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The Facial Reconfiguration knack seems really odd when compared to other options that affect Disguise checks. The fact that it can only reduce a specific DC adjustment seems like a needlessly clunky mechanic when most other disguise augmenting items and mechanics simply negate multiple DC adjustments completely. Further, while the quick disguise is nice, the ability overall seems to offer little else over a Holoskin, a very cheap item at level 6.
The 10th level knack Biometric Theft is likewise matched by a lower level item. The Doppleganger Morphic Skin, which has nearly the same mechanics, is a level 6 item, incredibly cheap with 10th level credits.
It would seem to me that these knacks ought to be dropped down in level. As is they don't seem worth taking when lower level gear provides roughly equivalent utility.
The Facial Reconfiguration knack seems really odd when compared to other options that affect Disguise checks. The fact that it can only reduce a specific DC adjustment seems like a needlessly clunky mechanic when most other disguise augmenting items and mechanics simply negate multiple DC adjustments completely. Further, while the quick disguise is nice, the ability overall seems to offer little else over a Holoskin, a very cheap item at level 6.
The 10th level knack Biometric Theft is likewise matched by a lower level item. The Doppleganger Morphic Skin, which has nearly the same mechanics, is a level 6 item, incredibly cheap with 10th level credits.
It would seem to me that these knacks ought to be dropped down in level. As is they don't seem worth taking when lower level gear provides roughly equivalent utility.
I do like the idea of substituting a Disguise check for Computers, but yeah, the rest of the mechanics are way too high level to be viable options.
I agree on this. I'd like to take a look at Operative to compare, though, since this might just be a Starfinder issue.
- Operative requires two talents to impersonate people: 2nd and 10th. A Spy Operative can do it at 5th for no feats.
- Operative gets Disguise as a class skill and has the bonus for free.
- Operative is very limited in uses per day, and the duration is short. It can be set up as a standard action.
- Operative gets a +10 bonus, but allows a will save.
- Nanocyte requires three talents to impersonate people: 2nd, 6th, and 10th.
- Nanocyte needs to have Sheath array active with Disguise selected for the bonus, and needs a feat to make Disguise a class skill.
- Nanocyte needs to have a limited shelf-life sample to impersonate somebody, and has unlimited duration. It costs a point to do in one turn, or is free with a couple minutes of work.
- Nanocyte gets a +10 bonus and a penalty reduction with no save, but only gets the bonus to impersonate individuals.
- Nanocyte's ability also works on biometrics.
As much as I hate to say it, Starfinder treats impersonating people as a 10th level ability unless you've got specialized early-access. The extra talent cost for Nanocyte is to make up for not being the 3/4 BAB skills class, and because the Nanocyte's disguise ability is much superior to the Operative's. (Although, of course, a Spy Operative beats Nanocyte handily, which is only fair.)
Personally, I don't care much for how Starfinder makes impersonation so high cost, but it's a little late to go messing with that.
Disguise should be absolutely be a class skill, though, or Versatile Nanites should make the skills class skills if they aren't already.
The holoskin projector is an excellent flavor substitute for folks who don't actually need to impersonate specific people or beat biometric scans.
I looked into the opening post's comparison with the Morphic Skin line a bit more. Doppelganger skin ignores most penalties, comes online four levels earlier for less investment, and gives +10 instead of +5 to pass biometrics (applied to all skills, not just Disguise), and doesn't require a sample. The catch is, you can only change during a ten-minute rest.
The advanced skin also does a pretty good job of replacing Facial Reconfiguration, with much better penalty reduction and earlier/cheaper access at the cost of requiring a ten-minute break to change.
Shockingly few shapeshifting or appearance-altering options for a class whose flavor text literally says you can "reshape your body." Disappointing as this is a fun aspect of nanites in science fiction, especially in Michael Crichton's Prey.
The ooze faculty is pretty cool, but these disguise talents require too much investment for too little benefit. Nanite Versatility and Facial Recognition also has the problem where they technically don't negate the need for a disguise kit. Even if a GM interprets that you don't need it, Facial Recognition still doesn't let you do anything that you couldn't already do with the Disguise skill. It just lowers DCs.
My preference is estranging the knack tree from Nanite Versatility and making the following changes.
1. Add Disguise as a class skill.
2. Add a 2nd level knack with the following effects: At-will, you can make very basic cosmetic changes to your appearance, like a weaker Basic Morphic Skin where you're still recognizable as yourself and you don't get any Disguise check benefits. However, if your sheath array is active, you can use it as a disguise kit with the ability to actually alter your features and add the sheath's insight bonus to Disguise checks.
3. Add a 6th level knack that requires the above knack: You can use the above knack to change your apparent sex, age, 1 foot of height, and add cosmetic features from other creatures of your type. If you use your sheath array as a disguise kit, you ignore Disguise penalties for changing these features.
4. Add a 10th level knack that requires the 6th level knack: When you use your sheath array as a disguise kit, you can disguise yourself as a specific individual within the boundaries of the ability. If you have a sample of the creature when forming the disguise, you can use it to bypass biometric locks by using your Disguise skill in place of Computers to hack the lock.
5. Add a 14th level knack that lets you use the sheath array to disguise yourself as other creature types of within one size category of your own.
Would also be cool if we had a faculty or a knack line where you can spend a nanite surge for a polymorph.