One thing I am interested to hear back from beta playtesters would be feedback and input on the structure of the specialization trees.

For example:

• Are the talents clear and well-written, do you know what they are intended to do?
• Do the talents make sense within the specializations they appear?
• Do the specialization "flowcharts" within each career feel appropriate, balanced, or thematic?
• What is your favorite specialization, and why?
• What is your least favorite specialization, and why?
• Are there talents you were expecting that you don't see?

Then a few quick math questions to make sure the experience investments for talents and specializations are clear.

1. How much experience would it cost for a character just starting in the Technician: Slicer specialization (p. 63) to obtain that tree's Dedication talent?

2. If a character begins as a Hired Gun: Marauder (p. 54), how much experience would it cost to obtain all six ranks of the Lethal Blow talent (hint: only three of those ranks appear in the Marauder specialization tree).

3. What is the least amount of experience a starting Colonist: Scholar (p. 47) could spend to gain Toughened x2 (i.e., a total of +2 wound threshold).

For extra credit, please show your work.

;)

 I will post later about the various thoughts on Talents.  First I will "do the math" and answer your questions.

1. The path to Dedication would be as follows: Codebreaker [5] - Defensive Slicing [10] - Natural Programmer [15] - Defensive Slicing Rank 2 [20] - Skilled Slicer [25] - Master Slicer [25] - Mental Fortress [25] - Dedication [25].  This comes out to 150 XP [no one starts with this much, so won't be a new character.
2. 6 levels of Lethal Blow would cost 190 XP, as you have to spend 10 XP to open up the Bounty Hunter Assassin Tree.
3. 30 XP! Here is how: 20 XP to open any 2 of the following non-career Specializations [Bounty Hunter: Gadgeteer, Technician: Mechanic, Hired Gun: Any] then buy them each for 5 points.

Do I get Extra Credit?

;)

Gobbo said:

Excellent job! +10 XP on your next PC build.

To redeem, just send the URL to this thread to your GM… :)

 So, I assume that means I am right on the costs?  I running a game of this at a Local Con in Denver Labor Day weekend and wanted to make sure I got the characters right.

 Am I reading the Force Sensitive Exile tree correctly in that you have togo down then over the back up to get access to the center two talents on the 10 point row?

cetiken said:

Yes, you are reading that correctly.

Yeah, you're reading it right.  And it is fairly weird, but given how potent some of these can be, it might be a case of the designers thinking "Well, I want to include these nifty talents, but they're pretty powerful and we've already filled out a lot of the high-end talent slots…" with the choice made (at least in the Beta) to include them at the lower point rankings, but with the caveat that you've got to jump through some hoops to get to them.

Personally, I'd swap the 20XP versions of Uncanny Senses and Uncanny Reactions with Overwhelm Emotions and Intense Focus respectively, with Uncanny Senses getting a connection to Insight and Convincing Demeanor while UR gets connected to Convincing Demeanor.

I think it's pretty neat. It gives the whole tree a unique feel. Just the way a force exile should be on the fringe. 

 For clarification - if you have to take the same talent twice to get to those ones in the middle - they do stack, correct?

so if uncanny senses gives you +1 boost die, and you take it twice, you get +2 boost dice

blaked said:

That would be correct, so long as the talents are described a being ranked (usually noted in their full description in the Talents chapter).

As Uncanny Senses is a ranked talent, if you take it twice, you would get +2 boost dice.  Same as if you took Quick Strike (also a ranked talent) three times, you'd get +3 boost dice on your attack against a foe that's not acted yet.  But if you take Quick Draw (not a ranked talent) twice, you get no added benefit.

Donovan Morningfire said:

Thanks for your reply - i hadn't stumbled upon the 'ranked' verbiage until I was looking through the book again this morning.  (it's on page 88)

If the talent is ranked, it stacks.  If you already have it from another tree, you essentially get it for free (it just doesn't do anything)

If you have the talent from another tree, it doesn't count towards the new tree. You still have to buy it in the new tree to get to things below it. At least that is my understanding of the rules.

Kallabecca said:

Check the Week One update.  ;-)

This is only the case if it's a Ranked talent.  Otherwise, you are treated as "already having" the talent and can advance along the tree.

:edit: 

What GM Chris said with his ninja skills.

Callidon said:

[/melts back into the shadows]

GM Chris said:

Ahh. Thanks. I hadn't fully read through the update. I just read through the book while sitting at B&N with my friend (since he owns it and I don't yet).