Components of a lightsaber

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

Let's be honest, the core reason to play this game is the lightsaber. Pretty much all players are going to want their own lightsaber at some point in the adventure. But at the same time I don't want it to be easy, there needs to be some kind of achievement in earning a lightsaber or else it won't feel quite the same. I was thinking of having them travel the galaxy collecting components (roughly one component per session) but I'm not sure how to value 'components'.

 

I've read into some of it and I've seen different versions of what to use as components. Some component lists include a huge list of parts; others are a bit minimalist (crystal, lens, emitter, power cell). What would you guys consider to be the core components and what would you suggest for this course of action?

[Lathrop 838]

I'd really just stick to the way it's done in the rules, where the majority of normal components are just spare parts you have to buy and the real effort is put into the crystal, which can have a huge adventure put behind it. This helps put into perspective for players how big a deal the crystal is and how hard it is to replace it, giving them reason to be extra cautious when modding and ensuring that they don't lose their lightsaber in some way. That and if the lightsaber somehow gets busted, but the crystal is still salvageable, then replacing the hilt isn't another huge arduous task.

[Daeglan 5,950]

Per Raw a lightsaber is 300 credits worth of parts and a crystal that you quest for. Which also matches canon where the crystal is what takes the effort to get. 

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

Well I'd at least want to make getting the parts interesting. In SWTOR they acknowledge that Padawans "Are usually sent to gather the parts themselves, but you've proved yourself enough." That indicates to me some sort of challenge. Maybe going to an ancient Jedi temple to recover the parts, and coming away with backpacks stuffed with all the spares they could reasonably need?

[Vixen Icaza 317]

I have encouraged my players to search for exotic materials to make their sabers personal, we have not got far enough to see it matter so far but I am hoping for hilts made from things like rancor horn, battle DROID parts, rare rocks etc.

[Donovan Morningfire 10,200]

I wouldn't overthink it.

 

As Daeglan noted, the main requirement and most difficult part to obtain during the Empire's reign is the focusing crystal.  In the novel "I, Jedi", novice Jedi Corran Horn is able to assemble a working lightsaber out of what amounts to spare parts that were just lying around and a focusing crystal that he was already in possession of.

 

As for the statement of "every PC is going to want a ligthsaber," I've got personal evidence of that not being the case.  I'd been running a Force and Destiny game since shortly after the Beta came out where only two characters really made use of a lightsaber, with a third (out of five characters) having one as a back-up weapon, while the other two were quite content with there Ranged (Heavy) weapons, particularly the Gand Findsman (Seeker/Hunter) with his upgraded heavy blaster rifle.

 

And there doubtless will be other groups that have PCs with zero interest in having or using a lightsaber.

[EldritchFire 499]

https://youtu.be/MtntTvuv8Aw

 

EDIT: How the heck do you embed the YouTube player?

 

-EF

Edited May 18, 2015 by EldritchFire

[Daeglan 5,950]

https://youtu.be/MtntTvuv8Aw

 

EDIT: How the heck do you embed the YouTube player?

 

-EF

exactly

[Oden Gebhac 445]

 

https://youtu.be/MtntTvuv8Aw

 

EDIT: How the heck do you embed the YouTube player?

 

-EF

exactly

 

Best scene ever...

 

I thought it was the act of flooding the Force into the lightsaber that made it special.. not some silly crystal that can found literally anywhere in the galaxy.  How I loathe George Lucas at times...

Edited May 19, 2015 by Oden Gebhac

[Vigil 687]

https://youtu.be/MtntTvuv8Aw

 

EDIT: How the heck do you embed the YouTube player?

 

-EF

I believe its open-bracket video closed-bracket (url) open-bracket  slash video closed bracket. 

OK, three edits and I got it. Be sure to use the full URL. 

In any case, you don't really need to quest to find the crystal, as Luke is supposed to have created one synthetically between Empire and Jedi. And synthetic crystals are supposed to be the way that the Sith (and other dark siders) built theirs for millennia, as Ilum (the only known world to possess any significant quantity of khyber crystals) was almost always under Jedi control. And, of course, for F&D, I imagine with the Empire controlling Ilum, any non-Sith or non-Imperial-aligned force users will have difficulty acquiring their own crystal - without also synthesizing one. 

(It seems ironic that the crystal at the core of the most iconic, high quality weapons in Star Wars - lightsabers and the Death Star's superlaser - is named for a region renowned for turning out poor quality weapons.)

Edited May 19, 2015 by Vigil

[Oden Gebhac 445]

Every time I see the term "khyber crystal" I want to kill a Youngling...

[Vigil 687]

Every time I see the term "khyber crystal" I want to kill a Youngling...

Good, good... let the hate flow through you. It gives you focus, makes you strong. 

[Oden Gebhac 445]

 

Every time I see the term "khyber crystal" I want to kill a Youngling...

Good, good... let the hate flow through you. It gives you focus, makes you strong. 

 

The hate... I can't let go of it... I don't want to let go of it...  arrrgrhhhhhhg *explodes into blue fireball

[Kesendeja 39]

Would there be a roll to assemble the lightsaber? My character has the parts and the crystal for her lightsaber, we're just wondering is it a roll, or its just done. We were thinking it was a Daunting test to assemble and align the crystal, but the character could use their force die for either hits or advantage.

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

As regards assembling a lightsaber I'd do a Discipline check (maybe Hard?) due to the fact that they have to have absolute focus to bond the parts on a molecular level.

 

And supplementary to that post, I've had one player say outright that they'd prefer a blaster anyway. Still, I might have a mission where they have to go on a quest to find the parts from an official source (maybe a crashed version of the Jedi training cruiser from The Clone Wars) so that they can get the parts they need and the parts they want in one go. It won't be too hard though. I'll make getting the crystals a bit harder though. I'll give the non-lightsaber characters some form of alternate reward (blaster guy might have to defeat a bounty hunter and then get his custom sniper rifle for instance).

[Daeglan 5,950]

No check. They did this on purpose. You don't want to deny a player their prize after they finish that quest to get their crystal and have bought the parts. Besides the mods will require the mechanics roll already.

[Lathrop 838]

As regards assembling a lightsaber I'd do a Discipline check (maybe Hard?) due to the fact that they have to have absolute focus to bond the parts on a molecular level.

 

Try not to over-think the lightsaber by trying to push extra difficulties and walls to make it harder to get. Are they powerful weapons? Sure. But only if a player is focusing on their lightsaber tree/skill and if they're getting the Intellect/Mechanics/Force Rating up so that they can actually mod their lightsaber. And it's not like they're going to be able to constantly pull it out for every situation unless they want to get busted as being a Jedi and getting a hefty bounty on their head.

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

True. I'll keep it narrative then.

[Jereru 171]

I liked the saber assembling cinematic in SWTOR when you reached level 10.

[Kesendeja 39]

I liked the saber assembling cinematic in SWTOR when you reached level 10.

Just checked it out, I agree it is cool. Seems like you'd need a rank of move to pull it off though.

[Ghostofman 8,319]

 

I liked the saber assembling cinematic in SWTOR when you reached level 10.

Just checked it out, I agree it is cool. Seems like you'd need a rank of move to pull it off though.

 

That's the fluffy overdramatic way. There's plenty of other sources that show the Jedi with eyeglasses spanners and soldering guns.

 

With this system it's best to not roll for something like this. With something like D20 if you failed a roll, nothing happened and you could try again. In this system if you succeed with a pile o threat you can potentially end up with some painful long term results that won't add to the experiance.

Edited May 19, 2015 by Ghostofman

[Wulfherr 46]

Actually there is an interesting description of Luke's take on lightsaber construction in "Heir to the Jedi" novel from the new canon. To me it suggests the tech is quite simple in terms of components, but the crystal(s) need to be aligned properly using Sense and Move. I don't have the book with me at the moment, but I'm sure someone can quote it.  

[Ghostofman 8,319]

Actually there is an interesting description of Luke's take on lightsaber construction in "Heir to the Jedi" novel from the new canon. To me it suggests the tech is quite simple in terms of components, but the crystal(s) need to be aligned properly using Sense and Move. I don't have the book with me at the moment, but I'm sure someone can quote it.  

I believe you.

 

But I counter with Ezra in rebels barely knew how to use either of those powers and was able to make his saber no problem.

 

 

Remember it's a game system, not an accurate simulation. If it were you'd actually have to have the "Fine manipulation" level of "Move" to build a saber... and that's what? 45XP?

 

The canon wipe was all about letting go of all the junk that really didn't mater and focusing on core. Forcing the player to have prerequisites or succeed at certain skill checks doesn't contribute to the game in a positive way. It just put arbitrary hurdles in the way of something that really doesn't need them.

 

Lightsabers, as they appear in F&D, are fairly well balanced when held up to blaster rifles. I'm not about to keep my players from getting a rifle, why should I keep them from getting a saber, especially if I have the crystal as a major quest reward.

[EldritchFire 499]

Would there be a roll to assemble the lightsaber? My character has the parts and the crystal for her lightsaber, we're just wondering is it a roll, or its just done. We were thinking it was a Daunting test to assemble and align the crystal, but the character could use their force die for either hits or advantage.

There is no roll to assemble the Lightsaber. Per page 125:

"If the PC wants to construct their own hilt out of available materials, the GM can still have the PCs make a check to find the hilt based on its rarity and pay the cost. This represents them finding and paying for the raw materials. Then it is simply a matter of spending a few hours putting the materials together to build the hilt—no checks are necessary."

-EF

[Oden Gebhac 445]

 

Would there be a roll to assemble the lightsaber? My character has the parts and the crystal for her lightsaber, we're just wondering is it a roll, or its just done. We were thinking it was a Daunting test to assemble and align the crystal, but the character could use their force die for either hits or advantage.

There is no roll to assemble the Lightsaber. Per page 125:

"If the PC wants to construct their own hilt out of available materials, the GM can still have the PCs make a check to find the hilt based on its rarity and pay the cost. This represents them finding and paying for the raw materials. Then it is simply a matter of spending a few hours putting the materials together to build the hilt—no checks are necessary."

-EF

 

I would like to put this out there for those who like the simulation type playing...  There is nothing stopping anyone from creating/house ruling a set of Checks to build a lightsaber.  Some people like that kind of thing, others don't.  If you're a Player that likes that sort of thing, talk to your GM about designing a one on one session or a segment within a normal session with Checks designed to represent the construction of a lightsaber.