Fantasy Flight's New Star Wars RPG

It looks to be a hybrid of the new WFRP and the WH40K systems. Custom funky dice, no cards. Unless the cards come in a later beta version. It's likely we'll be looking at a boxed set or something.

It's also released like the 40K RPGs, Dark Heresy, Rogue Trader and Deathwatch takes on different aspects of the Imperium (Inquisitors, traders and marines). Star Wars will be release Edge of the Empire, Age of Rebellion and Force and Destiny (fringe, military, Jedi stuff).

I am glad that one of my friends is getting it.( So I can get the word before I spend the money) I haven't been impressed so far. And I am not allowed to see or hear of 40K....boo Games workshop...boo. Had a 40,000 pt. Chaos army...tons of money...tons of time in paint and whammo...rule change and re-release of figs...

If it can capture the fast and loose cinematic feel of the old D6 system, then I'm all for it. WotC tried-- several times-- and failed, for the simple fact that they kept with their D20 system. Stacks of paperwork for a simple action.

I've played the WFRP system and if it follows that course, then it'll be very slow for beginners because you have to determine type of dice to be used based on the situation, and how to interpret the dice which includes + and - values based on the symbols. It took me quite a while to figure it out, and now I've not played for a year or so I can't remember how to do it.

However, if you got the system down in your head, it's a matter of Task --> Pick up appropriate dice --> Roll & interpret dice --> Resolution. The GM I played with did it pretty quick, and I was really impressed.

Good to know, Hisham, thanks. Even D6 had its moments of dice interpretation, but there was no new or unusual symbols to understand. Game mechanics relied heavily on the gamemaster, who had quite a bit of leeway on how to interpret die rolls. I'm hopeful that FFG will be able to take the franchise out of the D20 doldrums, where even character creation can be measured in hours, not minutes.

I must also admit I'm a fan of the chosen era limitations. I say this as a die-hard Clone Wars fan, but the era of Rebellion/Empire best encapsulates the flavor of Star Wars in its most potent form. Jedi characters (when rules to deal with them eventually come to light) will actually have to deal with being rare and hunted pariahs in the galaxy. It's a type of character that isn't much explored in the current RPG zeitgeist, and I find it to be a compelling scenario.

First report of Actual Play has been posted. I was right, it's a Warhammer Fantasy Role Play 3rd edition but without cards. Click here to read.

Looks like good news to me. I don't know that I'll shell out cash for the beta (mostly because there aren't many players locally), but I'm feeling good about buying the official release.

I played a brief scenario at gencon over the weekend, run by one of the designers I guess (people kept getting his autograph while he was trying to GM lol). I liked the White Wolf-ish dice pool, but it seems to put alot of strain on the GM, as most of the rules assume you've no one in the party who likes to disagree with the GM's ruling.

Gas, did anyone tell you the final product will have action cards, party condition tracker, custom dice and packed in a boxed set like Warhammer?

I ask, cause if it does, man, will it fetch a pretty penny. I'll probably be unable to afford it.

Personally, I hope they just publish it like the 40K RPG books. Take it up to 400 pages or whatever, but keep it to one core book. Sell the dice separately, or we could also use regular polyhedrals; just substitute numbers with the custom symbols in mind.

Could they throw things like action cards into the system later and not test them in the beta? My initial thought is that, apart from correcting errata and tweaking some game mechanics here and there, if it's not in the beta it's not going to be in the game. I could be wrong, though.

I too feel optimistic about the new product, but I'll still be waiting until its official release. By that point hype will have died down and we will have much more nuanced reviews of the system.

Alright I'm biased. I never felt comfortable with saga. Im not trolling I'm just speaking truth. I'm really excited about this version! It was like welcome back to America, btw there's a new star wars rpg out! I like the custom dice. I like that it's narrative instead of war gamish. I like war hammers character creation so I'll probably like this one. My really only doubting aspect is how hard is this gonna be to learn? Not for me but for new rpg players who have never rolled a die? It's funny, since saga ended, I've been compiling my own notes about things I would want from a star wars rpg and this one actually has most of what I wrote! Hopefully it doesn't suck!

I like the saga edition better then the old star wars d20 and the d6 was fun but funked down in rules. The best way to have a good story is a decent system and of course players. The saga has it's flaws but at least you got everything you needed in one book instead of having to wait for the jedi players book. I mean not everyone wants to be han solo. That being said I will still give it a shot.

Moridin's opened up a new FFG section up on the Holonet Forums. Here's hoping there'll be a new wave of activity and discussion as FFG starts to release the first product, the Edge of the Empire Beginner's Game.

Finally ran the Beginner Game for my son. We had fun!

DRRRIIIIIGGGGG!!!!

I'm a terrible person. I don't play much any more. It draws wife agro. I'm sure asok has people to play RPG with though. Especially the new edge system. It's really simple. Your bros will love it. Especially shamus.

I am very sad to hear about your gaming drawing the agro, Drig!

EVERYBODY COME OUT HERE AND PLAY WITH MEEEEeee

Well she's a great wife so I'm willing to compromise. :D love makes you do crazy things. Like kill all Jedi during order 66. :D

Jegergryte's Free-traders and Freebooters unofficial stats document now has my SWAG stuff.

Also, last Sunday I ran the Beginner Game adventure again, this time for the regular gaming group. Writing the report now and will link it when I'm done.

Fantasy Flight is right in my back yard - so to speak. I live about 1/2 hour from their HQ in the Minneapolis area.

I also spent some time talking to the guys at CVI. They seem like a great group and really into the Star Wars mythos, so they are doing it for love of the genre and not just as another game to publish and sell.

They did a couple of beta test weekends at their office. We were trying to coordinate a 501st/RL appearance with the event, and they seemed to love the idea, but never got back to us when it came time to commit.

I get the feeling that they are working long hours and are staying so focused on launching this and making sure it does well that they haven't had a chance to branch out much on the PR level yet.

I'm hopeful to keep chiseling away at it so we can use the 501st and RL to help drive their success.

As far as game play, our local groups haven't delved into the RPG yet, but did play the TIE Fighter game. Again, it had unique dice and a few rules to learn, but we picked it up quick and had fun with the game. It's pretty easy and fast to play once you know what you're doing.

Here's a report of my running the Beginner's Game once again, this time for the regular group instead of my son. As to be expected, things got shot up much earlier in the game and there were at least two attempts at pants removals. And one attempt at droid repair using crotch-mounted tools.

The 501st, RL and Minnesota Force had a very busy trooping schedule for Star Wars day. Some of our people attended five events on Saturday alone, plus a few other this weekend.

I trooped at two that should be of interest to this group. First, Daniel Wallace (author of various Essential Guides, The Jedi Path, and The Book of Sith) had a book signing at a local kids book store. We've done several events with Dan in the past, and he is a great guy! He took a lot of time at this event to talk to kids and promote a love of reading and writing.

Second, Fantasy Flights had a tournament at their event center. They showcased all of their games. The probably had about 60 people there playing. We were really just there for the atmosphere. The gamers didn't care about characters as much as the kids did. :)

We did see the new miniature ships they debuted, including a Lambda Class Shuttle, a B-Wing and the Moldy Crow. They are all beautifully done.

After careful consideration and study, and playing with the beginner game (from various angles) with friends, I have concluded that I dislike ff's talent system and find, while the game allows for a much-needed overhaul on droid rules, it still lacks a certain specificity, namely a loophole/powergamer-'proof'cumulative character building system, among other aspects, that I find Saga Edition provides. For what it's worth, and nothing against the less-regimented playstyles ff's release accommodates, I'll be sticking with Saga.