Okay I started tabletop RPGs a few months ago and am having a blast. (not star wars, but this post is about star wars) Recently my game group held a session at my home. My son watched and was totally into the session. He was tracking what was going on and desperately wanting to help us make decisions in the adventure. This made me think I could find an rpg that could play as a family. He loves Star wars, we all love star wars in our home. So Star Wars RPG makes sense to me.

I went to the local game store and bought the only beginner box they had, Force and Destiny. I thought to myself, "Force users, this is going to be awesome." I am reading the rules figuring it out how to get ready for a first session and my son asks, "Can I be a Clone Trooper?"

My response, "Not with the beginner box, but after I pick up the core rulebook you should be able to make a clone trooper character."

Now I realize that there are three core rulebooks, different flavors but all compatible. I also realize those core rulebooks are not necessarily set in the clone wars era.

I also have this sneaking suspicion that the Force and Destiny core rules is a very round about way to clone trooper characters.

So what would the recommended purchase path be to run a small party, clone era? I imagine not everyone will want to be a clone trooper.

Should I go ahead with the force and destiny core rules and then the "rise of the separatists" supplement?

Would Edge of the Empire or Age of Rebellion core rules be better?

Do I try to get my son to play core rules era characters first? Am I making it too difficult out of the gate switching eras before really getting to know the core rules?

Its tough, I would love to sit down and look at the books and plan a way forward, but the local shop does not a whole lot in stock so I am not sure what to purchase.

I am feeling like the force and destiny beginner box will be fun, but perhaps not the right purchase to head toward the clone wars era.

You're in luck. Over the past few months, FFG has released two "line generic" Era sourcebooks - Rise of the Separatists and Collapse of the Republic - with material to run games set during the Clone Wars. They both include the Clone species, the Clone Solder Career, and three each Specializations for the Career (as well as the Jedi Career and a total of four Specializations for it). Meanwhile, for a more military-driven campaign, possibly look into the Age of Rebellion CRB, and go from there.

The beginners boxes are the cheapest was to get physical dice. Force and Destiny for Jedi. Age of rebellion for clone troopers. So ultimately yiu probably want age and force and destiny at a clone wars table.

I'll second AoR for Clone Troopers, and add that the AoR beginner box is a better adventure, and could easily be reskinned for clone troopers, replacing Imperials with Separatists.

In addition to the above, keep in mind that this game is a LOT more flexible than other RPGs you might have experienced. You can play a clone just by picking Human, maybe adding a bit of post-character generation XP in the form of a rank of Discipline and Knowledge Warfare, and you're done. Most of the AoR military-type careers should work just fine. The part about "being a clone" is really just narrative flavour. Even if you do pick up one of the sourcebooks @Nytwyng mentioned, it's not much more than that. The Talent trees do have a bit more of a clone-specific vibe, but it's hardly important.

A Beginner Box (doesn't matter which one), AoR core rulebook and then Rise of the Seppies and Collapse of the Republic in either order.

Pick a beginner box, pick a core rulebook, and then both clone wars books that just came out. That should be plenty. It won't matter too much which line you get the box and core book from (or even if they're from the same line), as the lines are all 100% compatible.

If you want the campaign to be more about war, the clones, republic soldiers and officers that aren't clones, and local guerilla fighters and such, then AOR is a better choice.

If you want the campaign to focus more on the Jedi and the mysteries of the Force, and explore a wider variety of Force powers, then Force and Destiny Core rulebook is probably a better choice.

Note that you'll be fine with either choice (the clone wars books do a good job of patching for the other lines if you only have one). Just choose which way the story is going to lean more, and go with that line to enhance which side of things you have a few extra options for.

If your son wants to play during episodes iv-vi then it might be worth looking at dawn of the rebellion as it has the retired clone trooper. For this I would go with AOR.

I'll second, third, and fourth much of what has already. If you're looking for Clone Troopers, I'd highly recommend just going Age of Rebellion and then Rise of the Separatists. Two books, but everything you need to play in the Clone Wars. You could honestly get away with just the Beginner Box for AoR for the basic rules. Rise of the Separatists also has some Jedi tracks, but it doesn't have force powers, so those would require the main book for any of the three.

Now, if you are looking to go for Clones and Jedi only, then just go for Force and Destiny and RotS. I hope your game goes well!

Note that if you don't get a beginner box, then you'll also need to buy dice, or buy the dice app.

Guys, have you read the OP ? He clearly said he bought the F&D beginner box so he already have one. And if he bought this one it's because it was the only SW FFG beginner box available where he bought it. Counselling to buy the AoR beginner box isn't very useful. The box might not be easily available and he doesn't really need it for the dices and rules. Buying just another set of dices is cheaper than buying another beginner box just for that.

Thanks for all the advise! It has been most helpful. Yes i do have the Force and Destiny Beginner box. It was the only beginner box available. I thought jedi would be fun but didn't realize there was enough difference between core rule books to know the Force and Destiny rule book is perhaps not best suited for running non-force characters. Then of course my son made it clear he wanted his character to be a clone.

Anyway I ordered a copy of Age of Rebellion and will soak in those rules for a bit, then I will pick up Rise of the Separatists. That being said I might just pick up the AOR begginer box for the dice and adventure. And then there is a game screen to get. I am now understanding that RPGs are much cheaper for players than GMs.

As far as game screens, whichever one you get, it will reference page numbers to the corresponding Core Rulebook.

Also, the screens come with some additional/alternative rules.

EotE: Expanding Adversaries
AoR: Squads and Squadrons (These rules also appear in Rise of the Sepratists, I believe)
F&D: Alternative Lightsaber construction rules

The AoR gm screen is my favorite, it has the best color contrast is easiest to read. In fact when my now 2 year old, not quite then, ripped my AoR screen I bought another one despite having the other two. However, I only really use it for the critical hit tables. And you'll want at least 2 packs of dice. My group plays with 7 (plus 3 extra force dice in our FaD campaign) but I found 6 packs of dice to be the sweet spot (really cuts down on passing dice around the table)

1 hour ago, EliasWindrider said:

And you'll want at least 2 packs of dice. My group plays with 7 (plus 3 extra force dice in our FaD campaign) but I found 6 packs of dice to be the sweet spot (really cuts down on passing dice around the table)

I’ve got 9, myself: Three in my gaming clipboard that goes with me as a player (and double as my GM set when I’m...well...GM), three in a bowl at one end of the table, and three in a bowl at the other end of the table.

On top of that, I’ve got 2 or 3 sets of Genesys dice.

11 hours ago, Nytwyng said:

I’ve got 9, myself: Three in my gaming clipboard that goes with me as a player (and double as my GM set when I’m...well...GM), three in a bowl at one end of the table, and three in a bowl at the other end of the table.

On top of that, I’ve got 2 or 3 sets of Genesys dice.

I've got also bunch of extra unopened packs to give to my son when he's old enough and the game is out of print. The benefit going from 6 to 7 wasn't enough for me to want to use more (I did take the force die out of 3 of the packs though)

I'd just like to add that if I was GM'ing a Clone Wars era campaign (and didn't already own every single book), I'd start with the Force & Destiny Core Rules, followed by the the two generic Clone Wars era sourcebooks mentioned above.
I would also buy the F&D Beginners Box as it contains not only the dice, but also an excellent beginner adventure that could be used in the Clone Wars era setting with a few modifications.

Oh and also, get the GM Screen as it has another adventure and some specific rules.

But if you're well off, I'd say buy one of each thing they have in their product line, since they're excellent reading and top quality on both imagery and lore. (I'm not well off, I just bought each one when it was released)