Bring an array of aliens—both weird and familiar—to your science fantasy adventures with Interstellar Species, the newest rulebook for the Starfinder Roleplaying Game!
This gorgeously illustrated reference provides deep dives on 25 playable Starfinder species, each with thematic player options usable by any character, plus new options for 7 Starfinder character classes. There's also a system for easily creating your own playable species, and a catalog of around 100 thematic nonplayer characters ready to slot into any adventure! 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.
Written by: Rigby Bendele, Jessica Catalan, John Compton, John Curtin, Dana Ebert, Eleanor Ferron, Ivis K. Flanagan, Nicole Heits, Joan Hong, Mikko Kallio, Jason Keeley, Aaron Lascano, Hilary Moon Murphy, Emily Parks, Joe Pasini, Erin Roberts, Chris S. Sims, Kendra Leigh Speedling, Owen K.C. Stephens, Jason Tondro, Isis Wozniakowska, Linda Zayas-Palmer
ISBN-13: 978-1-64078-473-4
Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:
This book is a good book to get if you're interested in learning more about some of the species that populate Starfinder. It includes things like some naming conventions, history, culture, and so on.
The Evolutionist looks like a fun class to play. If you're familiar with Solarians and Vanguards, then you won't be that overwhelmed keeping track of Mutation Points and how to use them.
The Species Builder is more broad guidelines than hard rules. I think this is the right direction compared to something like PF1e's Advanced Race Guide, which tried to imply that their point system was balanced when it wasn't. A little thought and self-control does more than assigning point values will.
There's interesting class options, feats, and equipment. The only flaw I saw was a new Soldier Gear Boost that allowed them to do more damage with thrown weapons when they had higher Strength than Dexterity. However, to get this extra damage you have to throw with Dexterity, which I think only an Operative can currently do. So I think someone forgot what system they were writing for.
I pretty much only run pre-published stuff, and mostly in Society org play land. Even so, I think the book's worth the price of admission. Then again, I enjoy reading up on species' histories and cultures. So - if you're okay spending $20 to read up about 25 weirdo Starfinder aliens, go for it! If not, wait for the Evolutionist to come out in the AoN System Ref Docs and decide then.
The Soldier's "Devastating Throw" Gear Boost seem to have it's attributes the wrong way round. Soldiers cannot throw weapons with Dexterity (Thrown attacks are Strength-based and the Operative weapon special property only applies to melee attacks). In general no class can use Dexterity instead of Strength for thrown attacks. Making the bonus for having higher Strength impossible to use and even if it was possible there would be no reason to choose to use Dexterity over the default Strength.
However if the attributes were switched this Gear Boost makes a lot more sense. It would allow Dexterity-based Soldiers to take advantage of thrown weapons they previously couldn't have meaningful used.
For some reason my book (using subscription) has been showing as pending since end of October anyone else not getting there book who is setup as a subscriber.
For some reason my book (using subscription) has been showing as pending since end of October anyone else not getting there book who is setup as a subscriber.
Send an e-mail to customer.service@paizo.com and reference your order number. They supposedly finished the subscription shipments for November, but clearly something went wrong with yours.
Question for any devs: My reading is that the damage from the feat Bear Hug is specifically damage that is equivalent a characters natural unarmed attack damage and not the damage of something they are wielding that can be used to make an unarmed attack. Is this correct? The case I'm envisioning here being a Vanguard's shield being used as an unarmed attack, which is then used to deliver Entropic Strike.
Just some thoughts in no particular order and I probably forgot half what I wanted to write about
- Awesome Atrazoan art. It takes skill making a walking starfish seem badass
- Space Marine Kelo. Seriously, that is not space marine inspired, thats a picture of an Ultramarine with the skull images removed
- The lines between Soldier and Operative gets even more blurred. And with the Operative being one of the best skill users already and now stealing more and more stuff from Soldiers they become a bit too good imo
- Dragonkin can reproduce with other species? Is that a normal thing in Starfinder or something special to Dragonkin only? Their entry doesn't seem to think that its a big deal.
- Generally Dragonkin are a bit one sided, its all about the bond. On one hand, having such a detailed topic is nice, but on the other hand it makes them one trick ponys. What about them looking like how Vesk think their heroes will be transformed in the afterlife? No mention of that?
- The equipment and feats being spread through the book is a bit sup-optimal in my opinion.
- Would have liked a bit more explanation of what the creature type influences instead of just saying that its mostly for flavour. Like giving an example of spells that only work on humanoids, ect.
- Dragonkin can reproduce with other species? Is that a normal thing in Starfinder or something special to Dragonkin only? Their entry doesn't seem to think that its a big deal.
It's an interesting take and one based, I assume, in 3E/Pathfinder/Starfinder dragons being able to reproduce with virtually anything.
Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber
I saw Dragonkin being mentioned... does it include alternate breath weapons, natural weapons, smaller size, gliding wings and whatnot?
Some of those, yes.
They receive a trait that replaced the energy damage of their breath weapon... and a trait that replaced flight with a feat... Yeah, kinda disappointed... The flightless one should have been a size change to Medium.
The Sonic Vocalizer Biotech is kinda impressive, and now I wonder if making it into other energy as a house rule would be suitable.
Pathfinder LO Special Edition, Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, PF Special Edition Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber
CheyTom wrote:
CorvusMask wrote:
Guess this is what the survey was for :O Hope we see some ap article only species getting hardcover coverage
I would hope it's not because the word "race", as it's used in most RPGs, helps perpetuate racism.