The ESSENTIALS list for WEG game books for Gamemasters

[TheDoctor]

WEG came out with a plethora of source material which was so extensive, they were at the time the official reference materials for Star Wars Novelists.

I have a list of books that I think each GM should have in the repertoir:

Rulebooks
Star Wars Roleplaying Game: 2nd Edition Revised and Expanded

You can get away with 1st or 2nd Ed, but this is the definitive.

Galaxy Guides
All 12

The GGs have a composite of starting information on Aliens and the details of planets and characters from the movies, running scouts, bounty hunters, smugglers and criminal organizations. GG 4 and 12 are particularly useful for Alien stats, and GG 6: Tramp Freighters is INVALUABLE as a reference for maintanence and design of Stock Freighters.

Sourcebooks
The Rebel Sourcebook
The Imperial Sourcebook

Between these two, you'll have a pretty good idea of the organization, character types, vehicles, weapons, ships and everything else dealing with the two clashing factions during the Classic Era.

The Star Wars Sourcebook

Most of the reference material in this book has been made redundant by many other sourcebooks later printed, but it still has the blueprints to the Tierfon Rebel Base and the Imperial Garison Base as well as a few other nuggets not found elsewhere.

The Tales of the Jedi Companion

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Force and how to run a Tales of the Jedi era campaign.

Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook

Whether or not you care of Shadows, this book was my primary source for info on Coruscant and Rodia.

Fantastic Technology Books
Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear
Cynabar's Fantastic Technology: Droids
Galladinium's Fantastic Technology: Guns and Gear for Any Occasion

Equipment Galore

Locales and Campaign Settings
In addition to the GGs, the following are great:

Planets Collection

Planets of the Galaxy 1-3 in omnibus format including the Elrood Sector

Mission to Lianna

This adventure is a great reference for the planet of Lianna

Platt's Starport Guide

A nice handful of notable planets including Kuat and Ryloth (the Twi'lek homeworld)

The Black Sands of Socorro

An entire volume in rich detail of an Outer Rim world

Flash Point: Brak Sector

A well fleshed out sector with an intriguing campaign plot.

Secrets of the Sisar Run
Details of Outer Rim planets near Hutt Space, with a tie in with Black Sun political intrigue.

Creatures
Creatures of the Galaxy

Aliens
Alien Encounters
The comprehensive listing of all Alien species from previously published WEG material with indeces to GG4 and GG12. Between this and those two Galaxy Guides, you will have info on every Alien species you will ever need at your finger tips.

Ships
Stock Ships

Well recommended volume.

GM Screens
Gamemaster's Screen: Revised

This is really the only one you need, if at all.

Did I miss anything?

I feel with these, you really don't necessarily need any else.
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"We attack under cover of daylight. Yes it's the last thing they'll be expecting, a daylight charge over the minefield." - Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC SSC

[masque]

I like smuggling/fringer campaigns, so on my essentials list would be:
Han Solo and the Corporate Sector Sourcebook
Platt's Smuggler's Guide
Pirates and Privateers
The Far Orbit Project
No Disintegrations

And, not in the Fringer department, but I think Rules of Engagement is a pretty good book, now that I finally got my hands on a copy.
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Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

[cheshire]

I've always found it interesting to see what other people's essentials list is. Mine is a bit more conservative than others:

R&E Rulebook
Tales of the Jedi Companion
Stock Ships
Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition Sourcebook
GG 12: Allies and Enemies

I have a large list of other helpful books, but those are some of the most important in my collection.

[TheDoctor]

I think it also depends on what kind of campaign the GM is running.

All the Cracken books and Rules of Engagement are essentials for spec force campaigns.

Aside from the galaxy guides dealing with the movies, I think they're all essential, especially 4 and 12 dealing with the Alien races and #6 Tramp Freighters.
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"We attack under cover of daylight. Yes it's the last thing they'll be expecting, a daylight charge over the minefield." - Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC SSC

[cheshire]

I find it interesting that you describe all of the Galaxy Guides as essential, as I only own a handful of them.

I suppose if we're talking about what is really essential to a Star Wars game, most of us could get by with just our rulebooks and access to Wookieepedia.

Honestly, though, I don't know how I'd GM if I didn't have my stack of note cards. It's not an official WEG product, but I still wouldn't want to GM without it. I've got several NPC templates for pirates, low-level thugs, planetary law-enforcement, Stormtroopers, a bounty hunter or two, and the things that you use in every campaign (as well as a few vehicles to keep handy). I very frequently pull the notecards out of my binder to quick NPC reference.

[Gry Sarth]

On that note, my list of essentials, which is what I carry around for each and every adventure comprises the 2nd Ed RE Rulebook and Gamemaster Screen and my collection of Stats books.

All the rest is adventure-specific.
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"He's Gry Sarth, of course he has the stats for them."

[Ankhanu]

My essential GM books have been:
Star Wars the Roleplaying Game Second Edition
followed by:
Star Wars the Roleplaying Game Second Edition Revised and Expanded

And occasionally:
Soucebook (Second Edition)
Special Edition Trilogy Sourcebook


Everything else (including the Sourcebooks listed) are non-essential... I tend to home-brew/improv stat things that I need, and the main books contain most things you'll regularly need for most adventure types.
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[vong]

[TheDoctor]

[cheshire]

[Karae]

[Orgaloth]

I have found in the past that sunscreen can get permanent marker off of most smooth surfaces. Discovered this when a 2nd hand book I had brought had some spilt on it, and it removed the price 'tag'.
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"I take orders from just one person: Me!"

"You know, sometimes I amaze even myself."
Du Cass' Dream

[JediClive]

Has anyone compiled a complete list including the 5 digit reference number?

[vong]

[garhkal]