So.. My Archaeologist just sorta... accepted a lightsaber, and a mission to save the galaxy (c'mon, it's happened to the best of us).

She's already force-sensitive, though she may not be entirely cognizant of it, but with 2 Brawn and 0 Lightsaber ranks (and it's not a career skill, of course)... her performance will be pretty underwhelming.

She's not going full Jedi (Never go Full Jedi!) , but she needs to dip into a lightsaber spec.

While having the Intellect for Soresu, she's not really the meditative sort.

I'm thinking Makashi? or perhaps Ataru?

If I choose a spec with Reflect, could I continue to use a blaster for ranged combat, but use a lightsaber in my offhand for defensive purposes? Would this impose the two-weapon penalties? I suspect this is house-rule territory, but I thought I'd reach out.

Thanks!

There are no penalties for simply holding a lightsaber in one hand and a blaster in the other, using one to Reflect and one to shoot, so you're golden there. The penalties come when you try to use both to attack in the same action (+2 Difficulty, using your worst skill of the two).

Don't get caught up too much in the fluff, either. Soresu is a fine specialization without playing a meditative character. But really, you should just pick whatever specialization seems like it'd be the most fun for you. Makashi is a devastating style if you've got the Presence to back it up, but it has no Reflect ranks. Ataru is a mobile powerhouse, especially if you're in the 2+ Force Rating category, but it's a little glass-cannon-y. Shii-Cho and Soresu are the beatstick and tank specializations. It's really just what you think would most benefit your playstyle. If all else fails, Niman is a good fallback, both in terms of lore and in terms of mechanics. It's a catch-all specialization. And it gives you a Force Rating bump if you're willing to slog through to the bitter end of the tree

Edit: also don't forget, each Career splatbook has its own lightsaber specialization. They don't contain "Technique" talents that replace Brawn with some other characteristic, but once you get a few skill ranks you'll hardly notice the difference. And they might make for more meaningful choices for you.

53 minutes ago, awayputurwpn said:

There are no penalties for simply holding a lightsaber in one hand and a blaster in the other, using one to Reflect and one to shoot, so you're golden there.

Wow! That's awesome, but it also makes more options viable, and my decision more difficult...

Thanks for the quick response, and detailed advice!

You could get someone, *hint *hint, to make a defensive shoto out of it!

44 minutes ago, TheShard said:

You could get someone, *hint *hint, to make a defensive shoto out of it!

True that. Just remove the crystal and put it into a new hilt. Easy peasy.

1 hour ago, awayputurwpn said:

True that. Just remove the crystal and put it into a new hilt. Easy peasy.

I do feel compelled to remind you that, as an Archaeologist, your supposed to carry a blaster pistol and a light whip (that's what the crystal's for); it is actually specified in the job description as the one reason for Well Rounded.

21 minutes ago, Grimmerling said:

I do feel compelled to remind you that, as an Archaeologist, your supposed to carry a blaster pistol and a light whip (that's what the crystal's for); it is actually specified in the job description as the one reason for Well Rounded.

Ha ha ha! I've got an Archaeologist in my current game who is playing as "Jenos Idanian," and he uses a pistol & cryowhip.

24 minutes ago, Grimmerling said:

I do feel compelled to remind you that, as an Archaeologist, your supposed to carry a blaster pistol and a light whip (that's what the crystal's for); it is actually specified in the job description as the one reason for Well Rounded.

Lightwhips ... when hurting yourself with nunchucks just isn't good enough.

It is official and I can craft one

Shien is an excellent choice with tons of ranks in both Parry and Reflect. Another good option might be Sentry from the Sentinel splatbook. It has Improved Reflect, a couple iterations of Dodge and Grit, Saber Throw and Improved Saber Throw, and the incredibly handy Impossible Fall.

Lots of good suggestions here, thanks!

Shien could work, but it is currently the only lightsaber spec represented in the party, and I don't want to encroach. Impossible Fall is already covered, with an anti-grav chute in her standard turn-out kit (what? you don't wear one?).

And I'm not entirely sold on the whip idea- I like the idea of being able to breach walls, hulls, etc... and she has an ascension pistol, as well, for the more utilitarian aspect... maybe she could get away with just the fedora, which she must occasionally reach back for?

At range, I think she'll still be reaching for her Lancer, when the bad guy starts twirling his swords.

I am reconsidering Soresu. Using 4 dice instead of 2, by accessing the 2nd tier technique talent, is hard to pass up. My initial concerns about parrying/ reflecting while firing a blaster seem to have been unfounded... XPwise, it is a tangent, that won't require heavy investment to reap benefits (and I still want to work through FSE to obtain a second Force Rating). Talent-wise, it looks like it will serve my character well, as she is able to delve deeper into the tree.

Thank you, Everyone, for the excellent input!

The other thing to consider is something like arbiter, it has a taste of lightsaber stuff, but gives you an awesome talent with aggressive negotiations

I was actually checking out Arbiter, and I rather like it for Astrid...

The thing is... Archaeologist is such a jack-of-all-trades, that I think I can be Everything with this character. If I can relinquish some of that power to the actual warriors in the party... perhaps I should consider this... Arbiter is the one lightsaber spec I was considering, without a technique talent...

Fine, dammit! You're right, of course. And I'll be taking you up on that shoto offer.

I was coming here to say "Your warrior companions can't Improved Sunder" but seems you already made the right decision

Don't worry I'll get you some extra hp on it. Thing stwill be a beast.

On 27.7.2017 at 11:17 PM, Grimmerling said:

I do feel compelled to remind you that, as an Archaeologist, your supposed to carry a blaster pistol and a light whip (that's what the crystal's for); it is actually specified in the job description as the one reason for Well Rounded.

Hey now, we know that Star Wars archaeologists prefer to go for a pilot's cap and goggles and skip the whip .

2 hours ago, Cifer said:

Hey now, we know that Star Wars archaeologists prefer to go for a pilot's cap and goggles and skip the whip .

Doctor Aphra was definitely an influence.

As soon as I realized my lapse, I decided upon a slightly different concept:

Except you won't catch Astrid in a Victorian dress anytime soon... and her goggles are more starwarsy, and less steampunky.

EXCELLENT!!! and there's NOTHING wrong with having 2 Arbiters in the Group... with completely different styles of gameplay. No encroachment at all ...In Fact, MUCH Collaboration as far as I'm concerned!

Worra, you mean? Our Agitator/Marshal does best fill this role, at present, but I believe he is reducing his participation to that of a recurring guest PC; also, the actual specs/talent are entirely different, except for Nobody's Fool (And he could never pull off a pith helmet, the way our Explorer can).

Or... Are you considering it for Yorik?

On ‎29‎/‎07‎/‎2017 at 9:36 PM, Edgehawk said:

Except you won't catch Astrid in a Victorian dress anytime soon... and her goggles are more starwarsy, and less steampunky

So no lightsaber concealed in a parasol, then?

On 1/8/2017 at 10:54 AM, Magnus Grendel said:

So no lightsaber concealed in a parasol, then?

Whoa! That's a really nice idea!

I was thinking your archaeologist can see lightsaber more as a historian geek that wants to know how to use the weapon. Like a samurai geek would love to know how to wield a katana. She can study recordings, try to find lost holocrons and other jedi treasures to help her in her pursuit of knowledge, practice alone because there is no true mentor available... She could also be an ex-padawan sworn to recover jedi treasures for knowledge preservation, and with the motto "jedi knowledge must be in the right hands... and mine are better than that Hutt ones" XD

Love your archaeologist idea, I will borrow it for an NPC for a future adventure, with your permision ^^

1 hour ago, hikari_dourden said:

I was thinking your archaeologist can see lightsaber more as a historian geek that wants to know how to use the weapon. Like a samurai geek would love to know how to wield a katana. She can study recordings, try to find lost holocrons and other jedi treasures to help her in her pursuit of knowledge, practice alone because there is no true mentor available...

My Archaeologist certainly has a professional interest in the lightsaber, but the need to effectively use it is more pressing than that: the Sith abomination we are hunting wields three. Pursuing a particular lightsaber form may well be a product of specific research, discovering what would best serve her abilities.

1 hour ago, hikari_dourden said:

She could also be an ex-padawan sworn to recover jedi treasures for knowledge preservation, and with the motto "jedi knowledge must be in the right hands...

She is an established character, with an emerging force sensitivity (or cognizance thereof), who recovers relics for... an enigmatic benefactor. (How could this arrangement possibly go awry?)

On 8/1/2017 at 4:54 AM, Magnus Grendel said:

So no lightsaber concealed in a parasol, then?

The setting (about 30 years ABY, with its own timeline) does not seem to necessitate disguising the saber hilt, but that would be pretty awesome: fight evil and the elements!

2 hours ago, hikari_dourden said:

Love your archaeologist idea, I will borrow it for an NPC for a future adventure, with your permision

It is by no means an original concept, but rather a common adventure trope (common enough to have its own Spec). Take it and make it yours! I just swapped out a pith helmet, for the fedora (Dr Jones) or pilot helmet (Dr Aphra). Have fun, and good luck!

On 7/28/2017 at 6:06 AM, Richardbuxton said:

I was coming here to say "Your warrior companions can't Improved Sunder" but seems you already made the right decision

Actually... I now have a warrior companion who can (he was allowed to re-Spec, swapping Arbiter for a Spec that never really emerged in his character in actual play)... so I may pursue Soresu after all.

On 8/4/2017 at 8:27 AM, Edgehawk said:

On 7/28/2017 at 6:06 AM, Richardbuxton said:

I was coming here to say "Your warrior companions can't Improved Sunder" but seems you already made the right decision

Actually... I now have a warrior companion who can (he was allowed to re-Spec, swapping Arbiter for a Spec that never really emerged in his character in actual play)... so I may pursue Soresu after all.

And, perhaps more importantly: The very idea of Improved Sunder would be antithetical to an Archaeologist.

Sure, with her Lancer, she doesn't even bother with a stun setting for the bad guys; but damaging or destroying an ancient sword or forcesaber? Sacrilege!

Soresu definitely fits the bill best, it's got a lot going on to complement your character, just a pity it's missing a Force Rating talent. The chance to Parry and Reflect are excellent for you.

I've already bought into Force Sensitive Exile, so I'll get to another Force Rating eventually.