TheSagaContinues

I'm probably saying NO to the bracing one handed.  Looking at the Autofire entry on pg 156 in mentions "Only heavy weapons, rifles, and pistols with an extended stock (see page
125) can be braced."  While not specific it's telling me you need/want two hands on it.  I might just point out that somewhere it also mentions that with a rifle (and presumably the pistol with an extended stock) you will take a -5 attack penalty when using it even if it is sized small enough that you nominally could use it with one hand.

Nothing that directly stops you from duel wielding the two MA10s (excuse me, subrepeating blaster pistols) but you certainly wouldn't be bracing them and the penalties may stack up quickly making it harder to just hit REF 10 to maybe deal half damage.

I'm not seeing anything that would allow you to add a Stun option to a blaster that doesn't already have it.  While I may not allow it as I sense some kind of cheese coming with it if I consider that you could strip out the Stun Setting for an UP it might make some sense that one could fill an UP to add it although I really want to know where you're trying to add it.


When it comes to miniaturization it doesn't appear to do much to a blaster but I will say that I take some issue with it at times.  Should it also require a miniaturized power source?  If any kind of explosive charge is involved, I'll usually reduced damage from those if/when miniaturized.  There are also a few weapons where I may be fine seeing the upgrade cutting the weight in half but some of the time that would still leave something a bigger size; if you look at many of the heavy weapons in the SECR and cut their weight in half they would still be in the "large weapon" category looking at pg 38 of S&V.  Cutting the weight of a heavey repeating blaster or blaster cannon to make them easier to carry is one thing but doing that and thinking that they should now just be "medium size" weapons that can be wielded with one hand is a step too far in my eyes.

Miska Eoliss lived a troubled life before she was found by the Jedi. Forced to survive on her own for several months as a small child, it was only her instinctual connection to the Force, to the guidance and wisdom it provided, that she was able to find what she needed to make it through until she wandered almost directly into a traveling Jedi, who sensed her potential and desperation. During this time, she developed a keen eye for the measure of an individual, realizing that in many cases it was her or them, and she needed to be prepared for what they might try. After she was brought into the Jedi, her ability to see through the Force developed quickly, and her teachers found that she was seeing moments into the future without realizing it. Leaning upon this passive precognition, she continued her training, rounding out her abilities with the Force and a lightsaber. Before her training was complete, however, she learned to control the swirling visions provided to her by the Force, which steered her to a path apart from her peers in the Jedi.

Many in the Order did not take Miska's resignation well; some feared she would be lost to the Dark Side without further tutelage, while others thought her misguided or perhaps even arrogant. She did not let these doubts reach her; with renewed purpose, Miska roamed across the galaxy, learning much about the different planets and their inhabitants. Her precognitive abilities continued to multiply such that she could rely upon them in combat, even developing the ability to see where an attack will go and maneuvering her enemies into it, and she became fascinated with the Force-attuned crystals that could be used in a lightsaber. While her own Adegan crystal was bonded with her and served her well, she found that the energy fields others exhibited assisted her with different aspects of the Force. She has made an effort to learn about these crystals and where they might come from, and associated studies have lent a smattering of insight into physical sciences.  A Kasha crystal acquired from a Cerean she saved from a wild animal clears her mind of distractions, aiding her visions into the future. An Opila crystal she bought from a trader on Abregado Rae helped her blade find weak points in the enemy's defense. A rare find, she even discovered a Solari crystal that allowed her to channel the Force as light through it, burning those who had been touched by the Dark Side. These crystals are worked into fine jewelry she wears; the Kasha crystal sits in a diadem on her forehead, while the Opila crystal rests in a bangle on her dominant lightsaber arm. The Solari crystal is housed in a pendant that hangs close to her heart, glowing brighter as she exerts herself to channel the Force.

Miska could be made to serve as a wandering NPC that a group of heroes might reasonably encounter in most locations and eras. She is often on the hunt for a new crystal that might aid her in unlocking more of her Force potential, or her visions may steer her to an area that has a crisis brewing. When encountered, her knowledge of the area or planet may be helpful for the heroes to get their bearings, and if there is a fight, she can look into the future and warn allies of incoming attacks, potentially allowing them to evade the attack and have it hit another opponent they are fighting. She's reasonably competent with a lightsaber albeit squishy, though most of her special abilities lie in learning about the enemy and using that knowledge to get some extra juice out of her or her allies' Feats and Talents. Of particular focus is learning the enemy's Will Defense and Reflex Defense, then using Visionary Defense and Friend or Foe in combination when an attack roll is just high enough to hit both an ally and someone they are fighting. Quiet the Mind is her preferred Force Regimen, unlocking the Visions Talent she uses to find her next goal.

Miska Eoliss, the Crystal Seer (CL 9)

Medium Miraluka Noble 5/Jedi 4

Initiative +7; Senses: Force Sight, Perception +11

Languages: Basic, Miralukese, Sy Bisti, Huttese, Bocce

Defenses: Reflex 22 (Flat-Footed 20), Fortitude 21, Will 23

Hit Points: 71, Damage Threshold 21

Speed: 6 squares

Melee: Unarmed +10 (1d4+7)

Melee: Lightsaber +12 (2d8+10)

Ranged: By Weapon +8

Base Attack Bonus +7, Grapple +10

Special Actions: Friend or Foe, Visionary Defense, Cast Suspicion, Know Your Enemy

Force Power Suite (Use the Force +16) Battle Strike, Farseeing (3), Force Light, Force Shield (2), Mind Trick, Move Object (2), Shien Deflection, Surge

Force Regimens: Quiet the Mind, Telekinetic Practice, Eyes of the Force, Awaken Force Sensitivity

Abilities: Strength 16, Dexterity 6, Constitution 13, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 16, Charisma 14

Talents: Cast Suspicion, Friend or Foe, Know Your Enemy, Visionary Defense, WatchCircle Initiate

Feats: Elder's Knowledge, Force Regimen Mastery, Force Sensitivity, Force Training (3), Linguist, Predictive Defense, Skill Focus (Galactic Lore)*, Skill Focus (Use the Force), Weapon Focus (Lightsaber), Weapon Proficiency (Lightsabers, Pistols, Simple)

Skills: Deception +11, Gather Information +11, Initiative +7, Knowledge (Galactic Lore) +16, Knowledge (Physical Science) +11, Perception +11, Persuasion +11, Use the Force +16

Possessions: Lightsaber (Self-Built), Robes, Assorted Crystal Jewelry

*Skill Focus (Galactic Lore) gained from the Exiled Background

Just 1 week left to submit builds for the contest! So far we have two entries, with a high-level Jedi Master and a low-level Jedi Padawan, so there's plenty of room for more entries. Also remember that submissions can give a vote on what the next build contest theme will be about, so if you have an idea be sure to include it with your build entry.

I’ve always though Cin Drallig was a cool character, even though we don’t see him much in the media.  Most of my remembrance is fighting against him in the Revenge of the Sith video game for PS2.  In this format, I’ve tried to represent a variety of fighting styles befitting an instructor who has mastered all the lightsaber forms.  Unfortunately, there is no way to give him all the lightsaber form talents unless we went into Sith Apprentice, and we can’t do that!

For initial creation decisions, I went with a middle-aged human, since Cin was still considered a master swordsman, but I could use the age penalties to boost his lightsaber training stats and slightly reduce his physical capacity (which is an important consideration concerning his final fight facing Anakin Skywalker).  Compared to the Anakin statblock in the Clone Wars Campaign Guide, Drallig may be one level higher, but it is very reasonable that Anakin's level 14 build could defeat this level 15 Cin Drallig as noted in both the RotS novelization and the brief cameo in the movie via hologram.

Though he is not distinguished with scars, he is somewhat an older character with ages lines on his face.  Taken with his nickname of “The Troll” and his reputation as a taskmaster during lightsaber instruction, I thought it fitting to give him the Scarred background, though I must confess I secretly wanted to add Deception to his list of class skills through this choice. 

I made a few decisions about what I could leave out based on stats and effectiveness, like his Strength and Dexterity being the same.  There was no point in taking Weapon Finesse or the Ataru talent for virtually no benefit when I have other fish to fry, as I will outline.  And while I could take more lightsaber form powers, I think all Jedi should have the mainstays of Battle Strike, Mind Trick, Move Object, and Surge.

Ataru is represented by the Acrobatic Strike feat and Saber Swarm.  Several other powers boost the mobility of the battlemaster’s Ataru dance, but these actually give him decent offense.

Djem So has two contributions in Weapon Specialization (lightsabers) and one lightsaber form power (I really wanted Power Attack for extra damage and that aggressive feel, but I felt Force Regimen Mastery was a more important roleplaying and background element).

Jar'Kai has Dual Weapon Mastery I as it’s only representation.  He seems to favor using just one lightsaber, and the build wouldn’t gain much from including the actual talent, plus he doesn’t have the stats to do really good dual wielding.

Juyo is actually the first form represented by a talent, being supported by another talent, a feat, and a lightsaber power.  This represents Drallig’s major focus in perfecting lightsaber combat for offense.

Makashi gets two talents, and Contentious Opportunity, too.  Cin can easily switch hands if needed for one- or two-hand use to benefit from Lightsaber Defense, and Contentious Opportunity gives him a damage buff outside his turn.

Niman gets a single focus in Move Object as an option for using the Force in combat, but if you think about the creativity of Niman in the lore, having so many other options in his toolbox means that Drallig can find something to combat just about any opponent with, which is a hallmark of Niman.

Shien get just one Force power to represent it, but Shein Deflection plays to our lightsaber instructor’s mobility in combat, so it was a natural choice.

Shii-Cho gets three talents and a lightsaber form power to show off.  With Block and Deflect basic mainstays of Jedi builds, Shii-Cho was easy to add, and gives the Troll an excellent defensive tool.  Sarlacc Sweep gives him an option for engaging multiple opponents if he needs to.

Sokan is denoted by Acrobatic Strike and Unhindered Charge.  Being more principle than actual form means I could get away from the talent and rely on Force Training to get me what I needed for this build.

Soresu is in the same boat as Shii-Cho, supported by multiple talents for an excellent buff to Drallig’s defense.

Trakata is represented by Combat Trickery.  Getting Deception as a class skill from the Scarred background was essential for showing off Trakata this way because the feat is so much better than the talent.

Vaapad is the form solely not represented specifically.  From what I can tell, Mace Windu closely guarded the secret of Vaapad and thus I presume Drallig wouldn’t know much about it, but Swift Flank would be an ability Drallig would use if I were to add it.





Cin Drallig

Medium male Human (middle-age) Jedi 7/Jedi Knight 7/Jedi Master 1   CL  15
Force 13
Init +13; Senses Perception +10
Languages Basic, Bocce
Defenses Ref 30 (flat-footed 28, Lightsaber Defense 31, Makashi 33), Fort 27, Will 31
hp 85; Threshold 27
Speed 6 squares
Melee lightsaber +18 (2d8+10) or
Melee lightsaber +20 (2d8+10) with Acrobatic Strike or
Melee lightsaber +18 (2d8+11) two-handed or
Melee lightsaber +20 (2d8+11) two-handed with Acrobatic Strike or
Melee unarmed strike +16 (1d6+8) or
Melee unarmed strike +18 (1d6+8) with Acrobatic Strike or
Melee lightsaber +13 (2d8+10) and unarmed strike +11 (1d6+8) or
Melee lightsaber +13 (2d8+11) two-handed and unarmed strike +11 (1d6+8) or
Ranged move light object +20 (1d6)
Base Atk +15; Grp +16
Atk Options  Dual Weapon Mastery I
Special Actions  Block, Deflect, Juyo, Lightsaber Defense, Lightsaber Form Savant
Force Powers Known +20 battle strike, contentious opportunity, fluid riposte, mind trick, move object, rebuke, saber swarm, sarlacc sweep, shien deflection, surge, unhindered charge, vornskr’s ferocity
Force Regimens Known +20 Quiet the Mind, Sparring Practice, Vo’ren’s First Cadence, Vo’ren’s Second Cadence
Force Techniques  Improved Force Trance, Improved Move Light Object, Improved Sense Surroundings
Abilities Str 13, Dex 13, Con 9, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Special Qualities  background (scarred), Bonus feat, bonus skill, fearless, serenity
Talents Block, Deflect, Juyo, Lightsaber Defense, Lightsaber Form Savant, Makashi, Shii-Cho, Soresu, Weapon Specialization (lightsabers)
Feats  Acrobatic Strike, Combat Trickery, Dual Weapon Mastery I, Force Regimen Mastery, Force Sensitivity, Force Training (3), Martial Arts I, Skill Focus (Use the Force), Weapon Focus (lightsabers), Weapon Proficiency (lightsabers, simple)
Trained Skills  Acrobatics +13, Deception +15, Initiative +13, Use the Force +20
Untrained Skills Climb +8, Endurance Gather Information +10, Jump +8, Knowledge +8, Mechanics +8, Perception +10, Persuasion +10 (+12 to intimidate), Pilot +8, Ride +8, Stealth +8, Survival +10, Swim +8, Treat Injury +10, Use Computer +8
Possessions lightsaber (self-built), Jedi robes, utility belt

I went through all the starship modification rules, but Im still not sure how exactly adding more weapons to a starship works.
...

You mention the size modifier so I guess you have access (or at least seen) Starships of the Galaxy.

Most vehicle have Emplacement Points (EP) that are nominally filled with the various systems in the ship.  Most stock ships are assumed to have one EP still available for additional modifications/upgrade but the stock YT series is an exception as they were build with upgrading in mind and still have 10 EP available for additional modification.

The books never really do a great job of saying if a weapon is "pilot controlled" or "gunner controlled" which is a shame because there actually are some pretty important distinctions.  Being trained in Pilot gives you a +2 attack with Pilot Controlled Weapons and having Vehicular Combat gives you proficiency with those weapons but NOT other "gunner" controlled weapons.  I believe that a weapon designated as "pilot controlled" can ONLY be fired by the Pilot (who is acting as a gunner in this capacity) and not any other gunner.  I also feel that in many (most?) cases a "gunner" controlled weapon could be used by the pilot but in this case it is still treated like any other gunner controlled weapon so no +2 attack for being trained in Pilot and Vehicular Combat doesn't give you proficiency for that weapon; this may make the Pilot less effective as a gunner but remember that such a weapon can be taken over by an actual, designated, gunner.

Back to your YT-1300.  Adding a new weapon system to the ship should be as easy as picking the weapon system which can fill some available EP.  You pay that weapons cost (weapons generally don't see size [base] costs but are rather flat costs no matter the size) and any installation costs; when installed I'd allow you to declare if it is a pilot controlled weapon only (see first paragraph) or a gunner controlled weapon.  Note you don't get any additional crew to operate that new system but it should be good to go after that.