TheSagaContinues

One of my ideas to correct this was to make Strong in the Force a prerequisite for the Skill Focus feat, but I'm not sure I like the idea.  I really want it to be harder to get, maybe even a special milestone to achieve to acquire the feat.  Maybe upon taking a level in the Jedi Knight/Sith Apprentice prestige class a character can take the feat but only receive a +2 bonus, and when they take a level in Jedi Master/Sith Lord prestige class they receive the remaining +3 bonus (the Force class equivalents could take the feat as well).

I've always liked the idea of scaling feats, so I kind of like your idea of a lower bonus that gets better as you level up (this mirrors what I feel actual Force progression would look like). However, I would probably add a level requirement instead of a Prestige Class requirement as it adds more flexability for the players IMO. If it were me, I'd allow the character(s) to take the Skill Focus (UtF) feat at an initial +1 bonus whenever they take it and then follow your progression (+2, +5).

Wow, your response gave me the idea of possibly making the feat do an initial +1 bonus plus 1 per 5 levels, maxing out at level 20.  Interesting.  I might have to consider that.

I do hate restricting characters, though some restrictions make sense.  Someone multiclassing into non-Force using classes, for example, is essentially not focusing on their talent.  Someone not taking levels into the available prestige classes is essentially either (in the game) shirking their duty or passing up promotions (likely not wanting to take on extra responsibility).

Yes.  Sometimes I over-analyze things. ^_^

As far as over-analyzing goes, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think all fandom can be guilty of that at one time or another.

Every table is different and what works for one may not for another. At any rate, I suggest that whatever changes you make be communicated to your group before play (ideally in a 'session 0' type format). If it were me, I'd probably print out any changes I made and have them with the book, that way there are no misunderstandings later. Just my two cents.

Oops. I suppose I should have explained my issue with it more. I don't have a problem at all with the skill vs. defense issue. Use the Force, unfortunately, is different from every other skill in that it encompasses a plethora of powers and abilities.

Where the revised edition made every Force power a separate skill, which was ridiculous, unfortunately the saga edition oversimplified the Force and stuck everything in one skill.

It's only my personal opinion, of course, but to me it's not very fun to have a level one Padawan with a +13 in their Utf. Sure it balances out over a dozen levels but they are essentially incapable of failure in the lower levels. Sure, a pilot can get the same bonus but you don't use the pilot skill to attack or utilize a handful of Force powers.

Oh, how I wish the designers had at least kept the skill divided by the three aspects of the Force: alter, control, and sense. Everything falls pretty handily into those three categories. But I don't care to do that much work for a house rule.

Hence the issue I personally have with the skill. ^_^ I hope that explains it well enough.

You make a very good point. Though a lot of people who play a Jedi, in my experience, like to play either a human or a miraluka for the extra feat (especially since Force training isn't a bonus feat).

I think my problem is more related to the skill itself. I do not like the idea that a Force user is either good at everything they can do or simply can't do it. But as soon as they learn a new power they are awesome at it. Ah well. What can I do but completely alter the system?

Yeah, but I try not to penalize players.

That's really exactly what I'd like, three separate skills, a little more dependence on other attributes, that way a Jedi actually has strengths and weaknesses instead of just strengths. And by all means, if they want to be good at all three there is nothing stopping them from taking three skill focuses. But I would assume most players wouldn't.

It looks like I'll have to put in the legwork. Thanks for pointing all of this out to me. ^_^

I've decided that I'm not going to use the house rule, but I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree on the multiclassing. A Jedi 3/soldier 4 is less of a Jedi than a level 7 Jedi. He's also more of a soldier. He has two talents for each class, whereas a level 7 Jedi has four Jedi class talents. Neither is "worse" than the other, but I don't understand how you can say that the one with soldier levels is focusing on his Jedi training as much as a level 7 Jedi (that is learning how to construct their own lightsaber).

Like I said, neither is worse than the other as far as game balance. The story would keep on trucking, it would merely change focus. I'm not here to argue.

A Jedi character technically doesn't need much. Str and Cha are all they truly need to have good scores in them to tear folks apart with a lightsaber and use the Force. Any other good stats are just icing on the cake.

Have you ever read the expanded star wars universe books with Corran Horn? He could not use the Alter aspect of the Force to save his life. It was a Halcyon bloodline thing. But every Jedi using the current system is badass in everything they put their mind to.

I don't like it. You apparently do. As did the playtesters and designers. No big deal. It's the easier route that probably pleases everyone, but I'm a veteran roleplayer that plays with veteran roleplayers that appreciate having weaknesses instead of being nearly infallible. It's all about playing style. I'm not right. I'm not wrong. It's just the way I want to do it. Any GM of course has that right.

Wow. I'm reading what you're putting, but that makes no sense to me.