Lightsaber variants in D6 system.

Hi there, been away a long time.

Anyway, here's my issue. My group is starting a new Star Wars rpg campaign, a prequel-era, Jedi-centered campaign. Of course, we are still sticking to WEG's D6 system, which brings us some problems, since the prequels have only been covered by d20, but I'm sure it's nothing we can't overcome (If only the Rebellion site went back into action, it would help a lot).

So, right now I'm wondering about the lightsaber variants seen in the recent years, namely the double-bladed lightsaber and the short lightsaber, what game mechanics and stats do you guys think those have in the D6 system?

Thank you very much for any answers.
Long live D6.

 

So, right now I'm wondering about the lightsaber variants seen in the recent years, namely the double-bladed lightsaber and the short lightsaber, what game mechanics and stats do you guys think those have in the D6 system?

Well, those are pretty simple variations I think.

The "short" lightsaber would probably be just a normal lightsaber (used with the Lightsaber skill) with a 3D damage code, rather than 5D.

The double-bladed lightsaber would probably be a new skill under DEX, similar to Lightsaber. All double-attacks would be at -1D for each attack, just like regular multiple attacks.

The Lightsaber Combat Force power would apply equally to all lightsabers the user had.

Alternately, you could just make them all under Lightsaber, and then add specializations (e.g. Lightsaber, Short lightsaber, Dual-Phase Lightsaber, Great Lightsaber, Training Lightsaber, Double-Bladed Lightsaber).

The one thing I don't recall -- how did WEG handle ambidexterity and two-weapon fighting?

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

I don't think WEG ever tackled the off-hand issue, it never came into play in our adventures...

Your suggestions sound good. One thing I thought is that the shortsaber should have a lower base difficulty, probably Moderate, since it's harder to cut yourself with a shorter saber. And the double-bladed lightsaber should have a Very Difficult base difficulty, since it should be easy to harm yourself with it. What do you think?

Plus, maybe 3D damage for the shortsaber is a bit harsh, I would make it 4D...

Not sure if I would make Double-Bladed Lightsaber a sepparate skill instead of just a specialisation...

 

Your suggestions sound good. One thing I thought is that the shortsaber should have a lower base difficulty, probably Moderate, since it's harder to cut yourself with a shorter saber. And the double-bladed lightsaber should have a Very Difficult base difficulty, since it should be easy to harm yourself with it. What do you think?

I like that suggestion.

Plus, maybe 3D damage for the shortsaber is a bit harsh, I would make it 4D...

Remember though: A Short Lightsaber in the hands of a master will still be deadly -- as it will be 3D + CONTROL dice. Plus, 3D is like a sporting blaster, no? Short Lightsabers are the sporting blasters, Lightsabers are the Heavy Blaster Pistols.

Not sure if I would make Double-Bladed Lightsaber a sepparate skill instead of just a specialisation...

Either way could work. Just bear in mind that all of the rulesets in WOTC have made it very clear that a normal lightsaber practitioner couldn't just up and use a double-bladed one without penalties.

 

You are right about a novice not being able to wield a double-bladed saber. But maybe the Very Difficult base difficulty alone should keep novices away from it, since they would have a pretty big chance of killing themselves with it.

But double-bladed sabers should be really tough to master, that's true. And as a reward for those who do master it, I like Rebellion's suggestion of the weapon giving a +5 bonus or something to parries, it makes sense to me...

 

I think it's just a matter of training style and rpg special effects. All lightsabers are 5d. But someone trained in single bladed would have a hard time with double, so those might be separate skills. Someone who trained only/primarily with double wouldn't have a problem with it. Which is harder to learn: Staff or Sword? Neither.

Training sabers would have the special effect of being able to block other sabers, but not do extensive damage. So, maybe it's just a forcefield that does control damage, but no energy/weapon damage. You could still block lightsabers and blaster bolts. (I used this in my game.)

Also remember that 2-bladed lightsabers were supposed to be extremely rare. Exar Kunn had one, and eventually Maul got one. That should be about it. Maybe the players will encounter 1 villain with one.

Short sabers aren't short to short people. Leave them at 5d. A wakizashi is just as deadly as a katana in the right hands.

There are 3d sabers called "Lightfoils" that were mass-produced by a company during the middle of the Empire and purchased by wealthy nobles/fops in the Tapani sector. the weapons were somewhat imperfect and unreliable (hence the 3d) and would sometimes switch off at the most inopportune times (don't roll a 1 on the d'oh/wild die). An entire dueling circle evolved around this unconventional and hazzardous weapon. see Lords of the Expanse box set or Players' Guide to Tapani for more details.

No, some variations:
In order to keep the number of lightsabers in the party from getting excessive, I added the following house rules and equipment variations:
Jedi will not tolerate Sith sabers. They must destroy them. Using a Sith saber is a DSP each time, unless there are extreme mitigating circumstances (Like having to pick up the other guy's saber in the middle of a battle).
There was a cult of very jealous sith who planted bombs in their sabers that were tied to their vital functions. 10 seconds after they died, the saber overloaded into a 6d/4d/2d explosion.
Some craftier force users, in order to prevent accidents, had the activation switch inside the saber instead of outside, and had to use force TK in order to switch on.
Others had two emmiters, so the blade could come out either end, depending on which switch was hit. This was not only a boobytrap, but a quick surprize reverse grip switch in the middle of battles.

So use these as you see fit.

Good luck with your game.

 

Short sabers aren't short to short people. Leave them at 5d. A wakizashi is just as deadly as a katana in the right hands.

All game systems emphasize different damage codes for smaller weapons. Even KoTOR had less damage for a Short Lightsaber than a regular Lightsaber, thus there is historical precedence for a Short Lightsaber causing less damage than a regular lightsaber.

As for your katana/wakazashi example: that's where the bonus Control dice from Lightsaber Combat come into play.

 

? All game systems emphasize different damage codes for smaller weapons. Even KoTOR had less damage for a Short Lightsaber than a regular Lightsaber, thus there is historical precedence for a Short Lightsaber causing less damage than a regular lightsaber.? I beg to differ with you on lowering the base damage on shorter lightsabers. In the D20 system the base damage on a lightsaber remains constant even if it is shorter or longer than the standard length lightsaber; it does not decrease if the blade is shorter, or increase if the blade is longer; JD Wiker himself has stated this. Also, in some cases there are even real short swords that will do more damage than a long sword. One such example is a Scramesax (SP?); a Germanic Shortsword that is very heavy and just as deadly if not moreso than a broadsword. I should know, I own one of each. The Scramesax I own took a tree about 6"-8" in diameter down in seven strokes by the man who made the weapon. It?s actually heavier than my Celtic Broadsword, and is only 18" in length from tip to pommel. Being an energy blade, the lightsaber?s length will have no bearing on damage; especially since the width remains constant as well.

 

Tramp -- all that sound and fury signifying nothing.

Short Lightsabers do less damage in KoTOR than regular Lightsabers or Double-Bladed Lightsabers, the ONLY location within which they appear.

 

Page 34 of the SWRPG FAQ.

Short 'sabers deal the same damage as regular 'sabers.

 

The problem is this is being done in the WEG system. Comparisons aren't exact. Not that I'd put much stock in a d20 answer to the question anyway. However, I have seen home grown rules for variable length sabers, and the result was pretty much the same across the boards. No one reduced damage. Be it a length of half meter, or as much as 3 meters, damage was consistant. The only variables in damage were quality of crystal used, force sensative nature of builder, and attunement. Which are basically the rules I use when GMing.

 

A Small-sized lightsaber (such as one that a
Small-sized character might use) does 2d8
damage, just like any other lightsaber. Unlike most
bladed weapons, a lightsaber?s damage isn?t
determined by the mass of the blade.

First, the question is not being asked about a Short Lightsaber (which would be S for M-sized characters and T for S-sized characters). It's being asked about regular lightsabers. So, to clarify: NOT Short Lightsabers but small Lightsabers.

Second, when was the answer given? If pre-KoTOR, he's overruled.

 

Actually, it was after KOTOR.