Class Preview: The Technomancer

Huh, it sounds like Technomancers can be Iron Man too. That's pretty neat.

The gang's all here.

That ability looks like it's a way to grab some of the really big weapons you wouldn't be properly proficient with. I hope you can make some entertaining things, like a mounted gun emplacement for instance.

Well. I now know what class I'll be playing first. This looks awesome! Can't wait to see the possible builds you can do with the technomancer.

Pardon me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard...

Caster with average attack bonus? That's odd isn't it?

Ooooo! Sounds neat.

Caster with average attack bonus? That's odd isn't it?

That's pretty standard for a caster class with access to six spell levels, like the mystic or the PFRPG alchemist.

Artificiers in SPAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCEEEEEE!

Worth the wait.

That said...

AAAHH!! WHERE'S THE BOOK?!?!?

Caster with average attack bonus? That's odd isn't it?

They're a 6-level caster so... not really?

What race is in this picture?

I don't think it's human, lashunta, or Android because of the face. But it also doesn't have the snout of a vesk, mandibles of shirren, the height of a Ysoki, or the arms of a kasatha(plus the mouth is uncovered).

So, no full casters in Starfinder?

What race is in this picture?

I don't think it's human, lashunta, or Android because of the face. But it also doesn't have the snout of a vesk, mandibles of shirren, the height of a Ysoki, or the arms of a kasatha(plus the mouth is uncovered).

It's clearly got a reptilian head, but it's also clearly not a vesk. To me it looks more like a lizardfolk or kobold. Since the lizardfolk of akiton have red skin, this might be a kobold.

So, no full casters in Starfinder?

6th level casting is full casting in Starfinder.

So, no full casters in Starfinder?

The lack of spells 7th level and above is one of my favorite things about Starfinder

Don Hastily wrote:

So, no full casters in Starfinder?

The lack of spells 7th level and above is one of my favorite things about Starfinder

Though seemingly, you can throw two 6th level spell slots and Resolve points together to get a 9th level spell.

Squirtle squirt!

Biztak wrote:

Don Hastily wrote:

So, no full casters in Starfinder?

The lack of spells 7th level and above is one of my favorite things about Starfinder

Though seemingly, you can throw two 6th level spell slots and Resolve points together to get a 9th level spell.

I actually really like this and gives me so many nice homebrew ideas for my TES game. (Yes, I plan to use Starfinder to run a TES game, the level based item progression just fits way too well in my mind.)

I hope that the Technomancer doesn't have too many abilities based on using up spell slots, that makes them even more "1 fight and done" than wizards, since the Technomancer won't even have spells and class abilities, just spell slots to burn.

Fabricate Arms...are you proficient in the armour you create as it only specifies weapons?

it is necessary to remember that Starfinder is set in a universe where magic is a real, known, fundamental force of the universe. Just as some scientists study physics, and some study chemistry, in Starfinder it is possible to apply the scientific method to the understanding and manipulation of magic itself.

I love this sentiment.

Partizanski wrote:

What race is in this picture?

I don't think it's human, lashunta, or Android because of the face. But it also doesn't have the snout of a vesk, mandibles of shirren, the height of a Ysoki, or the arms of a kasatha(plus the mouth is uncovered).

It's clearly got a reptilian head, but it's also clearly not a vesk. To me it looks more like a lizardfolk or kobold. Since the lizardfolk of akiton have red skin, this might be a kobold.

Don Hastily wrote:

So, no full casters in Starfinder?

6th level casting is full casting in Starfinder.

To big for a kobold. It seems more like a vesk.

The question I have is "would it be possible to reskin this class as something more ... psionic?"

The question I have is "would it be possible to reskin this class as something more ... psionic?"

Divine, arcane, and psionic are all flavour in Starfinder. Be whichever.

The question I have is "would it be possible to reskin this class as something more ... psionic?"

Isn't their a phrenic adept archetype that you can add to any class?

That might do it

Lord Fyre wrote:

The question I have is "would it be possible to reskin this class as something more ... psionic?"

Isn't their a phrenic adept archetype that you can add to any class?

That might do it

And the Technomancer is especially archetypable, since they don't hurt so much losing spells known due to the ability to pick up spell-slot-using class features.

The class I'm most looking forward to. I hope it has powers to disable devices, so I can play a cyber monk that short-circuits enemy weapons and then runs up to punch them in the face!

Though, the fabricate arms ability doesn't seem good to me. It uses up a spell slot, takes a full-round action to activate, and has a criminally short duration that requires you to cast it in the middle of combat. It's also a 5th level ability and looks like it wouldn't give you a weapon you normally wouldn't have access to.

I was not disappointed. Thank you Paizo!

Side question: is the Envoy the only class that is going to be using Cha? Seems like that's a throw away ability.

"Don't worry, Admiral. We've confiscated their weapons and armor. There's no way they're gettin' outta the brig."

I am all the hype for this game!

...Though, the fabricate arms ability doesn't seem good to me. It uses up a spell slot, takes a full-round action to activate, and has a criminally short duration that requires you to cast it in the middle of combat. It's also a 5th level ability and looks like it wouldn't give you a weapon you normally wouldn't have access to.

You're proficient with that weapon. Want a big fat laser cannon? Go. Destroy. When you're done, pick up your little laser pistol and pick through what's left.

It says you cannot create weapons that are expended with us but does that include firearms or laser guns? Or was it meant to only work for things like swords and daggers?

Don Hastily wrote:

Lord Fyre wrote:

The question I have is "would it be possible to reskin this class as something more ... psionic?"

Isn't their a phrenic adept archetype that you can add to any class?

That might do it

And the Technomancer is especially archetypable, since they don't hurt so much losing spells known due to the ability to pick up spell-slot-using class features.

Spells would become "psionic disciplines." They wouldn't even loose spells per say.

It says you cannot create weapons that are expended with us but does that include firearms or laser guns? Or was it meant to only work for things like swords and daggers?

those aren't expended they run out of charges the ability calls out things like arrows grenades and missiles which all either break or have a chance to break on use. It also specifically calls out a technological weapon so I would imagine guns and such are in.

Why is a gun expending bullets/charges different from a bow expending arrows? Or are arrows now a weapon instead of ammo?

One of the tropes that always annoys me about many science fantasy RPGs is the tendency to penalize spellcasters for using too much technology, forcing players to specialize in either magic or cybernetics and computer skills. Not in Starfinder! Sounds like you figured out a perfect blend. I especially love how modular their spell slots are, really captures the feel of a scientist who studies magic.

One of the tropes that always annoys me about many science fantasy RPGs is the tendency to penalize spellcasters for using too much technology, forcing players to specialize in either magic or cybernetics and computer skills. Not in Starfinder! Sounds like you figured out a perfect blend. I especially love how modular their spell slots are, really captures the feel of a scientist who studies magic.

Yes! I hate that trope, but as soon as technology shows up, magic either disappears or just does not play well with it. And the excuses for it always seem half assed... Glad that's not the case here.

The biggest question I have with the Fabricate Arms is if you use it to create something that doesn't use destructible ammo (like a laser) does it come charged? Or will your options be "Use a round to make a melee weapon" or "Use a round and a half to make and load a ranged weapon"?

Yes! I hate that trope, but as soon as technology shows up, magic either disappears or just does not play well with it. And the excuses for it always seem half assed... Glad that's not the case here.

I have never seen a good explanation, it was always just hand-waving about the two interfering with each other so your electronics short-circuited when you cast spells and your spells were weaker if you had a bunch of cybernetic implants, all because.

The question I have is "would it be possible to reskin this class as something more ... psionic?"

Mystic would be a better option, based simply on spell descriptions.

If you wanted to reskin SF for a non-magic setting the the B5 technomage would work better for this class. Advanced technology used to simulate magical effects.

I was not disappointed. Thank you Paizo!

Side question: is the Envoy the only class that is going to be using Cha? Seems like that's a throw away ability.

Based on my experience, space opera rpgs have a much higher talking to fighting ratio than fantasy rpgs. Conversation skills are really important.

Operative tricks can also trigger of charisma skills.

"Don't worry, Admiral. We've confiscated their weapons and armor. There's no way they're gettin' outta the brig."

"Um, sir, it would appear that the prisoner has created some sort of flame thrower and he's set most of the lower decks on fire."

Dead Phoenix wrote:

Yes! I hate that trope, but as soon as technology shows up, magic either disappears or just does not play well with it. And the excuses for it always seem half assed... Glad that's not the case here.

I have never seen a good explanation, it was always just hand-waving about the two interfering with each other so your electronics short-circuited when you cast spells and your spells were weaker if you had a bunch of cybernetic implants, all because.

For an interesting take on magic interfering with technology, and the protagonist's efforts to get round the limitation, check out the "Rivers of London" novels by Ben Aaronovich.

So are we expecting spells to be about the same? would we be able to use spells from a pathfinder book in starfinder?

So are we expecting spells to be about the same? would we be able to use spells from a pathfinder book in starfinder?

Unlikely. Spell scaling and effects have been redone to fit the new math expectations of Starfinder.

Dead Phoenix wrote:

Yes! I hate that trope, but as soon as technology shows up, magic either disappears or just does not play well with it. And the excuses for it always seem half assed... Glad that's not the case here.

I have never seen a good explanation, it was always just hand-waving about the two interfering with each other so your electronics short-circuited when you cast spells and your spells were weaker if you had a bunch of cybernetic implants, all because.

Shadowrun tries to explain it with something like, removing body parts for cybernetics lessens your life force...which affects your magic potential.

Any chance you can say what the class skills of the technomancer are?

So are we expecting spells to be about the same? would we be able to use spells from a pathfinder book in starfinder?

No. Whilst they still get a few traditional spells (magic missile, wish) the effects have been ajusted. Most of the spell list seems to be setting-specific, such as summon nanobots, etc.

I am somewhat bewildered by this saying the Technomancer can use spells to regain Resolve Points.
I was under the impression they can never be regained and I even recall Owen Stephens saying that that was the design intent and that he thinks Paizo will never publish options that let you recover them.

Technomancer hacks the CRB.

Why is a gun expending bullets/charges different from a bow expending arrows? Or are arrows now a weapon instead of ammo?

If I would hazard a guess it would be because most guns (laser or otherwise) could theoretically could be made as one "piece" that includes a full charge or clip as part of the creation. Arrows on the other hand have always been singular and separate which I know still applies to other types of ammunition as well. That said the ability doesn't actually say the weapon comes loaded or charged so maybe you have to do that yourself which would hamper the utility of the thing somewhat but still stay in line with the idea that it doesn't create things that are expended with use.

Or are arrows now a weapon instead of ammo?

Finally, I can play the Yondu character I've always wanted too.