What do you think the Technomancer and Mechanic will be like?

[Mangaholic13]

So, I know we've still got about a month and a third before the Technomancer and Mechanic playtest will be released...

Anyone else what to pass some of that time by speculating what kind of features they'll have? Here are my thoughts:

Technomancer:

So, back in SF1e, the technomancer's whole shtick was "I'm a wizard... in space!" Not the most interesting thing compared to the other classes, and unlikely to be the case since SF2e and PF2e are meant to be compatible, so "Space Wizard" can be handled with... the Wizard class.
So, I'm guessing (or hoping) that the Technomancer will lean in more with the technology aspect than it did back in SF1e. Perhaps they'll get various means of incorporating technology into their spell casting? Like, casting spells through the internet, hacking with magic, use computers to speed up summoning rituals (Yes, like the Demon Summoning Program from SMT), or even create an AI hologram familiar?
I'm sure there are all sorts of inventive ways to combine magic and technology.

Mechanic:

Now, the main issue facing the Mechanic, to me, is that PF2e already gave us the Inventor class, and a lot of ideas I have for what the Mechanic could be, the Inventor could cover.
Right now, though, I'm guessing they'll have features regarding hacking, tech item creation, their drone, and augmenting themselves (like the cortex feature from SF1e. Perhaps so feats/abilities for people wanting to make themselves into a customizable cyborg?

[Milo v3]

I'm hoping technomancer ends up a wave-caster so it's class can afford to have a good amount of class abilities. Especially since techno-spells are just common things on the spell lists now. Everyone is healing via phones in Starfinder regardless of if they like that aesthetic, so just techy spells can't be the crux of their class idenity.

[Zoken44]

So I've long contended that I'd imagine the Mechanic's main ability to be overclocking tech. Like making your damage dice on your blaster bigger for a limited time, but then has to be fixed later. Temporary enhancements at the cost of repairs in down time. Over use the ability and you can't fix everything you broke between combats.

[WWHsmackdown]

I'm hoping/guessing that mechanic is a support martial that can also drop drones/turrets like the playtest necromancer's mechanics. Basically a martial inversion of that playtest. Im with Milo on the technomancer: the fewer the spell slots the more cool toys we get, so I hope it's a two slot caster or a wave caster

[WatersLethe]

I'll repost my previous thoughts:

Technomancer:

I want the Technomancer to be the equivalent of the Druid of technology. They should be considered kinda weird compared to most everyone, and be a little *too* into the mysticism of technology, with a strong bent toward *software* specifically. I think Mechanic can handle the hardware side of things quite well, and so giving narrative control of software to Technomancers could be a good way to give the two classes some space.

I'd like Technomancers to be able to influence, duplicate, or generate AI helpers that can do things as diverse as doing research automatically in the background to providing useful combat HUD info or targeting assistance.

I'd like Technomancers to be able to champion Matrix style modes of play, including things like allowing the party to physically enter artificial environments, computer systems, or data pads (if only to hide for a bit from real world threats).

I feel like Technomancers should be able to blur the line between virtual reality and reality, perhaps allowing AI helpers or software threats to take physical form to assist in combat or skill challenges, or create illusory effects.

I think Technomancers should be able to act as essentially a living matrix node, allowing them to project an aura of technological effects even in the wilderness.

Overcoming security systems and cameras should be second nature to Technomancers.

I don't think Technomancers necessarily need to be able to throw fireballs (though I think they should have a high damage potential). So I would like to put forth, looking at the sheer number and variety of effects the Kineticist can gain access to, that the Technomancer should be something more akin to a kineticist who channels only technological effects.

Mechanic:

I'd like to see Mechanics being able to swing their big narrative... wrench around. Having one in your party should be a bit like bringing civilization with you.

I imagine them meticulously and jealously assembling and caring for their personal engineering toolkit as essentially a personalized key to whatever the situation calls for, inside and out of combat.

A mechanic should be able to solve narrative problems that technology should be able to solve, without the party having to plan ahead or rely on begging NPCs for help. They should be able to quickly and easily convert UPBs into useful tools, and perhaps get some UPBs for free every day, so that they can always have an answer to the party not having the right tool for the job. From making an air conditioned shelter, to putting up a zipline, to building a permanent water harvesting system for a community, a mechanic should represent the kinds of power you'd normally get from utility spells in Pathfinder.

In combat I'd like to see Mechanics be able to do things unrelated to drones or modifying their own gear. Those things, I feel, should be pretty universally available options. I'd like it if they could do something more *sciencey*, possibly using their toolkit as a source of handwavium. Like spot welding enemy boots to the floor, generating a magnetic field that deflects bullets, welding a bulkhead door closed, creating an EMP wave, setting traps and snares, etc.

All in addition to being able to opt into computers/hacking, and naturally being able to use a gun.

I guess I kind of hope they fill more of a caster role in being able to solve problems and make flashy effects, but with the power of science.

[Dragonchess Player]

Interesting options I'd like to see:

Technomancer:

With the playtest witchwarper (Analyst paradox), or possibly a mystic (Akashic connection), already sort of covering the spellcasting side of the PF1 technomancer, I'd personally like to see an extra witchwarper paradox that leans a bit more into "virtual reality" (illusions) as well as a wave caster technomancer that has "item augmentation" abilities in as similar way to the SF2 inventor and/or runesmith.

Mechanic:

I would like to see the mechanic as the SF2 "pet" class, but provide more options as to what counts as a "pet:" construct/drone, personal vehicle, powered armor (possibly, depending on how SF2 implements this), etc.

[WWHsmackdown]

https://paizo.com/starfinderplaytest

The playtest notice describes the mechanic as "The mechanic syncs with their exocortex to deploy mines, turrets, or command a drone." Looks like mines, turrets, and a drone might be the subclasses

[Perpdepog]

Already super excited for the mechanic. I'm really glad the drone is coming back as a possible focus, and I like the emphasis on other deployables like turrets. If you are able to somewhat switch between those modes then it'll basically be exactly what I was hoping for out of the mechanic.

[QuidEst]

Technomancer is overclocking gear and modding spells. I don't really know what "overclocking" would mean outside of weapons, but I'm interested in finding out. I'm assuming that modding spells is something of a spellshape focus, since that's the most consistent thing we have for modifying spells currently.

[WWHsmackdown]

Slight tangent, but what's the over-under on SROs showing up on this future tech book.....asking for a friend

[Zoken44]

So, from the sounds of it the Technomancer is going to lean in to spellshaping, the way the Witch leans into familiars. Probably each subclass would have unique spell shapes to represent certain types of spellshaping. as for overclocking weapon, I imagine they'll have a magic ability, like a focus spell, that acts as essentially a spellshape for weapons and gear.

The Mechanic sounds interesting. Real battle field control style with turrets, mines, and a drone.

And I also hope SRO's return in the tech book, and holograms too.

[Perpdepog]

QuidEst wrote:

Technomancer is overclocking gear and modding spells. I don't really know what "overclocking" would mean outside of weapons, but I'm interested in finding out. I'm assuming that modding spells is something of a spellshape focus, since that's the most consistent thing we have for modifying spells currently.

It'd be really cool if you were able to layer modifications onto your spells. Call them Magic Hacks like in SF1E, and basically have them be free action modifications to spellshapes that you put on your spells, so you're extra rewarded for modifying your spells on the fly.

I hope the technomancer's Spell Cache comes back in some form. Maybe that will be their flavor of subclass, spell caches optimized for different kinds of casting.

[kaid]

Mangaholic13 wrote:

So, I know we've still got about a month and a third before the Technomancer and Mechanic playtest will be released...

Anyone else what to pass some of that time by speculating what kind of features they'll have? Here are my thoughts:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

I have to assume mechanics wind up leaning hard into their exocortex stuff for remote repair/hacking. I am curious if they still get drones but honestly I would be kinda surprised if they do as that would muddy the water between them and inventor.

It is possible they really go the other direction though which could be tech summoner style class. Less power on the mechanic side who would do more hacking style things from the backline while they are commanding a strong Drone more similar in power to an eidolon. That could lean into their SF1 flavor without stamping on inventors feet as much.

[QuidEst]

kaid wrote:

Mangaholic13 wrote:

So, I know we've still got about a month and a third before the Technomancer and Mechanic playtest will be released...

Anyone else what to pass some of that time by speculating what kind of features they'll have? Here are my thoughts:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

I have to assume mechanics wind up leaning hard into their exocortex stuff for remote repair/hacking. I am curious if they still get drones but honestly I would be kinda surprised if they do as that would muddy the water between them and inventor.

It is possible they really go the other direction though which could be tech summoner style class. Less power on the mechanic side who would do more hacking style things from the backline while they are commanding a strong Drone more similar in power to an eidolon. That could lean into their SF1 flavor without stamping on inventors feet as much.

We know for a fact that they can get a drone; that much was announced. (Alternatives are turrets and mines.)

[Mangaholic13]

Yeah, since I'm the one who started this thread without noticing that (partially due to failing my perception check), I'll post the words from the Playtest page:

Paizo wrote:

This spring we’re testing out two classes: mechanic and technomancer! The mechanic syncs with their exocortex to deploy mines, turrets, or command a drone. The technomancer hacks magic to overclock their gear and mod their own spells.

So yeah, we've got an idea of what they'll do.

Still, might be fun to speculate on other stuff:

Mechanic: I'm guessing they'll also have features involving crafting, repairing, and maybe hack? I'm also hoping, if not in the playtest, they'll eventually get some options regarding Power Armor or Mechs.

Technomancer: As some others have speculated, I'd guess the 'hack magic' part will involve spell shaping, though I am curious how 'mod their own spells' will be carried out... perhaps they'll be able to turn a Fireball into an Freezeball spell when making preparations (since SF1e technomancer was a prepared caster, and I don't really see a reason why they'd change that for SF2e).

QuidEst wrote:

Technomancer is overclocking gear and modding spells. I don't really know what "overclocking" would mean outside of weapons, but I'm interested in finding out. I'm assuming that modding spells is something of a spellshape focus, since that's the most consistent thing we have for modifying spells currently.

Well, in computing, Overclock basically means to boost the processing speed of a computer so that they run faster; at the cost of increasing the energy and cooling requirements. I'm guessing it would involve making gear do something extra for a time... and then be rendered inoperable until they're repaired.

[Milo v3]

I hope any "mod their own spells" is a free action. Spending a whole turn with my only action being cast 1 spell is hard to get hype for.

[QuidEst]

Mangaholic13 wrote:

QuidEst wrote:

Technomancer is overclocking gear and modding spells. I don't really know what "overclocking" would mean outside of weapons, but I'm interested in finding out. I'm assuming that modding spells is something of a spellshape focus, since that's the most consistent thing we have for modifying spells currently.

Well, in computing, Overclock basically means to boost the processing speed of a computer so that they run faster; at the cost of increasing the energy and cooling requirements. I'm guessing it would involve making gear do something extra for a time... and then be rendered inoperable until they're repaired.

It's the "do something extra" that I'm not sure about. With weapons, it's easy- they all do damage. But augments? Armor? Personal comms? I don't really know. "Act as the next upgrade version for a few rounds, if one exists" is flexible enough, but it creates balance headaches for the rest of the game's life.

[Zoken44]

as far as weapons goes, it doesn't have to just be "does more damage" immagine if you could add certain traits, like, give the heavy repeater the soldier is wielding the "Trip" or "Shove" trait. Give the Operative's rifle back stab, or deadly.

as for the mods, armor, and comms. I don't know. It maight work like runes/upgrades.

[Dragonchess Player]

Mangaholic13 wrote:

(since SF1e technomancer was a prepared caster, and I don't really see a reason why they'd change that for SF2e)

Correction: The technomancer, like all SF1 casters, was spontaneous with a limited list of "spells known."

[Mangaholic13]

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Mangaholic13 wrote:

(since SF1e technomancer was a prepared caster, and I don't really see a reason why they'd change that for SF2e)

Correction: The technomancer, like all SF1 casters, was spontaneous with a limited list of "spells known."

Really? My bad.

...I guess this shows how invested I was in the SF1e Technomancer class...

[Perpdepog]

Mangaholic13 wrote:

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Mangaholic13 wrote:

(since SF1e technomancer was a prepared caster, and I don't really see a reason why they'd change that for SF2e)

Correction: The technomancer, like all SF1 casters, was spontaneous with a limited list of "spells known."

Really? My bad.

...I guess this shows how invested I was in the SF1e Technomancer class...

In fairness to you they did eventually get an option to become prepared casters in Galactic Magic. I really liked that concept, I hope we see something like it again.

I also just realized that, with the mechanic being the deployables class, they may fill the niche of martially-themed necromancer some people were talking about during the Impossible Playtest.

[WWHsmackdown]

Perpdepog wrote:

Mangaholic13 wrote:

Dragonchess Player wrote:

Mangaholic13 wrote:

(since SF1e technomancer was a prepared caster, and I don't really see a reason why they'd change that for SF2e)

Correction: The technomancer, like all SF1 casters, was spontaneous with a limited list of "spells known."

Really? My bad.

...I guess this shows how invested I was in the SF1e Technomancer class...

In fairness to you they did eventually get an option to become prepared casters in Galactic Magic. I really liked that concept, I hope we see something like it again.

I also just realized that, with the mechanic being the deployables class, they may fill the niche of martially-themed necromancer some people were talking about during the Impossible Playtest.

This is my hope, too. A support martial with a map token mechanic like Necro would be a cool addition

[Maya Coleman]

WatersLethe wrote:

I'll repost my previous thoughts:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **...

Spoiler referencing your Technomancer Spoiler:

Druid of Technology is incredible. That is what I want too.

I came here to say specifically that.

[keftiu]

Think the tech book will have SROs?

[NoxiousMiasma]

keftiu wrote:

Think the tech book will have SROs?

I really hope so! Do em like Awakened Animal, with a customisable size and heritages based on purpose, but y'know, robots!

[HolyFlamingo!]

SROs, holograms, maybe finally playable anacites... There are plenty of dope synthetics I'd love to see in that book.

[Mangaholic13]

NoxiousMiasma wrote:

keftiu wrote:

Think the tech book will have SROs?

I really hope so! Do em like Awakened Animal, with a customisable size and heritages based on purpose, but y'know, robots!

HolyFlamingo! wrote:

SROs, holograms, maybe finally playable anacites... There are plenty of dope synthetics I'd love to see in that book.

While I agree with you guys on this topic... this sounds like a conversation for a different thread.

This one is specifically about speculating what kind of features Technomancer and Mechanic will have in SF2e, not "what kind of content will be in the tech focused book".

[kaid]

NoxiousMiasma wrote:

keftiu wrote:

Think the tech book will have SROs?

I really hope so! Do em like Awakened Animal, with a customisable size and heritages based on purpose, but y'know, robots!

I would assume they will get added in pretty fast and a tech book would make a ton of sense. When one of the pack worlds is fully populated by SRO and other robotic life kinda important to have them in there sooner rather than later.

[Perpdepog]

Now that PF2E is more open to having constructs and such be playable, I could easily see more construct ancestries. My hope is that SRO gets broadened to encompass other kinds of machine as well, like anacytes. I'm not sure if there is enough difference between an SRO and an anasyte to require two different ancestries outside the anacyte's solar recharging and shortwave communications.

[Driftbourne]

Perpdepog wrote:

Now that PF2E is more open to having constructs and such be playable, I could easily see more construct ancestries. My hope is that SRO gets broadened to encompass other kinds of machine as well, like anacytes. I'm not sure if there is enough difference between an SRO and an anasyte to require two different ancestries outside the anacyte's solar recharging and shortwave communications.

I'd love to see playable SROs, especially with ancestry heritages SROs should be able to cover almost any type of non-android non-hologram droid/robotic character in any Sci-Fi movie or book. Heritages don't take up much room compared to a full ancestry, so could be easy to add more later in other books, APs, or scenarios. This would be the quickest way to explode the population of the droid Cantina. In the case of anacytes, that could be done with multiple SRO heritages.

For PF2e I think leshies are a good example of this. Leshies have 12 heritages so far and I could easily think up half a dozen more.

Another use for having lots of different types of SROs is they would make great hirelings in Starfinder Society.

For me the question is between Androids, holograms, SROs, and their heritages, is there some form of sci-fi tech-based ancestry that these 3 don't cover? Mixing tech and Magic "might" be where new ancestries are needed.

[Driftbourne]

I hope was see the return of the Junkomancer sooner than later too, it's a fun flavor on Technomancer.

[SITZKRIEG!]

I've only been following peripherally basically coming here to the Paizo Starfinder front page and forums monthly to see if a new playtest packet is out. Have they confirmed a second packet with the missing classes/ancestries/etc? I'm glad as I was really looking forward to seeing the changes to the mechanic.

[DMurnett]

SITZKRIEG! wrote:

I've only been following peripherally basically coming here to the Paizo Starfinder front page and forums monthly to see if a new playtest packet is out. Have they confirmed a second packet with the missing classes/ancestries/etc? I'm glad as I was really looking forward to seeing the changes to the mechanic.

In another forum thread, Maya Coleman confirmed that the Technomancer/Mechanic playtest (fromally known as the Tech playtest according to the Playtest site) will begin on April 21, barring unexpected delays I suppose.

[SITZKRIEG!]

Thanks and I'll go take a look!

[Driftbourne]

DMurnett wrote:

SITZKRIEG! wrote:

I've only been following peripherally basically coming here to the Paizo Starfinder front page and forums monthly to see if a new playtest packet is out. Have they confirmed a second packet with the missing classes/ancestries/etc? I'm glad as I was really looking forward to seeing the changes to the mechanic.

In another forum thread, Maya Coleman confirmed that the Technomancer/Mechanic playtest (fromally known as the Tech playtest according to the Playtest site) will begin on April 21, barring unexpected delays I suppose.

The title on the page says "Tech playtest Loading" But the descriptions called it the "Starfinder tech class playtest."

I'm wondering if this playtest will include other things from the Tech Core book, I think new gear and spells might be included, but really curious if any new ancestries will be. Crosses fingers for SROs and holograms...

[Maya Coleman]

DMurnett wrote:

SITZKRIEG! wrote:

I've only been following peripherally basically coming here to the Paizo Starfinder front page and forums monthly to see if a new playtest packet is out. Have they confirmed a second packet with the missing classes/ancestries/etc? I'm glad as I was really looking forward to seeing the changes to the mechanic.

In another forum thread, Maya Coleman confirmed that the Technomancer/Mechanic playtest (fromally known as the Tech playtest according to the Playtest site) will begin on April 21, barring unexpected delays I suppose.

I can confirm this is correct! The Tech Playtest starts on April 21st, and we will be posting a blog that day as well that will explain the goings-on of that playtest. I will also be posting timeline updates in the Starfinder Second Edition Playtest General Discussion space to aid those who do not frequent our social media for those updates or receive our email newsletter!

[Zoken44]

Okay, I have to ask:

Is your wording here a deliberate choice? It was discussed higher up that there is (hopefully anyway) a difference between tech playtest and tech class playtest

Will there be any tech items or ancestries included in the playtest? Or is that a "You'll just have to wait and see" with-a-brilliant-smile secret?

[Maya Coleman]

Not deliberate, and actually a mistake! It's actually called the "Tech Core Playtest." I just forgot the word "Core" by mistake.

Unfortunately, you will have to wait and see, but my smile is regular at worst and seeking understanding at best.

[Zoken44]

Now that's interesting. Given the choice between tech and tech class, you introduce a third option: Tech Core playtest... which does give me hopes.

[Zoken44]

In any case, I can't wait to see the mechanic, as that was the first, and only, SF1e class I ever played. I wanted to try out Nanocyte, but could never quite make it work with a regular table. I like the idea of the Mechanic being a powerful SUPPORT.

[Driftbourne]

Zoken44 wrote:

I like the idea of the Mechanic being a powerful SUPPORT.

In a tech-heavy game having Tech Support makes sense to have. Complex hazards with a combat element or mixed with an encounter make a mechanic able to be tech support during combat, like how a healer gets to heal during combat. With the 3-action economy a mechanic should be able to be tech support and still make an attack most rounds.

[Maya Coleman]

Zoken44 wrote:

Now that's interesting. Given the choice between tech and tech class, you introduce a third option: Tech Core playtest... which does give me hopes.

Glad to give you some hope! And of course, I'm looking forward to your feedback during the playtest. ^_^

[Zoken44]

Monday... the Playtest lands Monday!

given previous comments, I'm hoping for some tech ancestries in addition to the tech classes, but also some new tech items, and maybe rules for hacking and such!

[Justnobodyfqwl]

Zoken44 wrote:

Monday... the Playtest lands Monday!

given previous comments, I'm hoping for some tech ancestries in addition to the tech classes, but also some new tech items, and maybe rules for hacking and such!

My gut theory is that these classes specifically had to have a separate playtest because they needed to develop "tech items" as a core mechanic that the classes interact with. The emphasis on the book being "Tech Core" seems to fit with that.

I imagine the actual hacking rules won't be playtested, however- they don't tend to playtest big core rule systems like that, right? I think if they didn't playtest Mythic rules, the only core mechanics we'd see playtested are the crunchy, tactical starship combat rules.

[DMurnett]

I mean I hope the thing Paizo took away from the way Mythic launched isn't that major rules like that shouldn't be playtested but like, I agree. Spaceship rules are the thing we should be hopefully looking out for. Hacking is small-fry stuff.

[Perpdepog]

DMurnett wrote:

I mean I hope the thing Paizo took away from the way Mythic launched isn't that major rules like that shouldn't be playtested but like, I agree. Spaceship rules are the thing we should be hopefully looking out for. Hacking is small-fry stuff.

I agree. I suspect that ship rules may have more to them than the mythic ones do as well, to be fair, or there will be a couple implementations ranging from real narrative-heavy ship stuff to crunchier and more granular ship stuff.

Mythic stuff boils down to an expansive archetype, at the end of the day, and a lot of actual archetypes on top of that. Ship rules feel more like designing a new class or character, one that hopefully everyone will be able to contribute to playing.

[Mangaholic13]

DMurnett wrote:

Hacking is small-fry stuff.

Spoken like a true lover of meat-space who's never seen what a master Decker can do to their hardware, weapons, and gear.

[DMurnett]

Mangaholic13 wrote:

DMurnett wrote:

Hacking is small-fry stuff.

Spoken like a true lover of meat-space who's never seen what a master Decker can do to their hardware, weapons, and gear.

Decrypt these fists, ya keyboard masher!

(This threat and argument are for comedic purposes only, I have no true quarrel with this opinion nor the person making it, I repeat do not shoot me)

[WatersLethe]

DMurnett wrote:

Decrypt these fists, ya keyboard masher!

Just gonna tuck this direct quote away for later

[Maya Coleman]

Less than a week away, everyone!!!