Core Rulebook announced to be out July 5

By Nashable, in Star Wars: Edge of the Empire RPG

Nashable said:

Let's be honest here Gamgee's comment was somewhat out of the blue (some may say trollish) on what is meant to be a release date thread and I was just poking fun at that with my Yoda 'quote'.

And yet Gamgee never said any of us were wrong for wanting to purchase a new Star Wars RPG system. He just said that he had no interest in such, and was sticking to Saga Edition because it worked for him.

And you check a few forum posts in this thread after your funny quip, a few folks took that as a call to arms to bash Gamgee for not wanting to jump ship. As I hoped my post illustrated, he's not the only person who has made that call. I know quite a few other Star Wars RPG fans that have chosen to stick with older systems for several reasons, a common one being that they've already spent a few hundred dollars on books for that system.

Last I checked, stating one's opinion wasn't a CoC violation, particularly if in voicing that opinion one doesn't attack other posters. And as neither of us are moderators, so who are we to judge Gamgee's posts? If you don't like what he has to say… just skip his posts entirely. I do that in regards to a couple posters here, and it works wonders.

Nashable said:

DVeight said:

Not that I want you to post any spoilers but didn't the GM Kit come with a book of some sort?

Nashable said:

DVeight said:

Not that I want you to post any spoilers but didn't the GM Kit come with a book of some sort?

It's close but not 100% the same. It looks like they tagged back in Defensive and Deflection but switched the amounts on each of those. This may reflect either a quality of the weapon itself or the quality may be available only to trained users; we just don't know yet. As an aside, the Forsaken Jedi's defense scores are incorrect unless I'm misunderstanding something. He should have 2 Ranged and 1 Melee defense.

Shakespearian_Soldier said:

I've just read the preview for the rulebook, and clicked on the Forsaken Jedi excerpt: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/StarWarsRPG/edge-of-the-empire/core-book/gm-part2/forsaken-jedi.png

Is it just me being daft, or does the Lightsaber's stats have the same traits that v1.0 had, prior to the errata changes?

It's not you being daft. It really does look like FFG added those back in. Though I'm also hoping it's either A) a typo on their part and said weapon qualities don't apply (wouldn't be the first RPG to have NPC stat blocks with rules errors) or that B) it's some kind of bonus for being trained in the Lightsaber skill. Really hoping it's not C) automatic qualities that you get for wielding a lightsaber, trained or otherwise.

Donovan Morningfire said:

Nashable said:

Let's be honest here Gamgee's comment was somewhat out of the blue (some may say trollish) on what is meant to be a release date thread and I was just poking fun at that with my Yoda 'quote'.

And yet Gamgee never said any of us were wrong for wanting to purchase a new Star Wars RPG system. He just said that he had no interest in such, and was sticking to Saga Edition because it worked for him.

And you check a few forum posts in this thread after your funny quip, a few folks took that as a call to arms to bash Gamgee for not wanting to jump ship. As I hoped my post illustrated, he's not the only person who has made that call. I know quite a few other Star Wars RPG fans that have chosen to stick with older systems for several reasons, a common one being that they've already spent a few hundred dollars on books for that system.

Last I checked, stating one's opinion wasn't a CoC violation, particularly if in voicing that opinion one doesn't attack other posters. And as neither of us are moderators, so who are we to judge Gamgee's posts? If you don't like what he has to say… just skip his posts entirely. I do that in regards to a couple posters here, and it works wonders.

Woah there, take a step back please. You're reading way to much into this and if you object to what other posters post you should take it up with them directly, they're all big girls and boys (I hope). This thread is intended to be a celebration and to share information around the FFG release so let's try to avoid derailing it for a debate on a different version of an RPG system that the only thing it has in common is the license. I'd tend to, as good manners, start a new topic (or use one of the many pre-existing ones on the subject) and post there which works wonders :)

Anyway this is my last post on this matter as I hate it when people make it about themselves than the point of discussion. Let's get this back on topic now.

DVeight said:

Nashable said:

DVeight said:

Not that I want you to post any spoilers but didn't the GM Kit come with a book of some sort?

Nashable said:

DVeight said:

Not that I want you to post any spoilers but didn't the GM Kit come with a book of some sort?

Yes there is. There is an adventure in there, 1-2 session adventure, several pages with NPC stats and that is nice. You can use them in any adventure really. The last few pages are a GMs guide to the Nemesis. Similar fashion to the article posted on FFG EoTE web page. Adventure is cool so I will run it no doubt (though to many Hutt as bosses in these adventures… need some alternatives. Yes I know there is the Black Sun one and for sure will get that as well). The screen is what I really wanted as I enjoy having the tables at hand and dont have to flick thorugh the book. I get the feeling though that with this narrative dice system, you wont be needed the tables much after a while. Its pretty easy to grasp, probably the most easiest of systems I have come across.

Very cool - Thanks for the quick review! Like you I found Hutts overused so far and will either have to embrace that in my campaign design and really help my players understand the clans and the relationships there to make it compelling or find other threats to throw at them.

I'm excited for the game! No ship as of yet, still waiting on BN.com. They tell me it's "processing" :-/

@gamgee, I've run EotE games in the Old Republic, Legacy Era, and Dark Times. I have included full-blown Jedi and other archetypes in my games. Sure, Rebellion Era is best supported and the game is really designed for the gritty fringe campaign, but the only limits are one's imagination. Obligation can be represented in 15 billion different ways (I've counted), talents and talent trees are incredibly modular and modifiable, and there's rules (or examples of rules that can be altered as appropriate) for just about every situation your players could get into.

That said, I love Saga, and rolling that d20, and my current Cathar assassin who hits with 5d12 :) Edge is a fantastic game, not for everyone, but also not as limited as you say.

I'd say its even easier to run a late dark times era campaign, not much canon to worry about etc. I'm planning a darker/gritty campaign around 10 BBY based on the video game 1313.

Have other GMs put any thought into what campaigns they'll run post rulebook release?

I've spent the last two to three months designing an entire campaign called Hutt Incorporated. Think of it as LA Noir of Star Wars. It even starts on Hosk, the LA planet of the Star Wars galaxy, where the holovid industry thrives… and where private investigators get in over their heads. The PCs go from bodyguarding a major celebrity on the way to thge Academy Awards to being accused of a massive heist. Soon, the patron Hutt, the Hosk Elite Security Force and no less than two other crime groups are chasing the PCs across the Outer Rim. Too hot to berth at a space station, the heroes must find food and water on "uninhabited planets," where they uncover new mysteries and betrayals. The third act is a massive twisted tale of political intrigue and the imminent confrontation the PCs have been waiting for.

Look for the full color, illustrated campaign to be released on the GSA in mid to late July.

Garrett

Sorry but what is GSA

awayputurwpn said:

Edge is a fantastic game, not for everyone, but also not as limited as you say.

My thoughts exactly. And it seems to me like going out of your way to post that you hate a system when everyone else is excited about the immenent release is very much like going to an Star Wars convention and jumping up and down waving your arms saying "HEY STAR TREK IS BETTER THAN WHAT YOU GUYS LIKE EVERYONE LOOK AT ME."

Gallows said:

Sorry but what is GSA

http://gsa.thegamernation.org/

"The GSA (aka The Gamer Security Agency) is a site devoted to Table Top Gaming. We cover everything from Tabeltop related; RPGs, Board Games, Cards and Dice and all of it is fan generated."

It's some pretty good stuff, really. Tons of articles and ready-to-use, high quality fan-made gaming resources.

Endrik Tenebris said:

awayputurwpn said:

Edge is a fantastic game, not for everyone, but also not as limited as you say.

My thoughts exactly. And it seems to me like going out of your way to post that you hate a system when everyone else is excited about the immenent release is very much like going to an Star Wars convention and jumping up and down waving your arms saying "HEY STAR TREK IS BETTER THAN WHAT YOU GUYS LIKE EVERYONE LOOK AT ME."

Exactly!

1st, this thread isn't about whether you like it the game or not. It's about the excitement of the impending launch. Jokes are rarely the result when you thread jack/troll. Hell, the reaction to his noticeably more mild and humorous than it could have been. Even my comment about fart smelling was meant as a joke. Hence the winky faced emoticon.

2nd, don't post your opinion on a discussion board, and then claim it isn't up for debate. If you aren't looking for a discussion then why bother posting at all? I mean, if your just posting for a laugh, than see point number 1.

3rd, the very fact that opinions are more complex than simple right or wrong means they are in fact, "up for debate." A good debate never has a straight forward right or wrong answer. They are a difference of opinion.

4th, stop seeing bullies where their are none please Mr. Internet. Lest we risk corrupting the very definition, and becoming the thing we so often despise.

Finally, have fun playing whatever edition you enjoy. Me, I can't wait to stick my face nose deep into the spine of the book, and get a whiff of that sweet new book smell. I was gonna make a joke about spilling the dice on my bed, and rolling around in them naked, but that would just be painful. ;)

Mark It Zero said:

I was gonna make a joke about spilling the dice on my bed, and rolling around in them naked, but that would just be painful. ;)

Painful…for whom? :-D

awayputurwpn said:

Mark It Zero said:

I was gonna make a joke about spilling the dice on my bed, and rolling around in them naked, but that would just be painful. ;)

Painful…for whom? :-D

Me literally, comedy figuratively. :D

As to the question of what era will the campaign be run, I will stick to the FFG intended era. To be honest, we have never played in that era so why not then?! There will be great support through the core book and the way I run major campaigns, it ends up going for over a year. Perfect timing for the next big book. :)

Mark It Zero said:

awayputurwpn said:

Mark It Zero said:

I was gonna make a joke about spilling the dice on my bed, and rolling around in them naked, but that would just be painful. ;)

Painful…for whom? :-D

Me literally, comedy figuratively. :D

Look on the bright side. No D&D Caltrops, I mean d4s, in these dice sets!

On another note, I noticed those lightsaber changes as well. Personally, if lightsabers will have been reverted to their original stats in the core rulebook, I'm going to make one small difference. Anyone using a lightsaber that isn't force sensitive will not be able to utilize the Deflection stat from the weapon. They probably won't get the Defensive one either, though I might bite on that one since regular Vibroswords have that. I feel like the ability to deflect blaster bolts with a lightsaber is one very reliable on the force, so you wouldn't get to use that ability with it unless you had a force rating.

Seems to me the lightsaber changes could be:

  • Some sort of "force sensitive" ability or talent that isn't explicitly called out in the stat block.
  • A property of lightsabers when wielded by a character with a Force rating.
  • A typo/error.
  • An intentional change to undo the beta errata.

Of those, I really hope it's the first or second, would settle for the third (as annoying as it is after the long Beta period and open playtesting) and really hope it isn't the last one.

gribble said:

Seems to me the lightsaber changes could be:

  • Some sort of "force sensitive" ability or talent that isn't explicitly called out in the stat block.
  • A property of lightsabers when wielded by a character with a Force rating.
  • A typo/error.
  • An intentional change to undo the beta errata.

Of those, I really hope it's the first or second, would settle for the third (as annoying as it is after the long Beta period and open playtesting) and really hope it isn't the last one.

what exactly was the problem with them pre errata?

gribble said:

Seems to me the lightsaber changes could be:

  • Some sort of "force sensitive" ability or talent that isn't explicitly called out in the stat block.
  • A property of lightsabers when wielded by a character with a Force rating.
  • A typo/error.
  • An intentional change to undo the beta errata.

Of those, I really hope it's the first or second, would settle for the third (as annoying as it is after the long Beta period and open playtesting) and really hope it isn't the last one.

It wouldn't be the 4th, since the statblock's Deflection and Defensive ratings are backwards from the lightsaber's original stats anyway. A typo is also highly unlikely. I'm thinking its the first, a sort of "hidden" talent that the Forsaken Jedi has that gives his lightsaber those quality ratings.

@MarkItZero, they had an inherent Deflection quality which most people (rightly, IMO) had an issue with because it'd be weird for Han Solo to be able to use a lightsaber to deflect blaster bolts. So they changed it a bit, and lowered the Breach rating, to make it a little less powerful but still an amazing weapon.

I think it is just a way to give them some semblance of their ability without delving into future talents that are not released yet. Leave them as weapon qualities on NPCs for now then readjust the statblock later once Jedi material is released. NPCs don't have to follow the same rules as PCs so having them as weapon qualities right now means little in actual play.

mouthymerc said:

I think it is just a way to give them some semblance of their ability without delving into future talents that are not released yet. Leave them as weapon qualities on NPCs for now then readjust the statblock later once Jedi material is released. NPCs don't have to follow the same rules as PCs so having them as weapon qualities right now means little in actual play.

If it's an NPC only ability, why not simply call it out as such under Abilities? He's already got such a thing that lets the Forsaken Jedi convert DS pips to LS pips to activate powers without any costs, and that's certainly not an ability available to the PCs.

Also, I took another look, and the Forsaken Jedi's Force Powers are a bit borked. Namely, he can activate Sense and Move with various upgrades for only a single Force Point, something that the "Hokey Religions and Ancient Weapons" pretty clearly indicates is not the case. There's bending the rules for NPCs, and then there's outright breaking them.

At this point, I'm thinking somebody just did a copy & paste fo the Forsaken Jedi's stat block from the Beta and never bothered to check it against the updated rules. I know it's a risk, as myself and plenty of others routinely saw this issue with the WotC Star Wars product line; Threats of the Galaxy and Jedi Academy Training Manual NPC stat blocks were rife with them, with JATM being the biggest offender by far (namely NPCs having levels in prestige classes that they in now way qualified for, in a system that was generally built upon PCs and NPCs playing by the same rules).

Donovan Morningfire said:

There's bending the rules for NPCs, and then there's outright breaking them.

No such thing as far as I'm concerned. I don't think NPCs should follow PC conventions at all. They should have any abilities that allow them to be a challenge to the players, whether they bend or break them shouldn't matter. Games like Savage Worlds and Spycraft (Fantasycraft) allow for the building of opponents as you see fit, which I find much better than trying to use the same mechanics for all. One of the things I disliked about D&D.

Donovan Morningfire said:

At this point, I'm thinking somebody just did a copy & paste fo the Forsaken Jedi's stat block from the Beta and never bothered to check it against the updated rules. I know it's a risk, as myself and plenty of others routinely saw this issue with the WotC Star Wars product line; Threats of the Galaxy and Jedi Academy Training Manual NPC stat blocks were rife with them, with JATM being the biggest offender by far (namely NPCs having levels in prestige classes that they in now way qualified for, in a system that was generally built upon PCs and NPCs playing by the same rules).

It is certainly a possibility. Having done some stat work myself, errors can happen. Sometimes it is a straight up copy-paste error, sometimes using the wrong draft of stats, and so on. It happens. Not such a big deal here because i don't think it affects the effectiveness of the NPC and they still get their fel across.

Donovan Morningfire said:

If it's an NPC only ability, why not simply call it out as such under Abilities? He's already got such a thing that lets the Forsaken Jedi convert DS pips to LS pips to activate powers without any costs, and that's certainly not an ability available to the PCs.

Oh and I don't think it is an NPC only ability. What I said was I thought they left it in place rather give the NPC talents or abilities which they do not want revealed at this time, for whatever reason. This simply allows the Jedi to appear Jedi in play.