Starfinder Society Scenario #1-18: The Blackmoon Survey

better than average with a few frustrating bumps in the road. ITs still a fun ride. - David

The other reviews have definitely touched on the major pain point of this scenario, the killbox sniper encounter, and it's not something to be ignored. Most characters, especially those in the 1-4 tier, are going to be ill-equipped to deal with a vital challenge. At our table, it was a tense challenge that encouraged us to try novel things (such as firing hail mary shots at -10 range penalties) but there was definitely frustration involved too. If this had been in the 3-6 range where characters should have a broader set of abilities and equipment, or if it had been handled as a skill challenge, it would have worked a lot better.

Outside that particular pain point, the mission is pretty well structured. I liked the fact that a map was actually reused, letting us investigate and get familiar with it in a less threatening context before being plunged into combat. The goals are much less straightforward than "go here and get the thing," so it is also a great change of pace. I am a sucker for a choice with impact and meaning, and that definitely happens at the end of this mission as well, a good chance to showcase your character's beliefs and values. I would definitely rate this one higher if it weren't for the big obvious issue as mentioned above. There are good things to like in this scenario, but it's definitely held back by the huge spike in difficulty midway through.

Everyone runs
for 7 rounds
The dm goes 7 times

and that's if they're longarms users. God help the pistol or melee characters that have another 4 rounds of climbing.

I get trying to make sniping a thing, but 3 or four rounds would have gotten the point across. There was no need to have the range set so far that snipers are taking multiple ranged penalties.

Sorry, but I have to give this 2 stars. Was going to give only 1, but I actually liked the plot.

The plot was really interesting to me both when I played and GM'd this, it was interesting to see more of Eox and the relationship between eoxians and sarcesians. However, there are MAJOR problems with how the scenario was planned, especially in the middle sniper encounter.

On its own, it's not a bad encounter. But the fact that this is a tier 1-4 scenario really affects how this encounter... Doesn't fit.

Snipers with more than 600 ft. between them and the party, not a whole lot of places to hide, and the fact that this is a tier 1-4 scenario. When I played this, we had a party of 2nd level characters, and whe barely survived this encounter with our two longarm using characters. Today I ran this scenario to four 1st level characters, and it ended in a TPK. There was no way they'd make it close enough to shoot any of the snipers before all of them were down.

Considering the tier, the encounter was badly scaled and planned. Characters with few resources are totally at the snipers' mercy. It wasn't fun or enjoyable tactical encounter for them, it was a massacre. I firmly think this should've either been a tier 3-6 scenario, or the encounter should've been different, perhaps with a much smaller map.

Better luck next time.

A nice scenario, with a cool investigation, Alien Races, important choices to make.

It is nice to have "different" tactical situations (seeing how to avoid & approach snipers).

Very nice!