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So Character Operations Manual introduced the idea of alternate class features for the CRB classes (not a new d20 thing, but new as far as Starfinder goes), opening up some cool new paths and character concepts.
However, the three new classes from that same book, the biohacker, vanguard and witchwarper, did not receive such alternative features, but I'd be highly surprised if we didn't see those at some point down the line, whether in another COM-like book or somewhere else.
And of course, it's not an impossibility that we might see even more ACFs for the core classes as well.
What kinds of features would you want to see introduced, though, either for the CRB classes or the COM ones (or dare I say for the nanocyte, but we don't even know what the base class looks like yet so...)?
I'd like something that could replace Operative's Evasion. As it stands, Evasion is the last Operative class feature that is dependent on the type of armor worn that does not have an alternate class feature available for it. I feel it would be an interesting step in making the class as flexible as possible.
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I'd like something that could replace Operative's Evasion. As it stands, Evasion is the last Operative class feature that is dependent on the type of armor worn that does not have an alternate class feature available for it. I feel it would be an interesting step in making the class as flexible as possible.
Maybe something like "Brace for Impact" - When an operative with this feature must make a Reflex save, they may use a Reaction to take half damage. If the Reflex save is successful, the operative takes one-quarter damage. You gain this benefit even if unencumbered or wearing heavy or powered armor, helpless, or unable to move. If you take the Improved Evasion exploit, the damage is reduced even further to one-quarter on a failed Reflex save, or one-eighth on a successful save.
How about being able to materialize armor upgrades for Solar Armor? How about being able to grow in size with Armor?
It sounds more like manifestations than class features, BUT replacing some features for a much narrower specialisation wouldn't be a bad idea ;)
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Honestly, I lean to the Solarian needing a full blown revamp, ala the UA Ranger in 5e. Its the only class to suffer from both having a very narrow and specific setting concept ( a single as-yet-ill-defined mystic ideology from a specific alien race, that only arrived in the known setting recently ), *and* a 'blobby' game mechanic lacking in interesting and distinct choices.
One is a lore update/revamp, I'd expect any updates on that in the back of an AP.
Solar armor is pretty uninteresting as a mechanic, but the solarian itself is a very strong combatant. I wouldn't expect much other than some sort of manifestation requiring armor, or more items that interact with armor.
I've only played a little 5e, but I'm pretty sure the problem with the original ranger was that its class features didn't work right. The solarian's do work, very well.
Honestly, I lean to the Solarian needing a full blown revamp, ala the UA Ranger in 5e. Its the only class to suffer from both having a very narrow and specific setting concept ( a single as-yet-ill-defined mystic ideology from a specific alien race, that only arrived in the known setting recently ), *and* a 'blobby' game mechanic lacking in interesting and distinct choices.
While I would like to see some more options for the class, particularly ones that interact with being an unbalanced Solarian, I fully disagree. The 'narrow concept' you're talking about has only been presented in lore as a sort of easy-access version of Solarian training. The Kasathan tradition is perhaps the most common but definitely not the only one. In material I've personally read there are at least three other traditions that arose in isolation from the one brought to the Pact Worlds by the Kasatha and it is pretty explicitly stated that there are more out there. What's more is that it implies Solarian abilities can arise without specific training.
As for their core mechanics, I will admit it takes a bit of work to fully grasp and I'd never recommend a Solarian to a complete newbie, but there are definitely some interesting choices to be made there. I could put together multiple viable and different builds with different flavor pretty easily.
...But I even enjoy armor Solarians so some would say that utterly discredits me.
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My solarian in Dead Suns was a surprisingly satisfying character to play, I actually had to weigh choices most combats; do I take a turn to set up Corona or does this situation call for dashing forward with Stellar Rush and boxing in enemies? Compared to that, playing an operative has been a bit dull; I'm all the time just using Uncanny Mobility and Trick Attack.
I'd like more flavor about the background of the solarian, but mainly I'd like to see some of the abilities cleaned up a a bit.
I feel like the Graviton revelations lean too heavily on enemy saving throws, while the MADness of the class and generally high saving throws of NPCs makes that hard to work with.
The solarian's skill bonuses are absurdly fiddly and unreliable compared to the other classes. Why does this class have to jump through hoops all the time for a rather modest skill bonus to a limited set of choices, while the operative just gets everything, all of the time?
It's annoying that using a zenith power tends to end all the ongoing revelations you turned on for various actions. This means that playing for Supernova and Corona is contradictory. No other class has so many powers that seem to be fighting each other.
Many of the Graviton mobility-related revelations were also things that were more consistently done, and done better, with armor upgrades or implants. Considering that you also have difficulty using graviton and photon revelations at the same time, this pushes you very heavily to one side. Then you get the unbalanced revelations "problem", but since you may not want to burst anyway because it turns off your buffs - this class is stepping on its own toes so much and the best solarian is probably one that mostly ignores the natural build. Instead of building with a balance of light and dark, it's all fire, heavy armor, and dip one level of soldier so you can dump charisma.
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I have a weapon solarian, but his schtick is being a miniature sun, with "solar flares" being his manifested weapon. As a barathu devotee of Sarenrae, I really doubt that Klatoo underwent Kasatha martial and philosophical training. He's a weird gasbag zealot.
(yes, his name is Klatoo the Barathu)
...But I even enjoy armor Solarians so some would say that utterly discredits me.I for one don't. My first Starfinder character, who I am still playing, is an armor Solarian and he's still one of my favorites! His solar armor looks like angel wings!My Armor Solarian is a worshiper of Besmara and his armor takes the form of black kraken tentacles that manifest out of his tattoos.
-Beta
My first Starfinder Society character is a friendly and cheerful prophet of the heat-death of the universe and mechanically a solar armor tank. I'm planning to have him unbalanced in favor of graviton revelations so he is infuriatingly hard to kill as he taunts and smashes Devourer Cultist (the dirty idolators). I unironically love him.
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I have a weapon solarian, but his schtick is being a miniature sun, with "solar flares" being his manifested weapon. As a barathu devotee of Sarenrae, I really doubt that Klatoo underwent Kasatha martial and philosophical training. He's a weird gasbag zealot.
(yes, his name is Klatoo the Barathu)
Does... does he wear a neck tie?
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Does... does he wear a neck tie?I have a weapon solarian, but his schtick is being a miniature sun, with "solar flares" being his manifested weapon. As a barathu devotee of Sarenrae, I really doubt that Klatoo underwent Kasatha martial and philosophical training. He's a weird gasbag zealot.
(yes, his name is Klatoo the Barathu)
WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP ASKING ME THAT?
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It's annoying that using a zenith power tends to end all the ongoing revelations you turned on for various actions. This means that playing for Supernova and Corona is contradictory. No other class has so many powers that seem to be fighting each other.
Envoy. At least so I hear from others.
Ultimately we're getting off topic... though all this Solarian talk gave me an idea for something.
What would be a could space-fantasy dual concept to replace photon and graviton?
Ultimately we're getting off topic... though all this Solarian talk gave me an idea for something.
What would be a could space-fantasy dual concept to replace photon and graviton?
Light and dark, emotion and logic, yin and yang, etc.
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Light and dark, emotion and logic, yin and yang, etc.Ultimately we're getting off topic... though all this Solarian talk gave me an idea for something.
What would be a could space-fantasy dual concept to replace photon and graviton?
I rather like the Yin/Yang comparison because neither one is inherently good or evil, and it's not like half the solarian powers have an evil vibe to them.
I rather like the Yin/Yang comparison because neither one is inherently good or evil, and it's not like half the solarian powers have an evil vibe to them.Light and dark, emotion and logic, yin and yang, etc.Ultimately we're getting off topic... though all this Solarian talk gave me an idea for something.
What would be a could space-fantasy dual concept to replace photon and graviton?
That could lend to an interesting split between existing powers too. One side could be healing, skills, and status removal while the other could be reinforcement and offense. Maybe alter the attunement rules so that one side can only be attuned out of combat and the other can only be attuned in combat.
I want to see something with the automatic fire. I really would like a focused automatic. I like the concept of going full automatic on one creature. Allows for extra damage but have some sort of draw back. Maybe I am thinking of a fighting style for the Soldier...
Would like to see something new with biohacker... anything really
I want to see something with the automatic fire. I really would like a focused automatic. I like the concept of going full automatic on one creature. Allows for extra damage but have some sort of draw back. Maybe I am thinking of a fighting style for the Soldier...
Would like to see something new with biohacker... anything really
I agree, there could be some fun stuff altering how automatic fire works, like changing the shape of the spray or making it a reflex area of effect but I feel that might be better served by a few feats.
I'm hoping for new option for Solarians, an operative solar weapon. Just have it do the same scaling damage as normal solar weapons, but with d4s instead of d6s. Give it full specialization damage like solar flare and entropic strike. That'd put its damage lower than normal solar weapon(higher Dex means lower Str), but higher than solar flare(adds Str to damage and can use the Soulfire fusion).