Starfinder Gen Con Follow-Up

Oh my...

Okay that GM core cover is pretty fitting for those who want to GM like a boss.

I recognize that hairline.....

For a second I thought Karzoug was back...

Now *that* is an Azlanti hairline

Does Playtest Starfinder got anything about Starships and Vehicles during those days? I ignore it since there was nothing about transport in Starfinder Playtest book.

Legit thought that was Karzoug at a glance.

Oooh. Are those two, uh, 'napping,' let's say, at the base there Iorian and Yridela Ixomander, current joint Star Imperators of the Azlanti Star Empire?

Does Playtest Starfinder got anything about Starships and Vehicles during those days? I ignore it since there was nothing about transport in Starfinder Playtest book.

There's no official confirmation but my guess is we won't be seeing em until until spring 2025 at the earliest when we see tests for the mechanic and technomancer.

I am surprised that you already want feedback this early via the surveys, but no problem

I am surprised that you already want feedback this early via the surveys, but no problem

We will be using them throughout the playtest process and you can always go back and edit your answers (and/or add more information) until December 31!

Poster-worthy art.

that guy looks familiar

used to wear green maybe

Does Playtest Starfinder got anything about Starships and Vehicles during those days? I ignore it since there was nothing about transport in Starfinder Playtest book.

Vehicle rules exist in PF2. And work better in Starfinder2e since Piloting is a standard skill. The Pathfinder vehicles themselves may not be appropriate to use, but they could be re-themed and there may be specific vehicles published in the APs and scenarios.

Starships also exist in-world in the Starfinder2e playtest. There are not rules for Starship combat yet. I remember reading something about using a Victory Point type subsystem to handle it if you really need to get into a dogfight in space right now.

I believe they said somewhere that vehicle rules would be in the initial Core books but would premier in a later playtest between now and then. Doesn't really make sense for a bunch of classes to get specific bonuses to piloting if the rules don't come in that (finalized) book, does it?

Also I like how that art continues the tradition of GM books featuring a Runelord and a Dragon, but now the dragon is a Starship.

I believe they said somewhere that vehicle rules would be in the initial Core books but would premier in a later playtest between now and then. Doesn't really make sense for a bunch of classes to get specific bonuses to piloting if the rules don't come in that (finalized) book, does it?

Also I like how that art continues the tradition of GM books featuring a Runelord and a Dragon, but now the dragon is a Starship.

A different take on metallic dragons?

The first thing that came to mind when I saw that pic was "HE is back". A closer look made me second guess that idea, but the resemblance is there. Given how things went in Return, I know there could be a *tiny* chance he could come back with 'A Fluke of Fate', you could say. ;D

Oooh. Are those two, uh, 'napping,' let's say, at the base there Iorian and Yridela Ixomander, current joint Star Imperators of the Azlanti Star Empire?

Yeah, that was my concern too. The Azlanti Star Empire has, like much of the galaxy after the Drift Crisis, been going through some changes. The recent upheaval and fighting against the status quo gave us some hope, but it was certainly not going to go without a response by those in charge... and it looks like someone who isn't going to let even the status quo slow them down my be in charge now.

I’m so excited, I really hope the end has more support for a pseudo biohacker (we already have inject serum and Critical Care!!)!

Is there any chance we could get the team to reiterate that “compatible” doesn’t mean “fully balanced”? It has been a big contention point since the start, and people have been dismissive of the 4-month-old discord comments on the matter. “Fully compatible with PF2e” I feel has been a detriment to player perception of things, and could muddy the playest with people trying to force it to fit into pf2e balance.

And if that’s *not* the case any longer, then that would be nice to know too.

We’ve had Rise of the Runelords.

We’ve had Return of the Runelords.

Is it time for… REVENGE of the Runelords?!?!

I’m so excited, I really hope the end has more support for a pseudo biohacker (we already have inject serum and Critical Care!!)!

Is there any chance we could get the team to reiterate that “compatible” doesn’t mean “fully balanced”? It has been a big contention point since the start, and people have been dismissive of the 4-month-old discord comments on the matter. “Fully compatible with PF2e” I feel has been a detriment to player perception of things, and could muddy the playest with people trying to force it to fit into pf2e balance.

And if that’s *not* the case any longer, then that would be nice to know too.

If it helps, I’ve seen them say “Compatible but not necessarily balanced” a lot on Discord and Reddit and social media, so I think they’re trying to get that message across. :)

schnoodle wrote:

…

If it helps, I’ve seen them say “Compatible but not necessarily balanced” a lot on Discord and Reddit and social media, so I think they’re trying to get that message across. :)

They’ve said it in just about every way except a “more official” channel, such as a proper blog post! Comments and discord messages are unfortunately easily dismissible.

But I sure do hope you’re right, that they’ll continue that direction!

I think the SF update with PF2e comparability is a fantastic idea. Kudos to everyone at Paizo for the work you've done on this.

Are there plans to issue playtests for the other Starfinder classes over the next year? It would be a shame to leave some of those behind.

Pretty sure that's an Azlanti guy, not necessarily a Runelord.

That said, with the resurgence of Lissala, and Azlanti traditions, no reason there can't be a new Azlanti Runelord. Maybe that Runeguard art is connected.

We’ve had Rise of the Runelords.

We’ve had Return of the Runelords.

Is it time for… REVENGE of the Runelords?!?!

Well there is that other guy hanging out in an artificial moon who thinks he's a Runelord. Of course, I'm not going to be the one to tell him otherwise.

We’ve had Rise of the Runelords.

We’ve had Return of the Runelords.

Is it time for… REVENGE of the Runelords?!?!

HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TEACH YOU THIS LESSON OLD MAN?

That is definitely some of the best art I've seen for awhile.

Kishmo wrote:

Oooh. Are those two, uh, 'napping,' let's say, at the base there Iorian and Yridela Ixomander, current joint Star Imperators of the Azlanti Star Empire?

Yeah, that was my concern too. The Azlanti Star Empire has, like much of the galaxy after the Drift Crisis, been going through some changes. The recent upheaval and fighting against the status quo gave us some hope, but it was certainly not going to go without a response by those in charge... and it looks like someone who isn't going to let even the status quo slow them down my be in charge now.

Well we know a big enough conflict kicks off between them and the Vesk that Pulonis is not just able to go independent but join the Pact. The fact that that doesn't immediately descend into chaos kind of shows how much they have committed against the Azlanti.

Plus, there was an art reveal of a new Azlanti "Purist" Faction that was going to become a core antagonist.

Because Game Masters are too humble, and desperately need some cover art to increase their opinion of themselves...

(I like it. Makes me want to muhahahahaaaa!)

Revealing this cover art at Gen Con was so exciting! Kent Hamilton really knocked it out of the park!

It's really reminiscent of the covers of the old military/political sci-if books my dad had boxes of when I was a kid. Stuff like the Honor Harrington books or CJ Cherryh's countless works. Brings back fond memories.

I think the SF update with PF2e comparability is a fantastic idea. Kudos to everyone at Paizo for the work you've done on this.

Are there plans to issue playtests for the other Starfinder classes over the next year? It would be a shame to leave some of those behind.

We know we're getting a playtest for the mechanic and technomancer, but that won't be until next year, when SF2E officially launches, and will be intended for a tech-focused book in 2026.

We’ve had Rise of the Runelords.

We’ve had Return of the Runelords.

Is it time for… REVENGE of the Runelords?!?!

Rise of the Return of the Revenge of the Bride of the Son of the Runelords: Rebooted, in 3D.

Rise of the Return of the Revenge of the Bride of the Son of the Runelords: Rebooted, in 3D.

I think I played the vidgame adaptation of that one on the Kittendo Stitch. They really simplified Sorshen's character arc compared to the holopicture version but the runecrafting system was really solid

Runelords in Space!!!!

I love that art because it reminds me how far off the beaten path my home games have diverged from the official story.

It's really reminiscent of the covers of the old military/political sci-if books my dad had boxes of when I was a kid. Stuff like the Honor Harrington books or CJ Cherryh's countless works. Brings back fond memories.

So reminiscent of Michael Whelan's work. High praise indeed.

Master Han Del of the Web wrote:

It's really reminiscent of the covers of the old military/political sci-if books my dad had boxes of when I was a kid. Stuff like the Honor Harrington books or CJ Cherryh's countless works. Brings back fond memories.

So reminiscent of Michael Whelan's work. High praise indeed.

Yeah, that's the exact vibe!

I wasn't aware of his name, but scrolling through a google image search kicks up so many half-remembered books from my dad's collection.

The more I think on it, the more I'm sure that that isn't a space-Runelord.

We all love a good Runelord, sure, but - they've been the focus of what, like, 3 APs and how ever many other scenarios, modules, and whatever else, on the PF side? To rip down a barely-explored twin Imperator...ship? and replace that with "Somehow, Palpatine Karzoug returned" would feel very unsatisfying. We know the Star Friends have said many times that they're working hard to make SF2 not just "PF2 in space!" so to about-face on that central conceit, in such a big, setting-defining, way would be very surprising (and, honestly, more than a little disappointing.)

(To be clear, I'm referring to being disappointed if the new head of the ASE is one of the existing Runelords, from existing canon / Golarion. If this is some new upstart who's merely adopting the title, well, I will wait to see where they're going with it!)

Now THAT'S some GM vibes, lol. I'll want to get that on art alone.

I think the SF update with PF2e comparability is a fantastic idea. Kudos to everyone at Paizo for the work you've done on this.

Are there plans to issue playtests for the other Starfinder classes over the next year? It would be a shame to leave some of those behind.

We know we're getting a playtest for the mechanic and technomancer, but that won't be until next year, when SF2E officially launches, and will be intended for a tech-focused book in 2026.

That would also be a great opportunity to include the Nanocyte. I hope they're able to add that, too.

The more I think on it, the more I'm sure that that isn't a space-Runelord.

We all love a good Runelord, sure, but - they've been the focus of what, like, 3 APs and how ever many other scenarios, modules, and whatever else, on the PF side? To rip down a barely-explored twin Imperator...ship? and replace that with "Somehow, Palpatine Karzoug returned" would feel very unsatisfying. We know the Star Friends have said many times that they're working hard to make SF2 not just "PF2 in space!" so to about-face on that central conceit, in such a big, setting-defining, way would be very surprising (and, honestly, more than a little disappointing.)

(To be clear, I'm referring to being disappointed if the new head of the ASE is one of the existing Runelords, from existing canon / Golarion. If this is some new upstart who's merely adopting the title, well, I will wait to see where they're going with it!)

That's not what this is.

PaizoCon had a Starfinder panel that talked about Empire's Devoured and revealed there's a more elite/ideological faction inside the ASE called the Sihedron Guard who drive the conflict with the Veskarium. I believe that's also related to Lissala becoming more prominent within the setting. The illustrated Sihedron Guard revealed had the Lissala sigil on his armor. It's pretty easy to guess that they found the chaos and weakness of the emperors during the Drift Crisis and found it a necessary duty to replace them and restore the empire to what it should be, as well as kick pretenders like the Vesk out of Azlanti territory.

Verocras wrote:

I think the SF update with PF2e comparability is a fantastic idea. Kudos to everyone at Paizo for the work you've done on this.

Are there plans to issue playtests for the other Starfinder classes over the next year? It would be a shame to leave some of those behind.

Perpdepog wrote:

We know we're getting a playtest for the mechanic and technomancer, but that won't be until next year, when SF2E officially launches, and will be intended for a tech-focused book in 2026.

That would also be a great opportunity to include the Nanocyte. I hope they're able to add that, too.

I'd also love that, but I wouldn't pin my hopes on it. After the Advanced Player's Guide difficulties trying to juggle four classes, the majority of PF2E class playtests have contained two classes. The exception there being the kineticist, which was big and complex enough to require a playtest all to itself.

I also suspect that if the nanocyte were intended as a class we'd have heard about it already just to get folks hyped. I'm really hoping that means it'll come out in a later book, not that it's going to be converted into an archetype, instead.

huh I completely missed this art.

It could be reincarnation of Xin, but more likely new villain xD