Star Wars d20: Consular vs. Guardian

[Dagger75]

Those 2 skill points are worth it and make a big difference. The bonus feats are very useful. The thing I noticed is a jedi who tries do everything will usally be a crappy jedi at higher level when it comes to the force.

The consular in my game is an expert at move object, and freindship and mind control stuff.
The gaurdian used all his points to raise battle sense and enhance stats type of thing. I have seen a pretty big difference in play.

 

[kenobi65]

Jedi Guardians make great lightsaber duelists ... but they aren't much good for anything else.

I'd concur. In the Living Force group I play in, we've got two 11th-level Jedi: a Guardian 9 / Master 2, and a Consular 7 / Investigator 2 / Master 2.

The Guardian is a terror in combat. Most of his skill points, and all of his feats, went to combat builds. Thus, outside of combat, he's limited...he's good at Move Object, and OK at Affect Mind; he can do a little Heal Another, a little Computer Use, but that's about it. (He's even legendary for his pathetic Spot score).

The Consular isn't too far behind the Guardian in combat (though clearly a notch under)...but he's also excellent at Move Object, Affect Mind, Heal Another, Diplomacy, Computer Use, and several Knowledge skills. And, the player of the Consular has pointed out that, if he had really wanted to, he could have maxed out the combat stuff, and been pretty darn close to as good as the Guardian in combat (but, he wanted to be more well-rounded).

So, it comes to this: if your player wants an ultimate combat monkey, go Guardian. If he wants to be able to contribute outside of combat, go Consular.

 

[Neo]

...and besides, if one builds a Jedi based soley on stats, the class isn't the problem.

Couldn't have put it better myself

 

[Khorod]

The argument that character builds can differentiate the two classes is specious. Character build can differentiate two characters of the same class.

I don't think there's a problem here, but I do think it would be interesting if they were more differentiated.

If you still think the Consular is underbalanced, take away the last Force Training feat from the Guardian. He now has to spend an extra feat to get all the force powers. And for a combat-focused Guardian, that feat might not be worth it.

 

[Nifft]

Skill points, man. I'm a power gamer and the Consular makes me droooooooool.

-- N

 

[Victim]

Consulars are in theory better with force stuff. However, the Guardian's extra VP allow him to use force powers more. Especially if those "metamagic" feats are being used. And, at higher levels, characters will probably be hitting the maximum DCs on force skills, allowing them to branch out more.

 

[Khorod]

That Vitality thing is the big flaw with Vitality-powered force stuff.

 

[Ranger REG]

That Vitality thing is the big flaw with Vitality-powered force stuff.

I dunno. At least it teaches you to use your powers wisely (as needed), and not do it all willy-nilly.

 

[Khorod]

Kinda missed my point. I really like Vitality Powered Magic. Its one of my current projects.

I was referring to the strangeness that is the spellcaster being vitality powered and not being the premier Vitality-Collector in the game. It is strange that a multi-class with Soldier can help a Jedi use his powers longer than a Jedi level.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Kinda missed my point. I really like Vitality Powered Magic. Its one of my current projects.

I was referring to the strangeness that is the spellcaster being vitality powered and not being the premier Vitality-Collector in the game. It is strange that a multi-class with Soldier can help a Jedi use his powers longer than a Jedi level.

Except since the Force Skills aren't Class Skills for Soldiers, they aren't actually better with them, and can only use them more. Its still better to just go straight Jedi.