest of your story.

Honestly, am surprised not opting for a Hermit, who can at least sneak-in a higher Force Rating based on their Survival skill ranks.

Just to RIDE a Rancor would be up to your availability of them in game, and character's skill rolls or talents, etc.

Rancors are silhouette 3 creatures. Per RAW, a character (Light/Dark) needs a SIX Force Rating to have it as a bonded animal.

Even starting at Knight Level Play, I find it hard to presume any character can have an effective SIX FORCE RATING to earn such a bonded animal.

It's good to have goals...

Honestly, am surprised not opting for a Hermit, who can at least sneak-in a higher Force Rating based on their Survival skill ranks.

Just to RIDE a Rancor would be up to your availability of them in game, and character's skill rolls or talents, etc.

Rancors are silhouette 3 creatures. Per RAW, a character (Light/Dark) needs a SIX Force Rating to have it as a bonded animal.

Even starting at Knight Level Play, I find it hard to presume any character can have an effective SIX FORCE RATING to earn such a bonded animal.

It's good to have goals...

Wow! I haven't had a look at the book yet, he just bought it on Friday so I didn't know of the restrictions...he simply just asked if his character could get one. I told him I would have to think on it and read the section on mounts before I could say yes. Right now the highest Force rating my characters are at is a 2, so this won't be something that is most likely available to them for quite awhile since we only play once a month and only 1 person has bought into a second skill tree.

Do you think that I should advise the player about the headache that would entail him owning a rancor (if and when it happens), or do you think letting it play out and giving them all the hoops to jump through after they tame it would be more fun?

Honestly, am surprised not opting for a Hermit, who can at least sneak-in a higher Force Rating based on their Survival skill ranks.

Just to RIDE a Rancor would be up to your availability of them in game, and character's skill rolls or talents, etc.

Rancors are silhouette 3 creatures. Per RAW, a character (Light/Dark) needs a SIX Force Rating to have it as a bonded animal.

Even starting at Knight Level Play, I find it hard to presume any character can have an effective SIX FORCE RATING to earn such a bonded animal.

It's good to have goals...

Wow! I haven't had a look at the book yet, he just bought it on Friday so I didn't know of the restrictions...he simply just asked if his character could get one. I told him I would have to think on it and read the section on mounts before I could say yes. Right now the highest Force rating my characters are at is a 2, so this won't be something that is most likely available to them for quite awhile since we only play once a month and only 1 person has bought into a second skill tree.

Do you think that I should advise the player about the headache that would entail him owning a rancor (if and when it happens), or do you think letting it play out and giving them all the hoops to jump through after they tame it would be more fun?

Definitely let them know what they're getting into... But do it in game. Have NPCs talk about how much of a pain it was taking care of Jabba's Rancor.... They heard from so-and-so that it needed to eat at least a dozen sentients a week or somesuch.... Otherwise it got "cranky"... It'll give more depth to the world for the player to figure out the depth of the commitment (and the attendant complications thereof) from talking with other people in the world. You can also provide information through K. Outer Rim and Survival checks.... Lastly, you can have a Force mentor (or whomever they're learning Force Powers from) about the raw Power needed to control such a beast through the Force.... In that respect, I might allow them to "tame" the Rancor before they have 6 FP, but they would not be able to "bond" with it, per the Force Ability.

Honestly, am surprised not opting for a Hermit, who can at least sneak-in a higher Force Rating based on their Survival skill ranks.

Just to RIDE a Rancor would be up to your availability of them in game, and character's skill rolls or talents, etc.

Rancors are silhouette 3 creatures. Per RAW, a character (Light/Dark) needs a SIX Force Rating to have it as a bonded animal.

Even starting at Knight Level Play, I find it hard to presume any character can have an effective SIX FORCE RATING to earn such a bonded animal.

It's good to have goals...

Wow! I haven't had a look at the book yet, he just bought it on Friday so I didn't know of the restrictions...he simply just asked if his character could get one. I told him I would have to think on it and read the section on mounts before I could say yes. Right now the highest Force rating my characters are at is a 2, so this won't be something that is most likely available to them for quite awhile since we only play once a month and only 1 person has bought into a second skill tree.

Do you think that I should advise the player about the headache that would entail him owning a rancor (if and when it happens), or do you think letting it play out and giving them all the hoops to jump through after they tame it would be more fun?

The adversary chapter in the Force and Destiny CRB has a box on using younger animals. I'd look into it.

The adversary chapter in the Force and Destiny CRB has a box on using younger animals. I'd look into it.

I was just looking at that when you posted this! The problem of juvenile creatures remains that the silhouette decreases by 1, which still leaves it at Sil 2 and that means it requires a Force rating of 4. The character who asked this already has a companion, a Tusk Cat he found when it was a baby...so I am somewhat familiar with how it works. It was only recently that his pet was able to fight with him as a Mature Tusk Cat...and man did it do some damage!

I think we may be slightly miscommunicating. Allow me to explain where I see the disconnect.

The PC in question is a whatever species Pathfinder. This talent tree uses bonded animals far differently compared to a Hermit. I affectionately refer to Pathfinders as having a spy pet. They are far less likely to be improving their Force Rating (The Hermit has two options for a +1 FR, and Survival of the Fittest talent swaps the current FR for ranks in Survival once/session) versus a Hermit, who also has bonded animals. BOTH can ride a creature like the Rancor. Insert it in the game, and players roll for their ridin' skills). Done...

If, however, the player wants a cool, Force-linked awesome monster like a Rancor to listen to trained commands, look to the Hermit as an easy solution. In addition to getting the bonded animal, they have talents to make the creature attack in some very special ways (Harass, Menace). Since the Hermit seems built for accelerated FR, they would also likely have bigger beasts. Can a Hermit OR Pathfinder ride a Rancor? Again, this is riding, not making a friend. Do you make friends with every cab driver? How likely is a generic airline pilot to go out of their way to entertain your whims while in the air? Could you ask your bus driver to stop off at a restaurant at the end of town? Neither is a Rancor likely to be your buddy -- IF it's JUST a mount.

Smaller Rancors are an option, but it feels like forced dentistry. If human teens are sometimes hormonal monsters when younger, what hopes do you have about an adolescent Rancor?

For 60XP, a Hermit can easily grab a lot of talents to make a nice bonded animal of silhouette 1.

I think we may be slightly miscommunicating. Allow me to explain where I see the disconnect.

The PC in question is a whatever species Pathfinder. This talent tree uses bonded animals far differently compared to a Hermit. I affectionately refer to Pathfinders as having a spy pet. They are far less likely to be improving their Force Rating (The Hermit has two options for a +1 FR, and Survival of the Fittest talent swaps the current FR for ranks in Survival once/session) versus a Hermit, who also has bonded animals. BOTH can ride a creature like the Rancor. Insert it in the game, and players roll for their ridin' skills). Done...

If, however, the player wants a cool, Force-linked awesome monster like a Rancor to listen to trained commands, look to the Hermit as an easy solution. In addition to getting the bonded animal, they have talents to make the creature attack in some very special ways (Harass, Menace). Since the Hermit seems built for accelerated FR, they would also likely have bigger beasts. Can a Hermit OR Pathfinder ride a Rancor? Again, this is riding, not making a friend. Do you make friends with every cab driver? How likely is a generic airline pilot to go out of their way to entertain your whims while in the air? Could you ask your bus driver to stop off at a restaurant at the end of town? Neither is a Rancor likely to be your buddy -- IF it's JUST a mount.

Smaller Rancors are an option, but it feels like forced dentistry. If human teens are sometimes hormonal monsters when younger, what hopes do you have about an adolescent Rancor?

For 60XP, a Hermit can easily grab a lot of talents to make a nice bonded animal of silhouette 1.

Thanks, I haven't heard of the Hermit specialization yet so I wasn't aware it existed! I will have to borrow his book next week after we get together for our session so I can read up on it.

Do you think that I should advise the player about the headache that would entail him owning a rancor (if and when it happens), or do you think letting it play out and giving them all the hoops to jump through after they tame it would be more fun?

The headaches of tending to a tamed Rancor should be part of the game. So, no, I wouldn't advise the player at all. Making choices - good or bad - and dealing with the repercussions are what drive campaigns.

So during my last session I advised the player if he wants to have an adventure to go look for a Rancor as a mount he could do so as long as it fit with the rules regarding his current bonded companion animal. He is going to looks things over and let me know. I think if he chooses to go after this it could make for some very interesting situations especially since he is at Force Rating 2 right now.