. . . you don't like Star Wars? I mean, I like Star Wars -- I'm just not particularly interested in gaming there. Even back in the WEG games, our "Star Wars" galaxy was teeming with very non-Star Wars stuff (e.g., Venom-like symbiotes, cyborg manhunters, etc). So. . . I like a lot of what I hear about the new SAGA edition, though I'm wondering if it's worth the full cover price for me. Some more relevant information:

• I like d20 in general.
• I like the streamlining of C&C, BFRPG, etc.
• I do not like the 'streamlining' of True20/Blue Rose.

Will I like the new Star Wars RPG? How 'portable' is it? More importantly, it is actually simplified (e.g., C&C) or just a different flavor of complex (e.g., True20)?

It's more like C&C and BFRPG, being streamlined and not complex.

My lovely wife ordered one for me after I didn't get one for my birthday...it arrived yesterday. So I'll let you know in a coupla days..

Quote from: jdrakeh. . . you don't like Star Wars? I mean, I like Star Wars -- I'm just not particularly interested in gaming there. Even back in the WEG games, our "Star Wars" galaxy was teeming with very non-Star Wars stuff (e.g., Venom-like symbiotes, cyborg manhunters, etc). So. . . I like a lot of what I hear about the new SAGA edition, though I'm wondering if it's worth the full cover price for me. Some more relevant information:

• I like d20 in general.
• I like the streamlining of C&C, BFRPG, etc.
• I do not like the 'streamlining' of True20/Blue Rose.

Will I like the new Star Wars RPG? How 'portable' is it? More importantly, it is actually simplified (e.g., C&C) or just a different flavor of complex (e.g., True20)?

I own this game.  The rules have good support for playing pretty much anything from the three Star Wars movies or the three prequels.  Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, Princess Leia, R2D2, C3-PO, Jar-Jar Binks, a random stormtrooper, etc.  (Two exceptions: there're no rules for ending up on a respirator like Darth Vader, or becoming a cyborg like General Grevious -- although there are rules for prosthetic limbs.)  The rules support a surprisingly wide array of things that appear in the movies and the various novels... but that's it.  I don't think it's really equipped to be used as a generic sci-fi game.

As for whether you would like the rules alterations, I can't say.

We're playing SAGA edition at the flgs on the north end of town--you're always invited.

Your appreciation of SW seems on par with mine. I enjoy the movies. More telling, maybe--I love the movies and genres that inspired SW. I'm not really into the whole extended universe stuff, though I appreciate that it brings all the pulp cliches the movies had not used.

I'm not really wild about D20. The rule changes seem logical to me. The only static we've had so far is where the rules vary from the older D20 edition. They are adjustment problems, rather than anything that doesn't make sense. I'm running fast and loose. The scenarios are more like little crime adventures than chanbarra epics. That's how this group runs everything I ever set up, so I'm just going with it.

Frankly, I'd rather be playing Space:1889, but I'm trying to get some rp established at this shop--which is generally more of a wargame outfit--and the SAGA edition seemed like an ideal opportunity. Further, my son loves SW the way I did when I was 13, so it was kind of a foregone conclusion to play it at some point.

Back to the point, since I have a true fan in my house, and since the system is a decent iteration of a popular system, and since it has facilitated my meeting a number of new rpers at my flgs, I definately feel like I've got my money's worth.

Quote from: stu2000We're playing SAGA edition at the flgs on the north end of town--you're always invited.

Gamer's Haven? It's a little out of my way, though I may try to drop by some night. Thanks for the invite!

QuoteYour appreciation of SW seems on par with mine. I enjoy the movies. More telling, maybe--I love the movies and genres that inspired SW. I'm not really into the whole extended universe stuff, though I appreciate that it brings all the pulp cliches the movies had not used.

Yes, I think we seem to be in a similar boat here.

QuoteBack to the point, since I have a true fan in my house, and since the system is a decent iteration of a popular system, and since it has facilitated my meeting a number of new rpers at my flgs, I definately feel like I've got my money's worth.

Honestly, that paragraph has probably done more to sell me on the game than any of the internet 'hype' about rules, etc. Thanks!

I just picked it up, and my players want to give it a spin.  I'm not a nerd of the Star Wars flavor (other flavors, yes - just not that one).  I'm familiar with the original movies, have seen I-III once or twice each, read the Zahn books a long time ago, and read through some small SWRPG materials for both d6 and d20.  So, I understand most of the concepts - just not the history and events.

So, I had a hard decision ahead of me...

When your players know the universe better than you do, as a GM you have 3 choices as I see them.

(1) Ignore it.  Tell them to stuff it.  (This is what I did for WFRP)
(2) Go to a remote time/location that hasn't been well-detailed
(3) Fuck with everything.

I considered (2) - setting the game in the Old Republic.  I love the KotOR games, so it sounded fun.  I couldn't bring in the iconic characters, though, and the tech differences might be screwy.  Instead, I'm going with (3).

More or less, I'm planning a "What If" setting where the Imperial gunners shoot down the escape pod containing R2-D2 and C-3PO.  It's set 5 years after Alderaan gets nuked.

I'm getting some great ideas over at Circvs Maximvs to play with, and I expect it will be a damn fun game.  So far, I have Leia turning to the Dark Side after her capture, finding Luke, and seducing him (yuck, I know).  Darth Vader is in a power struggle with the Emperor.  While the Rebellion got hurt, there's a lot more popular support for them after Alderaan was destroyed.  Obi-Wan joined back up, and is training new Jedi.  Lots of fun shit, I think.

-O

Sounds like SWS would at least provide some interesting options for you. I think the general streamlining is done very well, going beyond D20 Modern and its ilk (Grim Tales comes to mind). Combat flows very quickly, without being overly simplified. Skills are in the "just hot enough" spot, unless play really focusses on them (where CoC D20 would be a good choice)

The biggest detriment for using the rules as a general supplement is the lack of magical options. You could adapt the Jedi rules to other sci-fi psi things without a hassle, but for e.g. fantasy magic it isn't fine grained enough. This is exactly the same problem True20 has (stemming from its Magical Girls fellating Magical Deers roots).

I love the rules for constructing monsters, with the "Beast" class. Very, very well done. If only some parts of that book where under the OGL...

My take on the new Saga edition is that if you take away the lightsabres and don't fret about the canonical setting, what you have on your hands is a snappy little generic sci-fi ruleset.  I could see myself using the Saga edition for Star Frontiers or Traveller type play with little hassle.

Quote from: jrientsMy take on the new Saga edition is that if you take away the lightsabres and don't fret about the canonical setting, what you have on your hands is a snappy little generic sci-fi ruleset.  I could see myself using the Saga edition for Star Frontiers or Traveller type play with little hassle.

Mmmm. . . very good

One big point in favor of SWS is the much nicer level curve. You don't start out as an utter dipshit at level one and become a poster child for Nietzsche at level 20 (or 9, 36). Staying with Traveller, I could imagine some nice campaigns where the players never go beyond level one.

Quote from: obrynMore or less, I'm planning a "What If" setting where the Imperial gunners shoot down the escape pod containing R2-D2 and C-3PO.  It's set 5 years after Alderaan gets nuked.

I'm getting some great ideas over at Circvs Maximvs to play with, and I expect it will be a damn fun game.  So far, I have Leia turning to the Dark Side after her capture, finding Luke, and seducing him (yuck, I know).  Darth Vader is in a power struggle with the Emperor.  While the Rebellion got hurt, there's a lot more popular support for them after Alderaan was destroyed.  Obi-Wan joined back up, and is training new Jedi.  Lots of fun shit, I think.

That is one hella-cool idea. I almost wish I had a CM account so I could read the thread.

Quote from: jrientsMy take on the new Saga edition is that if you take away the lightsabres and don't fret about the canonical setting, what you have on your hands is a snappy little generic sci-fi ruleset.  I could see myself using the Saga edition for Star Frontiers or Traveller type play with little hassle.

Oh, and ++.

Quote from: ElectroKittyThat is one hella-cool idea. I almost wish I had a CM account so I could read the thread.

Thanks.

Really, I thought it might be too crazy to work, but it apparently has legs.

-O

Not that my opinion matters, obryn - but I loved the concept when I read it as well.

Well played.