10 GM Tips You NEED Before Running a Star Wars Campaign

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  • Опубліковано 2 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 87

  • @TheTabletopEmpire
    @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому +8

    Which tip was the most helpful for you?
    (Star Wars being in the MCU was a joke btw lol)

    • @bailbolandollbol
      @bailbolandollbol Рік тому +2

      remembering to make the dice narrative instead of just fail or succeed

    • @mike197714
      @mike197714 Рік тому +1

      True.

    • @WookieeRage
      @WookieeRage 7 місяців тому

      Goals. This really does help players from feeling aimless and can keep the group's motivations aligned.

  • @sgt1013
    @sgt1013 Рік тому +6

    You, sir, know your subject matter like the back of your hand! #9 cannot be recommended enough! I once had my party escape from Bespin during the timeline of ESB, and a player (whose obligation was a bounty by the Empire, which was selected by the dice before the session) drew the attention of Boba Fett, and so the party's ship was promptly under fire. Another player used gunnery, failing to hit Slave I and causing 2 strain, which, after I declared that the ship's cannons were drawing too much power, motivated the pilot to divert as much power to the thrusters as he activated his full throttle skill, escaping from their assailant.
    The game is fantastic, but it flourishes the more narrative you add to the roll.
    Cheers from Uruguay!

  • @troyphillips4100
    @troyphillips4100 Рік тому +19

    I'm happy to see more people advocating for interesting results on player related dice failures then just making them be inept. It's always so boring to hear 'Oh, critical failure? You completely ignore the obvious point of interest.' All your tips were bangers.

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому

      Thanks so much!! 😄

    • @mike197714
      @mike197714 Рік тому +1

      @@TheTabletopEmpireur tips are helpful.

    • @sassyviking6003
      @sassyviking6003 10 місяців тому

      Absolutely. I am new to GMing the game but I had my players facing slme rodian gangers in our first session and the gunslinger missed a medium range shot. But, he got a bunch of advantage. Combine that with the fact that he had quick drawn a consealed blaster they didn't know he had, it ended up being a cool moment where he narrowly misses them but they panic and (take a black die) as they have to now focus somewhere they believed was no threat. I even had it narritively play into things later when they were coerced into surrendering.

  • @lnsullivan422
    @lnsullivan422 9 місяців тому +4

    I’m doing a campaign right now set about seven years after the rise of the Empire and I’ve been reading the canon novel Thrawn and it was so monumentally helpful when it comes to ranks and vibes and all that good stuff. Read up folks!

  • @mattm4557
    @mattm4557 Рік тому +38

    You don’t need to mess with canon, Just set the game in a different time period. KOTOR took place 4K yrs before clone wars.

    • @spikey6694
      @spikey6694 10 місяців тому +5

      In the 3 EotE campaigns I’ve run (including my current one), whenever we’ve changed the lore, it’s been with either relatively minor things, or a brand new timeline (such as my first campaign) where we had the Republic never fall, Chancellor Palpatine was killed by BOTH Windu and Anakin. The reason? We decided to do a campaign in the situation where the Republic never fell, and we ended up having to do a several hour debate on what would happen to the Separatists. ‘Twas a fun campaign.
      TLDR: You can always change up the Cannon if you want to play in a unique situation.

  • @glcorpmember
    @glcorpmember Рік тому +21

    As a huge fan of Captain Hondo Ohnaka I would not even be mad if I ran into him every session

  • @LostCourier
    @LostCourier Рік тому +10

    Just wanted to say that you have been doing amazing work reviving the love that all of us have for Star Wars in a tabletop RPG setting.
    I hope you get the exposure you truly deserve when the books eventually begin reprinting and hitting shelves again- you are truly a grandmaster of the force, love your work and your videos man.

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому +4

      Thank you!
      The end goal is to rival Critical Role, and grow this game we all love 😄

  • @roll4stealth671
    @roll4stealth671 Рік тому +2

    At the start of any of my star wars games I always told my players that while this will use the Star Wars universe, this is my creation and while I would try to stick to what's there this is ultimately my version but I agree that the star wars universe is both a blessing and a curse. There is always that "information overload" (so to speak) and I would want to stick to canon/legends but then I started doing things that would be considered out of the norm. Drove one of my players, who was a really big star wars fan, nuts they would always correct me and I would remind him that in my version this does happen. I created planets and plopped them in blank area's of the existing maps (gave a story reason as to why it existed), heck they did it in the movies...Instead of a Hutt being a crime lord I made a jawa one (mostly for the laughs and most of my players did get kick out of it except the one), yeah he was small but he made sure he surrounded himself with lots of tech and those that were much stronger then he was but he commanded respect among those around him (or just had enough dirt to keep them in line).
    I too also changed the timeline in one campaign, sometime after order 66 and there was another secret order that the emperor didn't know about that turned the clones on the drafted imperials all in a ploy to return the Mandalorians to power in the galaxy again, secretly biding their time until they confirmed the force users were mostly extinct and they couldn't stand in their way.

  • @gregorymurphey2115
    @gregorymurphey2115 Місяць тому

    I love the tip about falled rolls. There's nothing worse then thinking your character is cool, then all the sudden tripping and falling on your face in the most comic way. Nothing I look forward to quite so much in a game as having my friends laugh at my experience

  • @PsychicAlchemy
    @PsychicAlchemy Рік тому +12

    One handy thing with destiny points is to use them against the players early in a session so they're reminded that they exist, and then they can use them later in the session to save the day. Later when they're used to the system and in a more difficult situation, start using them more tactically.
    One thing I struggle with myself is credits. I'm planning a campaign but I have no idea how to balance wealth.

    • @WookieeRage
      @WookieeRage 7 місяців тому

      How did/has your campaign go? Did you find a balance with the use of credits?
      I'll admit I've done a poor job of tracking credits for the characters but our focus has been more on the story elements and hardly at all about things and prices.
      The great thing about credits is that money sinks can always rear their head to use up credits if the characters accumulate too many too fast because you were over generous. Maybe a critical part of the ship breaks and the only replacement is rare or over priced, bt the situation also provides a great story hook.
      I feel that balancing resources is something you can recover from and something the players can understand if discussed in an open and honest conversation.

    • @PsychicAlchemy
      @PsychicAlchemy 7 місяців тому

      @@WookieeRage I ended up not finding anything and I gave up. Star Wars has just gotten more and more depressing.

    • @WookieeRage
      @WookieeRage 7 місяців тому +1

      @@PsychicAlchemy sorry to hear that. Our group was up for playing Star Wars so we've been playing a campaign for the past two years. One of our group won't play because he lost his interest in all Star Wars after the last three movies, but the rest of us can let that go.
      For me, I have too many good memories and feelings about Star Wars from the extended universe and episodes 4-6. So I don't think about episodes 7-9 in my mental picture. I've also played Star Wars the Old Republic for years, which provides an entirely different and refreshing view of the SW universe. So maybe you just need a new perspective to enjoy SW again.
      I wish you the best and hope you can enjoy it again some day.

    • @PsychicAlchemy
      @PsychicAlchemy 7 місяців тому

      @@WookieeRage I've been trying to go my own way with Star Wars, but so much of the available fandom just accepts the new garbage. I've been getting into 40k but it's getting infiltrated by zealots now.

    • @WookieeRage
      @WookieeRage 7 місяців тому

      @@PsychicAlchemy hopefully something will workout. That is an interesting point and what people newer to SW would gravitate to because the FFG RPG kicks off just after episode 4, even though there are Clone Wars supplements and a newer starter box. So I can understand your dilemma.
      Have you checked out any Free League games? They have a great selection of well crafted games.

  • @sinosventolera
    @sinosventolera Рік тому +3

    Great tips! The most useful one for me was giving story reasons for the setback dice, it really helps with the feeling of a world where your decision have real, tangible consequences

  • @demonteddybear3510
    @demonteddybear3510 2 дні тому

    For tip 7: I recommend looking up the comics Star Wars Infinities for ideas of how the universe could be different due to slight changes.
    Example (warning slight spoilers): A New Hope: What if the torpedo prematurely exploded and failed to destroy the first Death Star?
    Empire Strikes Back: What if Han Solo didn't make it to Luke in time and Luke died on Hoth?
    Return of the Jedi: What if the plan went south at Jabba the Hutt's Palace and they failed to rescue Han?
    All these and other possibilities can open your setting to be similar, and radically different in your campaign.

  • @zephyrstrife4668
    @zephyrstrife4668 6 місяців тому

    Doing a campaign right now set before Anakin was found. Ive told my players that, depending on their actions, the canon story may change in good or bad ways.
    One of the things I picked up from the Beginner Game for F&D is that a failed check outside of combat could simply mean the character takes more time or effort to do the thing they are trying to do. It has helped me a lot so far.

  • @Frolmaster
    @Frolmaster Рік тому +2

    In my games, the movies exist in the universe as rebel propaganda based on real events and characters. It is pretty liberating in regards to sticking to canon.

  • @PhilipDudley3
    @PhilipDudley3 Рік тому +1

    Inspiration! Thank you! I've been desiring quality Star Wars NDS discussions

  • @powersphere216
    @powersphere216 Рік тому +7

    starting a campaign in 2 months cant wait! this will be my fifth campaign with star wars but always willing to learn!

  • @cyrilvallin5529
    @cyrilvallin5529 Рік тому +1

    I think tip number 2 stood out for me. It's easy to forget to put a positive on failures, just like we do with kids😅
    Thanks for the video.

  • @roll4stealth671
    @roll4stealth671 Рік тому +1

    I'd also recommend using tactic's against the players, show them how to use the boost/setback dice or upgrade checks and encourage them to use their destiny points as well, this will ultimately teach them they can do the same thing against the NPC's.

  • @jean-philippebelanger709
    @jean-philippebelanger709 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the tips, after 4 years of GMing, it's always good to come back to basics. Keep going with your videos! I would love a video on how to upgrade roleplay of players and GM.

  • @WookieeRage
    @WookieeRage 7 місяців тому

    Another tip I would offer, which is not restricted to this game but very helpful in it, is know your players' character sheets.
    There are talents my players' characters have I can sometimes overlook so they become dead spots in their skill set. But the players either had to take them or took them because they thought they were cool.
    By keeping track of those talents I can tweek encounters to make those talents meaningful. It lets the players know their character matters to the story and helps them know their own character better.
    Besides, when in crafting encounters, looking at my players' talents and skills stimulates my imagination in its design.

  • @EdKauffmann
    @EdKauffmann 10 місяців тому +2

    a video on attachments? the Jedi say to avoid those, as a rule...

  • @zephyrstrife4668
    @zephyrstrife4668 6 місяців тому

    Also, one of the things i like doing is having my players use a bunch of the destiny points in the pool so theres a lot of Dark Side points... Then flip a bunch at once to have a big, narratively scary thing happen. It changes up the situation AND gives the players a bunch of resources they can use to get their butts out of the fire.

  • @Dungeonsanddyslexia
    @Dungeonsanddyslexia 9 місяців тому

    Thank me dude. Just getting into this and my players are keen to start Force and Destiny

  • @DannytheChadd
    @DannytheChadd Рік тому +2

    Love the advice!

  • @JonathanGonzalez-hm9vt
    @JonathanGonzalez-hm9vt Рік тому +4

    I was so worried about the "canon" that I forgot we could change the timeline.
    CHANGE the TIMELINE!!

  • @xq1234wzts
    @xq1234wzts 11 місяців тому

    One thing I am trying to implement is to delegate "story wise" evaluation of dis/advantages to the players. I want them to make up a story and remember what is going on during fights. For instance I want them to think about pushing one Stormtrooper to another so that second player can use Weapon with Blast ability.

  • @falloutboy9993
    @falloutboy9993 Рік тому +2

    Very nice. Will definitely use the narrative and loot tips.

  • @SaberFandubs
    @SaberFandubs Рік тому +1

    i want to master a rpg that the story is in the clone wars and the republic fall, wich rpg book would be the best one for this?

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому

      The clone wars Sourcebooks, check out my review of it on the channel. It can pair with any of the 3 core rulebooks depending on what you want.

  • @bailbolandollbol
    @bailbolandollbol Рік тому

    just found your channel the other day and your videos have been such an amazing help for a new player like me. keep up the great work

  • @FacuLlanos92
    @FacuLlanos92 Рік тому +1

    Amazing tips! Cheers from Argentina

  • @klaatubarada6200
    @klaatubarada6200 Рік тому +1

    Great tips! Star Wars metalore was kinda intimidating for me to GM due to it's size but you are right. I can create my planets, villages and cities in this universe too. It will be easier this way and there are going to have some sessions at canon planets from time to time. Thanks.

  • @JoeLawson-po8zp
    @JoeLawson-po8zp Рік тому

    I'm going to be running in the coming weeks and I found this really helpful. Thank you. I'm using the D20 system just because I already have the book for that.

  • @DualKeys
    @DualKeys Рік тому

    Great video! Even though the video is relatively short, it would be better if you had a separate chapter for each tip. It makes it easier to go back and watch a specific one.
    The tip about not making the PCs bumbling idiots when they fail a roll is so true. I love the Silhouette Zero podcast, and the GM there is really good about framing failures (even really bad ones) as being caused by other factors than the PCs just screwing up royally for no reason.
    You also made a good point about not being afraid to add things to the established lore. EC Henry makes some really great videos inventing designs and backstories for blurry background ships and stuff in some of the Star Wars movies. I'm totally stealing his idea of the X-wing ejection system being the cockpit doubling as a mini escape pod, instead of an ejection seat with a forcefield. And I saw somebody on Reddit commissioned some artwork for an alien they completely invented out of thin air for their PC. It was really cool.
    Also, Destiny Points! So many people treat them like "in case of emergency break glass" instead of a normal part of the game. Then there's the people who hoard light side points so they can keep the GM from spending any dark side points. They're much better when they ebb and flow between the GM and players, adding great, unexpected challenges and story moments to the game.

  • @katherinewelling6026
    @katherinewelling6026 Рік тому

    These were really good tips. Thanks! 👍🏻

  • @Josh902
    @Josh902 Рік тому

    Good info in here once again.

  • @WookieeRage
    @WookieeRage 7 місяців тому

    D&G Genesis and Companion, are two apps i have on my phone that generate NPCs physical and personality traits to make divrese and interesting characters on the fly.

  • @joshuaisom4144
    @joshuaisom4144 3 місяці тому

    I have run this system since day one and the best advice to stretch someone’s GMing skills is to make your PCs the heroes without changing the established canon.

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  3 місяці тому

      Most of the time if I break canon, it’s because one of the players did something to do so. At most if it’s just me, I’ll create my own planet or something.

  • @Epirrel17
    @Epirrel17 Рік тому

    This is so inspiring, thank you !

  • @Ngearke
    @Ngearke Рік тому

    Good stuff!

  • @Blerdy_Disposition
    @Blerdy_Disposition Рік тому

    Yet another great video. The appeal to Edge Studios is and will always be the narrative dice system. That and especially when you roll a triumph or despair. Do you have a video discussing how to work with triumphs and despairs yet, anyhow?

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому +1

      Not really. I have the dice video in the beginners guide but that is more of a comprehensive guide.
      It's a good idea to add to my list to get to eventually!

  • @mike197714
    @mike197714 Рік тому

    5:17 hmm Like a video I was watching. It was over 3hrs long. Because it explained the entire civil war after which lead into dark Empire trilogy. I said: this content can be used in Star Wars AoR F&D and EoTE TTRPG.
    6:42 I don’t trust that TIP. MCU is different from Star Wars EU. Because Star Wars a continuity timeline w/icon characters&SWTTRPGs characters. MCU has multiverse characters. It’s like a comparin a crutch to a orange. U can eat an orange,but a crutch you can’t eat.
    8:49 hmm that sounds good ok. Oh allow the players to use the destiny points how they want within reason.Hmm. Ok. That sounds really cool.
    10:09 hmm ok. I can dig that. I’ve seen that in other videos where the GM looked at the narrative dice&the situation did something very freaky things. And very scary.

  • @Siryphas
    @Siryphas Рік тому +1

    I don't think keeping to the canon timeline is too restrictive. Imo, the PCs should never be able to "kill the Emperor." SWSE had a mission where some Rebels try to assassinate the Emperor, but it turns out to be a decoy, and a trap for them. You can easily tell a wide variety of stories without breaking any of the established Canon. In fact, while your PCs are off doing whatever, you can have there be a news broadcast of Mon Mothma fleeing the Imperial Senate or a holovideo of the first (or second) Death Star being destroyed. The PCs don't have to be involved in those events, but can still experience them without separating from the established timeline.

  • @Dolitar
    @Dolitar Рік тому

    Are you planning to make a video playing Star Wars FFG solo? Would be super happy if you did!

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому +1

      Not solo, but once I get into my own house I plan to start a channel campaign!

  • @bardylon
    @bardylon Рік тому

    Long time tabletop gamer (X-wing, Armada, Legion & Imperial Assault) but just trying to dive into SWRPG but finding it difficult to find dice & many books. Any idea when/if Edge are planning any restocks?

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому +2

      Core rulebooks are in stock last I checked if you are in NA. I have affiliate links in the description.
      I'm not sure about EU or other regions.

  • @WookieeRage
    @WookieeRage 7 місяців тому

    Uncommon locations. Did you know there is a planet called Vlemoth?
    Vlemoth Port is a terrestrial backwater planet located in the Instrop sector's Vlemoth Port system of the southern corner of the Slice in the Outer Rim Territories. The planet is situated along the Cranan-Excarga Hyperspace Route and maintained a rotational period of twenty-eight hours per day and an orbital period of 256 days per year. Its terrain consisted primarily of forests, swamps and snowy tundras, and has a total population of 525,000 lifeforms, consisting of 15% humans, 13% Talz, 6% Muun, and 66% other lifeforms.
    I forgot or just didn't pay attention to this location with all of the Star Wars content I've digested over the years. But I rediscovered it while planning a segment of our group's campaign.
    Just reading the description above is enough to show the wide variety of terrain and species that can offer many story hooks, and that description doesn't even include that there is a small population of Mandalorians that live there because they left Mandalor when Deathwatch took over.
    I found all this in Star Wars the Essential Atlas. One of my favorite resources in running/playing SW RPG.
    For me at least it provides a great hook for the one players whose playing a wayward Mandalorian. But it also provided an opportunity to reflect the darker side of the Empire when the players ran into a group of hunters who were hunting Talz for there meat, as referenced in the show Andor, Talz meat is considered a delicacy by some.
    I love this planet with its diverse bioms and population, and locations like this are available in sources like the Essential Atlas.

  • @GoToLiturgy
    @GoToLiturgy Рік тому

    My brother(GM) my uncle(Old Jedi) and I(IG-90) have started a “sabers and sarlaacs” game and last session I randomly bought 7 thermal detonators and then we snuck on an ISD and I blew it up (reactor) and killed 37,000 people 😂😂.
    It was awesome.

  • @omegamansparkybubbles9159
    @omegamansparkybubbles9159 18 днів тому

    I'm wanting to use Darth Vader like Adam Smasher when my players get too uppity

  • @absol1975
    @absol1975 Рік тому +2

    Don't know if it's just a UA-cam error or what, but I'm only hearing the audio, I'm not seeing the visuals. The tips I'm hearing are great, though!
    EDIT: Also, Embers of the Imperium releases in just two weeks!!! I'm so excited!

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому +1

      Oh that's weird 🤔 Did you try refreshing the page?
      EDIT: Always happy for new SWRPG / Genesys content!!

    • @absol1975
      @absol1975 Рік тому

      ​@@TheTabletopEmpire I'm on my phone, so it's hard to refresh a video, but coming back after a bit and the video is playing now, too, so crisis averted!

    • @Daltygaming2
      @Daltygaming2 Рік тому +1

      WAIT YHERES A NEW BOOK??

    • @absol1975
      @absol1975 Рік тому

      @@Daltygaming2 a new Genesys book, yep! For the Twilight Imperium setting, which is a big space opera setting partially inspired by Star Wars. It's FFG's flagship IP.

  • @mickdipiano8768
    @mickdipiano8768 5 місяців тому

    Rex s background character? Hes as big as any of those others.

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  4 місяці тому

      He isnt exactly a main character of Star Wars. Hes a main supporting character of 1.5 shows and a background character to some others

  • @RayOfTruth
    @RayOfTruth Рік тому +2

    "The other movies we don't talk about." I still stand by The Last Jedi being the best Star Wars movie.

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому +1

      I'll agree it's the best sequel movie. Still 9th/11 for me personally.

    • @ForTheLoveOfWho
      @ForTheLoveOfWho Рік тому +1

      6:58 You, not we. Why are you trying to alienate Star Wars fans by telling them that they can't talk about Star Wars films? As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I think that the sequels are some of the best Star Wars films since "A New Hope," and "The Empire Strikes Back" has always been one of my least favourites, I was surprised to find out that there are those that love it, but would never discourage them from talking about it. Every one is different. This kind of language may discourage fans from watching your videos. @@TheTabletopEmpire

  • @noobztvgaming
    @noobztvgaming 4 місяці тому

    I was thinking about story as ,your PC whatever it is was taken from a prison transport ,and forced into money collecting ,bounty hunting criminal guild.
    Against your will
    That's how they get there recruits
    You want freedom well your advanced 500 credits for gear choices at start but you have 1 year to pay back 5200 credits
    At 100 credits per week
    That buys your freedom
    Can't pay interest added ,1 year else your in the guild for life.
    Take missions / jobs to raise those credits

  • @katherinewelling6026
    @katherinewelling6026 Рік тому

    Hi. Can you please go over how a GM can use Advantage and Threat on the fly? As I’m new, I’m lacking a bit of creativity… 🫤

    • @TheTabletopEmpire
      @TheTabletopEmpire  Рік тому

      Maybe I'll make a video on the topic 🤔
      For now it honestly takes practice. It can be hard to come up with something on the fly. One thing that can help is to write down the check and the result and after the session look back and ask "what could I have done here instead"