Shoot for the Stars
Blast off into a galaxy of adventure with the Starfinder Roleplaying Game! Step into your powered armor and grab your magic-infused laser rifle as you investigate the mysteries of a weird universe with your bold starship crew. Will you delve for lost artifacts in the ruins of alien temples? Strap on rune-enhanced armor and a laser rifle to battle undead empires in fleets of bone ships, or defend colonists from a swarm of ravenous monsters? Maybe you'll hack into the mainframe of a god-run corporation, or search the stars for clues to the secret history of the universe or brand new planets to explore. Whether you're making first contact with new cultures on uncharted worlds or fighting to survive in the neon-lit back alleys of Absalom Station, you and your team will need all your wits, combat skill, and magic to make it through. But most of all, you'll need each other.
This massive 528-page hardcover rulebook is the essential centerpiece of the Starfinder Roleplaying Game, with rules for character creation, magic, gear, and more-everything you need to play Starfinder as either a player or Game Master! The next great adventure in science-fantasy roleplaying takes off here, and the Starfinder Core Rulebook is your ticket to a lifetime of adventure amid the stars!
Inside this book, you'll find:
• All of the rules you need to play or run a game of Starfinder.
• Seven character classes, from the elite soldier and stealthy operative to the physics-hacking technomancer and mind-bending mystic.
• Character races both new and classic, from androids, insectile shirrens, ratlike ysoki, and reptilian vesk to the dwarves and elves of the distant future.
• An in-depth exploration of the Starfinder setting, including its planets, gods, factions, and threats.
• Hundreds of weapons, spells, technological gadgets, magic items, and other options to outfit any character.
• Complete rules for starships, including customization and starship combat.
• Rules and tips on using Pathfinder RPG content with Starfinder.
STRANGE ASSEMBLY -- I try to be thorough in these reviews, so I would normally have pointed out something wrong, or at least suboptimal, in a tome of this size. But honestly there really isn't anything to pick at with Starfinder. It is just great from top to bottom. The mechanical system is honed within an inch of its life. It's already populated with interesting and distinctive new species (in addition to the fantasy standbys in the back). There's enough technology to make interstellar relations feasible, but the speed of travel and communications still permits a significant level of independence for adventurers (there is no home base that can be reached for orders at the touch of a button). Time will tell, but Starfinder is probably the best science fiction or science fantasy roleplaying game there is.
EN WORLD -- Starfinder is a quality game that is likely going to be the point of the spear of a new wave of interest in science fiction/science fantasy gaming. With the success of Starfinder we will see a lot of other publishers dipping toes into both support of the Starfinder game, as well as their own new games. I was at the Gen Con when Pathfinder debuted, and I remember the craziness of the game selling out at the convention. Everyone wanted the game, it was unlike anything since the premier of D&D third edition. I suspect that we'll see something similar happen with Starfinder at this year's Gen Con. It will be the ultimate "must have" game at Gen Con.
ROGUE WATSON -- ...the Starfinder Core Rulebook provides everything I need to get excited about the game, learn how to play, and create a successful adventurer.
R'YLEH -- For the devotee of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game there is much in the pages of Starfinder: First Contact to entice their interest, especially if they are looking to expand their genre from fantasy to science fantasy and to see the future of Golarion pushed thousands of years into the future.
GEEK DAD -- The Starfinder Core Rulebook is a massive 520+ page book that contains everything you need to know to construct and level unique and interesting characters, with information on playable races, character themes, and classes. There are entire chapters on the various skills, feats, equipment, magic, and spells available in the game, character combat, starship building and combat, setting information and more. The Core Rulebook is stunning. The layout, graphics, and art are all beautiful, just as we expect from a Paizo product. The layout is clear and easy to use and is rife with science-fantasy themed graphics and stellar art. Paizo has used this design to set Starfinder apart from the rest of their products. Where Pathfinder books have an old manuscript feel with warm, earth tones, and swooping graphics, Starfinder stands out in your collection with hard edges and cool tones. Paizo was able to simplify the Pathfinder system, while keeping what I love most about Pathfinder- a wealth of character options-and providing us with a rich universe full of intrigue and lore to play in. The character options leave my mind swirling with ideas, and I'm excited to start building a ship. In short, I'm ready to start playing!
CHALGYR'S GAME ROOM -- 9/10 - With 18 impressive factions, the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Adventurer's Guide is a must-have for any aspiring Game Master.
