Episode 54: Force Blast

For my own benefit, as well as those who may want to find the text of things without needing to go through the actual podcast episode, I'm transcribing all of my Fragments from the Rim segments that I recorded for the Order 66 podcast.


I'm Darth GM, and this is Episode 54 of Fragments from the Rim.

Saga players have been given a wide variety of Force Powers over the past few years.  Some Force Powers are less effective than others by themselves, but with the right build those same powers can shine, or at least make your character’s opponents sit up at take notice.  One such power appears on page 86 of the Force Unleashed Campaign Guide, and is a signature ability of Galen “Starkiller” Marek in the Force Unleashed video games; Force Blast.


Force Blast targets one target within 12 squares.  You make a Use the Force check and compare it to the Reflex defense of the target.  If you exceed the target’s Reflex Defense, you deal damage to the target.  The result of the Use the force check determines the damage, from 2d6 at DC 15 up to 5d6 at DC 30.  You can spend a Force Point to add one-half your character level as a damage bonus just as you would with a normal weapon.


By itself, Force Blast is rather sub-par to other damaging powers, like Move Object.  Move Object on comparable die rolls deals more damage, and if you use one opponent as the “object”, you can deal significant damage to two opponents by knocking them together.  One advantage Force Blast has is that it’s not listed as a Telekinetic power, which means cover will not protect your target as long as you have line of sight, but by itself that’s not enough to beat out the utility of Move Object.


So how can Force Blast shine?  There are no Techniques that directly modify Force Blast, but there is a talent in the Felucian Shaman Talent Tree that can really give this power some serious punch.  The Detonate talent allows you to spend a Force Point to turn your Force Blast into a 2 square splash attack.  When you do, you compare the result of the Use the Force check to all characters, creatures, or droids within 2 squares of the original target.  Interestingly enough, it’s not considered an area attack against the primary target, but is against the secondary ones.  If you fail to beat the secondary target’s Reflex defense, you still deal half-damage to them.


You have to be a Felucian force-user to get access to this talent at low levels, but any Jedi Master, Sith Lord, or Force Disciple can pick this up as one of their Prestige Class Talents.  For a 13th level force user, rolling 25-30 with a Use the Force check is simple, allowing your Jedi Master, or your GM’s Sith Lord, to drop some rather considerable area damage to the battlefield.  5d6 damage to a 2 square splash area isn’t a take down, but it is something most opponents won’t ignore.


It’s a combo to think about if you’re playing a high-level campaign or one-shot, or if you’re planning on sending some Felucian Shamans up against your PC party.


That’s it for this week.  If you have any questions or comments, please send them to d20Darth@gmail.com.  Until next time Gamer Nation, 20 side up, 1 side down.

Originally Aired during Order 66 Podcast #108 "LFG"