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 after vibrant aliens, high stakes, and a tight-knit crew story.

With a professional Game Master, you receive clear guidance, dynamic pacing, and memorable set pieces, from boarding actions to intense starship duels. New players pick things up quickly, while veterans enjoy detailed builds and tactical options. Perfect for birthdays, game nights, or team offsites. 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 attempt 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 need to bring a character concept, a willingness to collaborate, and if playing online, a microphone and a stable internet connection. Dice are essential; any polyhedral set will do, but digital dice are also acceptable. A professional Game Master can provide pregenerated characters if desired, teach the rules, prepare maps and handouts, and manage NPCs and adversaries. For online play, they set up a virtual tabletop and shared sheets. Check out options in online play platforms.

In a one-shot, you dive straight into a clear mission, with streamlined rules, quick character selections or pregens, and a ready starship. It plays out like a tight episode with a strong conclusion. In a campaign, your crew develops, your ship upgrades, and plots unfold. You explore systems, earn credits and reputation, and confront rivals that adapt. The GM integrates your backstories and goals into the sectors you choose to explore.

Smiling Game Master holds a fantasy miniature while reading from the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Smiling Game Master holds a fantasy miniature while reading from the Dungeon Master's Guide.

Common 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 results. A professional Game Master guides you as you play, explains starship roles, and keeps the game flowing. They can also provide pre-generated characters and a ready-to-go ship if you prefer. If you're familiar with D&D or other d20 games, the pace will feel familiar, but it's 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 arrives in 2025 with updated rules and quicker onboarding. Our Game Masters can recommend what suits your group’s style and timeframe. Many groups choose 1e for more complex builds, or 2e for a more streamlined 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 design both play a role. A professional Game Master ensures turns are quick and stakes are clear, creating a cinematic experience rather than a bookkeeping exercise, whether online or in person.

How crunchy is it compared to D&D 5E?

Expect more tactical detail than 5E, especially in 1e. Gear upgrades, conditions, and positioning are important. Character options can combine in interesting ways. Starfinder 2e aims to maintain that depth while making it easier to get started and reducing edge-case rules. Your GM can adjust the 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 play?

Plenty. Humans, androids, ysoki, vesk, lashunta, shirren, and more are popular choices. You can be a stealthy operative, a soldier 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 shaping a build and a starship role that suits the crew.

Is it appropriate for kids or teens? What about the blasters?

Yes. The science-fantasy tone can be bright and adventurous. A professional Game Master tailors content for age and comfort, using safety tools, non-lethal outcomes, and stakes that emphasise exploration and teamwork rather than gore. Aliens can be allies, mysteries can be solved with cleverness, and combat pacing remains clear. It suits families, birthdays, and school clubs well. 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 beneficial. 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 drama set among the stars, featuring brave pilots, heroic rebels, tyrants wielding planet-destroying weapons, and a crew that…

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  • Heroic

    Stand tall, make the right choice, and triumph in the end. Heroic games evoke the spirit of The Lord of the Rings, featuring brave oaths…

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  • Military

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  • Alien

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

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  • Pulp

    Action-packed excitement, nail-biting pursuits, mysterious villains, and deadly traps. Imagine adventures in the style of Indiana Jones or…

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  • Futuristic

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

    View genre: Futuristic

What players think

  • It was an amazing experience for the girls! Thank you, Marie! You were incredibly well prepared, the girls were captivated by your every word, and it felt like you had been playing together for years! Looking forward to seeing you next time!

    Annick

  • Tom was fantastic! He was really great with the kids and patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The children asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • 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 fantastic job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot 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 see it as honest criticism. Cheers, Mario

    Mario

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

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was really engaging. I got a game as a gift for my boyfriend, who is very keen on it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was a fantastic GM who adapted seamlessly to our group and helped us move forward in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided, as they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were quite rough. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a 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 allowed the players to fully immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

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