So, we've gotten a fair bit into out FaD-campaign and pretty much all of us players have our third spec/talent tree bought or at least picked out. The two force sensitive characters (of which I play one) both started with lightsabers specs (Ataru and Sii-cho) but have since then exclusively gone for specs boosting force rating (Exile/Armorer for one, Aggressor/Sentry for the other) because Force rating... is really **** good.
Increasing force rating pretty much every force power and talent you have picked up until then, and makes new ones more attractive because you can do more with them and combine more of them. Thats all fine, but...

It pretty much kills any incentive to ever branch out into the more mundane specs, because "skipping" a level of force rating feels like such a waste.

The only reason I can think of to go for a "mundane" spec would be if you were going for a really specilised, focused build, like a pilot or a tinkerer-crafter. Those two in particular currently only have two trees each (stafighter ace/racer and armourer/artisan) that directly boost that theme, and even they would greatly benefit from a force rating above the 3 you can generally get out of two trees.
Personally, I like to branch out, and with the wide variety of force specs available, I can't really justify going for the mundane specs, no matter how attractive they otherwise are.

In the case that I should ever run a FaD campaign, I've tried coming up with some kind of artificial or story based limit on force rating/force specs, but I'm kind of stumbling around on how to word it.
Simply restricting the players from purchasing the force rating talents until certain story elements are in place (the presence of a mentor or other opportunity to deepen one's connection to/understanding of the force) wouldn't really encourage branching so much as working oneself through the trees and stopping at the force rating talents, and just pouncing on them as soon as the restrictions are lifted.
So maybe a spec-based limit like forcing the players to pick a "mundane" spec for every one (or two, or three) force sensitive spec they pick? It might feel needlessly restrictive though, if all you want to do with your character is to explore the force.
Another ideas it to tie maximum force rating to XP total, at pace of perhaps 1FR per 200-300 total xp, or perhaps earned xp. That wouldnt force a spec on anyone, as if they want to dedicate themselves, to a purely force using character, there should be enough skills and force powers to spend XP on to hit the next tier.
Or maybe just simply have to characters start as a mundane career/spec and start them of with 20 bonus xp that must be spent on either the exile or emergent universal tree. The EotE/AoR specs tend to gel better with the ones within their career than the FaD ones, so having access to 2-5 cheaper trees that play well with your starting tree might be enough incentive to go mundane, but it might be something of a disappointing start for those who like to get into the lightsabering as soon as possible, and perhaps a perceived load for those just want to play a force user and make them feel punished for paying extra for their force user specs.

Do you guys have any thoughts on this?

Thinking out loud, but maybe allow a dedication in a "mundane" tree to be exchanged for +1 Force Rating talent ? May well make them more attractive to an F&D character.

7 minutes ago, Darzil said:

Thinking out loud, but maybe allow a dedication in a "mundane" tree to be exchanged for +1 Force Rating talent ? May well make them more attractive to an F&D character.

That's a very interesting idea, as Dedication is the other "holy grail" you feel you "have to" chase. I'm thinking this would not be an option for the FaD trees that don't have a Force Rating talent, like most of the Lightsaber trees? Or maybe not? They don't look terribly attractive either at this point, but at least they tend build on whatever force rating you've already accumulated.

Or give them one free mundane spec?

While the OP's premise is not without merit, I'm playing a niman-disciple/martial artist. The concept was shaolin monk meets Jedi and I was debating between warden and martial artist and went martial artist for the super cool stuff like coordination dodge and mind over matter (which plays off of a high willpower)

Its not a bad combo

1 hour ago, TheShard said:

Its not a bad combo

Yeah... I just wanted to point out that there are a few exceptions to the OP's mostly correct premise. Having a force rating equal to the number of "completed" specs is not underpowered. The term completed means when you stop taking talents from them, under the assumption/restriction that you don't have more than 2 incomplete specs at any time.

4 hours ago, EliasWindrider said:

While the OP's premise is not without merit, I'm playing a niman-disciple/martial artist. The concept was shaolin monk meets Jedi and I was debating between warden and martial artist and went martial artist for the super cool stuff like coordination dodge and mind over matter (which plays off of a high willpower)

Martial artist is about the only spec that synchronizes well with FaD specs, though, unless you are a pilot. Martial artist is just such a tough and well rounded melee spec that it's actually worth missing out on a point of FR for those talents, plus it has parry ranks.

6 hours ago, DaverWattra said:

Martial artist is about the only spec that synchronizes well with FaD specs, though, unless you are a pilot. Martial artist is just such a tough and well rounded melee spec that it's actually worth missing out on a point of FR for those talents, plus it has parry ranks.

I could see the gadgeteer as another, deadly accuracy, armor, better lightsaber making, ranged light ...

Edit: Doctor is another. Maybe saboteur for strain management.

I could see an ataru striker taking sharpshooter for quick fix, deadly accuracy, lethal blows, crippling blow, and targeted blow.

Gadgeteer and Martial Artist are the ones that seem closest to viable. Gadgeteer in particular gels very well with armourer.

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

To me and my players, a Force rating of more than 3 is over kill. Realistically, overtly using massive force powers and drawing lightsabers all the time should draw the attention of the Empire who may dispatch an Inquisitor or two to hunt you down.

So it would be wise to invest in out of career specializations from EotE and/or AoR just so you are not so heavily reliant on force powers and inadvertently make things much worse for yourself.

Just my two cents.