Disciples of Harmony

[Absol197 5,296]

I don't mean to keep beating my favorite drum so much, but doesn't the Ascetic sound like it would fit better with the Mystic? I mean, we're talking voluntary isolation to better commune with the Force. That doesn't seem very Consular-like to me...

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

I don't mean to keep beating my favorite drum so much, but doesn't the Ascetic sound like it would fit better with the Mystic? I mean, we're talking voluntary isolation to better commune with the Force. That doesn't seem very Consular-like to me...

I seriously wonder how FFG will eventually make these careers different. In many ways it's similar to the Bounty Hunter and Merc Soldier Specs, both where very similar and are only now with DC going to truely show their differences. The curiosity is going to be killing us both I think.

[Blackbird888 4,110]

It would depend on what it does, exactly. I mean, Yoda and most Jedi are Ascetics, by definition. I would hold back on passing judgement until we get a better picture of what they actually do and what the description is.

[EliasWindrider 2,714]

Alright interesting 2 Force powers in one book Imbue and Ebb/Flow, any Ideas as to what they are. Oh and who else thinks that arbiter is the Tree with conflict talent?

I've got some ideas....

You are an evil evil pirate,

[Kael 1,865]

I don't mean to keep beating my favorite drum so much, but doesn't the Ascetic sound like it would fit better with the Mystic? I mean, we're talking voluntary isolation to better commune with the Force. That doesn't seem very Consular-like to me...

 

I would have honestly put it in the Seeker book along side the Hermit to be honest.

 

As for the Mystic book itself ..... I'm still of the opinion we are getting closer and closer to a 2nd Edition run that may tie in with the next Ep sooooooo I'm thinking you'll see Mystic sooner rather than later. I expect both AoR and F&D to be finished with career splats by the end of this year. 

[EliasWindrider 2,714]

Caveat: I have NO insight into FFG's RPG development department.

 

Different developers usually work on different sourcebooks. I believe that the lead developer for the sourcebook is in charge of writing the preview pages. So each dev/writer gets to choose how much information is divulged with each preview article they write.

Well whoever is lead on this title does it my favourite way. Now instead of speculating on what the contents will be we can speculate about the contents we know are coming.

Ok species look great, more to choose without duplicates is good and they could be rather interesting.

Arbiter: aka Judge? Sometimes jury and executioner too? I'll agree it sounds a lot like the Marshal. Although the hints that it goes into danger suggests it will be an alternative Lightsaber user. Screaming out for an "I am the law" Conflict social talent along the lines of "you dare question my judgment?" and extracting statements from witnesses. But I'm with you Happy and hope it's nothing Fear related and instead in the next spec.

Ascetic sounds intriguing, the meditative, contemplative thinker. I really do hope there is a conflict Talent here too, something about selfishness or ignoring problems because of laziness, a "not my problem" way of recovering Strain? I could see more ranks of the useless Force Protection here, and perhaps a Healing Trance. One with the Universe should show up too.

Teacher, nice, well predicted Absol. I wonder if the FSEmergent's Invigorate will make another appearance here? Then Encouraging Words, Natural Instructor and That's How it's Done. Finally the Master Instructor talent would be incredible for a Consular, it fits the Discipline theme so well.

Imbue could go two ways, gear or people, a kind of Enhance to use on others. Either would be good.

Ebb/Flow sounds distinctly Light/Dark and I wonder if it's a way of changing how others interact with the Force. Changing the Strain cost to use either type of Force Point, even flipping Light to Dark or Dark to Light or as a Mastery preventing one side of the Force from being used entirely. That sounds powerful so possibly even FR 3+ only talent Works

Equipment sounds fun, lots of "police" gear there.

With Teacher being a spec and the talk of Mentors I wonder (hope) if this book will have rules for a PC run Force User Training Facility. Basically a base dedicated to training others and the sharing of knowledge.

I'm hoping you are right about the arbiter, right now I have plans to play a warden/niman-disciple come fall (a sort of jedi meets shaolin monk, who mixes space Kung fu, with light saber and telekinesis) the ascetic might be an interesting third spec here, particularly if it (or maybe arbiter) gets "force of will" . I'm also hoping much to learn is the wise mentor schooling the young punk. I may need to go consular:niman-disciple/warden instead of guardian:warden/niman-disciple. I was thinking of force sensitive emergent as a third spec but now... wow

[GM81 Protocol Droid 142]

 

I don't mean to keep beating my favorite drum so much, but doesn't the Ascetic sound like it would fit better with the Mystic? I mean, we're talking voluntary isolation to better commune with the Force. That doesn't seem very Consular-like to me...

I seriously wonder how FFG will eventually make these careers different. In many ways it's similar to the Bounty Hunter and Merc Soldier Specs, both where very similar and are only now with DC going to truely show their differences. The curiosity is going to be killing us both I think.

 

 

 

It would depend on what it does, exactly. I mean, Yoda and most Jedi are Ascetics, by definition. I would hold back on passing judgement until we get a better picture of what they actually do and what the description is.

 

I agree that Ascetic, the idea of the self-denial, is more fitting for Consular. My idea of Consular so far has been that of monks, teachers, and philosophers. A path of training and hard won experience. Their wisdom and guidance is instructive and requires patience. On the other side of the spectrum are Mystics. They are more worldly. Less introspective and more expressive. Rather than monks, warrior poets. Instead of teaching, they advise. Their knowledge does not come from long thought, but through flashes of insight.

 

My guess for Mystics is they will also have a second specialization with two Force Rating talents. Currently I lean towards Sorceror or Cultist. An Ecstatic, Medium or Psychic could work, though I feel all of those could be specific interpretations of Seer. For another specialization I think there will be something to express mystical ruler ship, sort of a bridge between Advisor and Seer. Something like Avatar, Priest, or Theocrat. Lastly I think there will be some sort of physical/social specialization that could be the other combat specialization. This could be something more mundane like Athlete, Gladiator, or Warrior Poet and focus on being impressive as well as physical.

[Blackbird888 4,110]

My general take is that both the Consular and the Mystic are students of the Force. Mystics are motivated by personal interests, such as learning just to learn, or to gain power to fulfill some personal quest. Consulars are motivated by a larger goal, to bring peace and order to a chaotic galaxy; their purpose is to a cause.

 

"Ascetic" can be defined as "a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons." Consular/Ascetic seperate themselves from the galaxy with a purpose in mind, a goal.

 

Or at least, that's the logic trail I've followed so far. Again, what does Ascetic do? That should clear up.

[Blackbird888 4,110]

Judging from the picture and the description, Arbiter must be at least a partial combat specialization. I imagine an inversion of Niman Disciple: mostly social (Negotiation or Leadership) talents, with a couple cimbat talents pn the side. If so, it will be a good way to make a Consular less squishy.

Ascetic can really go any which way, but I doubt it will be social. Intellect/Knowledge is possible, but more Force focused than Sage. Possibly some meditation talents. Chance of FR 2 is maybe.

Teacher will probably have most if not all of Instructor's key talents. I imagine the rest will be more neutral, allowing you to tack it onto any other spec and say "I am a Teacher of X."

[Absol197 5,296]

That's mostly my thoughts, too, Blackbird. I'm very interested in the Arbiter. Also, Arkanians!

[EliasWindrider 2,714]

Judging from the picture and the description, Arbiter must be at least a partial combat specialization. I imagine an inversion of Niman Disciple: mostly social (Negotiation or Leadership) talents, with a couple cimbat talents pn the side. If so, it will be a good way to make a Consular less squishy.

Ascetic can really go any which way, but I doubt it will be social. Intellect/Knowledge is possible, but more Force focused than Sage. Possibly some meditation talents. Chance of FR 2 is maybe.

Teacher will probably have most if not all of Instructor's key talents. I imagine the rest will be more neutral, allowing you to tack it onto any other spec and say "I am a Teacher of X."

I'm hoping for a spec that will have a dedication, force rating, "force of will", steely nerves, reflect improved, and either defensive training or superior reflexes and if it has sixth sense or dodge that would be gravy.   I don't expect to get all of my wishlist but arbiter seems like it could have a lot of it.

[Decorus 672]

Not likely Arbiter is much more likely to be more social less fighty.

[Shlambate 2,679]

Not likely Arbiter is much more likely to be more social less fighty.

Someone hasn't played Halo 2 and 3.

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

Not likely Arbiter is much more likely to be more social less fighty.

Someone hasn't played Halo 2 and 3.

Lol, that's for sure.

I'm imagining something with two paths. One along the lines of a Zealot or Witch Hunter in Warhammer speak, a "better to punish an innocent than let a criminal get away" or "guilty until proven innocent". The other half being a bit like Zoro or the Musketeers, charismatic and smart, fair in their judgment.

[EliasWindrider 2,714]

Thinking about the arbiter spec...

Arbiter sounds like a mediator who chooses a fair outcome that parties are forced to accept. Coupled with the following statement

"Physical conflict is a last resort for Consulars, but even the most dedicated mediator must be prepared for all outcomes."

It seems like arbiter might be a lot like mystic:advisor but with an emphasis on willpower and a little bit of lightsaber combat mixed in so what would that look like?

Arbiter might have coercion, negotiation, lightsaber, and *maybe vigilance* (as part of always being prepared for a negotiation to go sideways) OR discipline as bonus career skills, and could have a lot of willpower related talents: (maybe) constant vigilance (to always be prepared), force of will (substitute willpower for another attribute), mind over matter (spend a DP to get strain equal to willpower back, part of being prepared), steely nerves (protects willpower and presence against critical hits), *maybe* "death blow" from the executioner spec (spend DP to add damage equal to willpower) as in the arbiter dispenses justice, it *might* have some "resolve" and will probably have grit, and a dedication, and a force rating, some nobody's fool, maybe plausible deniability, maybe some kill with kindness OR intimidating, maybe some confidence, maybe sense advantage.

Edit: Maybe if they skip everything vigilance related they would put in sixth sense and/or superior reflexes for the always prepared angle

This would make it a great second spec to pair with niman-disciple

Edited January 15, 2017 by EliasWindrider

[Krieger22 2,471]

I'm going to hazard a guess that Arbiter will be the one with the (presumably) new Conflict talent.

[Blackbird888 4,110]

I noticed Disciples of Harmony doesn't have a product page yet, not is it listed on the Upcoming page. Methinks they released the announcement article ahead of schedule due to the finding of the original picture.

[Absol197 5,296]

I've noticed this as well. That's entirely a possibility, but I think it's more likely they're trying to make sure the product page is good (remember the No Disintegrations thing where everything was doubled? Or how it took over a month to be on the Upcoming page?), and we had a weekend right after the announcement. If there's no product page by maybe Wednesday then we might have something to worry about.

[Kael 1,865]

Considering the pic for Arbriter I imagine fighting is a part of it's overall theme. I do think lightsabre will be a spec skill as well. And I think we'll see a new lightsabre pike. 

[EliasWindrider 2,714]

I'm going to hazard a guess that Arbiter will be the one with the (presumably) new Conflict talent.

I think that's likely... funny thing is that most of my favorite fad specs have a conflict talent in them, sentry, warden, probably now arbiter... the exception is Niman-disciple. I wonder if that's some kind of commentary against me.

Interesting thing about a conflict talent is it guarantees that you get to make a morality roll at the end of every session, because you acquired conflict. The rules state that if their was no *opportunity* for a character to gain conflict during a session, for example if the character was floating in a bata tank the entire time, they don't get to make a morality roll. So if you're a severely injured character with 1 conflict talent, by the time you're fully healed you might end up being a light side paragon (intentional hyperbole)

[Neo ra 70]

I'm definitely looking forward to the new spec trees. Arbiter was an interesting class in F&D core, and I'm happy to see it expanded now. Also, more force trees are always good

[EliasWindrider 2,714]

I'm definitely looking forward to the new spec trees. Arbiter was an interesting class in F&D core, and I'm happy to see it expanded now. Also, more force trees are always good

I've got a similar problem (to your saying "arbiter" when i think you meant "consular"), I usually say "consular" when I mean "niman-disciple".

[Neo ra 70]

Right. Thanks.

[Absol197 5,296]

There we go! Still no product page yet, but at least the book is up on the Upcoming page!

[awayputurwpn 7,720]

 

And concussion rifles woot

 

I love concussion rifles SOOOO much. On the Jedi Knight II map of the Cloud City Gantry, a friend and I would run around with those and frustrate the hell out of the other players (Oh, and we killed each other plenty of times too). Catch the other player on a ledge and WA-WHOOOM hit 'em with a AOE, knocking them off. Spawn, Wawhoom, spawn, WaWaoom, spawn, WaWaoom. Mind you, this wasn't spawn point camping - it was just such a small map that you could hit anywhere from anywhere if you were good enough.

 

We never got the point for killing them this way, but the epic amount of rage that we were able to farm was entertaining beyond words.

 

 

You! It was YOU!!!