Star Wars Saga Edition [SECR] Preview #6 is Up

[pawsplay]

While I'm not ready to embrace this game based on what I've read, I do have this to say:

They seem to have wholeheartedly taken the approach of adapting d20 to Star Wars, rather than vice versa. Some people mused whether this was a preview of DYD 4e, but I think it's clear at this point they have committed themselves to making a distinct variant of d20.

d20 RCR was sort of halfway in that regard, neither an orthodox d20 game nor divorced from basic D&D structures.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Or it could mean that everyone gets a bump at 4th level, droids just get 2 abilities.

That seems exceptionally unlikely. Occams razor and all that.

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Is is just me or does the droid get ZERO save bumps for his 12 nonheroic levels? If the saves are now 10 + stat + class bonus, the driodieka is only get bonuses from his stats.

Only the Heroic classes get an increase to their saving throws, either from 1st level bumps or from having levels in heroic classes. So I guess that means non-heroics only get their ability score bonuses.

 

[Klaus]

Or it could mean that everyone gets a bump at 4th level, droids just get 2 abilities.

I don't see how this

Droids can increase any two of their five remaining ability scores by +1 each at 4th level and every four levels thereafter, just like any other character.

can be construed as anything other than "every character can increase any two ability scores by +1 at every fourth level, with the exception that droids can only increase the five abilities they have, not Constitution".

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

That seems exceptionally unlikely. Occams razor and all that.

And given the wording of the preview along the lines of "like every other character" would imply that everyone gets the two +1 ability score bumps at 4th level.

 

[JohnSnow]

And given the wording of the preview along the lines of "like every other character" would imply that everyone gets the two +1 ability score bumps at 4th level.

Even ignoring the fact that Rodney confirmed it.

 

[Klaus]

All I want to know is if the customization rules are flexible enough to create something like this little fellow...

Start with an Interrogation Droid, add 4th degree robotics, then become a Sith...

 

[RigaMortus2]

Interesting to see the feats Dual Weapon Mastery I, Dual Weapon Mastery II which I presume are offsetting some of the normal TWF penalty (the droidekas 2 heavy blaster attacks are not as low as one might otherwise expect for 2 attacks)

Anyone else find it a bit strange that the droideka has a better grapple check than it does ranged attack check? If their grapple is so much better, why haven't we seen them grapple in Ep I - III??? LOL

 

[RigaMortus2]

While I'm not ready to embrace this game based on what I've read, I do have this to say:

They seem to have wholeheartedly taken the approach of adapting d20 to Star Wars, rather than vice versa. Some people mused whether this was a preview of DYD 4e, but I think it's clear at this point they have committed themselves to making a distinct variant of d20.

d20 RCR was sort of halfway in that regard, neither an orthodox d20 game nor divorced from basic D&D structures.

One of my fears is that they are making things a little too abstract. I am kind of split on what they did to skills. I like the idea of less book-keeping in that area, but it is such a drastic change. I wonder how that is going to affect multiclassing? Like, once you pick your Trained skills, can you ever get Training in other skills later on? And if the amount of Trained skills you can choose is based on class, then wouldn't a multiclass character eventually be able to pretty much max out and get all the skills Trained (especially since they consolidated a lot of skills)?

 

[DarkKestral]

One of my fears is that they are making things a little too abstract. I am kind of split on what they did to skills. I like the idea of less book-keeping in that area, but it is such a drastic change. I wonder how that is going to affect multiclassing?

If the amounts are fixed, and not class-specific, then it makes no difference if you go a technical specialist route at level 1 or after level 5, and therefore make multiclassing REALLY penalty-free after level 1.

Like, once you pick your Trained skills, can you ever get Training in other skills later on?

Yes. It has been mentioned that it is possible.

And if the amount of Trained skills you can choose is based on class, then wouldn't a multiclass character eventually be able to pretty much max out and get all the skills Trained (especially since they consolidated a lot of skills)?

Doubtful, because it appears any new Trained skills are received automatically via level up or by the spending of a feat. So unless the player purposefully spends most or even all their feats to become Trained, it's unlikely more than a few new Trained skills will be learned via a feat or talent mechanic. However, for some builds, I think the new system will make it worth it to be Trained in a few more than normal. Don't quote me on it, I haven't played the new Saga rules or seen the full book, but for the classic technologist build, it seems like it might be a good idea.