Starfinder

Starfinder TTRPG · SFRPG

Starfinder

Starfinder is Paizo’s high-energy blend of space opera and fantasy, where laser rifles, psychic powers, and starships coexist. You might hack a corporate vault on a ringworld, negotiate with crystalline diplomats, then blast off to pursue a distress signal through the Drift. The tone is heroic and pulpy, with space for wonder and the bizarre. It’s ideal if you’re looking for vibrant aliens, high stakes, and a close-knit crew story.

With a professional Game Master, you receive clear guidance, dynamic pacing, and engaging set pieces, from boarding actions to intense starship duels. New players pick things up quickly, while veterans enjoy intricate builds and tactical options. Perfect for birthdays, game nights, or team outings. Play in person or online. Ready to meet your GM and set a date? Browse Game Masters who run Starfinder.

How to play Starfinder

Starfinder uses a d20 at its core. On your turn, you declare what you intend to do, whether it's firing a plasma carbine, picking a lock, or casting a spell. Roll a d20, add the bonuses from your character sheet, and aim to meet or exceed a target number. The higher your roll, the more powerful the effect, and the GM narrates the outcome. Starship scenes assign the crew to bridge roles such as pilot, gunner, captain, and engineer, ensuring everyone has an important role to play.

You should bring a character idea, a willingness to collaborate, and if playing online, a microphone and a stable connection. Dice are useful; any polyhedral set will do, but digital dice are acceptable too. A professional Game Master can provide pre-generated characters if you wish, teach the rules, prepare maps and handouts, and manage NPCs and adversaries. For online play, they set up a virtual tabletop and shared sheets. See options in online play platforms.

In a one-shot, you dive straight into a clear mission, with streamlined rules, quick character choices or pre-generated characters, and a ready starship. It plays out like a concise episode with a strong conclusion. In a campaign, your crew develops, your ship upgrades, and plots evolve. You explore systems, earn credits and reputation, and encounter rivals that adapt. The GM weaves your backstories and objectives into the sectors you choose to explore.

The three cofounders of StoryForgers posing in a kitchen, holding cups and a teapot, smiling in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
The three cofounders of StoryForgers posing in a kitchen, holding cups and a teapot, smiling in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any experience with Starfinder or Pathfinder?

No. You can start fresh. Starfinder uses a straightforward d20 system. You declare your actions, roll the dice, and the GM interprets the outcomes. A professional Game Master guides you as you play, explains starship roles, and keeps the game flowing. They can offer pre-generated characters and a ready-made ship if you wish. If you are familiar with D&D or other d20 games, the pace will feel familiar, but it is not necessary at all.

Which edition do you run, 1st or the new 2nd?

Both. First Edition (2017) is available now and offers extensive options with a classic feel. Second Edition will arrive in 2025 with updated rules and quicker onboarding. Our Game Masters can recommend what suits your group’s style and time frame. Many groups choose 1e for more complex builds, or 2e for a more straightforward start. Ready to compare options and set a date? Browse Game Masters who run Starfinder.

How does starship combat function for the group?

Everyone has a seat on the bridge. Players take on roles such as pilot, gunner, captain, engineer, or science officer. Rounds have distinct phases for manoeuvres, scans, repairs, and firing. Piloting checks determine the flow, gunnery rolls resolve salvos, and subsystem damage is significant. Your character’s skills and the ship’s configuration both play a part. A professional Game Master ensures turns are brisk and stakes are clear, creating a cinematic experience rather than a bookkeeping chore, whether online or in person.

How does it compare in terms of crunchiness to D&D 5E?

Expect more tactical detail than 5E, particularly in 1e. Gear upgrades, conditions, and positioning are important. Character options can combine in intriguing ways. Starfinder 2e aims to maintain that depth while making it easier to get started and reducing edge-case rules. Your GM can adjust complexity with pregenerated characters, simplified gear, or optional subsystems turned off for a one-shot, or increase it for a longer campaign. Either way, choices in and out of combat remain significant.

What species and character roles are available to us?

There are plenty of options. Humans, androids, ysoki, vesk, lashunta, shirren, and more are popular choices. You could be a stealthy operative, a soldier armed with heavy weapons, a mystic healer, a technomancer who merges code and magic, a mechanic with a drone, a solarion wielding stellar power, or a silver-tongued envoy. Share your concept and edition with your GM, and they will assist in crafting a build and a starship role that suits the crew.

Is it appropriate for children or teenagers? What about the blasters?

Yes. The science-fantasy tone can be vibrant and adventurous. A professional Game Master tailors content for age and comfort, employing safety tools, non-lethal outcomes, and stakes that emphasise exploration and teamwork rather than violence. Aliens can be allies, mysteries can be unravelled with cleverness, and combat pacing remains straightforward. It is ideal for families, birthdays, and school clubs. You can establish lines and veils before play.

Do we need miniatures and a grid, or can we use theatre of the mind?

Starfinder excels with tactical maps for both firefights and starship scenes, making a grid useful. Our Game Masters provide physical maps and tokens for in-person play, or can set up a virtual tabletop with fog of war, ship sheets, and digital dice for online sessions. If you prefer a theatre of the mind approach, the GM can simplify encounters. To explore the online tools they utilise, check online play platforms.

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Genres you can play in Starfinder

  • Space Opera

    Epic sci-fi melodrama set among the stars, featuring daring pilots, noble rebels, tyrants wielding planet-destroying weapons, and a crew…

    View genre: Space Opera
  • Heroic

    Stand tall, choose the right path, and triumph in the end. Heroic games evoke the spirit of The Lord of the Rings, featuring bold oaths…

    View genre: Heroic
  • Military

    Close-knit teams under fire, difficult decisions, maps laid out, and the struggle of supply lines. Imagine Band of Brothers, but you give…

    View genre: Military
  • Alien

    From careful first contact to invasive terrors, you confront the unknown mind beyond Earth. Think Arrival for the marvel of communication…

    View genre: Alien
  • Pulp

    Action-packed excitement, nail-biting chases, masked adversaries, and deadly traps. Imagine adventures in the style of Indiana Jones or…

    View genre: Pulp
  • Futuristic

    Adventures set in the near to far future where technology influences every decision, from vibrant megacities to remote space outposts…

    View genre: Futuristic
  • Pirate

    Salt spray, creaking decks, and cutlass duels as you pursue treasure and rivals across treacherous waters. Swashbuckling adventure…

    View genre: Pirate

What players think

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a really good job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot and yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His attitude was fantastic, and he made the game enjoyable for all. I particularly appreciated how he could clearly explain what was required from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a wonderful time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thank you!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I arranged a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is very enthusiastic about it, and he was thoroughly pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • A very good GM, Baptiste adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. One issue was with the character sheets provided, which were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells (no healing spell) even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they'd ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach enabled the players to fully immerse themselves in the game by allowing them to control how they wanted their actions to be carried out. I would certainly work with her again.

    John

  • A pleasant and straightforward introduction to D&D. Amber was adept at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the rhythm and concentrate on the narrative. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack strategies was an enjoyable experience and provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a highly enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly brilliant as a DM! Cheerful, adaptable, and exceptionally experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in an enjoyable manner and engaged every player in the story, regardless of whether they were vocal or reserved. If you embark on an adventure with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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