The Dark Side Sourcebook

The Dark Side Sourcebook is a supplement published by Wizards of the Coast in 2001 as a supplement for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, itself based on the Star Wars franchise.

Cover art by Jon Foster

Description

The Dark Side Sourcebook is a supplement that gives details of the Dark Side of The Force. The book is divided into seven chapters:^[1]

1. The history of The Force and the evolution of the Dark Side.
2. How to design and play player characters who either are tainted by the Dark Side but are still able to change, or a character already lost to the Dark Side. New skills, feats and prestige classes are introduced.
3. How to run a campaign using the Dark Side.
4. Equipment, including the double-bladed light saber used by Darth Maul
5. Notable members of the Dark Side.
6. Evil creatures and aliens.
7. Various evil sites that can be incorporated into a campaign, and setting up a Sith-based campaign.

Publication history

WotC acquired the role-playing license for the Star Wars franchise and released the Star Wars Roleplaying Game in 2000. This was followed by several supplements, including The Dark Side Sourcebook, a 158-page hardcover book released in 2001 that was designed by Bill Slavicsek, JD Wiker and Cory Herndon, with cover art by Jon Foster and interior art by Lee Bermejo, Daniel Brereton, Tommy Lee Edwards, Doug Alexander Gregory and Ashley Wood.^[1]

Reception

In Issue 4 of Black Gate, Jennifer Brozek commented, "I really enjoyed reading the text — it's well written, set up logically and sane in its approach to evil in Star Wars." Brozek liked the examples of Dark Side characters that were provided, writing, "[they] were both intriguing and thought provoking." Brozek concluded, "this sourcebook really did make an impression in me ... Over all the Dark Side is well worth the money. It offers a whole new perspective on the dark side of the Force, and gives gamers something truly interesting for their characters to fight... or become."^[2]

In Issue 55 of Star Wars Insider, Jesse Decker noted, "The Dark Side Sourcebook answers many questions, allowing players of the Star Wars RPG a chance to add ancient Sith technology to their games, fight powerful dark side villains, and add a touch of the dark side to their own roleplaying experience." Decker called the chapter on how to run a campaign "one of the most useful sections of the book ... packed with advice." Decker concluded, "Even if you're not a fan of the Star Wars RPG, The Dark Side Sourcebook answers questions about the mysterious dark side."^[3]

In Issue 33 of the French games magazine Backstab [fr], Cyril Pasteau thought this book would be interesting to "those who want to play (or already play) the bad guys, the real ones, the corrupted Jedi ...[as well as] game masters who want to confront their players with the great figures of the genre ... [and] collectors and other fans. As for others, they might prefer to ask themselves if they really need it." Pasteau concluded, "the book is teeming with avenues to explore, simple but effective synopses, and tips for quickly imagining the start of a campaign with or against the Dark Side. The Dark Side will be enough for an imaginative game master."^[4]

In Issue 82 of the Brazilian role-playing magazine Coleção Dragão Brasil, J.M. Trevisan wrote, "There's no shortage of new equipment (including weapons, vehicles, and ships), NPCs (including revised Darth Maul and Darth Vader character sheets), organizations, creatures, and adventure hooks." Trevisan concluded, "While it's perfectly possible to use Dark Side characters with just the core book, Star Wars RPG fans shouldn't pass up this excellent book. A more than worthwhile acquisition. But remember: the risk is entirely yours."^[5]

Other reviews and commentary

• Pyramid^[6]