Starfinder Interstellar Species

Alternate racial traits are always great. I also loved the species grafts in the last alien archive, would also fit well in this book (I mean as much augment support as we can get would be great in a book with evolutionist)

Was really hoping they'd make Bugbears a playable race at some point (Or even in one of the Alien Archives), but I think the custom species rules should suffice that dream well enough!

Was really hoping they'd make Bugbears a playable race at some point (Or even in one of the Alien Archives), but I think the custom species rules should suffice that dream well enough!

Mm, playable bugbears could be pretty cool!

CheesyWumpus wrote:

Was really hoping they'd make Bugbears a playable race at some point (Or even in one of the Alien Archives), but I think the custom species rules should suffice that dream well enough!

Mm, playable bugbears could be pretty cool!

Are we talking classic fantasy bugbears, or Swarm enhanced Uplifted Bears though?

Any chance we see the Grioth as a playable race? C'mon gargoyles were introduced as a playable in the Advanced Race Guide way back in 1E and Grioth are just basically space gargoyles.

Now that I think about it, a good 'biohacker' alternate class option would be something that gives up all instances of the 'fields of study' class feature and maybe even minor biohacks in order to focus on 'self-experimentation'. From there, the biohacker would get to choose a lot of static personal enhancements instead (like maybe gaining energy resistances, increased move speed, improved vision, gills, etc). This would simplify the biohacker a great deal while still offering players a lot of options to customize their character with crazy experimentations (at the cost of biohack versatility of course).

I honestly hope we get to see something like this in the book.

Both space gargoyles and self enhancing biohackers would be amazing.

Now that I think about it, a good 'biohacker' alternate class option would be something that gives up all instances of the 'fields of study' class feature and maybe even minor biohacks in order to focus on 'self-experimentation'.

It sounds like what you're describing is the Evolutionist class that's coming out in this book, so - good news! :D

I love the evolutionist to death, I'm crazy excited for it. But I don't think mad scientist should be limited to one class - it's a broad enough category that there could be subclasses like it for every existing class. Kind of like how casters bled into other classes in galactic magic.

The best class for a mad scientist would depend on their intended field of study. I remember suggesting that a mad scientist NPC in my campaign who specialized in visiting alternate realities might well be a member of the new witchwarper class (which should give you an idea how long ago I was using that NPC).

I totally get that "mad scientist applied to other classes" vibe - in fact, I wrote up something in a very similar vein back during the playtest!

Duskblade wrote:

Now that I think about it, a good 'biohacker' alternate class option would be something that gives up all instances of the 'fields of study' class feature and maybe even minor biohacks in order to focus on 'self-experimentation'.

It sounds like what you're describing is the Evolutionist class that's coming out in this book, so - good news! :D

I'll admit that I'm not a huge fan of the 'evolutionist' class as it stands right now. I realize that this is just a personal preference, but classes like the Vanguard and Solarian don't really appeal to me due to the fact that they have a lot of moving parts, and it seems like the evolutionist is following this trend.

Other classes like operative, soldier, and precog are pretty straight-forward in terms of simplicity, and while I know some players might enjoy 'complex' classes, my hope is that every class will have alternate options to help simplify them a little without completely tanking their power.

It was stated that the class is having some changes to make bookkeeping a little less complicated for it, to what degree we'll have to wait and see. Personally love classes that have resource management in combat, it's a cool in between compared to the usual x per day classes or the nothing consumes resources groups. But I do sympathize, I've been where you are numerous times, where the stars just don't quiiite align for a class to be a good fit.

It was stated that the class is having some changes to make bookkeeping a little less complicated for it, to what degree we'll have to wait and see. Personally love classes that have resource management in combat, it's a cool in between compared to the usual x per day classes or the nothing consumes resources groups. But I do sympathize, I've been where you are numerous times, where the stars just don't quiiite align for a class to be a good fit.

I hear ya. I honestly think my biggest hope is that we get more 'alternate racial options' that can be used for a more generalized purpose (essentially something like the 'Fey Thoughts' ability from 1st edition Pathfinder). Even if it's something small like trading out a racial ability to just get a +2 bonus on a particular skill would be good if such an option could be applied across all races (or most of them).

Was spoiled in paizo live this month that space kobolds are going to be one of the races that gets a deep dive!! Very happy about that

Was spoiled in paizo live this month that space kobolds are going to be one of the races that gets a deep dive!! Very happy about that

They also have a bonkers origin story apparently, so that's exciting as well!

By space kobolds do you mean space kobolds or the Kobold-looking race of Yrgytchee?

I'm pretty sure John was talking about space kobolds, who have only appeared in the card product. That being said I could be wrong, the audio was a little choppy and I haven't heard of Yrgytchee.

I wonder how specific the NPCs will be, if they're general & themed around a concept, or if they are individuals with names & backstories?

Incredibly excited for this

>There's also a system for easily creating your own playable species

Finally, I can make SF-legal centaurs. <3

Here's hoping we can do up SF-legal gillman & half-drow characters, personally...

Now that I think about it, another good idea for an alternate class option would be to give the witchwarper the 'Adaptive Strike' class feature from the evolutionist (perhaps replacing infinite worlds and unfold existences). This would give the witchwarper a nice consistent weapon, and also plays into the classes ability to warp reality (including itself)

Good ideas/nice things and alternate class features for the Witchwarper are not sets that will ever overlap in Starfinder.

Good ideas/nice things and alternate class features for the Witchwarper are not sets that will ever overlap in Starfinder.

Eh, doesn't hurt to hope. Heck, we might even get a nice paradigm shift that let's us use our Charisma modifier instead of our Wisdom modifier for Will saves.

It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility. Mystic has solar connection to get a solar weapon. I don't see why a witchwarper or biohacker couldn't get adaptive strike as an alternate feature

I just realized this book is 216 pages, a significant bump in content! Thank you so much, Paizo! I'm literally going to buy two copies for that. I don't mind paying more if that's what it takes to get bigger books.

I just realized this book is 216 pages, a significant bump in content! Thank you so much, Paizo! I'm literally going to buy two copies for that. I don't mind paying more if that's what it takes to get bigger books.

I'm unsure where that information's coming from? I just checked the Interstellar Species files to confirm, and it's a 192-page book. Still tons of fantastic content, and larger than most of the 160-page books published over Starfinder's first few years, but not quite 216.

Though don't let that discourage you from buying two copies! :-D

wait so blog said something about 100+ species in table

Do we have that many species in starfinder already? I mean, even when counting lore only species?(assuming we aren't counting animals and space monsters)

wait so blog said something about 100+ species in table

Do we have that many species in starfinder already? I mean, even when counting lore only species?(assuming we aren't counting animals and space monsters)

As of this posting, there are 125+ playable species in Starfinder across all official sources. My current estimates pin it at around 129, when you include the species from Drift Crashers book 1. At least 50 more potentially-playable species have been name-dropped across official Starfinder media.

CorvusMask wrote:

wait so blog said something about 100+ species in table

Do we have that many species in starfinder already? I mean, even when counting lore only species?(assuming we aren't counting animals and space monsters)

As of this posting, there are 125+ playable species in Starfinder across all official sources. My current estimates pin it at around 129, when you include the species from Drift Crashers book 1. At least 50 more potentially-playable species have been name-dropped across official Starfinder media.

Starfinder takes that "cantina" feel seriously y'all. ;)

I was just curious about that part of the blog. A table with "100+ Starfinder species". Is just a list with a brief description of the species, or more like a proper complete list with the stast to play as PJ with all that species recopiled in one place?? That second option would be awasome (and very practic)!!

I was just curious about that part of the blog. A table with "100+ Starfinder species". Is just a list with a brief description of the species, or more like a proper complete list with the stast to play as PJ with all that species recopiled in one place?? That second option would be awasome (and very practic)!!

It is 5 pages long with art, source, and a sentence description. No stats.

I think a big table with pictures and a description is an awesome idea. I've seen people on Reddit and such try such things, great to have it in an official book.

Vanvakaris wrote:

I was just curious about that part of the blog. A table with "100+ Starfinder species". Is just a list with a brief description of the species, or more like a proper complete list with the stast to play as PJ with all that species recopiled in one place?? That second option would be awasome (and very practic)!!

It is 5 pages long with art, source, and a sentence description. No stats.

Thanks!! 5-page is a lot of recopiled material. From your latests books, this is the most anticipated for me!! Can't wait to see the final 25-selected roster, hehehe.

As of this posting, there are 125+ playable species in Starfinder across all official sources. My current estimates pin it at around 129, when you include the species from Drift Crashers book 1. At least 50 more potentially-playable species have been name-dropped across official Starfinder media.

I have a spreadsheet that I try to keep up to date with every new release that currently has exactly 50 non-playable species that have been mentioned and could feasibly be PCs. I might be missing some from newer SFS scenarios but otherwise it's up to date AFAIK.

- Legacy: dwarf, elf, half-elf, half-orc, gnome, halfling

I really hope they DON'T bother with the legacy species, I actively avoid the species that you can play in pathfinder, if they address them at all a side bar for official rules to transfer over alt racial traits from pathfinder would suffice imo.

I hope they focus solely on the Starfinder specific races sans the ones that already have alot of alt options.

So lets see if I won a contest to choose all 25 races my first step (after removing legacy races) would be to look at what races have NO alt racials.

WOW!!! Thats still EIGHTY SIX!! races...damn...I knew Starfinder had alot of them but DAMN!!! You go Paizo thats easily over 100 in total.

Well I gotta narrow this down somehow...Well this IS my imaginary contest and opinion so I'll start by nixing all the “bug-like” races (except spathinae ill explain later), that should cut it down a fair amount.

That only brings us down to 76...weird I could have sworn there was way more “bug-like” races ok next hopefully big chunk, races that are either just not “alien” enough (ie. If they were still on the list elves would be removed but vesk would stay for example) or races that may as well be legacy races like the Ferran are VERY similar to Dwarves. Races that have interesting features like the Brakim's removable limbs are exceptions (even though i'm not a huge fan of that race so it might be removed later)

Hmmm...still only brings it down to 67...time to just start removing any races left I don't find interesting/don't like for w/e reason (non-mechanical cause alt racials could fix that, ie. Shakalta)

OK down to 50...still twice as many as the book will have, next lets try to match up races that are similar and choose 1 of each.

After that I still had a few more than 25 so had to remove them and I ended up with the following race, I added some notes of what I'd like to see (alt racials and/or alt stats are assumed for all but im specific with some)

1. Astrazoan – One of my fav races, alt stats please :) oh and official ruling on whether or not monstrous humanoids count as humanoids for shapeshifting purposes.

2. Borai – Clarify why a Ysoki Borai is suddenly medium (or more likely fix the wording so it says that they are their original races size), please expand old talents to cover more races.

3. Brenneri – Their adorable that is all :D

4. Contemplative – just an interesting race id like to know more about

5. Copaxi – not much specific just wanna know more about them

6. Dragonkin – would like to see medium and small variants

7. Dromada - id like to know more about em

8. Entu Colony – Ooze race is definitely unique had a hard time choosing between this and Selamid so honestly either would make me happy to see

9. Entu Symbiote – EXTREMELY versatile race both fluff wise and mechanically (can be any animal, size, special movement type, natural attack) would like to see alt stats to match that fluff/mechanical flexibility.

10. Hortus – not much to say here, just like mushroom people

11. Ixtangi – LOTS of abilities = LOTS of options for alt traits

12. Jububnan – just an interesting race id like to know more about

13. Raxilite – adding rules to play a “family” (2-4) of these guys to utilize LFAN symbiosis would be cool otherwise just one of my fav races

14. Scyphozoan – just an interesting race id like to know more about

15. Seprevoi – always had a weak spot for quadrupeds and this one is medium so much more party friendly (medium variants of the larger quadrepeds would work too)

16. Shakalta – Awesome race (twin soul beings made of LIGHT!!) ruined by forced 10/10 multi-class (which was a good IDEA, just executed horribly/not well supported), either add an alt racial to replace that or add more multi-class friendly/char level based abilities/feats (make them require you to be a Shakalta so you have more freedom), or maybe have them level faster or something I dunno.

17. Shatori – Love these guys, just interesting such an interesting ascetic/design

18. Shimreen - just an interesting race id like to know more about

19. Spathinae – this is special I cant stand bugs but i LOVE the idea of a swarm PC please add some alt traits for “Vermin-like” that let you be different swarms (for example thanks to a very nice DM I was allowed to play a Spathinae that was a mix of plants and animals, it was basically a flying [no legs, four arms] sentient ecosystem....was Plant-like instead of Vermin-like)

20. SRO – When it comes to the "robot" races SRO are the most flexible and are even more underdogs/mistreated than androids are.

21. Stellifera – just an interesting race id like to know more about

22. Telia - just an interesting race id like to know more about

23. Tromlin Bloodseeker - just an interesting race id like to know more about

24. Urog – Not really sure how to categorize these guys but they seem really interesting and alot of the art ive seen makes them look really cute.

25. Worlanisi – wanna know more about this inherently lucky race

I love the evolutionist to death, I'm crazy excited for it. But I don't think mad scientist should be limited to one class - it's a broad enough category that there could be subclasses like it for every existing class. Kind of like how casters bled into other classes in galactic magic.

Paizo's history says they will likely add alt class features and/or archetypes that allow each other class to access some abilities from/similar to evolutionist in the same book or shortly after.

>There's also a system for easily creating your own playable species

Finally, I can make SF-legal centaurs. <3

To be fair there IS several Quadrupedal races already but yeah i'm stoked for the custom race creator too. SF Society will likely ban it though :(

"A new class, the evolutionist, allows you to transform yourself over time into an eldritch being, mechanized construct, sepulchral undead, or riot of biological potential, each with unique abilities—and drawbacks, should you allow your transformation to grow out of control."

Where have you been? Where have you been? Damn you! Where have you been?...How dare you! How dare you come to me now, when I am this!

Been checking out the playtest recently (a friend wants to try it out in one of our games) and I'm really disappointed in eldritch....seriously spell resistance on a class feature that makes you want to be around allied casters is just so counter intuitive.

Glad to hear their making it a inherently full BAB class though.

Fluff wise I love all four of the current "paths"

Alternate racial traits are always great. I also loved the species grafts in the last alien archive, would also fit well in this book (I mean as much augment support as we can get would be great in a book with evolutionist)

I love the species grafts too, would love more, as for more augments in general you gotta assume they'll add more with the evolutionist otherwise it would be like if Galactic Magic has no new spells/casters in it.

Necrografts ESPECIALLY need support there so few of them.

1. Astrazoan – One of my fav races, alt stats please :) oh and official ruling on whether or not monstrous humanoids count as humanoids for shapeshifting purposes.

"Humanoid" and "monstrous humanoid" are specific game terms. So, officially, they do not count.

So... the new class is Ben10?

So... the new class is Ben10?

Closer to Phil in Omniverse. You mutate into monster mode, but don't have multiple forms you can swap between or anything.

Any word if this will be on time? So excited for this book!

Any word if this will be on time? So excited for this book!

Yes it is already in our warehouse.

Yesssss thank you for the answer Aaron!

Don't miss the "A Midsummner Night’s Market Meeting" blog for an excerpt from the OVERVIEW of Starfinder Interstellar Species.

Is there any chance of new previews before the books release like we had with the latest pathfinder classes? Only 24 days away from release date!!

Is there any chance of new previews before the books release like we had with the latest pathfinder classes? Only 24 days away from release date!!

Yes I started writing one this weekend.

Still on the fence with this one, Player options for the players, great, But I don't see a lot of stuff for GM's besides backgrounds/lore for races.

Tom

Still on the fence with this one, Player options for the players, great, But I don't see a lot of stuff for GM's besides backgrounds/lore for races.

Tom

From the looks of it... It'll have a species builder, an NPC codex of sorts, and a host of lore. As a GM, at least the codex should be of some use. Plus all the class abilities are applicable to your NPC creation needs as always.

There is that at least, thanks but with less GM stuff and the price hike for PDF's doubling the cost (thats a bit extreme for me at least do it in smaller increments so sticker shock would not be as bad, but not much we can do about it) I think I will hold off on it for now.

Tom

Kinda wild to me to dismiss "species lore" as stuff for GMs. I'm a GM and I have a savage hunger for that stuff.

Kinda wild to me to dismiss "species lore" as stuff for GMs. I'm a GM and I have a savage hunger for that stuff.

Same, GIMME THAT INSPIRATION AND PLOT HOOKS.