Whats Different · Holocron

The Player's Handbook mirrors the traditional 5th edition Player's Handbook, with the following deviations.

Chapter 1: Step-By-Step Characters

This chapter explains step-by-step character building, as exemplified by Han Solo.

Chapter 2: Species

Races relabeled to species, all of which are brand new.

Chapter 3: Classes

There are ten classes. All ten classes receive their archetype at 3rd level, instead of it varying by class. Additionally, all classes have a second level of customization beyond archetype, similar to how Warlocks get Invocations in 5e. Lastly, all class capstones now offer a total of +4 to ability scores, including their maximums.

Berserker: This is an adaptation of the barbarian class, with the additional customization layer of Berserker Instincts. Berserker capstone ability scores reduced, but they gain an additional feature.
Consular: The full caster for the Force side of casting, this class consolidates features of cleric, sorcerer, and wizard. It has Force-Empowered Casting as its second layer of customization, which is derived from sorcerer's Metamagic.
Engineer: The engineer is a full caster for the tech side of casting, extrapolating from artificer with some bard elements sprinkled in. The additional layer of customization for engineers is driven from its archetypes.
Fighter: Similar to it's 5e counterpart, with two major changes: maneuvers are now a baseline feature, and fighters gain strategies are their second level of customization.
Guardian: Mostly derived from paladin, guardians are the half caster for the Force. Their second level of customization is their auras.
Monk: Monks are naturally inspired by their 5e counterpart, but with a significant number of changes and buffs. They gain a second level of customization in their Monastic Vows.
Operative: This version of the rogue has operative exploits as their second level of customization. Additionally, most archetypes grant alternative ways to use Sneak Attack.
Scholar: This brand new class has two levels of customization beyond archetypes: maneuvers (similar to that of the fighter class) and discoveries.
Scout: This is the half caster for the tech side of casting, naturally inspired by the ranger, with baseline hunter's mark and a second level of customization called Scout Routines.
Sentinel: This Force caster utilizes a new "two-thirds" casting progression, falling between guardian and consular. It utilizes some bard features, and has an additional layer of customization called Sentinel Ideals.

Chapter 4: Backgrounds

Backgrounds feature one major difference; each background also offers a choice of feat. This helps players realize their characters in a more personal fashion.

Chapter 5: Equipment

Currency has been changed to credits, with roughly 1 gp = 10 cr. Magic items are reskinned as enhanced items, with rarities designed to mimic those of Star Wars: the Old Republic. Equipment functions similarly, with the exception of the breakdown of weapons; rather than just simple and martial, they are broken down into blasters, lightsabers, and vibroweapons. This also includes three tiers of shields: light, medium, and heavy, with proficiencies collapsed into the appropriate armor. There is a significant number of new weapon properties as well, and most items are new otherwise.

Chapter 6: Customization Options

New multiclassing requirements/proficiencies
Spell point variant with different multiclassing
Fighting styles have been completely changed, with paired fighting masteries
Lots more feats

Chapter 7: Using Ability Scores

Generally the same, with the exception of skills; Arcana, History, and Religion have been collapsed into Lore, with Piloting and Technology being new skills. Expertise is now a defined keyword alongside proficiency.

Chapter 8: Adventuring

Minor changes to better fit the galaxy at large.

Chapter 9: Combat

Lots of changes here. This chapter will want to be read start to finish, despite it being similar to traditional 5e.

Object Interaction is now more specifically defined and utilized.
New action: Guard.
Shoving split in to two separate keywords so they can be cited independently.
Double-Weapon Fighting is a new mechanic for weapons with two ends for fighting.
Two-Weapon Fighting now works with blasters.
Three layers of partial cover, instead of only two, with adjusted values.
Critical Hit Range a defined attribute.
Damage types have been changed.
Rules for temporary force and tech points, which function similar to temporary hit points.

Chapter 10: Force- and Tech-casting

There are several changes in this section:

Spells are now called powers.
Cantrips are now called at-will powers.
There are no more class lists. Instead, your force- or tech-casting feature gives you access to the full force or tech powers list.
A simplification of the spell point variant from the DMG. Basically, casting a power at a given level costs that level + 1 points.
Spellcasting has been separated into force- and tech-casting. Forcecasting uses Wisdom/Charisma and Force Points, which regenerate on a long rest. Techcasting uses Intelligence and Tech Points, which regenerate on a short or long rest. While a character can have both force- and tech-casting, they are kept completely separate.
The number of known at-will powers and 1st-level and higher powers are no longer separate.

Chapters 11 and 12: Force and Tech Powers

Chapter 11 has been broken down into two chapters to keep force and tech powers separate.

Chapter 13: Maneuvers

Unlike 5e, Maneuvers are a single pool of options similar to spells that any class or archetype with superiority can select from.

Appendix A: Conditions

This appendix features most (all?) of the traditional 5e conditions, as well as a couple new ones.

Appendix B: Recommended Variant Rules

This appendix features a number of highlighted variant rules.

Index

It's an index.