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Questions tagged [starfinder]

For questions about Starfinder, Paizo's Pathfinder-like soft sci-fi game. While officially cross-compatible with Pathfinder material, Starfinder is intended to stand as its own system.

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What are the rules differences between Pathfinder and Starfinder?

Paizo's Starfinder system is heavily based on their long-running Pathfinder system (itself based on D&D 3.5). What rules are different between the two systems? To clarify, this question does not ...
Oblivious Sage's user avatar
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19 votes
7 answers
8k views

How do I keep my players from investing too much time in their doomed characters?

I'm designing a campaign for a group of friends. One of the main plot hooks is a bunch of mercenaries that want to bring them to an oracle which gives them the first indication of the Big Bad. When ...
DonFusili's user avatar
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16 votes
2 answers
3k views

How Many Grenades Can a Ysoki put in their Cheeks?

I play a ysoki technomancer with Grenade Proficiency. A few times, I've gotten away with a grenade or two stuffed in my cheeks, but the question came up of how many grenades could potentially go in ...
Adam Wells's user avatar
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16 votes
4 answers
2k views

How do I tell my S.O. that I am not enjoying playing with this group?

Recently, my group started a game of Starfinder that is run by my S.O. Part of the reason my S.O. wanted to run the game was so that I could have a chance to play as a player since I've been DMing ...
firefae's user avatar
  • 384
16 votes
1 answer
4k views

What is "archaic armor"?

Starfinder Core Rulebook mentions "archaic armor" in the "Archaic" weapon attribute description at page 180: Archaic This weapon deals 5 fewer damage unless the target is wearing no armor or ...
enkryptor's user avatar
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15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Do healing spells harm undead in Starfinder?

So after being programmed through years' of D&D play, we are trying Starfinder. I guess we just assumed that undead creatures are harmed by heal spells and effects but we can't find RAW saying so. ...
Jimmy Fix-it's user avatar
14 votes
2 answers
669 views

What is corpsicum?

On page 439 of the Starfinder Core Rule Book, a description of notable locations on Castrovel ends like this: ...or Candares, with its endless waterfalls and dangerous cliffside corpsicum ...
Kharmageddon's user avatar
14 votes
2 answers
2k views

How can PCs keep up when maneuver DCs increase so quickly?

Lots of maneuvers call for a DC of [some number]+2×[the ship's tier]. Yet as your character levels up (and your ship's tier with it), your max ranks in a given skill only increase by 1/level. Thus, ...
SirTechSpec's user avatar
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14 votes
2 answers
12k views

Do Starfinder classes have different tiers of power?

I know that in 3.x (including Pathfinder) it's common to talk about different tiers of classes in terms of power and versatility. Does this also apply to Starfinder, and if so, what are they? I rarely ...
SirTechSpec's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
3k views

Can I put my Drone into my cheek pouches?

Starfinder introduces "Bulk" — an easier system for calculating encumbrance. All listed equipment are now measured in "bulks", however, creature weight is still being measured in pounds. It becomes ...
enkryptor's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
4k views

What are the benefits of owning a computer?

After having read the Core Rulebook, I am still not entirely certain what the benefits are of owning a computer in Starfinder. Clearly they are capable of storing and processing information, but to ...
SeeDerekEngineer's user avatar
13 votes
3 answers
8k views

Range vs Melee Balance in Starfinder

I hope this question isn't too broad. I'm looking into Starfinder and I'm curious about the balance between Range and Melee combat. Most Fantasy games are balanced toward close-combat with melee ...
Daniel's user avatar
  • 317
13 votes
1 answer
188 views

Is a starship locked in geosynchronous orbit considered "stationary" for the purpose of teleportation between ships?

Teleportation rules in Starfinder are sketchy. In combat, two ships are not moving relative to one another and Teleportation is impossible. However, if ships are stationary and not in combat, ...
Tristian's user avatar
  • 3,894
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can you Ray of Light from ship to ship?

I was reading about spaceship combat and it explicitly says Starships in combat are constantly in motion, so it is impossible for a PC to cast a spell with the teleportation descriptor to travel ...
ninjahX's user avatar
  • 1,256
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Does Medical Expert still require the use of a Medical Kit?

The feat Medical Expert says (in part) You can use the Medicine skill in conjunction with a medpatch or sprayflesh to treat deadly wounds as a full action. The Treat Deadly Wounds use of Medicine ...
YogoZuno's user avatar
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12 votes
1 answer
175 views

How do I know if my ship has a recharging station?

"At the GM’s discretion, some larger starships might have onboard recharging stations. These might offer recharging at low or no cost, but they typically take 1 minute per charge to recharge a ...
Tristian's user avatar
  • 3,894
11 votes
1 answer
759 views

Is having explosions as a go-to solution considered bad table manners?

I am working on a Starfinder character who specializes in explosions, whose go-to solution is applying explosives to a problem till it ceases to be a problem. I am afraid I will be perceived as ...
Maiko Chikyu's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
2k views

Overcoming language barriers in Starfinder

Since Starfinder has been released I've been interested in using it as a system for an exploratory kind of campaign. Imagine West Marches meets Star Trek. There's a lot I and the people I'm playing ...
SCB's user avatar
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10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is there any way to have more than one ship in Starfinder?

This question stems from How much does a spaceship cost? and is a side question that came up in discussion there. I know that you build, upgrade, or replace your ship with build points. However, ...
ShadoCat's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
806 views

What are the potential pitfalls of using Starfinder's ability score generation and advancement method for Pathfinder?

I'm starting a new campaign as GM. We are in session zero and talking about how to roll/buy ability scores. I'm considering using the Starfinder system with Pathfinder 1e. Starfinder starts all stats ...
FrancisJohn's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
1k views

How many encounters can a party handle in a day, without breaks?

I'm currently working on some homebrew for a Starfinder game. I've read the pages 388 to 393 of the core rule book several times, but might just be missing something. It gives details on how to craft ...
Nutter4ever's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Does cover work for both ways for enemies?

So Starfinder is out, and I feel like my life is complete, as it is just great. I am used to playing D&D 5e, and while I have some experience with 3.5e, I have never played Pathfinder. As such, ...
SeeDerekEngineer's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
272 views

How large are Starship Cores?

A PC wants to store a starship core in a Null-sec Chamber, but I cannot find any information regarding the actual physical size of a starship core and the safety equipment that goes along with it. ...
Brian Chew's user avatar
9 votes
6 answers
4k views

How can heavy-armor melee characters practically close in on ranged enemies?

Okay, I have to be missing something critical here since I've just started SF so please tell me what's up and correct me. Base movement speed is 30 for everyone. Heavy armor reduces your movement ...
Zethren527's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
620 views

Do you lose a turn/spell slot when casting a spell on invalid creatures?

Say my Mystic attempts to cast Fear as a 1st level spell on a creature. 1st: When you cast fear as a 1st-level spell, it affects one living creature of CR 4 or lower at close range... If the DM ...
goodwind's user avatar
  • 456
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can you fill a life bubble with water?

I am looking to use life bubble in both Pathfinder and Starfinder. I'm trying to figure out a way for life bubble to contain salt water. Is it possible to put a void zombie in a bubble with holy ...
Justen's user avatar
  • 81
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

How do you calculate Resolve Points when Multi-classing?

How do you calculate Resolve Points when Multi-classing? The standard is half PC's level (minimum 1) + Class Key Ability mod (EX: Operator's Dex mod). Our GM had us make level 5 PCs and I chose to ...
Jhyarelle Silver's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Are UPBs reusable?

Are UPBs (universal polymer bases) reusable? In my mind, I'm envisioning a versatile and creative Android mechanic using his integrated custom rig for not only item creation from UPBs but disassembly,...
Eiketsu's user avatar
  • 353
8 votes
1 answer
440 views

What do I need a Hacking Kit for?

I'm working on my initial equipment. I'm buying a level 1 computer (miniaturized with Range I). Can I use it for hacking, and/or do I need to purchase a hacking kit?
KornMuffin's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
213 views

Determining creature rarity in Starfinder

I have a player at my Starfinder table who is really keen to use her bonuses for identifying rare creatures, but has never gotten a chance to. I'd assumed none of the encountered creatures were ever ...
T.E.D.'s user avatar
  • 1,344
8 votes
2 answers
832 views

Will doubling the price & damage of grenades make them balanced compared to other weapons?

Context: I'm running a group through the Dead Suns adventure path. This is the first time any of us have used Starfinder. One of the party members is an ysoki envoy who would like to focus on grenades ...
Oblivious Sage's user avatar
  • 54.8k
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can the “while attuned” powers of Solarian stellar revelations be used while attuned to either mode, or only the matching one?

I’m having trouble finding an official clarification of this, so I’m wondering if anyone has found a ruling: Solarians gain powers known as stellar revelations. These are either “photon” or “graviton”...
Guybrush McKenzie's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
939 views

Are spell slots of a Multiclass Mystic + Technomancer interchangeable?

Let's say I have a level 2 Starfinder character, with a level in Mystic and a level in Technomancer. According to the book (and her stats) she can cast 3 level 1 spells from my level in Technomancer ...
Mara's user avatar
  • 327
7 votes
5 answers
4k views

Does Mending work on Androids?

Androids, being both humanoid and construct, have the following racial trait: Constructed For effects targeting creatures by type androids count as both humanoids and constructs (whichever ...
Akvo's user avatar
  • 165
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are Androids considered "living creatures" in terms of beneficial spell effects?

Core Rulebook, page 272 says there are spell effects targeting "living creatures" only: Some effects restrict which targets can be selected. If an effect targets living creatures, it affects all ...
enkryptor's user avatar
  • 62.9k
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why did Paizo say they dropped the evil subtype from Animate Dead? [closed]

I was reading the new Starfinder Core Rulebook and as going through the spells section, I stumbled upon Animate Dead lacking the evil subtype (which was there in Pathfinder). Further reading the ...
MolagMal's user avatar
  • 1,068
7 votes
1 answer
3k views

How much does a spaceship cost?

Going through the spaceship building chapter of Starfinder I'm rather impressed with the versatility in there, but I seem to not be able to find what these spaceships cost. The header "Building a ...
Thomas Jacobs's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Does a character need to add Weapon Specialization bonus damage when shooting a needle full of medicine at an ally?

At 3rd level, all the Starfinder classes grant Weapon Specialization feat for their proficient weapons, which states: [...] you add your character level to damage with the selected weapon type, or ...
Josh Clark's user avatar
  • 5,129
7 votes
1 answer
899 views

Does Starfinder cap ability scores or ability score modifier?

My group has recently started a weekly game of Starfinder, a system we don't have any prior experience in. During a level-up in the last session, we found the following inconsistency or at least ...
Deeps's user avatar
  • 5,036
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are there any mechanics for base-building?

In Starfinder, using a homebrew setting, I had my group encounter a ship that was above their level in order to urge them to run. However, the group decided to go for the route of "If we are going to ...
Maiko Chikyu's user avatar
  • 19.8k
7 votes
2 answers
415 views

Can a starship enter the drift while inside another starship?

Some starships in Starfinder are large enough to hold smaller ships, which may have drift engines. The only requirement I've found to enter the drift is that you must be stationary with your ...
StephenTG's user avatar
  • 2,508
7 votes
1 answer
166 views

Computers with the Range Upgrade

In Starfinder, if I have a computer with the Range Upgrade, does that provide range to all devices connected through Control Modules, or do I have to buy the Range Upgrade multiple times -- once per ...
FunkamusPrime's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can you wear armor and second skin to utilize multiple upgrade slots?

Can you wear 2 sets of armor to get the multiple upgrade slots? Ex. wearing a second skin under a defrex hide to get a total of 2 upgrade slots
ninjahX's user avatar
  • 1,256
7 votes
1 answer
308 views

Does an antimagic field affect the solarian's mote?

The Solarian's Solar Manifestation ability says in the description: Only you can interact with your solar manifestation, whether in mote, armor, or weapon form. No other creature or effect can ...
ninjahX's user avatar
  • 1,256
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do humans start off with 1/3rd the languages of Other Races?

A character begins play speaking and reading Common, her racial tongue (if any), and the language of her home planet (if any). Common Racial language: the human racial language is Common Language of ...
Tristian's user avatar
  • 3,894
6 votes
1 answer
680 views

Can a weapon be made of both cold iron and adamantine alloy?

From the SFSRD on Adamantine (emphasis mine): Adamantine Alloy Adamantine is a starmetal... Pure adamantine is exceedingly rare and expensive, so weapons using adamantine are always made of an ...
Oblivious Sage's user avatar
  • 54.8k
6 votes
1 answer
747 views

Are Androids immune to all inhalation effects? (Starfinder)

My party and I can't seem to come to a good agreement on the extent of the Constructed Racial trait with regards to breathing. The Android Constructed racial trait reads: ...androids do not breathe ...
lodewykk's user avatar
  • 470
6 votes
1 answer
246 views

Why does pregen character Iseph have +11 to acrobatics and +10 to piloting at level 1?

Paizo provides pregenerated level 1 character stats for iconic character Iseph. Among the stat bonuses listed, it mentions "Acrobatics +11" and "Piloting +10 (1 rank)". I don't ...
Kevin's user avatar
  • 303
6 votes
3 answers
281 views

How much do the humans on Absalom Station know about aliens?

I have just started playing Starfinder, and I am thinking of making an Xenophile character who only knows what common knowledge there is to aliens and refuses to do further research since she believes ...
Maiko Chikyu's user avatar
  • 19.8k
6 votes
2 answers
325 views

Can a sniper scope be mounted on a solarian's solar flare, like on other small arm weapons?

This is a weird one, but nobody seems to have asked about it. The Character Operations Manual (p. 84) adds the Solar Flare option for the solarian's Solar Manifestation feature. Its description says, ...
Mike Cosgrove's user avatar