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Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Wizards of the Coast)

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Star Wars Roleplaying Game
Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook
DesignersBill Slavicsek, Andy Collins, JD Wiker
PublishersWizards of the Coast
Publication2000
2002 (Revised edition)
GenresSpace opera, science fiction
Systemsd20 System

The Star Wars Roleplaying Game is a d20 System-based role-playing game set in the Star Wars universe. The game was written by Bill Slavicsek, Andy Collins and JD Wiker and published by Wizards of the Coast in late 2000 and revised in 2002. An earlier but unrelated Star Wars role-playing game was published by West End Games between 1987 and 1999.

Species and classes

As with any d20 System game, Star Wars d20 offers playable races (called species) and classes to the Player Characters (PCs). The species of Star Wars d20 include Humans, Cereans, Ewoks, Gungans, Ithorians, Mon Calamari, Rodians, Sullustans, Trandoshans, Twi'leks, and Wookiees. Much like in Dungeons & Dragons, each species has its own advantages and disadvantages. An example of this is the Wookiee, who is very strong but not as nimble and charismatic as other races.

The classes of Star Wars d20 correspond with most of the classes in Dungeons & Dragons.

Fringer

A class representing those who live in the far reaches of the galaxy, they're good at learning new things and fixing broken objects. Examples include both Anakin and Luke Skywalker prior to their Jedi training.

Noble

Similar to the aristocrat class from Dungeons & Dragons and the noble class from the Dragonlance Campaign Setting. The noble focuses heavily on diplomacy as well as calling in much needed favors for the group. Examples include Princess Leia, Queen Amidala, as well as Senator Bail Organa.

Scoundrel

Very similar to the rogue class, the scoundrel fits right in when things need to be "acquired." Examples include Han Solo and Dash Rendar.

Scout

Similar to the ranger class, the scout is an excellent addition to any group. Examples include Chewbacca.

Soldier

The soldier is the fighter of Star Wars d20, and can specialize in many different roles, from fighter pilot to foot soldier. Examples include Wedge Antilles.

Tech Specialist

A character adept at using technology and repairing broken equipment. Examples include Chewbacca. Note: This class was introduced in the 2002 Revised Core Rulebook.

Force Adept

A person who is Force-sensitive, but who has not received formal training. Possibly believes that the Force is magical in nature. The Witches of Dathomir are a prime example.

Jedi Classes

Jedi Consular

Consulars possess great knowledge of the Force but rarely enter combat. Consulars are the primary scholars and diplomats of the Order, often becoming instructors. Yoda is an example of this type, and in the Expanded Universe, Jorus C'Baoth and even Leia are considered such. Old Republic Consulars are loosely signified by green lightsabers.

Jedi Guardian

Guardians focus on martial training and combat. They usually engage in combat more than any other Jedi class. Like all Jedi, they are keepers of the peace, acting as a kind of special police force for the Republic. Notable guardians include Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, and, in the Expanded Universe, Kyle Katarn and Anakin Solo. Old Republic Guardians are loosely signified by blue lightsabers (Windu and Solo were exceptions with their purple lightsabers).

Class specializations

In addition to the basic Jedi classes, the games allow Jedi with special talents at helping others choose to specialize as Healers. Healers use the Force in conjunction with medical and psychiatric training to help allieviate illness, pain, and suffering wherever they encounter it. They are sometimes assigned to med-centers or mobile medical units on various worlds. Barriss Offee is an example of a healer who worked in a Republic Mobile Surgery Unit during the latter part of the Clone Wars. Cilghal, a Calamarian who was discovered by Leia Organa, was the first Healer of the New Jedi Order, followed by her apprentice Tekli, a Chadra Fan.

According to some gameplay manuals, during the time of the Old Republic there were Watchmen, a title that was given to a Jedi Master that connoted his or her role as overseer of a particular star system or segment of the galaxy. This was arranged through a loose agreement with the Old Republic. The watchman's main charge was to maintain harmony and justice. The Republic granted watchmen the authority to operate autonomously in order to right wrongs and deal with disturbances in the Force that occurred outside the purview of local laws. Ki-Adi-Mundi was an example of a Jedi Watchman, as well as Thon, the Watchman of the Stenness Node and Master to Nomi Sunrider. Watchmen are essentially the Star Wars equivalent of a "Sheriff". Another class specialization is Investigators, who act as the eyes and ears of the Council. These are similar to the "rogue" class found in other role-play games.

Eras of Play

As with any Roleplaying Game, the decision of when to play is the decision of both the game master and the players, but Star Wars d20 highlights three eras. The eras coincide with major events in the Star Wars universe, and are the Rise of the Empire era, the Rebellion era, and the New Jedi Order era. The post-Rebellion New Republic era is not presently covered by official d20 Star Wars RPG materials, but are covered by the previous game.

Other popular settings are the various "What Ifs?" that the Star Wars universe creates. These scenarios, called Infinities after a comic line, can vary widely in nature.

The eras of play are not limited to those three, as the fan community is constantly working on rules for eras described in the Expanded Universe, but not in an official sourcebook.

Star Wars RPG Line

Many different books have been released by Wizards of the Coast for the product line. What follows is a list of these products.

Utilities

Gamemaster Screen

Deluxe Character Record Sheets

Sourcebooks

Alien Anthology

Arms and Equipment Guide

Coruscant and the Core Worlds

Dark Side Sourcebook

Galactic Campaign Guide

Geonosis and the Outer Rim Worlds

Hero's Guide

Invasion of Theed Adventure Game

Living Force Campaign Guide

Power of the Jedi

New Jedi Order Sourcebook

Rebellion Era Sourcebook

Secrets of Tatooine

Starships of the Galaxy

Ultimate Adversaries

Ultimate Alien Anthology

Adventures

Tempest Feud

Many RPGA Living Force adventures for RPGA members only.

Additional Material

The Star Wars Roleplaying Game section of the Wizards of the Coast website regularly features new material available for free download. This includes web supplements, Q&A, short adventures, and character profiles, to name a few.

Future releases

No new books have been published in this line since 2004, but a new book entitled "Star Wars Roleplaying poop Saga Edition" has apparently been slated for a 2007 release, as discussed by Gary M. Sarli (WizO_the_Hutt, one of the message board moderators, as well as the current author of the Jedi Counseling articles) on the Wizards of the Coast message boards [1]. No information concerning the meaning of or content pertaining to the title been released as yet, but Gary M. Sarli has strongly infered (within the limits of his non-disclosure agreement) that more information concerning the RPG product line will be revealed at GenCon 2006. WotC/Hasbro had, until this news, appeared to be focusing solely on producing miniatures for the Star Wars Miniatures line to fulfill their license obligations to Lucas Licensing. The roleplaying game still receives some support on the web site.

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