Power of the Jedi Sourcebook (Star Wars Roleplaying Game) [Hardcover]

J.D. Wiker (Author), Michael Mikaelian (Author), Jeff Grubb (Author), Owen K. C. Stephens (Author), James Maliszewski (Author), Joe Corroney (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Wars Accessory | Publication Date: August 1, 2002

You must learn the ways of the force...

Through training and meditation, you hone your skills as a warrior and mediator. Armed with a lightsaber and the power of the Force, you stand against the darkness of the Sith and the tyranny of the Yuuzhan Vong. Only with the Force as your ally can you overcome the temptations of the dark side and bring peace and justice to the galaxy.

This sourcebook features:
• New Jedi skills, feats, equipment, vehicles, and starships
• Advice on playing and Gamemastering Jedi heroes
• The history of the Jedi and the Jedi Code
• New prestige classes, including the Force warrior and Jedi healer
• Force-using creatures, aliens, and character archetypes
• Discussions of Jedi traditions throughout the various eras, including game statistics for dozens of characters

To use this sourcebook, you also need the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

OWEN K. C. STEPHENS recently helped write the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, the Star Wars Fast-Play Game, and The Rebellion Era Sourcebook. He lives in Oklahoma.

JEFF GRUBB's recent credits include the D&D accessory Manual of the Planes and the three Ice Age Cycle novels in the Magic: The Gathering world. He lives in Washington state.

MICHAEL MIKAELIAN is the associate editor of Star Wars Gamer and Star Wars Insider magazines, and he has contributed articles to both publications. He lives in Washington state.

JAMES MALISZEWSKI is a Canadian freelance writer whose recent credits include Prophecies of the Dragon, an adventure for The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078692781X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786927814
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, JD Wiker is a writer and game designer with over forty roleplaying game titles to his credit. After working as a designer for Seattle-based Wizards of the Coast, JD moved to the San Diego area and worked as an Intellectual Properties content manager and game designer for Upper Deck Entertainment. He relocated to the Washington D.C. area in 2008 to work on Mythic Entertainment's Warhammer Online MMORPG, then returned to Seattle in 2010 to work as lead writer for Runic Games, the design studio responsible for Torchlight.

After leaving Wizards of the Coast, JD helped found the d20 System design studio The Game Mechanics (www.thegamemechanics.com), while also freelancing for Wizards of the Coast and Paizo Publishing.

He currently lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife, Keri.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Jedi's Handbook, May 7, 2003

By 

Scott Owen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Power of the Jedi Sourcebook (Star Wars Roleplaying Game) (Hardcover)

The Power of the Jedi Sourcebook is a full-color, hardcover resource for all things pertaining to the Jedi Order. Continuing from the standard set by the Dark Side Sourcebook, the "PotJ" book combines information and utility with a tasteful arrangement of interior artwork and photos.

Most players will probably be most interested in the selection of new Jedi Prestige Classes, Light Side Force skills, feats, and equipment that the book offers. But there are also sections discussing Jedi history, Jedi traditions, new equipment, and new force-sensitive creatures. There are entries on important characters, important locations, and even advice on how to run a Jedi campaign. And of course, no book on the Jedi would be complete without a discussion of Force Spirits. This is also a section discussing new races, but most of these are also in the newer Ultimate Alien Anthology.

This book has been one of the important resources in my Star Wars campaign. I've really enjoyed using the Prestige Classes. From the Jedi Healer to the powerful Jedi Weapon Master, players now have a much wider range of advancement options open to their characters. In addition many of the force-sensitive characters, creatures, and locations have already popped up in my storyline. I also found the notes on running a Jedi campaign to be very useful, for not only can they guide a GM but they can also aid players on how a Jedi should conduct himself.

However, I do have a few minor complaints. A few of the Light Side force skills, particularly Force Light and Sever Force, seem to be quite powerful. Perhaps this is because they were based on the abilities of comic-book characters, but in any case, it was a wise move that such skills may only be acquired with GM approval. I would have also preferred to see a much more in-depth history section, particularly as it pertains to the Tales of the Jedi storyline. Finally, I felt that the maps for some of the important locations were fairly inadequate.

However, as I noted earlier, these were minor complaints.

Overall, I found this to be an outstanding addition to my Star Wars campaign. I use it often, and it is likely that I will continue to do so for some time to come. Whether you're the GM of a campaign with Jedi in it, or whether you're a player wanting to explore the possibilities of a Jedi character, I'd recommend this book as a solid investment.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very useful insight to the Jedi, August 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Power of the Jedi Sourcebook (Star Wars Roleplaying Game) (Hardcover)

This supplement is quite useful for anyone who likes the Jedi classes in the Star Wars D20 RPG. Beyond being great game material, it's also excellent source material. There are many things that are finaly given to the Jedi or explained in this book. For one thing, the code of conduct, The Jedi Code, is better explained as is the life of a Jedi. Just like in The Dark Side Sourcebook, there is a rich history of the Jedi Order as well as history on Light Side sights. Of course, there are things like awesome prestige classes (Force Warrior, Jedi Weapon Master, Jedi Healer to name a few). All in all, an excellent buy whether you're interested in Star Wars as a general fan or enjoy the RPG. The Force is strong with this one.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Jedi resource, December 30, 2004

By 

Yu-jin Chia "Yu-Jin Chia" (Cupertino, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Power of the Jedi Sourcebook (Star Wars Roleplaying Game) (Hardcover)

To be frank, the Jedi classes offered in the Core Rulebook just aren't that cool. You can be a Guardian (typical butt-kicking Jedi saber-warrior) or a Consular (Princess Leia-ish diplomat type that shuns violence). The two prestige classes (aside from master, which of course is always cool) are interesting, but not that great. Additionally, there's little guidance on how to handle Force Spirits, which you would think is an important Jedi aspect.

Power of the Jedi remedies all of these deficiencies, adding several prestige classes that are both interesting and useful (e.g. the Jedi Healer and Weapon Master), additional light side feats and skills (including Battle Meditation and Cure Disease/Poison), and rules for managing a Jedi campaign and Jedi characters- including Force Spirits. There's also a section on Jedi equipment, including some older Jedi starships and specialized lightsabers (including the dual-phase and great saber), additional species, nasty force-wielding monsters, and a description of Jedi history and famous Jedi. The latter is particularly extensive, and includes descriptions and maps of some famous Jedi sites (e.g. the Chu'unthor).

The volume is hardcover, which largely explains the cost, and includes numerous and excellent illustrations- many of which are actual art instead of just more film captures.

If you are planning on running a Jedi campaign, or even have any light side Jedi players in a non-Force oriented campaign, this supplement is critical. I can't overstate how much depth and material it adds to the Jedi character in this game.