T is for Talents (EotE)

Building on the successes of the first T is for Talents, this post aims to include a variety of new situations to cover the Careers and Specializations in both FFG Star Wars roleplaying game core books.

Combat in Edge of the Empire cannot be avoided. However, special care needs to be taken in a campaign so that the Galaxy Master does not fall into the seductive path of quick, easy, predictable, repetitive, and boring combat encounters. In fact, player characters in Edge of the Empire would do well to find ways to avoid fighting, if at all possible, even if that means sending allied troops to certain death for the greater good.

In order for Galaxy Masters to help push their players away from too much tactical combat in a non-tactical game, they must entice those players with rewarding scenes in which the players’ characters are able to demonstrate their value and worth. This can be done by designing scenes which benefit the unique and often underrepresented Career Talents. Compiled in the table below are interesting challenges, scenarios, and problems to be solved all taken from the benefits incurred by the Talents offered for each Career and Specialization that do not have an obvious benefit in combat, or whose benefit in combat is in a specialized niche.

When you, as Galaxy Master, are struggling to find a way to either move the plot of your adventure along in a new way, or are grasping to find a way to shine a spotlight on a player character that has been too long neglected, consult the list below to gain inspiration by either choosing an interesting scene or challenge described, or roll randomly with a d100 to let fate be your guide.

Starship Sheets – More Updates

“Hey, it worked that way in the Beta. It’s not my fault!”

Someone called me out on my mistakes, giving me a swift kick in the pants. I hate to distribute inaccurate information, and that was what I was doing with all of my Starship Sheets. Gunnery difficulties, Boost Shields, and Damage Control were all just slightly off, and this I cannot abide.

Additionally, the YT-2400 Light Freighter was specifically requested by a fan and the siren call of Age of Rebellion demanded that I provide a convenient starship sheet for that freighter and the two-seater (pilot & gunner) variant on the A4 model, the BTL-S3 Y-Wing. Also, speeder bikes.

Thus, I present:

• Firespray System Patrol Craft (PDF) (Word)
• Firespray System Patrol Craft with Boarding Action house rule (PDF) (Word)
• Ghtroc 720 Light Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• Lambda T-4A Imperial Shuttle (PDF) (Word)
• Sorosuub Luxury 3000 Space Yacht (PDF) (Word)
• Wayfarer-Class Medium Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• YT-1300 Light Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• YT-2400 Light Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• BTL-S3 Y-Wing (PDF) (Word)
• 74-Z Military Speeder Bike (PDF) (Word)

A is for Artifact

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Fresh on the heels of Fantasy Flight Games’ announcement of Enter the Unknown with its stated support for archaeologists and, by extension, artifacts; welcome to the 27th installment of Edge of the Empire Alphabet! A if for Artifacts is very special for me. Not only does it fill in a gap that other entries have been referencing since November 1st 2012, but also it fulfills a promise I made early on in Alphabet‘s creation; I will keep going right on past the initial 26 letters.

An artifact is going to rock your world. It will be a focal point of many heists and an object of lustful desire. Artifacts open up ancient, lost powers and abilities the galaxy has not seen in many millenia. It will be an adventure to find it, a challenge to understand it, a massive undertaking to unlock its powers, and a campaign-ending confrontation to stop it, the evil N is for Nemesis abusing its power, and un-open pandora’s box. Artifacts are not for the weak or the timid. They are built to be remembered and feared.

Core Book Update: Starship Sheets

As you are all no doubt fully aware, the Edge of the Empire core rulebook has finally been released and is out on store shelves. Huzzah! I’ve been joking with my regular Star Wars gaming group that we can now, after months of delving into our campaign, start playing the game properly.

I’d hate to disseminate incorrect information, so I’ll be updating the stat blocks and whatnot on Triumph & Despair to reflect the most accurate values. And if you spot something in error, please, send me an email about it.

The first thing that caught my eye upon perusing the new core rulebook were the stats on the Lambda Shuttle. It’s weapons are significantly upgraded, now able to reliably punch through enemy starships’ Armor. I simply can’t let that kind of easy-to-fix error slip through, so that has been updated. Also of particular interest was the substitution of the Ghtroc 720 Light Freighter for the Wayfarer-Class Medium Freighter for starting Crew starships. Lastly, the rules now stipulate potential alternate starting starships of  120,000cr or less. A close examination of the core book reveals only one alternative under that description not previously covered: the Sorosuub Luxury 3000 Space Yacht. The Yacht is underpowered, underdefended, and unarmed. It is a challenge and a thrill to try and survive in; one which only the most elite of Crews will even attempt.

Clearly, it behooves me to provide updated and new one-page 11×17 starship sheets for these spacefaring vessels.

• Lambda T4-A Imperial Shuttle (PDF) (Word)
• Wayfarer-Class Medium Freighter (PDF) (Word)
• Sorosuub Luxury 3000 Space Yacht (PDF) (Word)

Rogue Events Compilation

Following the recent publication of my Rogue Event 15 – De-Activated Imperial Probe on the GSA, I’ve gotten a few requests to put together a quick compilation of these first fifteen for easy reference at the table. This is actually a pretty good time for this to happen as I’m planning on taking a breather from Rogue Events for at least a little while.  Well, who am I to disappoint the fans?

BEHOLD!
Rogue Events 01-15 Compilation

Where is that shuttle going?

Fly casual.

The Lambda T4-A Imperial Shuttle presents an iconic image recognizable by all Star Wars fans. More than that, it functions as a grand prize to be stolen by a  brazen thief to show off the utmost drama, daring, and bravado on the part of said notorious scoundrel. But, when seen through the lens of Edge of the Empire, what a chaotic mess of confusing information!

Similar to the Starship Layout Guide done here back in April, I present to you a full 11×17 layout detailing the various functions and facets of using this spacefaring vessel. Of particular interest to me was how maneuverable (Handling +0) and fast (Hyperdrive Class I) the shuttle is, as well as its vast array of many weak (Damage 3) energy weapons; at least in comparison to the classic three starting starship options of YT-1300, Ghtroc 720, and Firespray. As expected, the passenger capacity of the shuttle is unrivaled among these Silhouette 4 starships, boasting the ability to ferry a total of 26 passengers & crew. What would one do with an assault squad of that size? I don’t really know too many good answers, but I bet if I had it at my disposal I could really cause some damage and wreck a nervous Galaxy Master’s overly-railroading, rigid plans.

• Lambda T4-A Imperial Shuttle (PDF) (Word)