
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 tight-knit crew story.
With a professional Game Master, you receive clear guidance, punchy pacing, and memorable 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 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 state 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 bring a character idea, a willingness to collaborate, and if playing online, a microphone and a stable connection. Dice are helpful; any polyhedral set will do, but digital dice are acceptable too. A professional Game Master provides pregenerated characters if you wish, teaches the rules, prepares maps and handouts, and manages 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 selections or pregens, 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 unfold. You explore systems, earn credits and reputation, and confront rivals that adapt. The GM weaves your backstories and goals into the sectors you choose to explore.


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 offer pre-generated characters and a ready-made ship if you wish. 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 provides 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 timeframe. Many groups opt for 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 dictate the flow, gunnery rolls determine 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 quick and stakes are clear, creating a cinematic experience rather than a bookkeeping exercise, whether online or in person.
How crunchy is it in comparison 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 pregens, 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 shaping 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 bright 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 gore. Aliens can be allies, mysteries can be unravelled 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 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 favour theatre of the mind, the GM can simplify encounters. To explore the online tools they use, check online play platforms.
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