MUX Info
advancement
characters
combat
consent
credits
feature chars
points
policy
roleplay
rpg

Theme Info
aramandi
crimes
force
races
rebellion
space
theme
time
weapons

The above menu mirrors the information accessible via the "news" files from within the game.

SW:RPG

This game makes use of slightly modified rules of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game (SWRPG) published by West End Games.

If you have played the Roleplaying Game before, you can skip this section, which is intended to give a quick lesson to those who have not learned the game. Players experienced with the rules of some other Star Wars games will probably catch on, though there are differences.

The first step in creating a character is simply to imagine the character, considering all aspects of his or her background and personality as described in 'news characters.' But the next step is to convert your vision of the character into game terms. Just like a real-life person, a character has limitations and strengths, and the most basic way of representing them in the game is through Attributes.

Dexterity: Your character's inborn eye-hand coordination and agility. Boba Fett had high Dexterity.

Knowledge: Your character's "common sense" and academic knowledge. C-3PO had high Knowledge; so did Leia Organa and Emperor Palpatine.

Mechanical: Your character's "mechanical aptitude," ability to pilot vehicles and starships, fire their weapons, and control live mounts. Luke Skywalker had high Mechanical; so did Han Solo and Darth Vader.

Perception: Your character's ability to notice things, both about surroundings and other people. Covers ability to gamble, bargain, lead, or persuade others. Lando Calrissian had high Perception; so did Emperor Palpatine.

Strength: Your character's sheer physical strength, endurance, and health. Chewbacca had high Strength.

Technical: Your character's ability to fix or tinker with high-tech equipment. R2-D2 had high Technical; so did Chewbacca.

Attributes are defined by 'die codes,' which are simpler than they sound. For instance, Luke Skywalker's Strength is listed as '3D.' This means that if Luke has to perform a Strength-related task (for instance, seeing how badly he was hurt after being shot), his player rolls three (3) six-sided dice (D), adding the total together for the result. The higher the total, the better.

3D is about average for a player's character. Luke's Perception is not as good; he only has 2D+1. This means that if he has to perform a Perception- related task (such as reacting first in a fight with some stormtroopers), he rolls two (2) six-sided dice (D), and adds 1 (+1) to the total. If Luke rolled a two and a five on his two dice, his total would be eight (2 + 5 + 1).

By the way, the number before the 'D' is called 'dice,' and the number after the '+' is called 'pips.' Pips are always +0, +1, or +2. If someone had an ability at 3D+2 and improved that by one pip somehow, it would go to 4D, not 3D+3. So three pips 'equal' one die.

Of course, you don't have to know the raw mechanics of how a roll is determined. The game will automatically work that out for you.

Since attributes mostly reflect inborn abilities, the alien species you belong to will set the upper and lower limits on the six attributes. A human's limits are 2D to 4D for each attribute. For example, a Wookiee is capable of much higher Strength than a human (as much as 6D), but lower Perception (max 2D+1).

In Character Generation, you will have a pool of dice to spend on them which will vary depending on your species. Humans have a total of 18D, 12D of which is already spent on the minimums (2D for each), leaving 6D to allocate as you choose. Nothing is 'random' about the character creation -- try to design the character you want to play!

For example, suppose I am playing a scout out to look for new worlds. I might set my attributes as follows:

DEXTERITY 3D
I'm somewhat fast, but usually I won't need my reflexes.

KNOWLEDGE 3D+2
Knowledge about the galaxy will be essential in exploring.

MECHANICAL 3D+2
I'll need to fly my scout ship and operate sensors.

PERCEPTION 3D
Noticing things is only somewhat important for me.

STRENGTH 2D
I'm weak, but I don't need to be tough when exploring.

TECHNICAL 2D+2
I don't often need to do my own repairs.

Although attributes are inborn and very difficult to improve, characters can get better than their attribute with training in smaller, specialized areas of knowledge. Darth Vader wasn't born the "best starfighter pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior." He had to earn it through training and experience.

Specific areas of knowledge are measured by Skills. Starfighter Piloting, Droid Repair, and Intimidation are all examples of skills, which are all based on attributes. In the above example, Starfighter Piloting is based on Mechanical, Droid repair is based on Technical, and Intimdiation is based on Knowledge. If a character without any training in flying a starfighter tried to do so, he would roll the same number of dice as in his Mechanical skill. But a character with training would roll more dice corresponding to more training.

For example, Luke might have 4D in Mechanical and 6D in Starfighter Piloting, a Mechanical-based skill. If Luke flies an X-wing, TIE, or any other starfighter, he would get to roll 6D. But if Luke tried driving an AT-AT Walker (covered under Walker Operation) without any training in Walker Operation, he would only roll 4D.

At the beginning of the game, you will have 7D to spend on the many skills available. You cannot spend more than 2D on any one skill. For example, if I were playing a scout out looking for new worlds, I might want to do the following:

2D in Space Transports (Mechanical)
- I can fly a scout ship.

1D+2 in Astrogation (Mechanical)
- I can chart new star systems.

1D+1 in Sensors (Mechanical)
- I can spot hazards in space.

1D in Planetary Systems (Knowledge)
- I can know about the galaxy.

+2 in Survival (Knowledge)
- I can survive on strange planets.

+1 in Search (Perception)
- I can notice things scouting around.



Adding those to the attributes I chose earlier in 'news RPG4,' we get:

Space Transports: 3D+2 Mechanical + 2D = 5D+2

Sensors: 3D+2 Mechanical + 1D+1 = 5D

Planetary Systems: 3D+2 Knowledge + 1D = 4D+2

Survival: 3D+2 Knowledge + 2 = 4D+1

Search: 3D Perception + 1 = 3D+1

Once you have your skills, what do the dice mean?

1D: Below human average for an attribute.
2D: Human average for an attribute and many skills.
3D: Average level of training for a human.
4D: Professional level of training for a Human.
5D: Above-average expertise.
6D: Among the best in a city or geographic area. 1 in 100,000 people.
7D: Among the best on a continent. 1 in 10,000,000 people.
8D: Among the best on a planet. 1 in 100,000,000 people.
9D: One of the best in several systems in the immediate area. 1 in a billion.
10D: One of the best in Brak Sector.
12D: One of the best in the Expansion Region.
14D: One of the best in the galaxy.

Needless to say, skills above 6D are rare and highly-valued. While it is possible to achieve very high levels in skills with time, it isn't easy. Also, you are usually better off with several moderate skills than one monster skill.

Here are some common skills that most characters tend to find useful.

Blaster
Only if you want to shoot at people.

Brawling Parry
Blocking close attacks with your bare hands.

Dodge
To get out of the way when others are shooting at you.

Alien Species
Only if you want to know which aliens are which.

Bureaucracy
Getting your way in a government or bureaucracy.

Languages
Only if you think you'll talk to a lot of aliens.

Streetwise
Only if you are a freighter captain, or are involved in crime.

Astrogation
To plot hyperspace trips; if you want to be a pilot.

Repulsorlift Operation
Only if you want to fly vehicles.

Starfighter Piloting
If you want to fly fighters like TIEs or Y-wings.

Starship Gunnery
If you want to fire starship weapons.

Space Transports
If you want to fly freighters and transports.

Bargain
Only if you want to bargain for goods.

Gambling
Only if you want to gamble with other people.

Hide
Concealing things on your person.

Search
Always useful for looking for things.

Sneak
Always useful; sneaking around quietly.

First Aid
Always useful; saving the lives of people who have been hurt.

One final note: a few skills are Advanced -- skills like Medicine or Droid Engineering represent highly specialized training. These have certain requirements before you can achieve any level of training in them. For example, before you can have even 1D in Medicine, you must have at least 5D in First Aid. These skills start at 0D, rather than starting at the attribute, and cost twice as much to improve. At the start of the game, though, dice in those skills cost the same as any other skill dice.

That's it -- go out and enjoy the game. You don't need to be bogged down in statistics; roleplay your character, not a bunch of numbers!

This information is also available in-game via the "news rpg" command.

See also: news characters