Could you elaborate?
What´s in there?

Sorry for the thread necromancy, but there are now a total of 4 previews of the new Star Wars book out:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/SagaPreview1
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/SagaPreview2
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/SagaPreview3
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/SagaPreview4

... and I was wondering if anyone has further thoughts.

I personally really like what they're doing with the skill system, but I'm reserving judgment about the combat changes until I can buy the book.

In particular, I worry that the move back to hit points from WP/VP will be misunderstood. Sure, they're really playing up the abstraction aspect of HP with the change, but you'll always get those guys like Ken Hood (Grim n Gritty author) who think it's not "realistic".

I also worry about leaving off multiple attacks per round in favor of greater damage -- it implies that people only ever attacked a single person in a round. I guess I find it somehow cooler to be able to smack the crap out of 5 guys in 6 seconds.

I've definitely decided that I'll buy the book, though.

Quote from: ElectroKitty... and I was wondering if anyone has further thoughts.

No. I haven't been following them because I know I'm going to buy the book sight unseen.

Seanchai

Not sure if anyone here has seen it yet but:

Grubman got his copy 4 days ago!

sounds pretty good so far, minus the wonky size.

And he didn't post it here!?

What a DICK!

I will be back on board with D&D 4 if it uses simplified skill mechanics like this. I don't buy anything Star Wars related but man, does this sound like someone was listening to me and fixed enough of the problems I had with 3e that I could live with it.

4e can't be here soon enough if these changes hold up.

Quote from: CalithenaI will be back on board with D&D 4 if it uses simplified skill mechanics like this. I don't buy anything Star Wars related but man, does this sound like someone was listening to me and fixed enough of the problems I had with 3e that I could live with it.

4e can't be here soon enough if these changes hold up.

Yeah, i'll have to see it in practice, but Saga Edition SW sure seems to have the version of d20 that should have been in D&D.

Quote from: CalithenaI will be back on board with D&D 4 if it uses simplified skill mechanics like this. I don't buy anything Star Wars related but man, does this sound like someone was listening to me and fixed enough of the problems I had with 3e that I could live with it.

4e can't be here soon enough if these changes hold up.

I too am interested in seeing if the Star Wars design ethos translates into a new edition of D&D. Simplified and streamlined with options for further complexity seems to be the approach these days, and I for one welcome it.

I have it and it's really good.  To my mind it's the edition of the SWRPG that should most appeal to fans of both D6 and D20, since it keeps the cool game-y aspects of D20 while getting rid of a lot of the bits that can bog things down.  The mechanics are by no means "dumbed down" but they're a lot smoother and less fiddly than RCR.  Think True20 with HP instead of the Toughness save, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what it's like.

And for the bibliophiles reading this:  it's a beautiful book, the best looking Star Wars RPG book ever printed IMO.

I might actually look at playing this as PbP on TBP.

KoOS

Quote from: joewolzAnd he didn't post it here!?

What a DICK!

:raise:

To be honest, those first few days were a whirlwind of reading, typing, answering questions, and trying to do everything else in my busy life (especially buys with all the end of the school year functions of my two daughters and work overtime).

I was originally posting the reviews on the wizards forum, because they are the people who I assume are primarily waiting and excited about the book, then on RPGnet, because a lot of people were following my adventure there.

I figured between those two high profile sites word would get around to most people who wanted to read about it (see, you found it).  Juggling all the questions in those two threads was more than challenge enough for me, and one more would have been just too much to handle.

...that, and I'm a dick.

IMHO (as I've said elsewehre) if WotC isn't working on a D&D 4th edition using the rules from Saga, they are frigging nuts.  It has all the crunch, and does everything standard D20 does with about 1/2 the work and complications.  Streamlined at it's best.

That said (my impressions), it's going to be hard to use the rules from Saga into a regular D&D game without doing a LOT of work (since the whole system has been streamlined and reworked...but for the better).  The two are very similar, but it's like trying to use a canadian coin in an american vending machine...it's almost the same...but not enough to make it work.

Quote from: grubmanThat said (my impressions), it's going to be hard to use the rules from Saga into a regular D&D game without doing a LOT of work (since the whole system has been streamlined and reworked...but for the better).  The two are very similar, but it's like trying to use a canadian coin in an american vending machine...it's almost the same...but not enough to make it work.

Is that a challenge?

I'm already going to rip off a big chunk of the skill system in my next game.

I ain't buyin' this one, but I'll look at it.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!I ain't buyin' this one, but I'll look at it.

That's like saying you're going to a strip club to look at the girls, but you aren't giving them any tips...but once you are there, and they are rubbing thier titties in your face, you start pulling out the dollar bills.

Or, maybe it's not like that.

But still, once you see it you may weaken.

Quote from: beejazzIs that a challenge?

I'm already going to rip off a big chunk of the skill system in my next game.

Sure, if you want it to be.

I'm not a great "rules guy" so, perhaps others will have an easier time doing it than me.  I'm also sure there are various chunks that will port over without problem...but some things are (or seem to be to me) pretty integrated in the new system, and changing one will effect another.

Of course, some of the stuff I really like (like the character generation, skill, and talents) need a total re-write to work in D&D.

If WotC really isn't going to put out D&D4th for a couple years, I certainly hope someone takes the initiative to steal the show.