I've never played a table top RPG before. I am in need guidance.

I was wondering if this would work for my character:

Race: Mandalorian (unless Diathim ever becomes playable)

Career: Warrior

Specialization: Shii-Cho knight

My goal would be to start off as a force-sensitive dual-wielding stealthy-fast melee attacker

...wearing Mandalorian armor

I would also like to eventually dip into bounty hunting and rebel spying with the same character

Is this going to be worth it, or hugely disappointing??? How can I make it work?

I originally posted something about this same character here:

Please help!

Is your GM starting you off at 0 additional starting XP or Knight Level play?

In either case, you may have to start with a simpler concept and work your way up to where you want to go. Your idea sounds more more like where a character would be nearing the end of a campaign.

If you leave your Morality alone and eschew the +10XP for doing so, you can easily grab a pair of Ancient swords and some padded armor. I know the Padded armor isn't statistically the same a Mandalorean armor, but who's to say it is not? It's all flavor text anyway. I'm a huge proponent of reflavoring and reskinning stuff to suit your needs. I do it all the time in my games.

Mandalorians are an awful species from a game mechanical stand point, the 105 xp really limits options. You'really better of using baseline human stats to represent a Mandalorian human.

As noted, above, this is maybe a bit ambitious for a starting concept. Mandalorian armor is expensive in terms of credits and rarity, and force powers are expensive in terms of XP.

During character-creation, I would focus on one or two elements of this concept - melee competence, perhaps, or stealth and mobility - and focus on getting that to work.

I'd recommend starting out as a Guardian instead for your concept, maybe an Armorer. This will allow you to craft your very own Mandalorian battle armor (something valued highly in their culture, being an armorsmith), while still giving you the Lightsaber skill and something to do in addition to fighting - namely, Mechanics. You don't even need higher than starting Intelligence if you're fine with sinking EXP into buying up the Mechanics skill above 2.

Now, you wanna do bounty hunting with your crew? You don't need the career or any of the specializations for that. If you want to be a good warrior Mandalorian that can also hide quite well to stalk his prey, leave the actual tracking and social engineering (Cunning based) to someone in your crew, at least until you reach high level play. For the actual stealthing, you could look at the Shadow or Sentry specializations for the Sentinel - especially Shadow. A good shadow could potentially turn the tables on an Inquisitor hunting his group and assassinate HIM in return!

When I ran my game with n00bs, I dove into knight level play cause ~100 xp just isn't enough for a force sensitive PC to be effective against anything aside minion groups. You will have to sacrifice something during creation. Knight Level (+150xp) +/- being human, taking conflict for XP, and some other odds and ends makes things more viable. Mandalorian race isn't terrible since there are some free goodies, but human is just plain better from a get going point.

Mandalorian armor by RAW isn't that stellar either.

While I'll agree that Mando's aren't the most efficient build option, they are quite serviceable. So don't let the other guys get you down if that's what you're set on.

That said, if you want to focus on a stealth option you may wan to look at Ataru Striker, as there's a slightly better synergy there.

Mando armor basically, isn't amazing, but it's got it's advantages and it is expensive. So acquiring some won't be easy... well not the "Real" Mando armor. One thing about this system is that things tend to be less solid. So Mando Armor could be any armor with you just describing it as Mando in origin and design. So while real mando armor is tough to get, Heavy battle armor is easier, and other lighter types even easier. This might be the direction you want to take, at least up front. Take some easier to get armor, say it's made on mando with a nice T-visor, and you're set. This might also work as a better option big-picture as you can select a lighter armor that's more compatible with a Stealthly playstyle.

Thanks guys,

I don't have a GM yet, and I'm still not sure what Knight level play is. Is it legit?

I would ideally like to try not to have to change the rules too much to suit my needs as I don't want to be, how you say, an OP munchkin

I want to play as a Mando for the name not the stats, same reason I want Mando armor.

If I understand correctly, it seems like playing a Mando is like starting a game on a harder difficulty setting, which seems to work thematically. Except it seems like there should be a reward for that, like free Mandalorian Armor at the start, or at least ignoring the rarity on any Mando gear. A Mandalorian without their armor is like a Jedi without a Lightsaber.

I guess I could drop the stealthy part and just charge head first into a gun fight with two swords drawn like an insane person. As long as I can survive without any permanent damage I'm good with that.

So how would you build a character that was genetically engineered and trained by the Empire to be a Saber Guard, but escapes as a pre-teen and is adopted by Mandalorians and lives with them until young adulthood?

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Saber_Guard

I made a Mandalorian character recently (a Guardian/Armorer) and used some of my starting money for the parts necessary to build some Customizable armor. I plan on rolling the construction roll as the character's first act in play. That's an option you might consider in order to get the armor you want. If you go that route, you'll want 2 ranks in Mechanics.

I don't want to rely too heavily on gear though. For me the armor is mostly just so I can make my character's Mandalorian backstory more legitimate. It's more of an iconic ancient uniform than anything.

Unfortunately, no one gets armor for free. You either have to buy it or make it (which means buying the materials and succceeding at the construction check).

1 hour ago, Mychal'el said:

I don't want to rely too heavily on gear though. For me the armor is mostly just so I can make my character's Mandalorian backstory more legitimate. It's more of an iconic ancient uniform than anything.

If you're thinking of Mandalorian gear as a "uniform," but want a stealthy character, maybe you could just settle on a helmet. It'd be cheaper, anyway.

Also, playing a Mandalorian isn't like playing on "hard mode." Some people just don't like the freebies the species comes with. Standard Humans get a free rank in two skills of their choice that are outside of their career and starting specialization, but Mandos get either a free rank in a Combat Skill, or one rank in two different Knowledge skills. They also get a higher starting Wound Threshold (hit points, essentially) than a standard Human, but they get 5 fewer XP than a standard Human for the bargain.

Going standard Human (and just specifying in your backstory that you're Mandalorian) would give you more versatility in character creation, but if you want that extra Wound and are cool with a free rank in a combat skill or two knowledge skills, Mando should be fine for you. (Or if you don't care about min/maxing and all-around Munchkinish play, be a Mando. Who cares? It's a narrative system.)

My advice: Age of Rebellion Spy career has a Specialisation called Infiltrator. Its Melee and Stealth focused through and through, and easy to describe as a Rebel.

With the xp allocation to Mandalorien your best bet is choosing 1 characteristic to bump to 4, and a second to bump to 3. That leaves you with 5xp before changing your Obligation/Duty/Morality. In this particular case a Brawn 4, Cunning 3 is probably the best.

If Force and Destiny is particularly important to you, and being Force Sensitive in particular, then the Shien Expert is imho a better fit for your concept. You can then have Cunning as your highest characteristic but still use it for attacking, so long as the weapons you use require the Lightsaber skill. As for those weapons the "Ancient Swords" (intge FaD core book) would also fit your concept very well and uses the Lightsaber Skill. I would recommend bumping up Brawn to 3 for the extra Damage and Soak it affords too.

21 hours ago, Mychal'el said:

Thanks guys,

I don't have a GM yet, and I'm still not sure what Knight level play is. Is it legit?

Yes, it's in the FaD core book. It's an advanced play option where a player character, instead of starting with base species XP and 500 credits they get additional XP and a credit budget (or a lightsaber) that roughly replicates around 7-10 sessions of play depending on what your reward scheme looks like.

It works, but there's some controversy about the "Knight" designation and if that XP bonus is indeed what you need to playa "Jedi Knight." It's so dependant on your certain point of view that it really doesn't have an answer.

Quote

If I understand correctly, it seems like playing a Mando is like starting a game on a harder difficulty setting, which seems to work thematically. Except it seems like there should be a reward for that, like free Mandalorian Armor at the start, or at least ignoring the rarity on any Mando gear. A Mandalorian without their armor is like a Jedi without a Lightsaber.

No, you do not understand correctly.

What people are saying is that, from a purely mechanical perspective, starting Mandos aren't the most efficient species option. That's it. A Mando won't be at any significant disadvantage compared to other species options, or playing at a harder level, or anything like that at all.

Regular humans get a wad of XP, and a free rank in two out of career skills.

Mandos get slightly less XP, one more wound on the wound threshold, and a rank in a combat skill or two knowledge skills.

So the Mando isn't playing a harder game, he's just not as flexible or min/max able, and his skill options will vary in value compared to a normal human is all. When you look at the big picture and the long game a Mando is fine, viable, and usable as any other species.

Remember that when talking to the forums you're dealing with guys that have been around a bit and so tend to get really crunchy. Best option, best build, ect.

Don't sweat that. The system, unlike other RPGs, was built with more story in mind, so not having a "perfect" character or party isn't as big a deal. If the Humans species comes out being a better value of 5-10 points, that is not a big deal to the point that by a few sessions in, you won't even notice.

All this which is more efficient stuff is all in perspective.

A droid if you want it to be, is the most efficient.

Any species, depending on how you play it, is most efficient.

On 6/4/2017 at 0:31 PM, SavageBob said:

If you're thinking of Mandalorian gear as a "uniform," but want a stealthy character, maybe you could just settle on a helmet. It'd be cheaper, anyway.

Helmets can be sold separately?

"Mandalorian Armor" is essentially flavor text. Anything can be "Mandalorian Armor" if it is worn or made by a Mandalorian. I have a Mandalorian in my game group and his "Mandalorian Armor" is just the plain old battle armor from a statistic standpoint.

So yeah, you can get a helmet and then spend some time modifying it to have a scanner or a comm-link built into it.

Even the stats for Armoured Clothing (or any standard armour) can be described to appear as Mandalorien Armour, it's just an inferior quality suit that provides less protection.

1 hour ago, Mychal'el said:

Helmets can be sold separately?

It would depend on the GM, but I'd say it's a huge galaxy, so it'd be hard to believe that there wouldn't be a Mandalorian helmet knocking about somewhere, waiting to be bought or stolen.

On 6/9/2017 at 9:20 AM, Richardbuxton said:

Even the stats for Armoured Clothing (or any standard armour) can be described to appear as Mandalorien Armour, it's just an inferior quality suit that provides less protection.

A number of functionally identical armors have different prices for the same soak....

Heavy Clothing: 1 enc, 1 soak, Cr50
Nomad Greatcloak: 1 enc, 1 soak, Cr400
Concealing Robes: 1 enc, 1 soak, Cr150

Prices are narrative-focused, not mechanics focused.

5 hours ago, AK_Aramis said:

A number of functionally identical armors have different prices for the same soak....

Heavy Clothing: 1 enc, 1 soak, Cr50
Nomad Greatcloak: 1 enc, 1 soak, Cr400
Concealing Robes: 1 enc, 1 soak, Cr150

Prices are narrative-focused, not mechanics focused.

Yeah but still for one there is different encumberence, and concealing robes add setback to perception checks to recognise

Yeah, what I was meaning by "standard Armour" where things that didn't have special rules. Heavy Clothing, Padded Armour, Armoured Clothing, Laminate etc.

They have a name, and they have stats, but what their actual description and appearance is is entirely up to the players desires. Essentially you pay the credits for the stats then give it whatever visual description you want.

On 6/4/2017 at 10:27 AM, Tramp Graphics said:

I made a Mandalorian character recently (a Guardian/Armorer) and used some of my starting money for the parts necessary to build some Customizable armor. I plan on rolling the construction roll as the character's first act in play. That's an option you might consider in order to get the armor you want. If you go that route, you'll want 2 ranks in Mechanics.

So I think I'm going for the Mandalorian Guardian/Amorer > Ataru Striker

I'm also thinking of later dipping into the Racer skill tree for the Freerunning and Piloting. Sentry also seems really cool but I dunno if that's too ambitious.

I want my character to be a born weapon but I'd also like to customize my armor & weapons & starship when I'm not fighting.

So where should I spend xp? What should my numbers look like at regular chargen & "knight level"?

On 6/4/2017 at 11:21 AM, Mychal'el said:

I don't want to rely too heavily on gear though. For me the armor is mostly just so I can make my character's Mandalorian backstory more legitimate. It's more of an iconic ancient uniform than anything.

I know I contradicted myself. I just now realized how much fun it could be to customize stuff

LOL, you're certainly excited to play, aren't you? I had the same problem when I first started because I LOVE Star Wars so much. My first character was basically Han Solo and it went on from there.

Take your time, breathe, and enjoy reading the rule books. Just sit down and make a bunch of characters. OggDude's character generator app is awesome for quickly constructing new characters. Eventually, you'll figure out what you want to play. Another thing would be to join multiple groups. Either IRL or PBP. Then you can play your warrior, mechanic and social characters without having to make compromises.