Getting Started

Getting Started

If you are new to the SW5e Module for FoundryVTT, this page is the best place to begin.

The goal here is not to teach all of FoundryVTT. Instead, this page will help you understand what the SW5e Module is, what you should check before using it, and what to expect once it is installed and enabled in your world.

If you are looking for a broader FoundryVTT tutorial, please use the Foundry Discord, Baileywiki, or Encounter Library. This wiki stays focused on the SW5e Module and how it works with the DND5e system.

What this page covers

This page will help you:

• understand what the SW5e Module is
• confirm that your setup is compatible
• know where to look for the current supported versions
• run a sensible first-use checklist
• avoid some common first-time misunderstandings

What the SW5e Module is

The SW5e Module is an implementation of Star Wars 5e content and workflows for FoundryVTT using the DND5e system.

In practical terms, that means the module builds on DND5e and adapts it to support Star Wars 5e concepts such as SW5e terminology, powers, weapon workflows, starships, and other game-specific features. It is not a separate game system that replaces DND5e, and it is not a replacement for FoundryVTT itself.

That distinction matters because some things you see in play will come from:

• the SW5e Module
• the DND5e system
• FoundryVTT core

This wiki helps you understand the SW5e side of that picture.

Check compatibility first

Always treat the project README and Release Notes as the source of truth for supported versions.

For the current development version and the upcoming 1.4.0 release, the project targets:

• FoundryVTT v13.x
• DND5e system v5.2.5

If something in this wiki does not match what you see on screen, version compatibility is one of the first things you should verify.

What you need before using the module

At a high level, you should have:

• a working FoundryVTT installation
• the DND5e system installed and available
• the SW5e Module installed from the current release
• a world where you can enable the module and begin testing your setup

You do not need to understand the technical side of modules, templates, or data structure to start using the module as a GM. If your goal is simply to run a game, the important part is that your versions are compatible and the module is enabled in the world you plan to use.

Install and enable the module

Follow the project’s installation instructions in the README or install the current public release from the project’s release source.

Once the module is installed, enable it in the world where you plan to use SW5e content.

If you are comfortable with Foundry already, this part should feel familiar. If you are brand new to Foundry and do not know how module installation or activation works, use the Foundry Discord, Baileywiki, or Encounter Library for that core setup help.

This wiki picks up after that point.

First-run checklist

If this is your first time using the module, this order works well:

1. Confirm your Foundry, DND5e, and SW5e Module versions.
2. Enable the module in your world.
3. Confirm appearance: selectable SW5E theme modes are removed in the 1.4.0 feature set — use Foundry’s own Light/Dark settings for chrome, and see Themes and Appearance for retained branding.
4. Open a character sheet and confirm the sheet loads cleanly. Confirm the wallet shows Galactic Credits only.
5. If your game uses powers, check that your test actor’s powercasting and point resources look correct (and that Force/Tech point discounts appear on the Power Point dialogs when you need them).
6. If your game uses starships, open a starship and learn the current Core | Inventory | Features | Effects | Description layout.
7. If your game uses reloadable blasters, test a supported weapon so you understand the Reload control and the private Reload chat card workflow.
8. Browse monster packs if needed — including Scum and Villainy (snv-monsters) and Vesh's Galactic Holodex (veshs-galactic-holodex) on builds that include the 1.4.0 feature set.

Appearance note

Selectable SW5E theme modes are removed in the 1.4.0 feature set. Application chrome follows stock Foundry / DND5e presentation. Pause branding, lightsaber headers, and logos remain. See Themes and Appearance.

What to expect after installation

After installation and activation, you should think of the SW5e Module as a layer that helps DND5e behave more like Star Wars 5e.

Depending on the current release, that includes support for things like:

• SW5e terminology and labels
• powers, power points, powercasting overrides, and Force/Tech point discounts
• credits-only Galactic Credits wallets
• weapon property support and reloadable blasters
• sheet behavior adjusted for SW5e play
• body modification systems such as cybernetics and droid customizations
• starship workflows, crew proficiency, Hull/Shield token bars, conditions, and combat state
• compendium content including SnV and Vesh's Galactic Holodex monster packs (when present on your build)

You do not need to learn all of that at once.

A good next step is to read Feature Overview so you can see the big picture before diving into the more detailed guides.

Common first-time confusion

A lot of early confusion comes from one of these situations:

• “I thought this replaced DND5e.”
  It does not. The module builds on DND5e.

• “I thought this wiki would teach Foundry from scratch.”
  It will not. This wiki explains the SW5e Module, not all of FoundryVTT.

• “Something looks different from the screenshots or guide text.”
  Check your module version, DND5e version, and Foundry version first.

• “What happened to the SW5E theme setting?”
  Selectable SW5E themes are removed in the 1.4.0 feature set. Use Foundry’s own appearance settings and see Themes and Appearance.

• “I copied an older item into my world and it does not behave like the guide.”
  Older world-copied content may need a refresh or re-import to pick up newer compendium setup.

• “I installed the module, but I am not sure what to do next.”
  Start with Feature Overview, then move to Sheets & Features.

• “I only care about starships.”
  Go straight to Starship Sheet Guide after checking compatibility.

If you are a GM

If you are the person setting up the game, your job at the beginning is not to master every feature.

Your first goal is simpler:

• make sure your versions are compatible
• install the module correctly
• understand appearance (stock Foundry chrome + retained SW5E branding)
• understand what the module is responsible for
• know where to go next in the wiki

Once that is done, the rest becomes much easier.

Where to go next

Once you are set up, continue with one of these pages:

• Feature Overview for a guided tour of the module
• Sheets & Features for the most important gameplay-facing features
• Blaster Reload and Ammo Use if your table uses reloadable blasters
• Starship Sheet Guide if your campaign uses starships
• Themes and Appearance for branding after theme removal
• Attribute and Active Effect Keys for attribute path lookup
• Troubleshooting if something does not look right
• Compatibility & Limitations if you want a clearer picture of version expectations and boundaries

Need Foundry help instead?

If your question is really about FoundryVTT itself rather than the SW5e Module, use one of these resources:

• FoundryVTT Discord
• Baileywiki
• Encounter Library

That includes things like:

• general setup help
• user permissions
• scenes and tokens
• compendiums as a core Foundry feature
• world management
• general DND5e system usage that is not specific to the SW5e Module