Lycan 01
2011-02-06, 11:57 AM
So I'm giving Star Wars Saga another go. Over the years, I've tried it a few times, with mixed results. A few sessions went well, while a few were horrible train wrecks. Confusion with some of the rules and mechanics, coupled with a few rules lawyers and powergamers who abused Jedi and Force Powers and pretty much made a full session impossible to run properly, left me quite disillusioned and discouraged with the system. I eventually just threw my hands up and decided the game simply wasn't worth the trouble when I had other games I understood better and had more fun with.
But, for some reason, I decided a few days ago to give it another shot. I reread the rulebook, and it seems that after years of experience as GM for other RPGs has given me the understanding and insight needed to realize where and how I screwed up with Star Wars Saga. I then came up with an amazing campaign idea, and managed to find several college friends interested in trying out SWS. Sooooo... Looks like I'm giving SWS another go.
However, I still have a few issues. Specifically, with building Encounters and Antagonists. I've got the CL stuff figured out decently. A CL 5 Imperial Office and four CL 1 Stormtroopers are a CL 3 Encounter, for example, which should be a nice challenge for a group of 4 lvl 1 PCs with decent cover. A trio of TIE Fighters are a CL 7 Encounter, but if the PCs have a YT-1300 transport, then that greatly increases the odds for the PCs and probably makes it a CL 2 or 3 Encounter. Simple enough.
But, it seems that while NPCs are challenging as a group, a single baddie is greatly screwed over, even if he has a high CL. Lets say I want the party to face a strong Dark Jedi. They're level 5, but how do I make a CL 5 Encounter out of a single baddie? I mean, if he's a few levels higher than them, he's still going to be easily killed by them teaming up on him. Adversely, a level 15 Dark Jedi would be a CL 5 Encounter... But not only would he probably destroy them with his amazing stats, but think of how RARE a level 15 Dark Jedi is. Obi-Wan Kenobi isn't even that strong! :smalleek:
So yeah... What do I do for an Encounter like that? I just want a cool and dramatic encounter between the party and a single, stronger opponent who will give them a run for their money, but won't result in a blindingly fast TPK. I don't expect the whole party to try and fight him, either. I figure one or two PCs may try to stay out of it, or perhaps I could have them be restrained/unconscious/captured, or otherwise prevented from interfering. Especially if its a Dark Jedi, and only 1-2 PCs are actually Jedi capable of fighting him. Well, I mean, the other characters could fight him, but that kinda ruins the dramatic atmosphere if the random smuggler in the corner starts firing into the epic saber duel. :smallconfused:
But, for some reason, I decided a few days ago to give it another shot. I reread the rulebook, and it seems that after years of experience as GM for other RPGs has given me the understanding and insight needed to realize where and how I screwed up with Star Wars Saga. I then came up with an amazing campaign idea, and managed to find several college friends interested in trying out SWS. Sooooo... Looks like I'm giving SWS another go.
However, I still have a few issues. Specifically, with building Encounters and Antagonists. I've got the CL stuff figured out decently. A CL 5 Imperial Office and four CL 1 Stormtroopers are a CL 3 Encounter, for example, which should be a nice challenge for a group of 4 lvl 1 PCs with decent cover. A trio of TIE Fighters are a CL 7 Encounter, but if the PCs have a YT-1300 transport, then that greatly increases the odds for the PCs and probably makes it a CL 2 or 3 Encounter. Simple enough.
But, it seems that while NPCs are challenging as a group, a single baddie is greatly screwed over, even if he has a high CL. Lets say I want the party to face a strong Dark Jedi. They're level 5, but how do I make a CL 5 Encounter out of a single baddie? I mean, if he's a few levels higher than them, he's still going to be easily killed by them teaming up on him. Adversely, a level 15 Dark Jedi would be a CL 5 Encounter... But not only would he probably destroy them with his amazing stats, but think of how RARE a level 15 Dark Jedi is. Obi-Wan Kenobi isn't even that strong! :smalleek:
So yeah... What do I do for an Encounter like that? I just want a cool and dramatic encounter between the party and a single, stronger opponent who will give them a run for their money, but won't result in a blindingly fast TPK. I don't expect the whole party to try and fight him, either. I figure one or two PCs may try to stay out of it, or perhaps I could have them be restrained/unconscious/captured, or otherwise prevented from interfering. Especially if its a Dark Jedi, and only 1-2 PCs are actually Jedi capable of fighting him. Well, I mean, the other characters could fight him, but that kinda ruins the dramatic atmosphere if the random smuggler in the corner starts firing into the epic saber duel. :smallconfused: