Star Wars Force and Destiny RPG Complete Guide: Core Rulebook & Rise of the Separatists

March 1, 2018 7 minute read

Introduction

Welcome, aspiring Jedi, ambitious Sith, and Force-sensitive beings across the galaxy! Today we’re diving deep into Star Wars: Force and Destiny, the acclaimed tabletop role-playing game from Fantasy Flight Games. Whether you’re new to the Force or a veteran of countless campaigns, this comprehensive guide covers both the Core Rulebook essentials and the Clone Wars era content from Rise of the Separatists.

Star Wars Force and Destiny: Core System Overview

What is Force and Destiny?

Star Wars: Force and Destiny is a standalone tabletop RPG published by Fantasy Flight Games in 2015, using their signature Narrative Dice System. Unlike traditional board games, this is a full role-playing experience where players create Force-sensitive characters and embark on epic campaigns across the Star Wars universe.

System Foundations

Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games (2015)
Game Type: Tabletop Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Players: 2-8 (including Game Master)
Session Length: 3-6 hours typical
Compatible With: Edge of the Empire and Age of Rebellion RPGs

The Narrative Dice System

Force and Destiny uses FFG’s innovative Narrative Dice System featuring:

Custom Dice Types:

Ability Dice (green): Character skill levels
Proficiency Dice (yellow): Advanced character abilities
Difficulty Dice (purple): Task difficulty
Challenge Dice (red): Extreme difficulties
Boost/Setback Dice (blue/black): Situational modifiers
Force Dice (white): Force power attempts

Results Beyond Success/Failure:

Advantage/Threat: Secondary effects and complications
Triumph/Despair: Extraordinary outcomes and dramatic moments
Light/Dark Side Points: Force power fuel and moral consequences

Pro Tip: Embrace narrative results beyond simple success/failure - the dice system creates amazing storytelling opportunities when players succeed with threats or fail with advantages!

Core Rulebook: Foundation of Force Users

Character Creation Deep Dive

Species Selection

The Core Rulebook includes 8 Force-sensitive species:

Human - Versatile and adaptable

Extra skill ranks and free specialization
Perfect for new players

Twi’lek - Charismatic and diplomatic

Natural social abilities
Cunning and presence bonuses

Zabrak - Physically and mentally tough

Pain tolerance and determination
Survival advantages

Kel Dor - Wise and thoughtful

Enhanced Force sensitivity potential
Protective breath apparatus

Cerean - Intellectual and patient

Binary brain structure advantages
High willpower and knowledge

Nautolan - Empathic and perceptive

Pheromone sensing abilities
Enhanced social interaction

Mirialan - Spiritual and disciplined

Strong Force traditions
Willpower and knowledge focus

Ithorian - Peaceful and nature-connected

Agricultural expertise
Unique communication abilities

Career Paths

Consular - Diplomatic Force users

Healer: Medical and restoration focus
Niman Disciple: Balanced lightsaber/Force approach
Sage: Knowledge and wisdom specialists

Guardian - Combat-focused protectors

Peacekeeper: Law enforcement and justice
Protector: Defensive specialist and bodyguard
Soresu Defender: Master of defensive lightsaber combat

Mystic - Spiritual Force communion

Advisor: Guidance and leadership roles
Makashi Duelist: Elegant lightsaber combat
Seer: Prophecy and Force visions

Seeker - Independent wanderers

Ataru Striker: Acrobatic lightsaber combat
Hunter: Tracking and survival expert
Pathfinder: Explorer and guide

Sentinel - Versatile investigators

Artisan: Crafting and creation focus
Investigator: Detective and analysis skills
Shii-Cho Knight: Basic lightsaber mastery

Warrior - Combat specialists

Aggressor: Offensive combat tactics
Shien Expert: Blaster deflection mastery
Starfighter Ace: Vehicle combat specialist

Force Powers System

Core Force Powers

The base game includes 19 Force powers:

Universal Powers:

Enhance: Physical augmentation
Foresee: Future glimpses and danger sense
Influence: Mental manipulation and persuasion
Move: Telekinesis and object manipulation
Sense: Awareness and perception enhancement

Specialized Powers:

Battle Meditation: Large-scale coordination
Bind: Restraining and immobilizing targets
Heal/Harm: Life force manipulation (Light/Dark versions)
Misdirect: Illusion and concealment
Protect/Unleash: Barrier creation and energy projection
Seek: Finding people, objects, and information
Suppress: Dampening others’ Force abilities

Morality and Force Alignment

Morality Mechanics:

Start at 50 (balanced)
Actions shift toward Light Side (71+) or Dark Side (29-)
Paragon: 80+ morality, maximum Light Side benefits
Dark Side User: Below 30, corruption and power

Conflict and Consequences:

Dark Side actions generate Conflict points
End-of-session Morality rolls determine alignment shifts
Physical and emotional corruption for Dark Side users

Rise of the Separatists: Clone Wars Era Content

Historical Context and Fact-Checking

Rise of the Separatists is a career sourcebook released in 2019, focusing on the Clone Wars period (22-19 BBY). This era covers:

Key Historical Events:

Battle of Geonosis (22 BBY) - Clone Wars begin
First Battle of Kamino (21 BBY) - Republic defense
Battle of Christophsis (22 BBY) - Early Clone Wars engagement
Malevolence Campaign (22 BBY) - Separatist superweapon
Battle over Ryloth (22 BBY) - Twi’lek liberation

New Career Options

Clone Trooper Career:

Clone Officer: Military leadership and tactics
Clone Pilot: Specialized vehicle operation
Clone Trooper: Infantry combat specialist

Jedi Career:

Padawan Survivor: Order 66 survivors
Jedi General: Military command roles
Knight: Traditional Jedi roles

Republic Navy Career:

Captain: Ship command and fleet operations
Gunner: Weapons systems specialist
Flight Leader: Squadron command

Clone Wars Technology

New Equipment:

DC-15 Series: Clone trooper standard weapons
LAAT/i Gunships: Republic transport aircraft
ARC-170 Starfighters: Heavy assault fighters
Venator-class: Star Destroyers of the Republic era

Separatist Technology:

Battle Droids: B1, B2, and specialized variants
Vulture Droids: Automated starfighters
Providence-class: Separatist capital ships
Lucrehulk-class: Trade Federation battleships

Comparative Analysis: Core vs. Clone Wars

Character Options Expansion

Aspect	Core Rulebook	Rise of the Separatists
Species	8 Force-sensitive	+3 Clone Wars specific
Careers	6 Force traditions	+3 Military/Republic
Specializations	18 Force paths	+9 Clone Wars roles
Equipment	General Star Wars	Clone Wars specific
Vehicles	Universal designs	Republic/Separatist

Campaign Themes

Core Rulebook Campaigns:

Jedi Academy: Training new Force users
Hidden Temple: Preserving ancient knowledge
Force Sensitive Underground: Secret Force users
Lightsaber Quest: Crystal gathering adventures
Ancient Mysteries: Sith/Jedi archaeology

Clone Wars Era Campaigns:

Clone Trooper Company: Military unit adventures
Jedi General: Leading clone forces
Order 66 Survivors: Post-purge survival
Separatist Infiltration: Espionage missions
Republic Intelligence: Behind-enemy-lines operations

Advanced Game Master Guidance

Running Force and Destiny Campaigns

Session Structure

Opening Crawl: Set the scene with Star Wars style Character Moments: Individual spotlight time Main Adventure: Primary story progression Force Meditation: Downtime and character development Cliffhanger: Dramatic session endings

Balancing Light and Dark

Light Side Campaigns:

Emphasize heroic themes and moral choices
Reward compassionate and selfless actions
Focus on protecting the innocent and preserving peace

Dark Side Campaigns:

Explore power corruption and moral degradation
Create tempting shortcuts and easy power gains
Demonstrate consequences of selfish choices

Gray Jedi Approach:

Balance pragmatism with idealism
Present morally complex situations
Allow players to find their own path

Combat and Conflict Resolution

Lightsaber Combat Guidelines

Cinematic Description: Make every clash dramatic
Environmental Interaction: Use surroundings creatively
Emotional Stakes: Personal conflicts drive combat
Consequence Focus: Wounds tell stories

Force Power Adjudication

Narrative Integration: Powers serve story, not mechanics
Collaborative Description: Players help describe results
Unexpected Consequences: Keep Force use interesting
Strain Management: Balance power with sustainability

Equipment and Technology Deep Dive

Lightsaber Construction

Crystal Types and Sources:

Ilum Crystals: Traditional Jedi source (blue/green)
Synthetic Crystals: Sith artificial creation (red)
Rare Crystals: Exotic colors and properties
Bleeding Crystals: Dark Side corruption process

Construction Process:

Crystal Gathering: Dangerous retrieval missions
Meditation and Assembly: Force-guided construction
Personal Attunement: Bonding with the weapon
Ongoing Modification: Continuous improvement

Starships and Vehicles

Personal Craft:

Light Freighters: Versatile exploration vessels
Starfighters: Single-pilot combat craft
Shuttles: Short-range transport
Interceptors: Fast pursuit vehicles

Capital Ships:

Cruisers: Mid-range exploration and combat
Destroyers: Heavy combat platforms
Carriers: Fighter deployment and support
Dreadnoughts: Massive firepower platforms

Campaign Integration Strategies

Connecting to Other FFG Lines

Edge of the Empire Integration:

Force-sensitive smugglers and criminals
Underground networks and black markets
Corporate intrigue and criminal organizations

Age of Rebellion Crossover:

Force users in the Rebel Alliance
Imperial Inquisitor hunting campaigns
Liberation and resistance movements

Combined Epic Campaigns:

Galaxy-spanning adventures
Multiple character perspectives
Historical timeline progression

Long-term Campaign Development

Character Growth Arcs

Padawan to Knight: Traditional Jedi progression Dark Side Fall: Corruption and redemption Master and Student: Teaching relationships Order Rebuilding: Reconstructing Jedi traditions

Galactic Timeline Integration

Old Republic Era: Ancient Jedi/Sith conflicts
Clone Wars Period: Military service and war
Imperial Era: Hiding and resistance
New Republic: Rebuilding and teaching

Final Recommendations

Choose Core Rulebook if:

You’re new to Star Wars RPGs
You want complete Force-user focus
You prefer traditional Jedi/Sith themes
You need comprehensive Force power rules

Add Rise of the Separatists if:

You love Clone Wars era content
You want military campaign options
You need more character variety
You’re running Clone Wars specific campaigns

Essential Accessories:

GM Screen: Quick reference and dice management
Dice Sets: Multiple sets for larger groups
Force Token Set: Track Light/Dark Side points
Vehicle Miniatures: Enhance space combat

Conclusion: Mastering the Force

Star Wars: Force and Destiny offers unparalleled opportunities to explore the mystical side of the Star Wars universe. Whether you’re wielding ancient Jedi wisdom from the Core Rulebook or commanding clone forces in Rise of the Separatists campaigns, the game provides rich storytelling tools and mechanical depth.

The system’s strength lies in its narrative focus - success and failure create equally interesting story opportunities. Combined with the moral complexity of Force use and the vast Star Wars universe, campaigns can span from intimate character studies to galaxy-shaking epics.

Remember: the Force will be with you, always - especially when you’re rolling those custom dice!

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