Starting with Lightsaber specializations

By JinFaram, in Star Wars: Force and Destiny RPG

5 hours ago, DaverWattra said:

One message I'm taking from all this is that Martial Artist is the best single-spec hand-to-hand build in the game. That Precision Strike + Coordination Dodge + Mind Over Matter combo is nasty.

I guess Doctor could be better if you turn on the cheese...

don't forget 2 ranks of iron body which each reduce the crit rating by 1. If you start with a species with claws or tusks (i.e. a crit rating of 3), that means you can crit for just 1 advantage.

And then there is unarmed parry + parry which not being soak would actually help against pressure point, if you pair it with niman disciple for 3 more ranks of parry that's a total of 5 ranks, which can make a sizable dent against incoming damage.

but I'm expecting the interrogator from cyphers and masks to be better than the doctor at pressure point/brawling.

On 10/15/2017 at 10:30 PM, EliasWindrider said:

By the way Niman disciple (consular) and sentry (sentinel) in either order is the only 2 spec way to get a movie quality Jedi (it will get you 5 reflect 3 parry, improved reflect, force rating 3, 2 dedication, and a bunch of other cool stuff like you will almost always go first. It's my favorite 2 spec combo in the game.

It's also part of my favorite 4 spec combo in the game

Green nikto bounty hunter:martial artist/force sensitive emergent/Niman disciple/sentry

For about 2000 xp you can be pretty much unstoppable, you'll have a never ending supply of destiny points thanks to precision strike, coordination dodge makes you pretty much unhitable (because spend a dp and you can add 5 failures to the attack role, after you see the role but before it's been adjudicated), 5 ranks of parry and unarmed parry (so you can parry for 2 strain instead of 3 as long as you have 1 hand free), 5 ranks of reflect, improved reflect, 4 boost dice to vigilance checks and you can always use vigilance for initiative, willpower is your primary Stat so you'll be awesome at using and resisting force powers, 4 force rating, force of will (once per session you can use willpower for any skill check), can recover strain equal to willpower by spending a destiny point with mind over matter, use willpower for lights abres thanks to Niman technique, can have a 4 in brawn and 6 in willpower, 3 in agility and 3 in it or cunning, with close to maxed out move, sense and enchance, you'll be stealthy and be able to blend into a crowd. Oh and 2 ranks of defensive training.

And if you spent your xp appropriately you can have the unmatched devastation signature ability, shoot with a pistol, draw closer lightsaber (I presume draw closer against npcs with jet packs would be a cool move, no mr. Gm you can't keep your flying npc out of engaged range), if you miss you can throw him if you hit you can brawl which has a critical rating of 1 which you can use to make another attack with the same dice pool (a good time to use a repulsor fist if you have it to stagger him) then get back to unmatched devastation your gm might let you hit him a few more times with other body parts (e.g. kick him with stun boots) and you can be rolling 4 yellow 1 green and 4 white on brawl attacks so watch the crits pile up.

Thanks for that character BTW you built it after all.????

1 hour ago, Matt Skywalker said:

Thanks for that character BTW you built it after all.????

It is a *nearly* unstoppable juggernaut. What follows is not criticism, but I'must surprised at how aggressive awayputurwpn is being with the adversaries, maybe he's trying to give you guys "level appropriate" adversaries and he'said probably dead on with that but a lot of you haven't learned to use all the bells and whistles on your signature characters yet or how to synergize as a group/play off each other. It seems like he started the difficulty at "11" when I was expecting difficulty to start lower and ramp up as your guys learned the game. But it has been high intensity exciting. That said you really should have run when the flood of storm troopers (8 large minion groups at long range) came after you guys took down the walker, considering how low on health/strain you were.

On 10/15/2017 at 9:30 PM, EliasWindrider said:

For about 2000 xp you can be pretty much unstoppable,

:huh: I think this statement could be applied to just about ANY build at that XP level :D

6 hours ago, KungFuFerret said:

:huh: I think this statement could be applied to just about ANY build at that XP level :D

Agreed. A 2000XP Hired Gun/Marauder is going to be a complete and utter beast, especially if they also delve into Enforcer for those Fearsome talents, while a Colonist of any stripe is going to be able to talk there way out of pretty much any sticky situation they find themselves in, and an Ace can pull of tricks that would leave the jaws of Poe Dameron, Han Solo, and Legends!Wedge on the floor.

18 hours ago, EliasWindrider said:

It is a *nearly* unstoppable juggernaut. What follows is not criticism, but I'must surprised at how aggressive awayputurwpn is being with the adversaries, maybe he's trying to give you guys "level appropriate" adversaries and he'said probably dead on with that but a lot of you haven't learned to use all the bells and whistles on your signature characters yet or how to synergize as a group/play off each other. It seems like he started the difficulty at "11" when I was expecting difficulty to start lower and ramp up as your guys learned the game. But it has been high intensity exciting. That said you really should have run when the flood of storm troopers (8 large minion groups at long range) came after you guys took down the walker, considering how low on health/strain you were.

Of course, a lot of that had to do with what @killerbeardhawk had already established.

29 minutes ago, Donovan Morningfire said:

Agreed. A 2000XP Hired Gun/Marauder is going to be a complete and utter beast, especially if they also delve into Enforcer for those Fearsome talents, while a Colonist of any stripe is going to be able to talk there way out of pretty much any sticky situation they find themselves in, and an Ace can pull of tricks that would leave the jaws of Poe Dameron, Han Solo, and Legends!Wedge on the floor.

Pretty much yeah. If you somehow have a 2k XP character, and you are NOT a powerhouse to be reckoned with by any who cross your path. You've done something wrong. :D Even for non-combat builds, the amount of social clout you should be able to wield would leave any opponents reconsidering their career choices.

You're either the most charming, cunning fast talker in the world, the most financially savvy mega-corporate conglomerate mogul in the galaxy, owning planets and possibly systems, or the most brilliant scientist/physician that the galaxy has ever seen.

Just now, KungFuFerret said:

Pretty much yeah. If you somehow have a 2k XP character, and you are NOT a powerhouse to be reckoned with by any who cross your path. You've done something wrong. :D Even for non-combat builds, the amount of social clout you should be able to wield would leave any opponents reconsidering their career choices.

You're either the most charming, cunning fast talker in the world, the most financially savvy mega-corporate conglomerate mogul in the galaxy, owning planets and possibly systems, or the most brilliant scientist/physician that the galaxy has ever seen.

I don't know about that. If you spread those XP around to multiple different skills, talents, and/or Force powers, you could just end up with a very well-rounded character instead of someone really good at a few particular things.

6 hours ago, KungFuFerret said:

Pretty much yeah. If you somehow have a 2k XP character, and you are NOT a powerhouse to be reckoned with by any who cross your path. You've done something wrong. :D Even for non-combat builds, the amount of social clout you should be able to wield would leave any opponents reconsidering their career choices.

You're either the most charming, cunning fast talker in the world, the most financially savvy mega-corporate conglomerate mogul in the galaxy, owning planets and possibly systems, or the most brilliant scientist/physician that the galaxy has ever seen.

6 hours ago, Tramp Graphics said:

I don't know about that. If you spread those XP around to multiple different skills, talents, and/or Force powers, you could just end up with a very well-rounded character instead of someone really good at a few particular things.

There you have it tramp an impartial third party who hasn't even looked at Korath's build made a general statement equivalent to saying you built Korath poorly and as predictably as ever you try to refute any implication that you've done something wrong even when said general statement was not directed at you.

But a well built character with 2000 xp can be BOTH a power house and well rounded.

7 hours ago, Tramp Graphics said:

Of course, a lot of that had to do with what @killerbeardhawk had already established.

I'm not faulting awayputurwpn (who I think is doing a great job) I just commented that the initial difficulty level is surprising.

1 hour ago, EliasWindrider said:

There you have it tramp an impartial third party who hasn't even looked at Korath's build made a general statement equivalent to saying you built Korath poorly and as predictably as ever you try to refute any implication that you've done something wrong even when said general statement was not directed at you.

But a well built character with 2000 xp can be BOTH a power house and well rounded.

Ok since I feel like the two of you are having a debate via proxy, using my words, I feel I should clarify a bit. That comment was assuming a PC was being built with some focus in mind. If you are intentionally trying to not be exceptional at any one thing, and instead going for a Jack of All Trades, then obviously the statement isn't referring to that character.

On 10/11/2017 at 0:40 PM, JinFaram said:

I am just curious what experiences you guys have had when starting with a lightsaber specialization. Are they viable or does it make a character too combat focused?

Unless you are starting with a lightsaber or your GM tells you your going to get one in the first session or two I'd suggest going with one of the non-saber specializations first then pick up the saber one when you get it. There is really no point in spending EXP on the Talents in those trees if you don't have the weapon, plus it's a good opportunity to pick up Force Powers, Skills, and Talents that come in handy right away and focus on sabre fighting later.

18 minutes ago, FuriousGreg said:

Unless you are starting with a lightsaber or your GM tells you your going to get one in the first session or two I'd suggest going with one of the non-saber specializations first then pick up the saber one when you get it. There is really no point in spending EXP on the Talents in those trees if you don't have the weapon, plus it's a good opportunity to pick up Force Powers, Skills, and Talents that come in handy right away and focus on sabre fighting later.

You can always opt for the "training saber" option, which is significantly less powerful than the standard saber, and is more likely to be allowed by a GM who is worried about a starting game with sabers.

13 minutes ago, FuriousGreg said:

Unless you are starting with a lightsaber or your GM tells you your going to get one in the first session or two I'd suggest going with one of the non-saber specializations first then pick up the saber one when you get it. There is really no point in spending EXP on the Talents in those trees if you don't have the weapon, plus it's a good opportunity to pick up Force Powers, Skills, and Talents that come in handy right away and focus on sabre fighting later.

I disagree. There are multiple talents within these trees that don't in an of themselves require the use of a lightsaber, particularly in the top tiers. All three of my FFG characters (including the one I converted from D6) all start with a "Lightsaber" spec: Soresu Defender, Armorer, and Sentry respectively. For example, Makashi Duelist, starts with 2 Grits , Resist Disarm , and Parry as its top tier talents. Both Parry and Resist Disarm can be used with a variety of weapons, not just lightsabers. Likewise, Soresu Defender has 2 copies of Parry , Toughened , and Defensive Stance as its top tier talents. once again, both Parry and Defensive Stance can be used with multiple different weapons, not just lightsabers. In fact, the only "Top Tier" talent I've found in any of the "Lightsaber" specs, that specifically requires the use of a lightsaber, is Reflect (found in Niman Disciple, Shien Expert, and Sentry). It's really only when you get into the second and third tiers that you "need" a lightsaber.

8 minutes ago, Tramp Graphics said:

There are multiple talents within these trees that don't in an of themselves require the use of a lightsaber, particularly in the top tiers...

Sure but if you don't have a Lightsabre by the time your PC is getting to mid and top tier Talents then you've probably hobbled your PC's development and been a fifth wheel for the party for quite a few sessions. My point is that depending on the GM and campaign you're generally going to be better off picking up the cool stuff in another tree, plus spending on skills and such, than spending on Talents you aren't going to use until later. It's important to remember that you're going to get a lot of EXP over time and to make effective PCs for the game your playing each session, not just doggedly sticking to a build plan so you can swing a glow stick around, but that's just my opinion.

1 minute ago, FuriousGreg said:

Sure but if you don't have a Lightsabre by the time your PC is getting to mid and top tier Talents then you've probably hobbled your PC's development and been a fifth wheel for the party for quite a few sessions. My point is that depending on the GM and campaign you're generally going to be better off picking up the cool stuff in another tree, plus spending on skills and such, than spending on Talents you aren't going to use until later. It's important to remember that you're going to get a lot of EXP over time and to make effective PCs for the game your playing each session, not just doggedly sticking to a build plan so you can swing a glow stick around, but that's just my opinion.

By the time you have enough experience to really start buying into the mid tier talents, that is the time when you should at least be training with a training saber. You'll already 20 to 30 earned XP, at least, if not more, with some of that ideally having been devoted to skills and Force powers. So, ideally, you character should be around 50-60 earned XP. This is also close to the time when the Gathering should take place.

Also Shield Gauntlet is an inexpensive alternative to a Lightsaber for use with Reflect as a starter character, if your build allows.

58 minutes ago, Darzil said:

Also Shield Gauntlet is an inexpensive alternative to a Lightsaber for use with Reflect as a starter character, if your build allows.

It weirds me out that you can't use it with Parry.

Get cortosis gauntlets for parry

6 hours ago, TheShard said:

Get cortosis gauntlets for parry

Sure, but that sill leaves me with the question why I can't use them interchangeably. It just seems daft from a narrative standpoint.

5 hours ago, Stan Fresh said:

Sure, but that sill leaves me with the question why I can't use them interchangeably. It just seems daft from a narrative standpoint.

I guess because the shield thing is basic a...well, shield, and you don't Parry with a shield, you block? Parry is specifically referring to using a weapon to minimize the damage, and I guess they felt the distinction was necessary. *shrugs*

Or maybe the device itself is so slim and light, it doesn't have the structural integrity to help block an actual physical hit? But a blaster bolt, which doesn't actually have mass and inertia, would be feasible for the energy field to deflect.

I'm just guessing here really. Those are the only things that make even a bit of narrative sense to me, but I admit it's a bit of a stretch, and it's definitely not something that they ever explained that I know of.

10 minutes ago, KungFuFerret said:

I guess because the shield thing is basic a...well, shield, and you don't Parry with a shield, you block? Parry is specifically referring to using a weapon to minimize the damage, and I guess they felt the distinction was necessary. *shrugs*

You can use Parry with a shield. The rules don't restrict it to weapons.

10 minutes ago, KungFuFerret said:

Or maybe the device itself is so slim and light, it doesn't have the structural integrity to help block an actual physical hit? But a blaster bolt, which doesn't actually have mass and inertia, would be feasible for the energy field to deflect.

That actually works for my weird brain. Thanks, you actually helped me wrap my head around it.

1 minute ago, Stan Fresh said:

You can use Parry with a shield. The rules don't restrict it to weapons.

That actually works for my weird brain. Thanks, you actually helped me wrap my head around it.

Glad to be of service.

Also it would not have me in doubt anyway. Shields are infact weapons, made specifically to block and parry.