I hope they do a Force Career system sort of like the one in Star Wars the Old Republic... we have Jedi Knight and Jedi Consular as basic Careers and then they can branch them further with Shadow and Sage and Sentinel and Guardian, or something like that.

Who says that all future core books have to have a single Career with 3 Specializations? I am guessing they all will, but they really don't have to.

I actually hope not.

This.

I'm really hoping they leave the d20 Jedi fighter/thief/magic-user class system in the past. Even WotC left it behind in SAGA, merely recycling the names for optional talent trees. It was always artificial and evocative of nothing except video games.

I really hope they stay away from SWTOR for any inspiration. I feel confident they will. Don't take it the wrong way, I really enjoy(ed) playing SWTOR, but its a whole different thing in my opinion. The whole game is based on a completely different notion of gaming, power levels, roles and visualisation. The division of classes in that game would carry poorly over to this. I'm kind of hoping for 1 Jedi career, and 5 others covering nature and fauna loving hippies, healers, power mongers, justice seeking vigilantes, sages looking into the future and the force for guidance, meditating.

I hope they do a Force Career system sort of like the one in Star Wars the Old Republic... we have Jedi Knight and Jedi Consular as basic Careers and then they can branch them further with Shadow and Sage and Sentinel and Guardian, or something like that.

Who says that all future core books have to have a single Career with 3 Specializations? I am guessing they all will, but they really don't have to.

I actually hope not.

This.

I'm really hoping they leave the d20 Jedi fighter/thief/magic-user class system in the past. Even WotC left it behind in SAGA, merely recycling the names for optional talent trees. It was always artificial and evocative of nothing except video games.

I respectfully disagree. Although the Guardian/Consular/Sentinel division DOES come from games (the Guardian/Consular division was created for WotC's RPG and the Sentinel was added for KotOR), it has been accepted into non-movie canon, and appears in multiple ways, officially and unofficially. The terms have also grown past the crunchy bits comparing them to first edition classes.

Each path represents a different approach to being a Jedi, but does not necessarily reflect combat capacity or Force skill. Guardians are the "warriors" of the Order, but may also be pilots or teachers. In part, they are most martial because their approach leads them to spend time interacting with the military. Guardians are often the leaders of the Jedi.

Consulars are most often scholars or negotiators, but that does not necessarily mean that they are "Force wizards" (although their studies may have led them to such knowledge), but they are often comfortable in high social circles. Sentinels are spies and investigators. Although they're not called "sentinels," Mara Jade and probably Kyle Katarn fit the archetype pretty well.

Point is, I think the breakdown, as it it exists now (rather than ten years ago) is evocative of three different approaches for a Jedi to take, not three different "power sets." There is also tremendous overlap (Kenobi is really a Guardian/Consular, for example, and Quinlan Vos is probably a Sentinel/Guardian).

I'm kind of hoping for 1 Jedi career...

See, this leads me to believe they may go this route regardless: the 1 career with 3 specializations structure is already in the game.

Any ways, I'll try to shut-up about this for the next 12 months. :-|

I really hope they stay away from SWTOR for any inspiration. I feel confident they will. Don't take it the wrong way, I really enjoy(ed) playing SWTOR, but its a whole different thing in my opinion. The whole game is based on a completely different notion of gaming, power levels, roles and visualisation. The division of classes in that game would carry poorly over to this. I'm kind of hoping for 1 Jedi career, and 5 others covering nature and fauna loving hippies, healers, power mongers, justice seeking vigilantes, sages looking into the future and the force for guidance, meditating.

Personally, I'd be very happy with other traditions, but I'd also be happy if I could play a Jedi right now, so clearly FFG isn't that interested in my well-being.

If we do get other traditions, I wouldn't be surprised if they're implemented in a way similar to the talent trees in Saga, where (for example) a Dathomiri Witch is not a class (or career) but rather a set of options that any class can take (ie, a specialization).

I hope if they delve into this at all that it's made a bit more complex and restrictive. The Witches (at least in TCW, which is canon to me) engage in a more traditional "magic" involving matter transformation, voodoo, and similar practices. I don't think a simple specialization tree would do it justice, as it involves being steeped in the cultural lore and probably years of study and practice. None of the Jedi (or Sith for that matter) seem to have been interested. And it would probably involve some sacrifice...Ventress was told to "give up the ways of the Sith" if she wanted to join the Nightsisters...not sure what that means mechanically, it just suggests to me that these "options" shouldn't be too easy.

Yeah, the G/S/C split appears even in the "Jedi Path" book that Lucas Arts published. So... I sorta hope it exists in some respect. Granted, they already stepped away from Control/Sense/Alter as well.... which also appears in said book. So who knows?

As for the Archetypes in F&D? I expect some Non-Force sorts too, what? Good questions, but supposedly even non-Forcies can advance into that tier, so some support seems likely.

You've got the Jensaarai, yeah yeah Jedi/sithy mix, but still. You've got Baran Do sages, perhaps not canon but hey, basically they've got to delve a bit outside the hexalogy if they want 6 force using careers with three specialisations each. Of course they could have less careers, but they've got a lot to take from.

I'm kind of hoping for 1 Jedi career...

See, this leads me to believe they may go this route regardless: the 1 career with 3 specializations structure is already in the game.

Any ways, I'll try to shut-up about this for the next 12 months. :-|

As long as you don't turn into one those "cut the foreplay FFG and just give us the gorram Jedi already!" posters, discuss away.

As for the careers other than Jedi, I'd figure there'd be a "mystic" career with specs based on traditions such as the Baran Do Sages and the Jal Shey, a "combat" career with Jensaari and Killian Rangers specs, a "primitive" career with Dathomir Witches and Fallanesi specs, a "physical career" with Matukai and Zeison Sha, and lastly a "dark side" career with specs for Believers and the Krath. Each of these would also have a "general purpose" specialization that's not tired directly to a tradition.

As long as you don't turn into one those "cut the foreplay FFG and just give us the gorram Jedi already!" posters, discuss away.

On the contrary, if I thought they couldn't get Jedi right by book three , I'd advise them to go for book four ...

As for the careers other than Jedi, I'd figure there'd be a "mystic" career with specs based on traditions such as the Baran Do Sages and the Jal Shey, a "combat" career with Jensaari and Killian Rangers specs, a "primitive" career with Dathomir Witches and Fallanesi specs, a "physical career" with Matukai and Zeison Sha, and lastly a "dark side" career with specs for Believers and the Krath. Each of these would also have a "general purpose" specialization that's not tired directly to a tradition.

That's a good list of ideas. My fingers are now crossed for something along those lines.

They used material from the Han Solo novels from the 80's in EotE, so I imagine there is a good chance we will see some of the more extended stuff from the other books and sources in the F&D book, but I get the feeling it will be more of a Clone Wars era setting since it would cover the prequels and the animated series. Personally I would prefer that the Force using careers have more of a generic quality, and there be notes or suggestions for how to play a Witch of Dathomir or Jensaari.

I am curious if there will be anything based on the new movies since both the book and the first new movie are supposed to be out in 2015.

They used material from the Han Solo novels from the 80's in EotE, so I imagine there is a good chance we will see some of the more extended stuff from the other books and sources in the F&D book, but I get the feeling it will be more of a Clone Wars era setting since it would cover the prequels and the animated series. Personally I would prefer that the Force using careers have more of a generic quality, and there be notes or suggestions for how to play a Witch of Dathomir or Jensaari.

I am curious if there will be anything based on the new movies since both the book and the first new movie are supposed to be out in 2015.

Since all of the press releases and dev statements seem to refer to this interlocked system flowing with the original movie trilogy, I suspect that they would have a splat book after FaD. Maybe a series of splat books dealing with alternative time periods, alternative universes, and other oddities. It would be a good way to eke more money from their license, but it wouldn't really fit into the presumed set of expansions as most people seem to think are coming.

Then again, who knows? FFG plays it pretty close to the vest and they have surprised me before.

I think that it is entirely possible that once we actually have Force-using careers that characters may be starting with more than a Force Rating of 1. I could see a character gaining a Force Rating of 1 for a career and the specs, not being "universal", may also grant one if taken by someone of the career. There could be a stipulation that this can not be higher than 2 so you don't get someone piling on at character creation.

It seems obvious, though, that the designers are going to make higher Force Ratings an expensive proposition.

I think that it is entirely possible that once we actually have Force-using careers that characters may be starting with more than a Force Rating of 1. I could see a character gaining a Force Rating of 1 for a career and the specs, not being "universal", may also grant one if taken by someone of the career. There could be a stipulation that this can not be higher than 2 so you don't get someone piling on at character creation.

It seems obvious, though, that the designers are going to make higher Force Ratings an expensive proposition.

Just spitballing here, but what would happen to the game balance if Force Rating was simply another characteristic, that started at 0 for most species at chargen (except for some species that have a natural affinity to the Force and start with a 1 rating)?

I'm kind of hoping for 1 Jedi career...

See, this leads me to believe they may go this route regardless: the 1 career with 3 specializations structure is already in the game.

Any ways, I'll try to shut-up about this for the next 12 months. :-|

As long as you don't turn into one those "cut the foreplay FFG and just give us the gorram Jedi already!" posters, discuss away.

As for the careers other than Jedi, I'd figure there'd be a "mystic" career with specs based on traditions such as the Baran Do Sages and the Jal Shey, a "combat" career with Jensaari and Killian Rangers specs, a "primitive" career with Dathomir Witches and Fallanesi specs, a "physical career" with Matukai and Zeison Sha, and lastly a "dark side" career with specs for Believers and the Krath. Each of these would also have a "general purpose" specialization that's not tired directly to a tradition.

I was thinking of something along the same lines. Makes the most sense to me.

I think that it is entirely possible that once we actually have Force-using careers that characters may be starting with more than a Force Rating of 1. I could see a character gaining a Force Rating of 1 for a career and the specs, not being "universal", may also grant one if taken by someone of the career. There could be a stipulation that this can not be higher than 2 so you don't get someone piling on at character creation.

It seems obvious, though, that the designers are going to make higher Force Ratings an expensive proposition.

Just spitballing here, but what would happen to the game balance if Force Rating was simply another characteristic, that started at 0 for most species at chargen (except for some species that have a natural affinity to the Force and start with a 1 rating)?

Actually, that's kinda what I'm doing for my Mass Effect conversion with biotics. Some races start with 1 rank in it (Asari, Protheans) but most start with 0. During character creation, you can get up to 3 by spending EXP on it. After that, you have to rely on biotic implants and Dedication to get it higher. However, you can't increase it beyond 0 if you don't get it to at least 1 during character creation.

Edit: sorry. wrong tab. Feeling stupid.

Okay, got the book, and as such now know what the Emergent looks like.

Not a whole lot of new talents realty. One that adds a boost die to Stealth checks (unless target is immune to Force powers) and what looks like a sub-par version of Balance. Layout is neat though.

Any new powers?

Poster over in the "What we know" thread, there are three Force powers: Move is repeated, and two new ones are added. I may be wrong on the names, but I think they are Foresee (which allows you to boost Brawn checks, and, with upgrades, other abilities) and Foresee (which let's you mess with initiative order, then with upgrades know what an opponent will do [the GM has to tell you, then follow up on it]).

It's nice to see a little diversity without the power level going up. By the time we get to F&D, it's going to be pretty expensive to be a Jedi. Assuming they add somewhere between 2 and 5 new powers, you're looking at a ton of options, but also a ton of cost.

Lightsabre skill? Force rating 3+?

No to both. Fiddleback did a preview on the GSA and on a blog about the pre-edited beta. Quite good.

http://gsa.thegamernation.org/2013/08/15/first-look-star-wars-age-of-rebellion/

Sad about the skill, but I'm still hopeful about a +1 Force rating talent at the bottom of the tree.

Sad about the skill, but I'm still hopeful about a +1 Force rating talent at the bottom of the tree.

Hmm. Does Force Emergent have the +1 Force talent (the one that costs 25 XP)? If so, could a pc then progress through both FSE and Emergent to get a 3 rating or does that talent not stack?