Amilyn Holdo

[shootingwomprats]

I am currently reading "Leia, a Princess of Alderaan". Though I have little interest in the book, I had read an article stating the book explains the friendship between Leia and Holdo. Now I am almost through the book, so I figured what the heck, might as well stat Holdo out. Please comment and make suggestions.

[Telsij]

Without opening up the can of worms that is TLJ debate (I was only "Lukewarm" at best on it myself, but like many many others I find discourse on the film devolves quickly into tired, polarized political discussion, etc etc), I suggest changing the template type wording of "flawed" to be more... specific, as in "Arrogant Noble" for example.

I suggest changing that adjective, in a meta-sense, so that it doesn't look like you're passing judgement (and thus opening up said can of worms), and in an in-game sense because it's too vague.
"Eccentric" would work, "Guarded" or some synonym of that, maybe? So as to retain the sense that she would later play her plan in TLJ too close to the vest, even if the plan was need-to-know?

Some additional rapid fire suggestions:

Swap out "expert" for "scholar" -- or make it a cultures specialization? Cultures: Gatalenta Estoerica? Add dice and/or a few pips to astrogation, capital ship piloting and/or space transports. Definitely crank up the willpower by at least a couple D. Bump up Con, and Search. Or bump the tactics dice by +1D? maybe go Tactics 4D, (s) Fleet 5D? Poe does know her by tactical reputation and name, if not by appearance.

Edit/PS: And Kudos on handling a controversial character in an even-handed way.

[garhkal]

I'd also see her having some skills in astrogation and cap ship piloting, as well as maybe languages and willpower..
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[shootingwomprats]

[CRMcNeill]

[Telsij]

[shootingwomprats]

I just realized that Holdo is a Vice Admiral, not a full admiral at all. Going through the information I have been able to gather about her, I see nothing that makes her stand out as special beyond having purple hair. In fact she does not join the Resistance military until a year before the attack on Starkiller base.

She commanded one ship to my knowledge and appears to have been a part of the New Republic government in some capacity, perhaps representing her planet. Though, I don't think so.

Below are Admiral Ackbar's stats from The Battle of Endor. I would assume they were the same or better in the next 30 or so years.

[Whill]

Great feedback here. I think the most glaring problem with the stats is the Mechanical 2D and no skills. How could you be an admiral without rising through the ranks, and how could you rise through the ranks without having any skill? A capital Mechanical should be at least 3D, and then give her some skills to reflect her rise to that position.

And regarding her flaws, I don't think the issue is that she was a "flawed character" or "ineffectual leader/strategist." That reads like the author intended her to be a flawed character. The real flaws are with the story itself. To quote myself in another thread this week, "Narratively, the whole purpose of Admiral Holdo was just to give Poe something to do in the second act... Poe's story is distrust of and rebellion against Holdo who was holding out on telling Poe the plan, but it is makes no sense for her to keep the plan secret in the first place... A new admiral was created instead of just using Ackbar in that role just so Oscar Issac would have a human actor to perform with instead of a muppet." Her refusal to tell the Poe the plan wasn't out of a character flaw. It is presented in the film as some (hokey) lesson for Poe to keep faith, something he apparently needed to become a better leader.

I've seen the movie six times now. Rian Johnson is actually trying to sell us on the idea that it was good and wise for Holdo to hold out on sharing the plan with Poe. However, the whole thing is just a contrivance of the screenplay just so Poe has a story in this movie. In Holdo's defense, she is just doing what the screenplay requires her to do. People say Finn's side mission served no purpose when actually it served the purpose of Finn growing as a person and finally committing to the rebel cause. Unless it has a huge impact on where Poe is as a character in Episode IX, I say the Poe/Holdo story in TLJ is what's actually pointless in TLJ.
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[Whill]

[CRMcNeill]

I’m with you on Mechanical. If nothing else, this should be Holdo’s strong point, as evidenced by the Raddus’ hyperspace ram.
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"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[shootingwomprats]

[Telsij]

Yeah, the edited statblock seems more on point now!

And wow, I've haven't seen anyone ever say her stats should be better than Ackbar, or that she's a superior commander, especially not for the reasons you cite. That's a projection of a strawman argument her actual supporters don't really make / believe.

Agreed with Whill that the flaw lies in the script and characterization, and that hurts Holdo's character and the director's intention that she's a credible strategist. Anyway, the film clearly intends her to be good -- but as I'm sure we can agree on, rarely do sound military tactics ever play out onscreen for Star Wars, for nearly anyone. Those failings in the OT and PT have all be handwaved away for in-universe reasons, and so can this. Easily.

I'd even go so far as to scale back command -1D or a pip, but add that +1D to willpower? Why not flip MEC and STR? Is she really stronger than she is good with machines? Sure she can probably hold her own, but that can be reflected by pips in brawling or stamina. So she'd have a more reasonable military vice-admiral MEC.

Further suggestions: Type: Guarded Vice-Admiral, Willpower 6D (really tho, she doesn't give in to intimidation and if you were willing to go command at 6D?), MEC 2D+2 (with corresponding +2 goose in skills), Bargain 4D/5D, Command 5D+1, Con 4D+1, Persuasion 4D/5D, STR 2D (but with skills at 2D+2), Story Factor: Handling Morale in Crisis: Due to X during Holdo's time in command of the remnants of the Resistance, Holdo's credibility as a leader was cast into doubt. Spurred by her decision to keep him outside of crucial command circle decisions and by his own genuine concern for their survival, Poe Dameron led a mutiny. After Holdo's true plan was then revealed to the First Order, and Holdo sacrificed herself to salvage what lives she could, Dameron learned Y by example and moved forward.

Bingo! You can still be critical of the character/writing, and reasonably balance director/author intent with your viewer response!

Edit: Good point on the FP use and/on the resistance's ragtag-ness -- they do marshall other good military peeps tho and by that point Leia was seen a warmonger pariah, so her longtime contacts would have strong military leanings too. Imho, those MEC stats still need a couple pips here and there.

[CRMcNeill]

[shootingwomprats]

[shootingwomprats]