Star wars D20- Character design help

[Umbra_Ex_Sol]

Hey there, seems like no better place to ask for help with this than GITP
My Dm is infatuated with this revised core rule book, but everything in it seems backwards and or useless.
But I dont mind the odd system, its just that figuring out how to make the character I want is difficult.

As of now, were starting at level 3. We technically dont have any official force/saber training, but were allowed to take all the feats and things to make our characters as that we will be finding our masters and learning it all soon anyways. either way, I just want to know how I can build my character.

All that aside, I want to make a more caster oriented build. Im torn between a full dark side user or a rightous upholder of justice who flirts with the dark side, but the constraints here are that Im baffled by the system. But either way, I plan on using the dark side to an extent, and want to be at least semi-competent at melee, while being largely force oriented.

The classes seem sort of...lacking for optimization and customization in this form. You have diplomats, physical fighters, and force adepts who arent jedi, dont get sabers, etc

I just need some help and clarification! Ive got a week or so until we need to have characters finalized.
Also, as a note, we get a 40 point buy in for ability scores.

As another note, Im a Mirluka during the clone wars (which is odd, sure, but dont worry about it). I know that should automatically gain me the sense feat, which is nice I guess.

[Duncan_Ruadrik]

well... it sounds like you want to be a Jedi Counselor. I'm a bit confused as to why you "need" other force feats... The only one you need if you aren't starting as a Jedi at level one is Force Sensitive. This allows you to pick up a Jedi class at any point in your career.

It sounds like you are going to cone in contact with some sort of jedi teacher? So, it doesn't really matter what class you want to begin with. If you want to use Force powers ASAP I would go with a Force Adept. No, you can't use sabers right away, but you can when you pick up your first Jedi class, and until then you can still empower your weapons.

So yeah. only thing you need (if you aren't starting as a Jedi) is the Force Sensitive feat.

[Umbra_Ex_Sol]

well... it sounds like you want to be a Jedi Counselor. I'm a bit confused as to why you "need" other force feats... The only one you need if you aren't starting as a Jedi at level one is Force Sensitive. This allows you to pick up a Jedi class at any point in your career.

It sounds like you are going to cone in contact with some sort of jedi teacher? So, it doesn't really matter what class you want to begin with. If you want to use Force powers ASAP I would go with a Force Adept. No, you can't use sabers right away, but you can when you pick up your first Jedi class, and until then you can still empower your weapons.

So yeah. only thing you need (if you aren't starting as a Jedi) is the Force Sensitive feat.

Well, basically hes letting us start as the regular base classes, just without sabers and formal training. He said go ahead and feat up as though you were already your full class. Im also looking to avoid cross classing somewhat, as hes being rather restrictive with that whole subject...

Since there are no real casters in this game, somewhat, im torn. I may just take forceadept and let him give me jedi stuff as we go, if he will... eh, this whole thing is confusing. I prefer the sagas edition so much more.
Also, Miraluka start with force sensitive and if theyre jedi, they get sense automatically.

[KoboldCleric]

SWd20 is the precursor to d&d 3.0, so it's built on the same system. If you're familiar with 3.0/3.5 d&d you shouldn't have any trouble picking up SWd20. The major differences are that every class is essentially tier 4/5/6 because the "casting" system (the force) is skill-based rather than Vancian. In addition, because there are no magic items to replace defenses and utility as in 3.x, the basic class bonuses (such as AC for defense, BAB for attack) become extremely important.

If you want to be a Jedi that can both use the force effectively and hold his own with a lightsaber I'd consider using Jedi Guardian, particularly with a 40pt buy and the Miraluka's bonus to intelligence. Jedi can be very MAD in SWd20 though: Strength for attack, dexterity for defense, Constitution for vitality/wounds, Intelligence for skill points, and Wisdom/Charisma are often force skill modifiers.

You can cut down on this by selecting force powers that either only use intelligence and constitution or at least choosing between wisdom and charisma, and by using weapon finesse to dump strength. Although your damage will suffer in the early levels, Jedi gain bonuses to lightsaber damage as they level and there is a lightsaber form feat (form IV) in the _Hero's Guide_ which allows you to use twice dexterity to damage instead of strength.

The Spellcaster feat from _Hero's Guide_ is awful. Even if you want to play a "caster" instead of a traditional Jedi, I wouldn't take it.

Sample Build: (Jedi Guardian 3)

Wound : 16
Vitality: 19+2d10
Defense: 17 (+1 with Dodge, +1 using deflect)
BAB +3

STR: 08 -1
DEX: 16 +3
CON: 16 +3
INT: 18 +4
WIS: 12 +1
CHA: 08 -1

FORT: 5
REFL: 6
WILL: 3
INIT: 5

SKILLS: [Pick 8 @ Max Ranks OR split some up]
Computer Use
Craft (Lightsaber)
Knowledge (Jedi Lore)
Pilot
Tumble
*
Battlemind
Enhance Ability
Force Strike
Move Object
**
Drain Energy
Force Grip
Force Lightning

*with all skills, but Force Skills in particular, know your target DC. Most Force skills have a large range that give the same bonus (e.g. battlemind). Putting only 1 rank in the skill (with a 16 Constitution) ensures you always get either a +2 or +3 bonus. The odds of getting +4 increase by 5% per rank above that. It may be worth it then to only allocate the 1 rank and use the other points elsewhere

**Be careful with darkside points (and therefore darkside force skills). The standard rules regarding darkside points make them easy to get, hard to get rid of, damaging to your ability scores, and your character becomes an NPC if you get too many. If your DM is waiving those rules and is all right with your character gaining darkside points, the _Darkside Sourcebook_ has some great additional skills and feats; some of the darkside force skills (e.g. drain energy, Sith Alchemy) are among the best in the game.

There are some force skills that are just downright ridiculous (e.g. friendship), and some that are very strong but can be annoying or difficult to use effectively without also adversely affecting your fellow party members (e.g. illusion); use these at your own discretion.

FEATS:
Force Sensitive [RACE]
Sense [RACE]
Control [JG lvl 1]
Weapon Proficiency (lightsaber, blaster pistol, simple) [JG lvl 1]
Dodge [Level 1]
Weapon Finesse [JG lvl 2]
Alter [JG lvl 3]
Agile Riposte [Level 3]

As far as feat choices go, Dissipate Energy is silly good, even after the errata; Agile Riposte/Redirect Attack/Heroic Surge/Force Mastery are great to either let you do things for no action or shorter actions or to give you extra actions; feats that boost AC (Lightsaber defense chain, defensive martial arts) can also be very helpful as you level since BAB improves faster than your class AC bonus.

I hope you find this helpful; above all, have fun. SWd20 can be a great system if you let it :)

[kardar233]

For a lightsaber specialist the Jedi Weapon Master prestige class from Power of the Jedi is excellent.

Keep in mind that in Star Wars d20 as a Jedi you are not the king of the battlefield. Vitality Point damage is all well and good, but it's Wound Point damage that wins fights. An optimized blaster wielder (either dual-pistol or rifle) can and will get at least one critical per turn and even one critical hit is enough to put most characters out. I once had a dual-pistol wielder that took down three high-level Jedi in a single round.

So watch yourself out there. Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

[Umbra_Ex_Sol]

Thanks alot guys, Ive been doing so much research. Ive played 3.5 for something like 3 years now, bu the classes and using skills instead of actual spells tossed me off the information tree.
My DM is basically giving me the consulars starting skill points, letting me start with echani martial arts, exotic weapon proficiency for stave type weapons (blade staves, etc), and I think Im going to take ambidexterity and two weapon fighting.
Weve got a droid mega-skill monkey so far, and two other jedi types- although one uses nothing but simple weapons. At any rate, Im looking into other force powers to take, wish I could find a master list...