Starfinder Looks Like a Mixed Bag
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 7:06 pm
So, Starfinder (Pathfinder in Space, centuries later after the planet has wandered off) is coming out later this year. A couple weeks ago a developer game got live streamed and there was a Q&A.
Game:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/115988165
Q&A transcript:
https://quip.com/yFhBANDAGDYb
Theres also other hints and dribbles in their blog and message board.
notably several issues cropped up. Some I personally am OK with, and a couple that make me want to Specifically, the economy and gear. And also, kinda classes.
Classes first:
For the Core book of their new system there are... seven classes. At first glance, this sounds pretty inadequate, especially the way Paizo designs classes.
-Technomancer ("magical hacker blending technology and magic")
This one was in the playtest (and was a ratfolk). She cast magic missile, tossed energy beams which were terrible (1d6 damage, so I suspect they were a domain or bloodline type of energy bolt rather than a spell. I'm sure Frank in particular will be pleased to know they kept this particular waste of a game mechanic), and had a spell that buffed a gunshot pretty significantly (+4d6), but was wasted on goblins.
The buff was I guess the magical hacker part. Mostly the character was a shitty evoker with a gun and several science skill checks. Interesting thing that came out of the character was magic missile started with two missiles (they were level 2) and when cast as a full attack, gained a third missile. Yes, its still fucking magic missile, but sadly I haven't talked about their weapons yet. For know keep in mind that their weapons made magic missile look like a viable life choice. Yes, really.
Oh, yes, also like the other spellcaster(s) (I think there are only the two), this is a 6 level spontaneous caster. Thats right, no full casters in this game. Partly so they could give them more class abilities, but also I suspect for balance reasons. Personally, I'm OK with it. It solves a lot of problems.
-Mechanic ("engineer with a robot buddy")
Also in the playtest. Yes, its a robot version of animal companion. The catch is, either he got a full action or it got a single action or he had to blow his turn using his 'combat rig' to give it a full turn. So definitely a step down from druid animal companions. But it had a better gun that could also go full auto. And jump jets. And armor plating (which seemed like a bonus versus kinetic weapons that turned out not to matter).
He could also overcharge his own pistol (adding +1d6) for the cost of 3 shots, which again giving how shitty their guns were, he should have been doing every time he fired. Also computer skill, because mechanic.
-Solarian ("mystical melee combatant harnessing the cycles of the stars")
Probably the most interesting character in the playtest, with a lot of wacky but familiar mechanics. Basically a grey jedi, but uses gravitons and channels the power of solar flares or something.
Forms an energy sword... that does slashing damage. Whatever. I suspect (based solely on the dice he was rolling) that it follows the monk/warpriest bullshit progression, so starts at d6, grows to d8 at level 4, then d10, 2d6, 2d8 as you level. Not positive on this, but what it comes down to is buy a real weapon at first level. Well, maybe. If the game's melee weapons are as shit as their pistols, maybe not.
He also got to chose between wacky defensive abilities that gave whatever bonuses that involved gravitons or solar things or whatever.
Had a solar nova ability (looked 1 per day), which, again, was wasted on goblins.
Also had a graviton push, with which he could shove people around. Had a can't use again on that target for 24 hours clause, like a witch hex.
So a witch/monk/fighter mashup with no spells. Jedi.
-Soldier ("heavy weapons specialist")
Yeah, this is probably a fighter. Fuck off and die. The one bright spot is the classes apparently come with 3 or so sample builds, and they particularly highlighted sniper as one of them. So if you've got a newbie or idiot, you can just throw a package at them, and not have them trawl the entire fucking feat list. Probably just a starter package, so... yeah.
Hopefully it isn't just a fighter and has some actual abilities like a slayer or something. But it is paizo, so....
-Envoy ("diplomat and ally-booster")
Not a caster. This might as well be called Face, and no other characters need apply to the role.
This is the write-up summary they did for Polygon:
"The envoy is a class dedicated to aiding and manipulating others," Sutter said. "They are giving orders and encouragement that help your allies do better, while taunting and demoralizing your opponents. Envoys are naturally charismatic leaders and smooth-talkers, ranging from celebrities and starship captains to con artists and cult leaders. Lando Calrissian, General Leia Organa, Ruby Rhod and Inara Serra would all be envoys.
Yeah. It's a spell-less bard. Enjoy that.
-Mystic ("caster channeling strange energies to manipulate biological systems")
The other caster. (Spontaneous, 6 levels). I have no idea beyond that. Interesting that bio focused rather than hacking focused. That is actually probably going to suck when facing undead or robots.
Also, there is no arcane or divine or psychic (no one cares about psychic) magic anymore. Just magic. Wizards somehow became passe, even though obviously they're stronger than any magical people wandering around in the future.
-Operative ("stealthy skill specialist")
Yes, the rogue. The class they fucking neutered for pathfinder. Maybe its the slightly unneutered unchained rogue. Dunno, but it ain't promising. But sneak attack is going to really matter with those shitty guns.
Next: races, general stuff followed by the economy problem
Game:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/115988165
Q&A transcript:
https://quip.com/yFhBANDAGDYb
Theres also other hints and dribbles in their blog and message board.
notably several issues cropped up. Some I personally am OK with, and a couple that make me want to Specifically, the economy and gear. And also, kinda classes.
Classes first:
For the Core book of their new system there are... seven classes. At first glance, this sounds pretty inadequate, especially the way Paizo designs classes.
-Technomancer ("magical hacker blending technology and magic")
This one was in the playtest (and was a ratfolk). She cast magic missile, tossed energy beams which were terrible (1d6 damage, so I suspect they were a domain or bloodline type of energy bolt rather than a spell. I'm sure Frank in particular will be pleased to know they kept this particular waste of a game mechanic), and had a spell that buffed a gunshot pretty significantly (+4d6), but was wasted on goblins.
The buff was I guess the magical hacker part. Mostly the character was a shitty evoker with a gun and several science skill checks. Interesting thing that came out of the character was magic missile started with two missiles (they were level 2) and when cast as a full attack, gained a third missile. Yes, its still fucking magic missile, but sadly I haven't talked about their weapons yet. For know keep in mind that their weapons made magic missile look like a viable life choice. Yes, really.
Oh, yes, also like the other spellcaster(s) (I think there are only the two), this is a 6 level spontaneous caster. Thats right, no full casters in this game. Partly so they could give them more class abilities, but also I suspect for balance reasons. Personally, I'm OK with it. It solves a lot of problems.
-Mechanic ("engineer with a robot buddy")
Also in the playtest. Yes, its a robot version of animal companion. The catch is, either he got a full action or it got a single action or he had to blow his turn using his 'combat rig' to give it a full turn. So definitely a step down from druid animal companions. But it had a better gun that could also go full auto. And jump jets. And armor plating (which seemed like a bonus versus kinetic weapons that turned out not to matter).
He could also overcharge his own pistol (adding +1d6) for the cost of 3 shots, which again giving how shitty their guns were, he should have been doing every time he fired. Also computer skill, because mechanic.
-Solarian ("mystical melee combatant harnessing the cycles of the stars")
Probably the most interesting character in the playtest, with a lot of wacky but familiar mechanics. Basically a grey jedi, but uses gravitons and channels the power of solar flares or something.
Forms an energy sword... that does slashing damage. Whatever. I suspect (based solely on the dice he was rolling) that it follows the monk/warpriest bullshit progression, so starts at d6, grows to d8 at level 4, then d10, 2d6, 2d8 as you level. Not positive on this, but what it comes down to is buy a real weapon at first level. Well, maybe. If the game's melee weapons are as shit as their pistols, maybe not.
He also got to chose between wacky defensive abilities that gave whatever bonuses that involved gravitons or solar things or whatever.
Had a solar nova ability (looked 1 per day), which, again, was wasted on goblins.
Also had a graviton push, with which he could shove people around. Had a can't use again on that target for 24 hours clause, like a witch hex.
So a witch/monk/fighter mashup with no spells. Jedi.
-Soldier ("heavy weapons specialist")
Yeah, this is probably a fighter. Fuck off and die. The one bright spot is the classes apparently come with 3 or so sample builds, and they particularly highlighted sniper as one of them. So if you've got a newbie or idiot, you can just throw a package at them, and not have them trawl the entire fucking feat list. Probably just a starter package, so... yeah.
Hopefully it isn't just a fighter and has some actual abilities like a slayer or something. But it is paizo, so....
-Envoy ("diplomat and ally-booster")
Not a caster. This might as well be called Face, and no other characters need apply to the role.
This is the write-up summary they did for Polygon:
"The envoy is a class dedicated to aiding and manipulating others," Sutter said. "They are giving orders and encouragement that help your allies do better, while taunting and demoralizing your opponents. Envoys are naturally charismatic leaders and smooth-talkers, ranging from celebrities and starship captains to con artists and cult leaders. Lando Calrissian, General Leia Organa, Ruby Rhod and Inara Serra would all be envoys.
Yeah. It's a spell-less bard. Enjoy that.
-Mystic ("caster channeling strange energies to manipulate biological systems")
The other caster. (Spontaneous, 6 levels). I have no idea beyond that. Interesting that bio focused rather than hacking focused. That is actually probably going to suck when facing undead or robots.
Also, there is no arcane or divine or psychic (no one cares about psychic) magic anymore. Just magic. Wizards somehow became passe, even though obviously they're stronger than any magical people wandering around in the future.
-Operative ("stealthy skill specialist")
Yes, the rogue. The class they fucking neutered for pathfinder. Maybe its the slightly unneutered unchained rogue. Dunno, but it ain't promising. But sneak attack is going to really matter with those shitty guns.
Next: races, general stuff followed by the economy problem