Star Wars d20 newbie questions

[Emongnome]

I haven't invested any money into the Star Wars d20 game, and am interested in it, but I would like some information about it before moving forward. For instance, I was told (not a fully reliable source) that the licensing from Lucas Films runs out sooner before later and it may not be renewed. If that happens, what does that mean for the Star Wars game? Also, I see that they have a new Players Handbook. Is older stuff totally obsolete, or just minor to moderate modifications (like D&D to 3.5)? Am I brain-dead for not getting into it sooner or crazy for thinking about plunking down bucks for the RPG? Appreciate it.

 

[Ranger REG]

I haven't invested any money into the Star Wars d20 game, and am interested in it, but I would like some information about it before moving forward. For instance, I was told (not a fully reliable source) that the licensing from Lucas Films runs out sooner before later and it may not be renewed.

If by "sooner" you mean 2018, then you might be right.

If that happens, what does that mean for the Star Wars game?

Just like what happened to WEG d6 version. It will still be played by a devoted gaming community.

Also, I see that they have a new Players Handbook. Is older stuff totally obsolete, or just minor to moderate modifications (like D&D to 3.5)?

Modifications. But that's the beauty of d20. You can choose to use the revised version of Two-Weapon Fighting feat (for example) or stick with the current mechanics.

Am I brain-dead for not getting into it sooner or crazy for thinking about plunking down bucks for the RPG? Appreciate it.

Well, it's better late than never. I can only speak for myself, but I prefer the d20 version over the d6. There are others (like the devoted d6 gaming community) that feel differently. I suggest you try it out to see if that fits your image of Star Wars roleplaying.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

There are rumors flying around of the license going away, but there isn't anything to back them up. Currently, we're in the calm before the storm moment as we wait for Episode III, which is going to cause another jump in products just like Ep II did.

As for the Revised book, it does make the old Starships of the Galaxy hard to use as they re-did starships and such, but its not completely obsolete.

 

[ragboy]

I haven't invested any money into the Star Wars d20 game, and am interested in it, but I would like some information about it before moving forward.

Well, what are you waiting for??

For instance, I was told (not a fully reliable source) that the licensing from Lucas Films runs out sooner before later and it may not be renewed. If that happens, what does that mean for the Star Wars game?

It means nothing for the game, really. There's a ton of gaming stuff out there (both d20 and d6). I never really understood the need for continuous product for a game anyway, but in the case of Star Wars, you have an overload of content from gaming to novels to video games to comics. If what's holding you up is some future support problems, you shouldn't be concerned.

Also, I see that they have a new Players Handbook. Is older stuff totally obsolete, or just minor to moderate modifications (like D&D to 3.5)? Am I brain-dead for not getting into it sooner or crazy for thinking about plunking down bucks for the RPG? Appreciate it.

Are you talking the 3.5 Player's Handbook for D&D or the Revised Core Rules for d20 Star Wars? The Revised rules tightened up starship and vehicle combat. I believe it also gave you more racial options (don't have the original core rules). But, like someone else said, there are a few products previous to the revised that you may have to do some work on (Starships of the Galaxy, definitely, and I believe the Arms and Equipment book...vehicles section) but there is an absolute ton of material. Some essentials:

• Revised Core Rules...of course.
• Ultimate Alien Anthology - Hundreds of races to add to the game.
• Coruscant and the Core Worlds --\
  These two books are excellent!
• Geonosis and the Outer Rim ----/

With these four, you can do anything you want in the SW universe.

 

[kenobi65]

But, like someone else said, there are a few products previous to the revised that you may have to do some work on (Starships of the Galaxy, definitely, and I believe the Arms and Equipment book...vehicles section)

Actually, Arms & Equipment Guide was written using the Revised rules, so that's fine. Starships of the Galaxy has never been revised, but the changes aren't so great that it makes that book unusable.

 

[edventure]

The hardest thing for me as GM is being stuck in one era. Our campaign is set in between the EP1 and EP2. I have to be careful when going through materials to make sure it is era appropriate. No x-wings, stormies, heck they haven't even found the clone army yet.

 

[Emongnome]

I greatly appreciate all the responses, they have been most helpful. I look forward to the day I can afford to buy a few of those well-referenced books!

 

[ragboy]

I greatly appreciate all the responses, they have been most helpful. I look forward to the day I can afford to buy a few of those well-referenced books!

Check ebay and walmart.com. I found some awesome deals on SW d20 at both sites.

 

[Emongnome]

A few more quick questions: Can I assume all products released after the Revised Core Rulebook is compatible with the revisions? Any books written before the revision also compatible? Does it matter? For instance, the Ultimate Alien Anthology came out before the revision (I'm pretty sure). Does it matter if it isn't based on the revisions?

Lastly, are miniatures a required part of game play? D&D 3.5 (and 3.0) basically required miniatures to make the best use of many of the combat rules and feats, etc. Appreciate it again.

 

[humble minion]

Everything released after the Revised Core book is compatible with the revisions. That includes Power of the Jedi, Ultimate Alien Anthology, Hero's Guide, Arms and Equipment Guide, Ultimate Adversaries, and probably one or two others.

Miniatures are no more and no less required in Star Wars than they are for D&D. I tend to run smaller battles purely descriptively, and save the battlemat and miniatures (or tokens, dice, coins, or whatever else) for big, complex encounters. It's worth noting that miniatures are needed more in melee situations (because of Attacks of Opportunity and so on) than in ranged combat, so if your party uses blasters more than lightsabers and vibroblades you'll probably find it easier to run miniatureless combat.