PLEASE DON'T BE AN ACTUAL DRAGON
Edit: F!$#
DRAGON.
I don't want anywhere near your sauce mate.
Finally got a look at Starfinder and making my first character. I have to say, I wish there was a little more flexibility. I know the Core book can't have all the options in the world, but I was trying to make a Mechanic using Exocortex and those abilities don't have a lot of give. The 1st level Exocortex ability gives you long arm and heavy armor proficiency. Which is fine if that's how you envision your character, but the heavy armor just doesn't fit.
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Finally got a look at Starfinder and making my first character. I have to say, I wish there was a little more flexibility. I know the Core book can't have all the options in the world, but I was trying to make a Mechanic using Exocortex and those abilities don't have a lot of give. The 1st level Exocortex ability gives you long arm and heavy armor proficiency. Which is fine if that's how you envision your character, but the heavy armor just doesn't fit.
Oooh, so what are the classes? I mean, would I be able to make a sorta space pirate with magic? Like my 5 Gunslinger / 15 White-Haired Witch? :D
I'm sure nothing will go wrong at all!
Hopefully this would distract him long enough for us to make a series of attacks against him in a surprise round.
Oooh, so what are the classes? I mean, would I be able to make a sorta space pirate with magic? Like my 5 Gunslinger / 15 White-Haired Witch? :D
Nowhere near the flexibility built into Pathfinder over the years, I'm afraid. I haven't looked at Multiclassing rules, though from what I've read they're similar to PF. But even with that, you're kind of stuck with a few options per class (Soldier/Mystic maybe, for a magical space pirate). I was discussing this with my family earlier. I'm like "I know the kind of stuff my players try to build. If I can't make my first character concept without just flat-out sacrificing a couple abilities that don't fit, I know they're gonna have trouble."
Maybe by the time we actually play, people will have ported more stuff, and I heard there was a 3PP coming out that SF-ized a bunch of PF material. Out of the box, I'd say we're almost back to picking a class and building a concept, vs. coming up with a concept and then making it work. There was literally no way to make a Mechanic not have a drone AND not have proficiency with heavy armor and longarms. You're gonna get one or the other. So my idea of a mechanic who sneaks around in light armor with only a pistol and some unarmed combat is not really workable. I mean, I CAN do it, but by doing it I'm just giving up a 1st level class feature and getting nothing back for it. Like when 3.0 came out and you either played a stock ranger or no ranger.
That's just my initial take, though. I haven't thoroughly explored the book yet.
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You...ah, you guys wouldn't consider exploring an already developed RPG that already has a sci-fi companion, would you?
Oooh, so what are the classes? I mean, would I be able to make a sorta space pirate with magic? Like my 5 Gunslinger / 15 White-Haired Witch? :DNowhere near the flexibility built into Pathfinder over the years, I'm afraid. I haven't looked at Multiclassing rules, though from what I've read they're similar to PF. But even with that, you're kind of stuck with a few options per class (Soldier/Mystic maybe, for a magical space pirate). I was discussing this with my family earlier. I'm like "I know the kind of stuff my players try to build. If I can't make my first character concept without just flat-out sacrificing a couple abilities that don't fit, I know they're gonna have trouble."
Maybe by the time we actually play, people will have ported more stuff, and I heard there was a 3PP coming out that SF-ized a bunch of PF material. Out of the box, I'd say we're almost back to picking a class and building a concept, vs. coming up with a concept and then making it work. There was literally no way to make a Mechanic not have a drone AND not have proficiency with heavy armor and longarms. You're gonna get one or the other. So my idea of a mechanic who sneaks around in light armor with only a pistol and some unarmed combat is not really workable. I mean, I CAN do it, but by doing it I'm just giving up a 1st level class feature and getting nothing back for it. Like when 3.0 came out and you either played a stock ranger or no ranger.
That's just my initial take, though. I haven't thoroughly explored the book yet.
Hmm... I hope things get better over time then. The thing did just come out after all, so it's certainly goign to hav ethe 10 years+ worth of books that have added on and manipulated the classes of pathfinder into the strange mutable lovable monstrosity they are now.
You...ah, you guys wouldn't consider exploring an already developed RPG that already has a sci-fi companion, would you?
OH, a savage worlds book? Neat. Never ehard of this one. I'd be fine with trying it out for the hell of it, but I don't have the cash to spend on it.
I'm not up for learning the system enough to run it. I'm kind of a D20 fan at this point and everything else really falls short of my expectations. But if someone else were to run, I might be interested as a player.
Hmm... I don't think I'd be up for trying to host a Savage Worlds game myself, no. I personally find d20 systems a touch more flexible anyway.
Also, you say we got a sneak attack. Should I add in a sneak attack damage die, or did you mean it as a surprise attack?
Anddd one other thing since I fogot; What are the defenses of a blue dragon? What are it's weaknesses?
I suppose there's also plunder d20pfsrd's Starjammer to expand on the options. I dunno how compatible the two are, but it can't be that far apart. And I have the Starjammer rules...somewhere.
Also, you say we got a sneak attack. Should I add in a sneak attack damage die, or did you mean it as a surprise attack?
Sorry, I meant surprise. End of the week, my hands are working faster than my brain at this point.
Anddd one other thing since I fogot; What are the defenses of a blue dragon? What are it's weaknesses?
I just posted something that kind of answers the question, since I didn't hear back on specifics. You're not really thinking of any specific weaknesses at the moment.
I've heard plenty of Starjammer before, though I've never picked up the rulesebook and gave it a read. I do know that it's pretty whackadoolde at times though, but that's just fine.
Also, you say we got a sneak attack. Should I add in a sneak attack damage die, or did you mean it as a surprise attack?
Sorry, I meant surprise. End of the week, my hands are working faster than my brain at this point.
Anddd one other thing since I fogot; What are the defenses of a blue dragon? What are it's weaknesses?I just posted something that kind of answers the question, since I didn't hear back on specifics. You're not really thinking of any specific weaknesses at the moment.
You're fine, it seems that we've suddenly hit a rare moment when several of us are online at the same time, thus creating a feedback loop of quick posts and confusion.
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Funny, I'm having trouble choosing between Operative and Exo-mechanic for my first concept :-P (human officer of the law that uses cybernetics extensively to be better at his job) But yeah, for the most part, flexibility is limited at this point. How they implement archtypes is going to make it odd as well, since the way it works now is that they apply to all classes and they haven't announced any plans to make ones for specific classes or series of classes.
I suppose there's also plunder d20pfsrd's Starjammer to expand on the options. I dunno how compatible the two are, but it can't be that far apart. And I have the Starjammer rules...somewhere.
Yeah I thought about that way back when I was anxiously awaiting Starfinder. It's possible. It's also possible for me to port some stuff myself to one game or the other. I'm not ready to give up on Starfinder just yet, I just think the flexibility is a little weak in the CRB. It's probably nothing I couldn't houserule my wayaround, especially with all of Pathfinder to draw from.
I've been wanting to play as a halfling celebrity for nearly a YEAR since I heard it was being produced, but I always want to save her for a more light-hearted adventure campaign. Rando's idea makes me instead want to play something a tad more serious, and lore about Eox makes me want to play one of them too... So I kinda think I want to play an Eoxian Operative.
... So I kinda think I want to play an Eoxian Operative.
Are there stats for Eoxians somewhere? Distant worlds, maybe? They're mentioned in Starfinder and have information about their ships, but I don't see stats. They're definitely not a core race.
... So I kinda think I want to play an Eoxian Operative.Are there stats for Eoxians somewhere? Distant worlds, maybe? They're mentioned in Starfinder and have information about their ships, but I don't see stats. They're definitely not a core race.
Not right now I think, no. But maybe in thr alien bestiary, at least some sort of manageable undead perhaps. Or maybe just slapping an undead template onto a character. I'd say ghoul, he looks like a ghoul.
Oh, no, my suggestion is definitely we use Starfinder...and loot anything cool, useful and fun from Starjammer. I'll see about how to let you read my copy later.
Oh, no, my suggestion is definitely we use Starfinder...and loot anything cool, useful and fun from Starjammer. I'll see about how to let you read my copy later.
I'd be willing to purchase a copy if I had indication that enough of the material would be useful (though it's funny that the Starjammer supplement PDF is more expensive than Starfinder's PDF). The Medical supplement is interesting since I'd definitely like to make medical healing a thing, and I understand Starfinder is...not great at it. Still reading tho.
It's gonna take a while to hash this stuff out.
Just a heads up, I'm on my way to GenCon, so posting will be more sporadic than usual cause of volunteer duties. I apologize in advance
If/when any of you all get the Starfinder rules and feel like messing with character gen/ship building just for fun (not necessarily related to any future game), feel free to link your stuff here. So far I've only built one character (my mechanic) and just started looking at ships. Wouldn't mind learning about your experiences and opinions as well.
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I'll most likely be waiting for when the SRD to come out due to a severe lack of disposable income, but hopefully that won't be too far off.
You dang organics with your weird morale quandaries. Are we supposed to bury the dead or are we supposed to harvest them down to the last sinew? MAKE UP YOUR MINDS ALREADY!
>:o
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I borrowed a copy from a friend but I haven't had much time to look at it... Do players get a ship like as a collective, or is there a feat to gain a ship as a player, or what?
As for characters, I actually kinda like it somewhat, I could totally see Captain Quinn (the above mentioned Gunslinger/Witch) as an Outlaw Technomancer... either human or if you are allowing expanded races from Pathfinder, Musetouched Aasimar. :D
You get a certain number of build points to purchase a ship, either designed by the GM or collectively by the GM and players (it's left up to the GM how to handle it). When you level, your ship gains a tier, and gets a certain number of BP for upgrades.
I might allow the Aasimar, but we'd have to tweak it a little for SF rules. Most people would probably just assume you're human, since Aasimar would be pretty rare.
FYI, did my first test of the Starfinder Starship Combat system today. I used two equal ships, with very similar crew stats. The ship I'd designated as my "PC" ship lost the battle in a big way. The threat is real. Low level ship combat is dangerous.
That's fine - just let us build the ship around a giant Nova-Cannon and we'll be fine...
(This was the actual vessel we had in one Rogue Trader game. The ship was effectively nothing but a floating gun with engines and point defenses.)
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Okay, cool yea she's got the "Scion of Humanity" alternate trait too, so even more reason people would just think she's human. Only odd thing is her hair color that stems from her Musetouched heritage, is blue. Most people would probably figure either she dyes it, or she's got some gnome heritage somewhere.
Though, as I said I'm cool with her just being human if that's easier.
Dying hair is probably very common, or at least not so unheard of to be looked at sideways.
You have the book? Bah, now I'm jealous...
I'm hoping when the material becomes freely available, there'll be plenty to work my ideas into.
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Ok. Stuff.
- First, it should be pretty easy to jump into Starfinder, but there will be plenty of "wait, does this work this way or was that Pathfinder?" As well, most of the flexibility in the classes comes from the modular bits of the classes and the flavor you put into them rather than lots of mechanical variation from class archetypes and stuff. More like the vigilante specializations and talents than archetypes from Pathfinder.
- Second, I really like the setting and genre. But that was probably obvious from day 1.
- Third, lots of things are definitely simplified. Was pretty easy for me to hammer out a character in an hour or two (Hero Lab hasn't softened me too much :-P). I will be making an alias of my first character and probably posting here with it in the near future, just to compare notes. I also have access to Into the Unknown (the Starfinder Society quests), which has the statblocks for four different ships that can be perused.
- Fourth, space combat is very polarizing. I like it, but I think it feels a little clunky and could have had some things simplified. My friend tolerates it, but she compares it to the likes of verbal combat (which I disagree with, but that's a different can of worms :-P). That being said, I enjoyed it and am curious to see how it works in a PbP format, if it comes to it.
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I have no idea how starfinder operates at all, but now I have the book so I can learn. ^^
[List]First, it should be pretty easy to jump into Starfinder, but there will be plenty of "wait, does this work this way or was that Pathfinder?" As well, most of the flexibility in the classes comes from the modular bits of the classes and the flavor you put into them rather than lots of mechanical variation from class archetypes and stuff. More like the vigilante specializations and talents than archetypes from Pathfinder.
And the level of flexibility, as I've said before, is nowhere NEAR the same as if you take all of current Pathfinder. Going from concept to character is in some cases just not very workable. A few dozen more Archetypes might help fix it, but right now, each class can only be done a few different ways and remain workable, IMO.
Second, I really like the setting and genre. But that was probably obvious from day 1.
Seconded, as well. Decent level of detail leveraging previous material while leaving enough open to allow many different playstyles and sub-settings.
Third, lots of things are definitely simplified. Was pretty easy for me to hammer out a character in an hour or two (Hero Lab hasn't softened me too much :-P). I will be making an alias of my first character and probably posting here with it in the near future, just to compare notes.
Simplified and gimped, in some ways, depending on your favorite systems and styles. My usual Monk has no equivalent; no real way to do unarmed two handed fighting without being much worse off than everyone else. I started working on an archetype to fix that; I'll post it here later, if people are interested.
I also have access to Into the Unknown (the Starfinder Society quests), which has the statblocks for four different ships that can be perused.
More ships is better. I've looked over ship construction but haven't done anything with it yet.
Fourth, space combat is very polarizing. I like it, but I think it feels a little clunky and could have had some things simplified. My friend tolerates it, but she compares it to the likes of verbal
I thought it was pretty smooth, though I'm not sure I calculated everything right. It is a little clunky and will take some getting used to. It did seem very effective and similar in scope to PC combat, however. D20 Future, for example, had the problem that you could hammer away at ships until the cows came home because the weapons did such low damage compared to armor and HP. This system doesn't suffer from that problem; I finished the combat in 3 rounds.
They're completely outside the financial system and run with a meta-system of Build Points. You get a certain number of "BP" to "buy" a ship collectively. Could be a ship the GM gives you, or the GM can let the players work collectively to design the ship they want (it's worded so that the GM has the decision). The fluff about how you have the ship is also largely up to the GM. As you advance in level, your ship advances in "tier," and you get more BP to augment the ship.
My instinct would be to give the players some guidance on the general type of ship, but leave the details up to you.
Neat. I'm still reading the rules over, but I finally just about finished my first PC for Starfinder. An Azlanti operative with the xenoseeker template- A once spy of the empire who's since gone rogue when he saw just how much greener the other side of the fense was.
Interesting. Post it when you get a chance so I can check it out. I've still only made one PC myself, be good to see more examples.