From: [heywood 254] at [aol.com] (Heywood254) Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.announce Subject: [FAQ] Star Wars RPG Mailing List FAQ 1/2 Date: Sun, 15 Sep 96 14:59:46 GMT The STAR WARS Roleplaying Game FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST Version 2.0 by Neil Creek : [o--i--n] at [yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au] 3rd May 1995 updated and maintained by Mark Hudson : [heywood 254] at [aol.com] September 1, 1996 NEW ADDITIONS SINCE LAST VERSION: (1.0) When is the Jedi Sourcebook coming out? Okay, but is there at least a comprehensive list of Force Powers? Are there rules for Starfighter modification and construction? What is The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Revised and Expanded? Is the new 'Revised and Expanded' version of the rules really just a third edition? What is the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Mailing List? What happens when I subscribe? Do I really gotta read and keep the welcome letter? Can I receive the List mail in digest format? I'm going away, but I don't want to unsubscribe from the list, can I stop the mail? Can I discuss Decipher's Star Wars Collectable Card Game on the List? Does West End Games have an Email address or Web site? How come the Young Jedi template only has 15D of attributes? According to 'The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook' Luke has two Dark Side Points; when did he get them? If the Enterprise fought a Star Destroyer, which would win? What's a Fluff? What is Spam? Many existing questions have been revised for this new version of the FAQ. INTRODUCTION This is the Frequently Asked Questions list for the the Star Wars Roleplaying Game mailing list. The purpose of this FAQ is to inform newcomers to the list what it is all about, and to act as a reference for any questions which the list users may commonly want to ask. This way, the volume of traffic on the list can be more restricted to other aspects of the roleplaying game. The FAQ is also a kind of advertisement for the mailing list and for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game in general. I would like to extend special thanks to Neil Creek who wrote and compiled the original version of this FAQ with the help of several other members of the list. Neil designed the FAQ to be a dynamic thing, evolving and growing. To that end, if anyone who reads this FAQ has any suggestions, additions and comments, please email me to see that they are included in future versions. The FAQ may be distributed far and wide, so that anybody with an interest in Star Wars and the Roleplaying Game will be able to read and refer to the list. No copyright is held on the material in this list, and I ask only that any uses for this list you can find be for the advancement of the Star Wars universe and also be considerate of the contributors. Enjoy, and may the Force be with you! Mark Hudson [heywood 254] at [aol.com] LIST OF QUESTIONS 1. What is a roleplaying game? 2. What do I need to play the game? 3. Where can I get the rule books? 4. How much do they cost? 5. What do each of the books contain? 6. When is the Jedi Sourcebook coming out? 7. Okay, but is there at least a comprehensive list of Force Powers? 8. Are there rules for Starfighter modification and construction? 9. What is the difference between first and second edition rules? 10. Which is better? 11. What is The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Revised and Expanded? 12. Is the new 'Revised and Expanded' version of the rules really just a third edition? 13. What is the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Mailing List? 14. How do I subscribe to the SWRPG mailing list? How do I unsubscribe? 15. What happens when I subscribe? 16. Do I really gotta read and keep the welcome letter? 17. Can I receive the List mail in digest format? 18. I'm going away, but I don't want to unsubscribe from the list, can I stop the mail? 19. My server went down and I missed some messages, how can I get backup copies? 20. Who is Jae Walker? 21. Can I discuss Decipher's Star Wars Collectable Card Game on the List? 22. What is a PBeM? 23. How do I join a Star Wars PBeM? 24. I've got some great new [ships\characters\systems] I want to share, where can I put them? 25. What is the Resource Pool? 26. I don't have FTP, can I still get the stuff from the Resource Pool? 27. Is there a problem with copyright when quoting from rule books? 28. I need help in my campaign, whom can I ask? 29. Does West End Games have an Email address or Web site? 30. I don't understand this rule, what does it mean? 31. How many projectiles do starfighters carry? 32. How come the Young Jedi template only has 15D of attributes? 33. According to 'The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook' Luke has two Dark Side Points; when did he get them? 34. If the Enterprise fought a Star Destroyer, which would win? 35. What's a Fluff? 36. What is Spam? Accreditation List 1. WHAT IS A ROLEPLAYING GAME? From "Star Wars - The Roleplaying Game" Second Edition, Appendix One: Roleplaying Basics, Page 162: "In roleplaying games, the action takes place in the imagination of the players. There is no board to move tokens around. Instead, the gamemaster must describe each scene and setting to the players, who then must visualize the scene themselves. Then, by imagining how their character would react in these settings, they tell the gamemaster what their character is going to do." "In a roleplaying game, the players can have their characters do whatever they want - there is no script. Instead, the player just has to have a good idea what his character might do." "Most of the time, the game consists of players just imagining what happens and telling the gamemaster what their characters will do. Sometimes, however, a player or gamemaster may demonstrate a particular action to give everyone a clearer idea of what the character is doing." "Roleplaying games have no "winners" and "losers". The object of roleplaying games is for each player to have a lot of fun. In fact, players are supposed to co-operate to achieve their success!" "What's important is telling a story that's interesting, exciting and fun to play. Often, especially in heroic fiction (and Star Wars is clearly heroic), the characters are heroes and supposed to win. They are expected to defeat the villains, and survive to fight another day. _Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game_ often has the characters triumphing over evil, but simply defeating the villains doesn't mean everyone had fun; sometimes everyone has fun even if their characters are soundly defeated by the opposition." 2. WHAT DO I NEED TO PLAY THE GAME? Aside from the rule books, all you need to play the SWRPG, is some pencils, paper, plenty of six sided dice and a healthy imagination! The rulebooks themselves are essential but the game can be played with just one book. The core rules of the SWRPG contain everything that a beginning player will need. An introduction to roleplaying in general and the Star Wars universe in particular is provided. The rules used to play the game, as well as techniques to help run the game are fully explained, and the book is fleshed out with a lot of source material and character development ideas. Additional sourcebooks can be bought to give more specific information on a much wider variety of topics. Description of new ships and systems as well as a full run down of the Empire and the Rebellion can also be bought. 3. WHERE CAN I GET THE RULE BOOKS? Every good gaming shop should have a copy of the rules or be able to get them in for you. If you cannot find a games shop, or there is not one nearby you, you could try looking in your telephone book or business directory for games distributors. Many of the large chains of American bookstores (Waldenbooks, B. Dalton's etc) now carry RPG material and may be able to order products they don't have in stock. 4. HOW MUCH DO THEY COST? The main rulebook is the most expensive of all the books, but contains everything you need to play the game. Other sourcebooks are all approximately the same price, and adventure modules can even be bought which are cheaper than the sourcebooks. Prices : AUSTRALIA - Core rules : $45 Sourcebooks : about $25 Galaxy Guides : about $25 Game modules : about $17 CANADA - Core rules : $33 Source books : $23 paperback, $27 hardcover Galaxy guides : $20 Game modules : $12+ Norway Core rules : ca. 200 kr Sourcebooks : ca. 180 kr Game modules : ca. 100 kr UK Revised & Expanded : 19.99 pounds Hardback Sourcebooks : 14.99 pounds USA 2nd. Edition rulebook : $25.00 Revised & Expanded : $30.00 Sourcebooks : $15-$25 Game Modules : $10-$15 WEG's Current Catalog. West End Games RR 3 Box 2345 Honesdale, PA 18431 5. WHAT DO EACH OF THE BOOKS CONTAIN? There are several kinds of Star Wars RPG Books: rulebooks, sourcebooks, Galaxy Guides, adventure modules as well as other miscellaneous supplements. This following is a quick and dirty guide to the supplements. Caveat Emptor: Star Wars: the Roleplaying Game is a supplement heavy system. Don't think for a moment that each and every book is necessary to run your game. If your book or gaming store allows browsing, check out a supplement before plunking down your money. Also don't be afraid to ask the list about the quality of a supplement that might interest you. Craig Robert Carey maintains an exhaustive list of Star Wars products from West End Games, complete down to ISBN's, foreign language editions and even miniatures. For the latest version of the list drop him a line at: "[u--ta--a] at [rain.org]". RULEBOOKS Star Wars the Roleplaying Game Star Wars the Roleplaying Game, Second Edition The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded - The core rulebook is indispensable for playing according to West End's rules. Aside from rules changes, there are a few differences in the two editions of the books: the first edition has more templates and an introductory adventure. The second edition features more vehicles and campaign background. Revised and Expanded contains a short adventure and more Force Powers and templates. The Star Wars Rules Companion - This first edition supplement fixes some flaws in the rules. It also includes some new Force powers, capitol ship combat rules and a short adventure. This book hasn't been updated to second edition. Star Wars Gamemaster's Handbook - This book provides inspiration and advice for novice gamemasters. Star Wars Gamesmaster's Screen - includes several two panel screens with useful charts and information as well as a booklet with many adventure ideas. SOURCEBOOKS In general, the sourcebooks provide game information for characters, locations, vehicles, equipment, and Force Powers as well as plot overviews of the movies and licenced novels set in the Star Wars Universe. The exceptions to this are the Rebel and Imperial Sourcebooks which are not derived from any specific source. Typically Sourcebooks are printed in a hardcover format, but some have been reprinted in paperback. All first edition sourcebooks have been updated to the second edition rules. The Star Wars Sourcebook - This is the basic game sourcebook which covers the ships, vehicles, equipment and famous personalities of the movie trilogy. Imperial Sourcebook - This book covers very many aspects of the Empire including the Army, Navy and Imperial bureaucracy. The Rebel Sourcebook - This is the above book's counterpart which covers the Rebel Alliance. Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook - This details the Corporate Sector, characters and situations of Brian Daley's 'Han Solo at Star's End' and 'Han Solo's Revenge' (reprinted in the 'The Han Solo Adventures'). The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook - This sourcebook compiles and updates to Second Edition all the information from the first edition Galaxy Guides (1, 3 & 5) which cover the three Star Wars films. Heir to the Empire Sourcebook Dark Force Rising Sourcebook The Last Command Sourcebook The Thrawn Trilogy Sourcebook (compiles and updates the above three books) - These sourcebooks cover Timothy Zahn's trilogy of Star Wars novels. Dark Empire Sourcebook - Details the first Dark Horse Comics series by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy. Truce at Bakura Sourcebook - Details the novel by Kathy Tyers who also co-wrote the sourcebook. The Jedi Academy Trilogy Sourcebook - Covers all three novels of Kevin Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy. Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook - Covers elements of Lucasfilm's Shadows of the Empire multimedia blitz (Steve Perry's novel, Dark Horse Comic's series, computer games etc). GALAXY GUIDES The format of Galaxy Guides is much the same as the sourcebooks in that they describe specific individuals, locations, and equipment, but in general the topics covered are original and not derived from novels or movies (the Galaxy Guides covering the movies are notable exceptions). All Galaxy Guides have been written for or updated to the Second Edition rules. Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope - covers the heroes and villains and supporting players of the first Star Wars movie. The Second Edition includes some new material as well as a short adventure set at the time of the movie. Galaxy Guide 2: Yavin and Bespin - covers these two famous movie locations with diagrams, stats and adventure ideas. Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back - covers the second movie. The second edition includes some new material and a short adventure set during the movie. Galaxy Guide 4: Alien Race - describes and provides stats for many of the alien races seen in the movies as well as several new species. Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi - covers the concluding film of the trilogy. The second edition includes a short adventure set on Endor after the destruction of the second Death Star. Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters - provides rules for running a free trader campaign and modifying tramp freighters. Also describes a sector and adventure ideas appropriate to a tramp freighters campaign. Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisely - covers the environs of that wretched hive of scum and villainy, Mos Eisely spaceport and some of its Tatooine surroundings. Galaxy Guide 8: Scouts - covers the starships, equipment and lifestyle of the scouting profession. Also includes brief planet generation rules and a short adventure. Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim - This supplement, a favorite of many people on the list, covers a wide variety of personalities from the Outer Rim: an Imperial Inquisitor, Rebel mercenaries, bounty hunters, slavers, swoop gangs, rock 'n' roll bands and more. Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters - covers the dread profession of bounty hunting; includes many famous bounty hunters, bounty hunting guilds, equipment and a short adventure. Galaxy Guides 11: Criminal Organizations - details various and sundry of galaxy's vilest criminal organizations. Galaxy Guides 12: Aliens: Enemies and Allies - even more stats and backgrounds for alien races, some new and many from the films. OTHER SUPPLEMENTS Death Star Technical Companion - details, with stats and diagrams, the daily operations, personnel, defenses, auxiliary vessels, power plants of 'the ultimate power in the universe.' Planets of the Galaxy, volume 1 Planets of the Galaxy, volume 2 Planets of the Galaxy, volume 3 The Planet's Collection (compiles and updates the above three books) - The Planets books contain a random world and system generator and several sample planets populated with new aliens, equipment and adventure ideas. Cracken's Rebel Field Guide - This first edition supplement includes rules for cybernetics and jury rigged modifications. The bulk of the book is devoted to detailed descriptions of these modifications as well as other gadgets and equipment. This book has not yet been updated to second edition. Wanted by Cracken - This book is a rogues gallery of criminals and Imperials to pit against player characters. Cracken's Rebel Operatives - detailed info about the saboteurs, operatives, spies, contacts and informants who work with or for the Rebel Alliance against the Empire. Alliance Intelligence Reports - a detailed collection of Imperial, criminal, and mercenary groups who might cross the players' path. Platt's Starport Guide - detailed descriptions of seven varied and exotic starports from across the galaxy. Creature of the Galaxy - describes dozens of assorted critters and beasties from across the galaxy. Galladinium's Fantastic Technology - lots and lots of toys, gadgets, gizmos and guns. Also updates the jury rigging and cybernetics rules and includes an exhaustive weapons chart. Heroes and Rogues - a collection new character templates. Also includes advice for fleshing out player character backgrounds. ADVENTURES SW:RPG adventures exist in several forms. A series of adventure modules were released under the first edition rules; they contain a 30-40 page adventure and usually a full color fold-out map. Later, longer and more detailed adventure supplements were published in regular book form. The first edition adventures are currently being updated to second edition in the 'Classic Adventures' series, sadly without the poster sized maps. Adventure Modules: Battle for the Golden Sun Black Ice Crisis on Cloud City (includes rules and cards for the game of Sabaac) The Game Chambers of Questal Otherspace Otherspace II: Invasion Riders of the Maelstrom Scavenger Hunt (includes diagram of the Lambda class shuttle) Starfall (includes a diagram of the Victory Class Star Destroyer) Strikeforce: Shantipole Tatooine Manhunt (includes a map of Mos Eisely and a diagram of the Cantina) First Edition Adventure Supplements: The Abduction of Crying Dawn Singer Death in the Undercity Domain of Evil Graveyard of Alderaan The Isis Coordinates Mission to Lianna Planet of Mists Politics of Contraband - This is a series of short adventures for free traders. Second Edition Adventure Supplements: Twin Stars of Kira Supernova Flashpoint! Brak Sector Goroth: Slave of the Empire - These four books contain short adventures and campaign information detailing the areas of the galaxy where they take place. Classic Campaigns - updates the campaign information included with the first edition Gamemaster's Screen and Gamemaster's Pack. Classic Adventures, volume 1 - updates The Abduction of Crying Dawn Singer and Politics of Contraband. Classic Adventures, volume 2 - updates Domain of Evil and Graveyard of Alderaan. Classic Adventures, volume 3 - updates Death in the Undercity, Tatooine Manhunt and Riders of the Maelstrom. The Darkstryder Campaign - This boxed set contains a self-contained campaign revolving around the crew of a rebel blockade runner on the fringes of known space. The campaign will proceed through several adventure supplement before coming to a conclusion. Two supplements of adventures and campaign info have so far been published: Darkstryder: Kathol Outback Darkstryder: Kathol Rift ADVENTURE JOURNAL 'The Official Star Wars Adventure Journal' is currently being published three times a year and contains a variety of Star Wars related content. The main thrust of the magazine is short stories set in the SW Universe with new characters. However, there is also a fair amount of RPG material including information about characters and equipment in the style of the various Cracken's books, articles covering such topics as new systems, starships, historys of the astromech and TIE fighter, Imperial battle tactics, and even the occasional adventure. OTHER STAR WARS PRODUCTS FROM WEST END Jedi's Honor Scoundrel's Luck - These two are choose-your-own-adventure style solitaire adventures starring Luke Skywalker and Han Solo respectively. Star Wars Miniatures Battles Star Wars Miniatures Battles Companion Star Wars Miniatures Battles: Imperial Entanglements - These books describe rules for squad level combat in the Star Wars universe including aliens, different types of troops, vehicles, Force effects and combat scenarios. Star Wars Live Action Adventures Star Warriors Assault on Hoth Battle for Endor - These are boxed board games not specifically designed to be used with the RPG although conversions exist. Star Warriors is a starfighter combat game and the other two are ground based combat games. CONTINUED... ******************************************************************* * Moderator: Coyt D. Watters [watters 10] at [osu.edu] * * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * * Disclaimer: Postings are checked for relevance to the charter, * * not for accuracy of information. * * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * * Number of Illegal Chain Emails killed today: 4 * *******************************************************************