The Dark Side Sourcebook (Star Wars Roleplaying Game)

This review is being written in January 2013, 12 years after this book’s publication.I currently run a Star Wars Saga Edition game, and I still find this book useful even though it's from a previous version that's not entirely compatible with Sage Edition.Since the book was published shortly after Episode 1 was released (and before Episode 2) there is little mention of the Clone Wars, and no mention of Count Dooku at all. All the material is from the original trilogy, episode 1, and the expanded universe materials consisting of post Episode 6 materials, and the "Tales of the Jedi" comic books.All the NPCs, equipment, force powers, etc. in the book were updated for Saga Edition and included in various books (some dark side prestige classes appeared in the Core book, many Sith NPC stats appeared in the Jedi Academy Training Manual, etc. This means that if you simply want game stats, and related materials for Saga Edition, you don't need this book, as that material already exists.The benefit of this book isn't in the actual game statistics or "crunchy bits" as they're called, but in the discussions about the nature and running of darkside campaigns themselves. Although only 36 pages of this 159 page book are specifically about running dark side campaigns, I consider is required reading for those who plan on doing so. The Saga Edition books only touch on the issues involved in running an evil campaign, and present darkside classes and themes are options without really expounding on what those options might do to a campaign, and how to address those issues.Since this book is only about $10 used, I consider is a good deal, and still useful for modern Star Wars gamers. Just bare in mind that since it's over a decade old, and doesn't include material from 2/3 of the prequels (and none of the animated series, or modern expanded universe such as Old Republic), its chronology is incomplete.

Have you ever wondered about the Sith? Have you ever wanted to run or play a darkside character? This is the book for you.I was compelled to buy this book, not only out of my own curiosity, but because I'm running a Star Wars game where the players expressed a desire to explore the realms of ethical questionability with their characters. I'm glad I bought it.I might have only rated this with three stars instead of four, but for one thing: Hardcover. The hardcover alone is enough to make me appreciate a gaming book these days. Yes, they're heavy. But you can write on the back of them, the pages generally stay flat, and they're slightly more resistant to moisture. I could go on and on about hardcover gaming supplements, but I won't.The contents of the book suffer some the same problems as the core rulebook. Sidebars and pictures tend to clutter each page, making it a little harder to find the rules nuggets you're looking for. Some of the information seems to be repeated in different sections too, making for a slightly redundant read at times.Once you find what you're looking for, however, it's a decent sourcebook. Feats, skills, prestige classes, and equipment for dark Force-users are present, as you'd expect. Nothing mind-blowing there. They have some history and NPCs too.My favorite part details the psychology of the dark side, and how characters get lured into it's grasp. It even tells how Love can motivate someone to turn to the dark side. This is the kind of material you need to make convincing and varied darkside characters, and to lure your players into courting the dark side of the Force.I wanted more historical details about the Sith, the Republic, and the Hyperspace Wars, but I guess some of that is vague on purpose. They can't give everything away, and a lot of that kind of material has probably been written elsewhere anyway.My end conclusion: A good book, and definitely useful if you enjoy dark and gritty role-playing.

Whether you are a fan of RPGs, the SW movies, or both, you will find this book to be a great referance tool. It provides stats, campaign hooks, archetypes and a fair amount of Sith history. Anyone familiar with the "Expanded Universe" of comic and novels will appreciate the effort this text makes to include information for adventures in any possible era (from the Sith Empire to the New Republic). You can judge this book by its cover. The art is beautiful and disturbing, both inside and out.

Good resource for any D20 Star Wars game. Even if your playing a good guy Jedi game this book greatly enhances your game as a valuable resource.

A good resource for the player

Very worth it! I bought mine used, the book is VERY useful for darkside campaigns, and is nice as it gives you stats for many of the characters/creatures you may want to use in your campaign. Was slightly hard to navigate at times, but that was easily fixed with a few sticky notes a 4/5!

good here also

Any book that takes and makes awesome things more awesome is awesome. This is such a book! I bought it knowing I actually probably won't actually play the game. I mostly bought it to add to the collection I have going (it's not like it's in print anymore). I absolutely love it! For a sith, nothing says I love you like a glass dagger in the spleen (if you have one that is). It may not be saga edition but is still totally worth the purchase!

Un des meilleurs produits de la nouvelle gamme star wars,peut être moins indispensable dans la nouvelle édition puisque tous les points de règles ont été introduits dans le nouveau livre de base. Mais reste un must pour son background sur le côté obscur.Jouabilité : moins sur, par contre. Plutot à utiliser comme menace subtile et lointaine au risque de déflorer le sujet.