Emperor's Shadow Guard

[Hellcat]

[Xynar]

I agree with Hellcat. Perhaps if there was some sort of middle ground on these stats without specializing too much.
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Xynar
The Great Adventurer

[Golbez]

I don't believe that these shadow guards would have the raw talent to evolve their abilities into a Dark Jedi, (even though it clearly says that rumor has them as being such) because of the way the Saga stats sit.

The more I think of it, the more it makes sense that this unit is more akin to The Emperor's Hand's then anything else.

Perhaps comparing these thats to a Mara Jade during the Thrawn Trilogy period, as she had flashes of the force, could hear the emperors call, was skilled with a lightsaber, and was a skilled combatant without having an affinity for calling on the force per se.

[Karae]

The way Saga sits, it'd be easier for them to become Dark Jedi in that system, than it would in D6.

On gaining a new level, all they'd have to do, is assign it to the Jedi Class.

They're already Force Sensitive, and trained in the "Use the Force" skill, so that would be the understandable progression.

If they had the "Weapon Proficiency: Lightsaber" Feat, they could skip that and go straight to the Sith Apprentice Prestige Class.

*Grovels for talking cross-systems, but I'm showing that they -could- be on a level with the Soverign Protectors*

[Ray]

"But is the D20 System more powerful than the D6 System?"

[Xynar]

[Hellcat]

[Karae]

Which is what is already shown Hellcat!

Nowhere did I say they -HAD- to become sith.

I was just showing that under the d20 game mechanics, they COULD become sith, almost as easily as they could become Dark Jedi...

[Karae]

[Darth Ginzain]

I've been thinking about it and statistically I'd say they are the same as the Sovereign Protectors with a Lightsaber skill. Post EP3 there were still jedi running around. Sidious knows the power of the force on the weak minded, remember Yoda slapped two IRG down with a thought, so it makes sense that he'd create a unit capable of fighting a jedi. Thus the force powers and lightsaber pikes. By EP4 the threat of jedi was removed so the Shadow Guard evolved into the Sovereign Protectors. My speculation of course.

[Gry Sarth]

I agree with the general opinion around here. First there were the Royal Guards, around Ep2, a direct evolution of the Republic Guard. Then, after Order 66 and with the ongoing Jedi Purge, Palpy needed a unit more capable of smoking out the remaining Jedi, the Shadow Guards, maybe some of them were Royal Guards who showed Force potential, others were corrupted Jedi... Around the Rebellion era, Jedi were no longer a threat and the Shadow Guards faded away. Maybe some became Sovereign Protectors, or these were a fully new class.

Anyway, here's my take on their stats, trying to use the Saga stats as a basis. Generally, evolved Royal Guards with Force capability. But they have a bit of their own flavor as well. For one, they are commandos, so they are more sneaky and versatile. They are not quite up there with Sovereigns, who have really preposterous stats. I mean, their attributes add to 23D !!

Emperor’s Shadow Guard
Type: Shadow Guard
DEXTERITY 5D
Blaster 6D+2, blaster: heavy blasters 7D+2, blaster artillery 5D+2, brawling parry 7D, dodge 7D+2, lightsaber pike 7D+2, melee combat 6D+1, melee parry 5D+2
KNOWLEDGE 2D+2
Intimidation 4D, streetwise 4D, survival 6D
MECHANICAL 2D
Repulsorlift operation 4D
PERCEPTION 3D+1
Command 6D+1, hide 7D+1, search 7D, sneak 8D
STRENGTH 3D
Brawling 7D, climbing/jumping 6D, lifting 4D, stamina 6D
TECHNICAL 2D
Demolitions 6D, first aid 3D, security 5D
Special Abilities:
Force Skills: Control 4D, sense 3D, Alter 2D
Force Powers:
Control: Accelerate healing, concentration, control pain, enhance attribute, remove fatigue
Sense: Life detection, life sense, sense Force
Control and Sense: Lightsaber combat
Control and Alter: Force weapon
Force Points: 2
Dark Side Points: 7
Character Points: 8
Move: 10
Equipment: Heavy blaster pistol (5D), armor (+2D physical, +1D energy, -1D Dexterity), helmet with UV visor (+3D to Perception and search checks in low-visibility situations), (lightsaber pike (5D or STR+1D, +3 bonus to all parry rolls), encrypted long-range holo-comlink, utility belt with medpac.


The only thing I really didn't know how to convert was the Power of the Dark Side talent. Couldn't find a dark side power that gives a bonus to attacks. Channel Rage is the closest one, but is not quite right. Maybe we should convert that Talent as well:
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"He's Gry Sarth, of course he has the stats for them."

[Xynar]

I would add rage and injure/kill to give them a few dark powers. And add a STR+2D or less, unpowered pike damage.
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Xynar
The Great Adventurer

[Golbez]

These guards are clearly labeled as mute, and I would generally assume that they would work alone of in pairs, so I don't think that the Command skill is appropriate.

However, I can't think of a thing I would replace it with to give them an air of authority over common troops, so perhaps it works after all.

[Gry Sarth]

[Ankhanu]