How would you stat out a hawkman race?


General Discussion


So, to get us in the mindset for Starfinder, my group watched the 1980 Flash Gordon movie.

Now one of my players wants to basically play Prince Vultan (who can blame him?)

I was curious, how would you guys stat out a hawkperson race for Starfinder?


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Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

*blearily blinks at the topic*

'Thanagarian' from DC, eh?

Shayera Hol ftw!


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My 2 cents.
- +2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Con.
- Humanoid (hawkman).
- Speed 30 ft.
- Flight: A hawkman gains an extraordinary flight speed of 30 feet with average maneuverability. Until a hawkman is 5th level, he must end his movement on the ground at the end of each turn or fall. (As per dragonkin race).
- Low-light vision.
- +2 racial bonus to Perception and Survival checks.


Wei Ji the Learner wrote:


*blearily blinks at the topic*

'Thanagarian' from DC, eh?

Shayera Hol ftw!

Same species, basically, yeah (Pretty sure DC stole them from KFS).

Buy yeah, strong humans that fly with bird wings, basically.


I'd probably put them at +2 Str +2 Dex -2 Int, though that honestly makes them a tiny bit OP as soldiers/solarians. Maybe +2 Dex +2 Cha -2 Int, instead?? Though Vesk are +2 Str +2 Con, so it isn't too out of line to do a dex/str combo.

I wouldn't give them low-light or darkvision. Though I might give them a +2 racial bonus to visual perception checks (just for hawkeye flavor). I'd give them innate proficiency with basic and advanced melee weapons + weapon specialization at 3rd like dwarves. Probably a 20ft movement rate but a 30ft flight speed (average). Maybe a racial +1 bonus to armor and a +2 to saves versus fear a la Vesk.

I think that's about on par with Vesk, depending on how useful flight is in your campaign. YMMV.


Riccardo Olivieri wrote:

My 2 cents.

- +2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Con.
- Humanoid (hawkman).
- Speed 30 ft.
- Flight: A hawkman gains an extraordinary flight speed of 30 feet with average maneuverability. Until a hawkman is 5th level, he must end his movement on the ground at the end of each turn or fall. (As per dragonkin race).
- Low-light vision.
- +2 racial bonus to Perception and Survival checks.

On point!

pithica42 wrote:
I'd probably put them at +2 Str +2 Dex -2 Int, though that honestly makes them a tiny bit OP as soldiers/solarians. Maybe +2 Dex +2 Cha -2 Int, instead?? Though Vesk are +2 Str +2 Con, so it isn't too out of line to do a dex/str combo.

Birds are incredibility intelligent so I wouldn't give them a -2 to Int or Wis. And I see you giving hawkman race a +2 str, +2 dex because of their feet being able to crush small mammals but I really don't see in a race. Also scratching my head about the plus to AC. Unless you are thinking about Tizoc from KOF I am thinking +2 Dex, +2(Int or Wis), and -2(Con or Cha) better.


Farlanghn wrote:
Birds are incredibility intelligent so I wouldn't give them a -2 to Int or Wis. And I see you giving hawkman race a +2 str, +2 dex because of their feet being able to crush small mammals but I really don't see in a race. Also scratching my head about the plus to AC. Unless you are thinking about Tizoc from KOF I am thinking +2 Dex, +2(Int or Wis), and -2(Con or Cha) better.

They're not birds though. They're supposed to be the 'beefy humans with hawk wings' from DC-JL/Flash Gordon. At least, that's how I read the request.

When reading/watching Flash Gordon and Justice League, I never once came away thinking of either depiction of the race as "learned scholars" or quick thinkers. They're big beefy warriors that love a good fight and respect how hard you can hit them, not how many PHD's you've earned.

I gave them strength, because they happen to be stronger than humans in both depictions.
I gave them dex, mostly because flight is an acrobatics check and I assumed they should be good at it.
I penalized their int, because as a race they aren't known for scholarly endeavors.
I gave them the weapon proficiencies because both versions have racial martial traditions.
I gave them the AC boost because both versions seem to be able to take a punch better than people can.

If I were designing something more like Tengu/Kenku I'd probably use the same stat array that they did in the starfarer's companion (+2 Dex, +2 Wis, -2 Con).

Anyway, that's just how I read the request. I'm just trying to explain where I'm coming from, not argue that I'm right.


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pithica42 wrote:
Anyway, that's just how I read the request. I'm just trying to explain where I'm coming from, not argue that I'm right.

Ooops, My bad. I was thinking Tengu and Not Birdman from Rick and Morty **Foot/Mouth**


I'd argue against the strength. Usually the beefy ones you see are trained soldiers. Plus, the Thanagarians from DC (at least the DCAU version I'm most familiar with) were trained soldiers, and implied bio-modifications (in fact, IIRC, weren't the wings themselves bio-tech implants?). +dex/-con makes sense because, if nothing else, making them naturally flight capable has some weight sacrifices. Either that or -strength because their muscle mass is being taken up by the wings.

Really, it does depend on how much flight is considered a bonus in the setting, and how badly an unconventional form is a mechanical detriment.


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Strength should be + because those wings have to be strong (and the foundations for them, etc) to be able to fly.

Constitution likewise, because elevations and heights are taxing to weaker health'd individuals.

See a -Wisdom possibility (Thanagarians were a bit hot-headed as memory serves)

See also a -Charisma possibility (They've got this 'my way or the highway' sort of mentality about them)


Wei Ji the Learner wrote:


Constitution likewise, because elevations and heights are taxing to weaker health'd individuals.

A high altitude adaptation would probably cover that enough. I was thinking penalty to Con because their frame would have to be somewhat lighter for the flight - maybe lighter bone mass and density - a good justification for the lower Con given its effect on hit points.


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Whereas I was going with 'butt-kicking front-liner melees' for both the SotU Hawkmen and the DC Thanagarians.

Neither race seemed to be 'frail' or 'weak'. If anything they were *robust* and *hardy*.


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+2 bonus to Shouting and Facial Hair.


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

That would be the SotU subtype.


Actually, Hawkman/girl's wings were originally equipment. They were always taking them off, getting straps cut, etc.

So you could play them as human variants with maybe a biotech interface to operate the wings.


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Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
MarcCCTx wrote:

Actually, Hawkman/girl's wings were originally equipment. They were always taking them off, getting straps cut, etc.

So you could play them as human variants with maybe a biotech interface to operate the wings.

Wrong Hawkman. We are discussing something more like this.

The only reason that it appears that Prince Vultan can remove his wings is relatively shoddy special effects. The wings are definitely supposed to be part of his body.

Grand Lodge

Use Strix
Strix Racial Traits (from advance race guide)
+2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma: Strix are swift and elusive, but
tend to be stubborn and swift to anger.
Strix: Strix are humanoids with the strix subtype.
Medium: Strix are Medium creatures and have no bonuses
or penalties due to their size.
Normal Speed: Strix have a base speed of 30 feet on land.
They also have a fly speed of 60 feet (average).
Low-Light Vision: Strix can see twice as far as humans in
conditions of dim light.
Darkvision: Strix can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
Hatred: Strix receive a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against
humanoid creatures with the human subtype because of
their special training against these hated foes.
Nocturnal: Strix gain a +2 racial bonus on Perception
and Stealth checks in dim light or darkness.
Suspicious: Strix receive a +2 racial bonus on saving
throws against illusion spells and effects.
Languages: Strix begin play speaking Strix. Those
with high Intelligence scores can choose from
the following: Auran, Common, Draconic, Giant,
Gnome, Goblin, Infernal.


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Is the soundtrack included?

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