Kingbrendarr's page

Have not started Dawn of Flame yet and only a little way into Swarm.

of the ones I played.

Aeon throne had the most well rounded experience where the story and encounters all worked together and created an easy fun flow that made it the most fun. A bit of world building but more encounters that felt like filler.

Dead Suns was a little more generic and as such felt long. it tried to do a bit of everything which can be good but also added to my feelings that it kinda dragged on.

Signal of screams did three genres of horror so it was hard for me to find a comfortable flow. I personally enjoyed the suspense of book 1 and the supernatural investigation in book 2 but I dont think I would play it over again unlike either of the other 2.

All that said. I am really excited to start Dawn of Flame. Most of my playgroup would note that I have been talking about it for months.
It has a great setting that does a lot of starfinder world building and looks to have lots of investigation (my favorite part of SoS) and supernatural mysteries.

Swarm I am not far enough in to get a good feel for the campaign but the starship trooper space marine feel has been fun

Yeah I wish there was a better way. I am still salty after a very lengthy discussion about pathfinder players scooping up race boons in trades but starfinder only players having no such option. The general response was to GM more at conventions but as you accurately pointed out that only grants you some currency to possibly trade unless you travel the globe.
This is assuming you can go to conventions at all and that they dont just pick all the pathfinder GMs to DM anyway.

hearing it's changing for PF2 makes me a bit optimistic but I am still more or less leeching off one very generous GM for my race boons 8(

Gotta have a theme song for this blog:

No Guts No Glory

:D

Looking forward to this Adventure!

Carry on,

--C.

I was going to do the same thing. Also kudos for getting the proper extended cut

Rangers are forever !

(he parties with Yetis)

all the fun pilots party with yetis .. we should invite them to the pilots lounge

Kingbrendarr wrote:

will the new animal companion add more robust rules for drones as well like more ways to use the saddle perhaps ?

The rules for creature companions don't include additional rules for drones; it was important to us to keep the two systems distinct.

let me rephrase the question because that is super valid and very important.

The drone saddle allows for treating a drone as a combat trained mount. Will there be greater clarity on what that means and what we can do ?

will the new animal companion add more robust rules for drones as well like more ways to use the saddle perhaps ?

pithica42 wrote:

My 702 is a Damayan Lashunta professor of computer science that left academia because he wanted to fly more than anything. He learned to fly taking air skiffs back and forth from Cuvacara to the base of the space elevator to Skydock on Verces. He happened to be very very good at it. He's currently rocking a +19 at level 4.

I thought my Ace was rocking solid numbers at +17 for 4th level.

If you don't mind my asking, where'd you scrounge up the extra +2?

Skill ranks: +4
Dex: +4
Class skill: +3
Theme: +1
Lashunta bonus: +2
Skill Focus: +3
Total: +17

operative ?

My 701 "crash" is all about flying, driving, boating and I have gone out of my way to do many of these things.

A particular favorite of mine was during a chase scene looking at the mechanic and asking if he could drive. He answers 'no" So crash says just hold this it will be fine and proceeds to jump to the other vehicle and try to take it over ..

so yeah I might have an ace pilot that has a need for speed

Kingbrendarr wrote:

Lau Bannenberg wrote:

I have mixed feelings about the Jadnura boon. It's powerful, it's convenient, but I don't find it very enjoyable. I'm being seduced to join a faction not because its theme appeals to me, but because it's a boon that far, far outclasses the other boons in Starfinder. Replaying scenarios is just on a whole other level from getting the odd +2 here and there.

particularly in an environment with limited replays

Yeah, but that doesn't put me in the "no limits on replays then" camp. More the opposite, "should this boon exist at all, it's way too invasive".

didnt say at ANY point that unlimited replays should be a thing. What I said in this particular moment though is that it is very powerful because of the limited replays. So much so that I have multiple characters in that faction rather than exploring anything else the other factions have to offer.

I have mixed feelings about the Jadnura boon. It's powerful, it's convenient, but I don't find it very enjoyable. I'm being seduced to join a faction not because its theme appeals to me, but because it's a boon that far, far outclasses the other boons in Starfinder. Replaying scenarios is just on a whole other level from getting the odd +2 here and there.

particularly in an environment with limited replays

However, I've also seen this create a much more galvanized "track" for players to follow, where they create an ideal path of content to follow in order to maximize the amount of regular content they can play. This creates some hurdles from a development standpoint, especially when considering the addition of Adventure Paths, as it creates a division of players who reach the highest-levels very quickly, while other players remain in the low to mid level brackets.

I asked this earlier to someone else, but. Is there currently a way to get past level 5 with the current replays ?

I have a huge log jam of characters at level 5-6 because there seems to be only the one re playable adventure in the mid tiers. that would seem to indicate that you have been very successful in preventing the fast track so far and it sounds like you have content to support the mid tiers "soon" but if I am missing something in the wild already

*jadnura replays are how some got to 6

Stepping in here for a moment to address just a little bit of the discussion.

First, on the topic of replays an "tradition / status quo", I'd like to say that I think Starfinder has really bucked this trend. We had 6 repeatable scenarios/quest packs in our first season alone, not including any of the Adventure Path line that typically had a repeatable scenario. That gave us almost 10 different unique means of replaying scenarios, beyond other concepts like Nova replays or the released Jadnura boons. Overall, I think we've shaken up that "status quo" a fair bit in order to test the waters with how this system works in the wild.

Having said that, I think I've seen both the benefits and drawbacks for an increased replay system. On one hand, I've certainly see how it has helped organizers and has allowed us to get more players playing the game (this is a huge positive). However, I've also seen this create a much more galvanized "track" for players to follow, where they create an ideal path of content to follow in order to maximize the amount of regular content they can play. This creates some hurdles from a development standpoint, especially when considering the addition of Adventure Paths, as it creates a division of players who reach the highest-levels very quickly, while other players remain in the low to mid level brackets. Again, all of this is very anecdotal, but the number of players I personally know who've engineered efficient leveling paths with replayable content is high enough that I do believe it is something happening in our communities (especially online). It's also creating a strong cadre of players who want more high-level content, when it's clear that those scenarios would only appeal to a very small group of our overall playerbase—seriously, the impact of these types of changes in a large system is fascinating!

Going back to the OP's post, I know that we're offering far more than was offered back at the launch of Pathfinder first edition, but that playable content is an issue in some...

As an organizer for another system I fully understand that there are implications by allowing unlimited replays and I have seen the "farming mentality" and what it can do to a community so I strongly respect your perspective here and I appreciate it as well.

As you pointed out Starfinder is so far shaping into a very different kind of community. One of the reasons I am excited to play in the Organized Play environment is this community. You have done very well on this and the intent I had is to help you shape it in a continuing positive direction. By offering you hands on experience and how it is impacting me personally and potentially others.

If I were to be asked what I wanted I would say I do not want unlimited replays forever.
I want a fix that enables me to foster more groups right now while the game is young so that people want to stay for many years rather than moving on because they did not feel engaged.

That can be things like you have done with Jadnura replays and convention boons but a good deal more in circulation until your content catches up to allow this more freely. Or it could be another temporary fix like making certain modules repeatable for a limited time I recognize this is a lot more difficult on the back end and dont expect that it would be used but it's something I thought of.

In a nutshell I feel like it wont be a problem forever but it's a big problem for creating communities right now.

Another option is to play a lot of the replayables. Currently, it is possible to get 25 xp on any given character without touching any of the non-replayable scenarios.

Maybe see if you can get them to recruit a 3rd friend?

on further review... can they infact get 25 exp ?

while discussing this after an event it was pointed out that there is still only one 3-6 repeatable and 2-00 sorta. So it kinda looks like you have lot of variety for how you get those 14 exp unless I am missing something

Note:

pg. 9 Guide wrote:

You are permitted to replay an adventure in order to meet the minimum legal table size, with the following stipulations...Notify the GM:...No Spoilers:...Rewards: Replaying to make a legal table doesn’t earn any rewards. The Chronicle sheet for the adventure is a placeholder. It should note that the scenario has been replayed for no credit and awards no credits, Fame, Reputation, XP, boons, item access, or any other benefits or disadvantages. You must track consumables, purchases, and conditions acquired by playing the adventure. This is the only exception to not having two copies of the same Chronicle sheet assigned to one character.

this is great news and I will certainly be using this a bit =) not sure how I missed this

I do however feel that allowing more replays for benefits in these relatively new days of society play will incentivise more players to support more groups

I'm in Kingbrendarr's group A. At this point, our group is pretty much Starfinder only, with lots of other groups doing PF/PF2. We are taking our time going through the APs every other week, so running out of material is less of a problem for those of us that don't travel to cons, and frequently when we are at cons we are GMing a lot. Of the core 7, 5 of us GM at least occasionally. Our main issue is probably the geek sudoku to get our high levels going through everything when one of us needs to split off to run a second table, and to catch up after con season. The newer people are just starting to get out of the 1 to 4s with their primary characters, so things should get a little better in that regard soon.

The principle problem for the other two groups seems to be a matter of consistency. I went through Dead Suns book 1 with what I suspect is one of those two groups a year ago, and then that AP just disappeared.

The main issue is not in group A who runs at a well thought out pace that does not run faster than new content.

The problem I am finding is that by consistently running on the bleeding edge of content I am less able to support these other groups so that they can have consistency and build up as a play group. Forcing me to choose to play with only one group rather than supporting as many as I have time/spoons for

Another option is to play a lot of the replayables. Currently, it is possible to get 25 xp on any given character without touching any of the non-replayable scenarios.

Maybe see if you can get them to recruit a 3rd friend?

There is still a limitation on replayables. You can not replay the adventure with the same character. I am personally up to my 710 with my average character level being in the 4-6 range but I have to make a new 1-4 tier every month or so.

also if I could just plug in a magical 3rd player I would not be needed to step in for sustainability.

Ya'll are gonna have to go Jadnura and rotate who's burning the replay

most of us are out of jadnura replays at this point. Currently building up my 3rd ssj character to do this also I will be trading like mad for a gencon boon 10

So in my area we have a good problem that there is a lot of interest in Starfinder and groups keep popping up. I have myself put a good amount of effort into supporting as many groups as I can.

The issue now is that the current replay rules are killing my ability to help sustain these groups. Here is a breakdown on how this is playing out.

Group A has 1.5 tables worth of regular players we all like each other and play weekly with one week being society play adventures and the next week being a campaign mode adventure path. keeping us from outpacing content. We frequently run a second table based on things people need and have some less frequent players that round out the 2nd table. Our organizer puts in an insane amount of time tracking what people have played and tries to have a schedule that works for us all. I have had to GM a few times but never had to skip a session because there was nothing for me to play/gm.

This is more or less what I expect is happening in similar playgroups everywhere.

Group B has a dedicated GM that wants to run every so often and has two friends that will always play with said GM. I am frequently available on days they want to play but it then turns into a struggle to find content we all can play. and They are less available on days that group A plays so merging is less of an option. Also they support a different store

Group C has a DM that wants to run a lot but has very limited time to do so. They frequently try to use local communication tools to recruit players and are often unable to get a critical mass of players but not because of lack of interest because of a lack of players who can do the same scenario

Groups B,and C seem to be very counter to any sort of actual community building. I would think a rogue GM trying to run on free time would be great for all those poor DMs that want to just play a game once in a blue moon. But even wilder than that I am just not sure what to do about the fact that I currently struggle for a legal way to make a society table happen that just needs a 3rd player. I realize it's not an ideal play experience but better than constantly being cancelled or playing the same repeatables with new characters all the time.

I know that someday maybe even soon there will be lots of content and this will be a non issue but holding communities together until then may be hard.

reposting my list with one slight change

Have: Possessed Augmentation
Hauler Bot
Rabid Fan Base
Free Captains affiliation

Want: Gencon boon #10 Temporal Anomaly,
Any Race Boons (but have a strong preference toward) Dragonkin, Planar Scion(s), Nuar, Uplifted Bear

Speed is a huge issue for sure. When we did the preview game at paizocon we had to skip the 3rd challenge and still went long.

I like shortening the cooking to one creature though I would keep the multiple rounds of cooking checks for flavor (pun semi intended)

I was thinking of changing moving target by just having the party make a few attack rolls and then having the monsters make a few back so that some resources might be spent before going into the last scenario but the party should be winning big by now so they just need credit for the win and a chance to try for the prizes (the most likely way members of the party face any threat)

I had some rather dubious looks when I claimed I had 2 extra obviously very prosthetic arms at paizo con.

They are at the moment meant to be almost comedic and clearly not real showing the characters desire to look "more bad ass" than they are.

I love the kind of care you are putting into making certain the starfinders are not fedora wearing Independent Wrestlers *winking emoji* and this result is fantastic. The emphasis on changing story narrative allows us to still be inspired (I have a Flash Gordon based character) but find new stories to tell rather than rehashing old ones. making it much more exciting to me on that alone. The other societal goods are a wonderful bonus but you can see where my passion in role playing lies.

Also I have some Pitfall Jones stickers for you to put on your dartboard.

definitely want to add that I would love this as well.

To go along with comments on the room.

On indoor encounters I have a standard question. "How high is the roof ?" Jetpacks and Falcon boots are a thing. I have no idea if the roof was included in the dimensions but I was told a number and it seemed reasonable. I then spent a good deal of the fight on the roof and ran a very strong risk of death and falling up to the roof. Which was great

This encounter was great fun because I was able to engage in 3D combat it did not feel like a cheat code or just on the ground with a fancy mini.

Thank you it was very well done.

The proposal

What started as a documentary on Vesk mating rituals has become a cult favorite show. With each episode featuring what many consider to be bizarre contests that include arts and crafts, combat poetry, shelter building, tail wrestling, seduction dances, and of course dueling.

The show has taken to adding non standard competitions as a way to gain ratings these clearly are an effort to compete with other reality show programming and have received some pushback from the traditionalist vesk viewership.

OMG I have stuff to trade !

Have: Possessed Augmentation
Hauler Bot
Rabid Fan Base
Free Captains

Want: Race Boons with a strong preference toward Dragonkin, Planar Scion, Nuar, Uplifted Bear

I added a Thursday morning/afternoon slot starting at 11am of 1-22 Protectorate Petition. I already have two players, Numbat and Nomadical. Please join us and help us get a legal table! It's a fun scenario, and I'm a fun GM.

Hmm

still at work till 3 but it looks like you got your 3rd. Hopefully I catch you at a table though =)

I added "Looking for Game" to Thursday night. Numbat, if you just pick one to run, I can add it.

Thursday LINK

Thank you for adding a lfg !

I added myself as a player because I have nothing prepped. I will probably just burn a jadnura replay based on what numbat has prepped but I am willing to discuss or drop if other players that need those mods speak up.

Someone looking at running some Starfinder Thursday evening/night (23rd)?

HMM had said something about maybe running and a few others expressed interest.

might be able to talk Numbat into running something from the sounds of it too.

I am feeling out interest in Starfinder during the banquet time slot if anyone is interested in playing or GMing let me know

Hello Majuba!

I'd love a chance to GM something Starfinderish on Thursday morning or afternoon, or to GM a game of something Starfinder on Monday evening, if anyone is interested.

Hmm

I can play thursday afternoon and monday night and would love to have a sit down game with more starfinder friends

I respect a man in a mask.

If I have room to play this I too will have my mask

I would think they never stopped talking/discussing things with Whizkids.

Or Reaper when it comes down to it.

all of this.

Starfinder is a long term product and they want it to have legs years from now they are not going to give up on an idea that can pop up later and continue to support the product.

GM Ewok, you did well to get 1-34 five times. I wish that I had that schedule.

1-34 is a very interesting and complex scenario. If you can possibly run it prior to PaizoCon, I strongly recommend that you do so. You'll benefit from the practice.

I have a lot of mental notes for people interested and will happily play for no credit if people want to practice. This is a very fun one but it does have a lot of fiddly bits

My group and I plan on heading to downtown/pier Seattle (none of us has ever been to the Pacific NW).

A great idea have a lot of fun !

I can only assume both

I am choosing to believe it is both but a lot of people use PFS to be all inclusive and some use it specifically. I will avoid more cynical commentary for now

I understand the announcement was recent, but how far into the ND fiasco did the talks with WizKids start?

I would guess... before

It is well documented that paizo talked with wizkids and they went with ND because WK was unable to meet requirements. This announcement makes me think it was timeline and that WK was always going to have a pre painted line but could not do it to go along with the SF launch date.

EwokBanshee wrote:

I actually came into the forums today to ask if you were going to organize another Special, Arc! It was a great time GMing last year.

I've GM'd it before but would be happy to burn a replay to GM again.

For those wondering on time, we ran it Saturday afternoon last year. Somehow Arc convinced the Paizo team to give us the majority of the available gaming space in the main room.

Which may not happen this year....

It is my understanding the afternoon slots will be on the schedule this year. I am not sure how many tables will be offered, but there will be PFS in each afternoon slot.

** spoiler omitted **

on re reading this I feel the need to ask a question that should be easy.

by saying there will be PFS in the afternoon slot do you mean PFS and SFS ? or is it just PFS ?

Waiting to learn what pickup game slots we have this year.

would be weird but cool to have lots of content going in those slots

yep. Not really interested in food and hype personally. last year we played some games

there was some early games last year mustered on a warhorn site. I am hoping they do that again this year. I am local and always excited to sneak in more games with new faces

SuperBidi wrote:

Gronnigan Conroy wrote:

Also, I don't necessarily think that you have to lean into the Dex penalty. Sinking a couple of points into Dex to counteract the penalty is fine... you'll never be the most dextrous as a Nuar, but it's less important with Heavy Armor and melee or throwing weapons.

If you put a few points into Dexterity, you basically play a bad race/build combination (you'll have a better build by playing a Human, which is the most polyvalent and basic race). It doesn't mean it's bad (I have some characters who are in this case). But it's something important to take into account.

Yes, well, humans are damn boring. I play a human in real life.

Also humans don't get +10 speed, +2 Piloting/Survival, darkvision, or the ability to charge without penalty. Nuar also have great flavor with their love of technology bordering on religion.

It is possible to play a race for something other than the stat spread. Dexterity is by far the most powerful stat; I don't think there's anything wrong with paying off the Dex tax a little to get to the other goodness.

I use one of my personal upgrades to help with dex helps with the I dont want to be a human problem. Now all of my humans are cyborgs

I think people get mixed up on that one, because they look at Trick Attack, and not at Debilitating Trick.

pretty much this. The funny thing is we knew it didnt work with bleed but we always just went along with. Oh it just makes him flat footed.

Kingbrendarr wrote:

BTW junksword is not required if you do one level of soldier. It lets me buy more fun melee weapons like two handers with reach.

While you are definitely correct, Junksword does have some great advantages, such as the 1.5xLevel damage bonus in place of specialization, which is very helpful to stay competitive. It is also incredibly flexible in terms of weapon traits. I like using Nonlethal or Disarm and Reach on my Steward Officer.

Also, I don't necessarily think that you have to lean into the Dex penalty. Sinking a couple of points into Dex to counteract the penalty is fine... you'll never be the most dextrous as a Nuar, but it's less important with Heavy Armor and melee or throwing weapons.

The 1.5 is true and something I didnt look at with the proper depth when doing my melee technomancer build. I instead did 3 levels of soldier with a melee focus gear boost. I personally decided that I didnt need high level technomancer In society play but if I had looked at junk sword closer I might have considered it harder.

this is one of my favorite parts of the starfinder setting I am always excited to learn just a little bit more

While I agree, I don't think that I feel the outrage that you do. Languages have always been a bit hand-waivey anyway. Especially if someone has share language and/or comprehend languages. Again, while I agree that it is an oversight, it isn't a game breaking problem.

Not "outraged" but it is a potential problem long term mechanically and fluff wise its very problematic. The post in this thread went a long way helping though =)

Gazragar wrote:

So, as the title suggests - what suggestions would you all give for a good melee build?

Nuars have a malus in Dexterity. If you compensate it, considering the useless +2 in Intelligence when it comes to melee, you will have a subpar melee character.

So, I would give him an 8 in Dexterity, and build around that. He will have no range options on his own, and low AC.

I see 2 ways of building around that:
- Drone Mechanic with a range drone. So depending on the situation, you can either full attack with the drone or with your character. I would avoid going melee against very big baddies, and focus on the drone in these circumstances. At high level, you can take a combat drone with a saddle and the flight module, so you charge on your flying drone, which is quite funny.
- Technomancer. Junksword and Overcharge Weapon allow you to be very violent in melee, for hit and run tactics so you avoid to stay in melee with your low AC and hit points. And Technomancer gives you tons of spells for range situations.
Also, the Intelligence bonus is very cool for both Mechanics and Technomancers. And you have a role in shipcombat, despite your low Dexterity.

Starknife+ returning = solid ranged option for any strength based character in those times you cant get to melee.

A lot of people have been doing it wrong. It was recently brought up in our play group and we have started making certain to spread the word.

So when we did Aeon Throne in campaign we did a Ryphorian Dragonkin pair. We both were Skyfire legion turned mercenary that got hired on as trouble shooters for the the ship. While we never decided on homeworlds we were paired during the academy and had served at several outposts together. This (would have) allowed us to create a collaborative backstory with individual characteristics as well as paired.

To my mind the story of how you meet is less important than what you have done after. The drama is there, fighting both beside and with each other, triumphs, tragedy, love stories etc

I will be happy to assist or burn a replay as well. I support having more starfinder at this show =)