{"id":14209,"date":"2015-11-07T00:04:40","date_gmt":"2015-11-07T00:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/?p=14209"},"modified":"2015-11-06T15:42:58","modified_gmt":"2015-11-06T15:42:58","slug":"unplugged-the-star-wars-rpg-force-and-destiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/07\/unplugged-the-star-wars-rpg-force-and-destiny\/","title":{"rendered":"Unplugged: The Star Wars RPG – Force and Destiny"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"force<\/a><\/b>Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set to appear a month from now. \u00a0Aside from repeatedly watching the film\u2019s trailers, how will a Star Wars fan manage to occupy their time? \u00a0Enter the Star Wars Role Playing Game from Fantasy Flight Games. \u00a0\u00a0A story-oriented game, it features streamlined rules so that player actions aren\u2019t bogged down with complicated rules. \u00a0Many aspects of combat, such as range, are abstracted and most actions are quickly resolved with a simple roll of custom dice. \u00a0The core rules have been released in three different settings, with the newest one, Force and Destiny, focusing on force sensitive characters under the Empire\u2019s rule (Episodes IV through VI.) \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"SWFbeta-characters\"<\/a>The Force and Destiny Core Rulebook<\/strong> is a thick volume (has all the rules needed for players and focuses on force sensitive characters, both Jedi as well as others. \u00a0There are two other Core Rulebooks: \u00a0Edge of the Empire<\/strong> (with rules for characters who live on the edge of society like bounty hunters, smugglers, etc\u2026 and includes droids as a race option,) and Age of Rebellion<\/strong> (focusing in on underdog rebels fighting against the Empire.) \u00a0The three books can be interchanged and combined, with only a few thematic differences. \u00a0Each of the core rulebooks contain everything needed for play, although players also need either a set of special Star Wars RPG dice<\/strong>, or the die rolling app for the game. \u00a0While it is nice to pick and choose one\u2019s setting for the game, it is unfortunate that the basic rules portion of each core rulebook is reproduced in each volume. \u00a0While having another copy around for reference, it does increase the overall weight (and possibly cost) of having multiple books containing core rules.<\/span><\/p>\n

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One feature of the game is the idea of Destiny points. \u00a0These are points rolled at the start of a session and represent the the ebb and flow of the Force throughout the session. \u00a0During play, the players and the GM (gamemaster – who guides the story) may flip a Destiny point from light to dark or dark to light in order to gain an advantage during the game. \u00a0If a player uses up too many light side destiny points, be prepared for the GM to come back with a few surprises for using those accumulated dark side points.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"swf02_dandygambler\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In Force and Destiny, players can choose from 8 species which determine a character\u2019s starting characteristics. \u00a0Characters then choose one of 6 careers which determines a character\u2019s set of beginning skills. \u00a0Each career has three specializations, which dictate the specifics of most of a character\u2019s future progression. \u00a0While the careers give a player a general idea of their typical role in a \u00a0party (combat, support, academic, etc\u2026), specializations are more closely related and tend to flesh out the specific way a character would try to accomplish their goals. \u00a0For example, the Consular career could specialize as a Healer, exclusively focusing on healing, or specialize as a Niman Disciple, using lightsabers and force powers to more effectively fight multiple opponents at once. \u00a0\u00a0Finally, characters also can acquire and improve Skills and Talents. \u00a0Skills tend to be useful in a broad range of situations, where Talents are more beneficial but only in specific circumstances. \u00a0Much of the combat and force powers are learned through talents.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"swf02_lightsabers\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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In addition to a race, class, and specialization players are given a starting pool of \u201cexperience\u201d to spend in building up their character, often called a point-buy system. \u00a0This is carried through to extended play. \u00a0Characters earn more experience during adventures and can then further improve their skills and talents. \u00a0It should be noted that the game is setup for characters to begin rather unskilled and grow into their talents. \u00a0Beginning characters do not even have any force talents to start and are not expected to have or be able to use a lightsaber. \u00a0Of course, one can always start playing with more experienced characters (giving them more experience to spend right after their character is created.) \u00a0The downside of this is the complications of more options available, which may be overwhelming for a new player. \u00a0Starting out and then growing more powerful is also a great way for players to more fully develop their character before they make larger choices about what powers and abilities they would like to select. \u00a0After earning 150 experience points, characters are considered to be \u201cknight level\u201d and would expect to have their lightsaber (if that\u2019s part of their character) and have much of their character\u2019s powers developed. \u00a0They won\u2019t yet be as powerful as a full Jedi, but would be well on their way. \u00a0Guidelines are provided for gamers who prefer to start out at that higher level.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Unique to the Force and Destiny core rulebook is the idea of Morality. \u00a0In Edge of Empire, players together have a pool of Obligation, which represents their debts and favors owed to various factions in semi-criminal fringe. \u00a0In Age of Rebellion, the players have a pool of Duty which tracks their commitment to the rebellion and its allies. \u00a0Both pools are a story-oriented mechanism that rewards players for furthering their group goals and can represent situations where they may end up acting against the interest of \u201cbig picture\u201d people. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"swf02_lukevsvaderduel\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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In Force and Destiny, Morality represents the pull of the light and dark sides of the Force. \u00a0It is tracked separately for each character, and goes up or down at the end of each gaming session. \u00a0Characters (we\u2019re not about players) who find themselves making choices in a grey area of morals earn conflict. \u00a0At the end of a session, players roll against their conflict total to see if their morality goes up or down. \u00a0Characters who fall low enough, \u201cturn\u201d to the dark side and gain penalties and benefits. \u00a0Likewise, attaining an exceptionally high mortality will also provide a character with different rewards.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"swf02_emperor\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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The book itself is a thick, sturdy title that is filled with plenty of thematic graphics. \u00a0Fans will instantly recognize\u00a0most of the characters and settings drawn. \u00a0All the images are evocative art, rather than still images taken from the movies and convey a stronger sense of theme than a simple freeze frame would be able to achieve. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"swf02_gearchapterplate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Most of the book involves rules and advice for running a game. \u00a0Character creation, hand to hand and vehicle combat, advice for a beginning Gamemaster and so on\u2026 \u00a0About a third of the book serves as background information about the current state of the galaxy. \u00a0Star systems, organizations, equipment, non-player characters (and other enemies) and other bits of information about things of interest are included. \u00a0<\/span> At the end of the book there is a short adventure which can be quickly set up to help a new set of gamers get a feel for the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"swf01-layout-full\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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However, if you are not sure about the game and want to dabble in it a bit first, I can\u2019t recommend the various Beginner Game sets enough. \u00a0There is a separate Beginner game box for each core rulebook. \u00a0All three contain a moderately short scenario adventure for players that is designed to teach players the rules while they play. \u00a0A box contains four pre-generated characters, a map for the scenario, a set of the special Star Wars dice, and a short reference rulebook. \u00a0Fantasy Flight even provides several more starting characters from which to choose and an entire second scenario for each game at their web site. \u00a0Included in the books is information for a gamemaster to invent their own adventures so that players can continue their adventures for several more levels. \u00a0The quick reference rules guide and the included dice are almost worth the cost of the set, so I highly recommend any (or all) of the beginner sets. \u00a0They also serve as a good starting place to figure out which of the three core rulebooks interest you the most. \u00a0Those wishing to have the most options can start with one and then increase their library to include the other two books. \u00a0\u00a0Due to its inclusion of force-sensitive characters, the new Force and Destiny core rulebook will likely be the preferred starting point for most players. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"swc04_soresuobiwan\"<\/a><\/p>\n

No matter which rulebook you choose, the Star Wars RPG is a great game for beginning players. \u00a0Most players will be familiar with the setting, the rules are relatively straightforward, and most actions (combat and other skill checks) are simple to resolve. \u00a0As with most RPGs, one only needs a set of dice and imagination to play. \u00a0Bring your dice and a notebook along with you and you can play in line while you wait to watch Episode VII!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set to appear a month from now. \u00a0Aside from repeatedly watching the film\u2019s trailers, how will a Star Wars fan manage to occupy their time? \u00a0Enter the Star Wars Role Playing Game from Fantasy Flight Games. \u00a0\u00a0A story-oriented game, it features streamlined rules so that player actions aren\u2019t bogged […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[176,123,132],"class_list":["post-14209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-unplugged-miscellaneous","tag-fantasy-flight","tag-rpg","tag-star-wars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14209"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14230,"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14209\/revisions\/14230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gamerdad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}