In need of SAGA advice (Optimization)

[Kuroimaken]

Hi, everyone.

Here's the thing. We're playing a SAGA campaign. My character's a Jedi who just so happens to not care enough about the Dark Side to avoid using Force Lightning, but who DOES happen to care enough not to let it get to his head (stupid GM rule about becoming an NPC if you get too many DSPs *shakes fist*).

I need general optimization advice on this guy. He's likely going for Jedi Knight then Jedi Master, 'cuz, you know. The Force IS his thing.

So far I've been trying to keep my options fairly spread out (picking up Force Perception so as to not depend on regular Perception, for example), but I'm afraid I might be focusing a little too much. I've already picked up three Force Training feats, for example...

[Bozwevial]

There's the obvious Skill Focus (UTF). Are you planning on using UTF as your major skill and picking up more talents along the lines of Force Perception? If you're actually trained in Pilot, Starship Tactics isn't a bad investment. Also, what Force powers have you selected with those three Force Trainings?

[Kuroimaken]

There's the obvious Skill Focus (UTF). Are you planning on using UTF as your major skill and picking up more talents along the lines of Force Perception? If you're actually trained in Pilot, Starship Tactics isn't a bad investment. Also, what Force powers have you selected with those three Force Trainings?

I already picked up Skill Focus. 

Chances are, I'm probably better off with using UTF as my main source of attack and leaving sabering as a secondary resource since my STR isn't very high (I chose to prioritize Wis, Cha and Dex instead, and my Con's only a 12). As for which talents I'll pick along the way, I'm not really sure...

Now, let's see if I remember which ones I picked up.

Force Lightning, Move Object, Mind Trick, Surge, Force Grip, Rebuke, Force Shield, Force Slam and Negate Energy. Yeah, I think that's all of them.

[Bozwevial]

Well, if you're planning on using the Force for offense, I'd take Force Boon for the three extra Force Points/level, along with some of the Force secrets/techniques you should pick up later when you move into Knight and Master (Force Point Recovery is excellent). If your Dex is much higher than your Strength, I'd look into Weapon Finesse/Ataru as a precaution, should you be forced into saber combat.

[Balthanon]

Chances are, I'm probably better off with using UTF as my main source of attack and leaving sabering as a secondary resource since my STR isn't very high (I chose to prioritize Wis, Cha and Dex instead, and my Con's only a 12). As for which talents I'll pick along the way, I'm not really sure...

If you want to pick up a level of Noble, you could could use the Noble Fencing Style talent (KotOR) to substitute Charisma for your attack.

[Kuroimaken]

Well, if you're planning on using the Force for offense, I'd take Force Boon for the three extra Force Points/level, along with some of the Force secrets/techniques you should pick up later when you move into Knight and Master (Force Point Recovery is excellent). If your Dex is much higher than your Strength, I'd look into Weapon Finesse/Ataru as a precaution, should you be forced into saber combat.

I may have to pick Force Boon up anyway; FP expenditure is growing rapidly on the last few sessions.

I've got Weapon Finesse already, but between say, Ataru and that other form that lessens deflect penalties, I think I'd rather take the latter...

If you want to pick up a level of Noble, you could could use the Noble Fencing Style talent (KotOR) to substitute Charisma for your attack.

My Dex is higher than my Cha, so that shouldn't be necessary.

[Kuroimaken]

Also: does anyone have ANY clue what the Force Technique Improved Kinetic combat is for? What's the use of telekinetically controlling three melee weapons if you can only attack with one at a time?

[veekie]

To show off, probably.

[Kuroimaken]

To show off, probably.

Well, the weapons DO threaten all squares around them, so it could work for some pseudo-battlefield control... But that's about it.

[highbulp]

Also: does anyone have ANY clue what the Force Technique Improved Kinetic combat is for? What's the use of telekinetically controlling three melee weapons if you can only attack with one at a time?

Not bothering to look up the rule, can you attack with more than one if you have Dual Weapon Mastery or Double/Triple Attack? If not, then just being able to pick which of 3 locations to attack could be something I guess.

[Bell]

If I remember correctly The Force Adept and Force Master(?) classes are better for a Force Wizard type Force User, but I'm not positive on that.  Maybe look into that?

[bearchucks]

Skills increase by 1/2 level.  Defenses increase by 1/level. BAB for combat characters increases by 1/level  At 10th level, your skill bonus will be CHA+16.  At 10th level, a given defense will be 22+class+ability+other.  Assuming a reasonably optimized character...you end up with a defense around 25+ability.

So half the time, any skill-based attack that targets a defense...fails.

as a Jedi, your BAB increases by 1/level.  There are a lot of very nice Jedi powers that don't target defenses.

My own personal advice for playing a Jedi?  Start in Soldier.  Lots of nice feats, versatility with the blasters...more skills (this is especially painful for Jedi).  Oh, if you're started in Jedi and plan on just going straight through?  Focus on defensive and utility powers.  Yes, throwing force powers around is fun...until they all start to fail.

Force Wizardry stops being useful around Jedi Master, except against large clouds of mooks.  The best even-level fighters?  They're Soldier-based.  Or Jedi/Soldier mixed.  SAGA encourages multiclassing to fit your concept rather than your class.  This is probably my favorite thing aboout SAGA--that character is bigger than class because the classes are really just a bunch of connected abilities you pick and throw together.