Starfinder Should I pick up Starfinder if I hate Pathfinder

[daddystabz]

I hate Pathfinder. I am not a fan of 3.5 at all. Starfinder looks intriguing to me though. I like the idea of fantasy races and aliens, etc. in a sci-fantasy setting. However, I HATE how bogged down in rules minutia Pathfinder is. I read once that Starfinder is a bit more rules-lite than Pathfinder. Is this true?

Should I give it a try if I hate Pathfinder and want a lighter game than Pathfinder?

 

[Shasarak]

I hate Pathfinder. I am not a fan of 3.5 at all. Starfinder looks intriguing to me though. I like the idea of fantasy races and aliens, etc. in a sci-fantasy setting. However, I HATE how bogged down in rules minutia Pathfinder is. I read once that Starfinder is a bit more rules-lite than Pathfinder. Is this true?

Should I give it a try if I hate Pathfinder and want a lighter game than Pathfinder?

Stafinder is more rules light then Pathfinder but it is not rules light.

I like it because it is very similar to d20 rules, its got a good bit of crunch and on the other hand they have done their best to make sure everything is pretty balanced against each other.

 

[daddystabz]

What other game would you compare the crunch level to so I can get an idea of the complexity?

 

[Shasarak]

Well character creation is pretty crunchie, you have lots of options to choose from, with new options at pretty much every level.

If you are into Weapon Porn then Starfinder has what you need: Ice guns, Fire Guns, Disintegration Guns, Negative Energy Guns, mmmm all the guns.

If you want to play as an Alien then Starfinder has many options especially if you pick up the Alien Archive.

They split Hit points into Hit points and Stamina Points (that can be healed up between combats) so you can play any combination of classes.

Once you get through character creation then the game play is pretty smooth and there are also two adventure paths available.

 

[76512390ag12]

I hate Pathfinder. I am not a fan of 3.5 at all. Starfinder looks intriguing to me though. I like the idea of fantasy races and aliens, etc. in a sci-fantasy setting. However, I HATE how bogged down in rules minutia Pathfinder is. I read once that Starfinder is a bit more rules-lite than Pathfinder. Is this true?

Should I give it a try if I hate Pathfinder and want a lighter game than Pathfinder?

Don't get it.
Have you played Savage Worlds? Get that and the SF Companion instead
That's half as complex as PF but with lots of aliens and sci-opera

 

[daddystabz]

Don't get it.
Have you played Savage Worlds? Get that and the SF Companion instead
That's half as complex as PF but with lots of aliens and sci-opera

I am very familiar with Savage Worlds. The big issue with doing something like that is I need a pre-made sci-fantasy or sci-fi setting to jump into with aliens, tech, etc. already built. I do not have the time to create it all.

 

[daddystabz]

How does Coriolos compare to Starfinder? Which is crunchier? Which has the cooler setting? Would you choose something like Frontierspace by DWD Studios instead?

 

[76512390ag12]

I am very familiar with Savage Worlds. The big issue with doing something like that is I need a pre-made sci-fantasy or sci-fi setting to jump into with aliens, tech, etc. already built. I do not have the time to create it all.

I hear you.
Then Savage, SF Companion, and one of the Last Parsec setting books:

I recommend Leviathan or Eris Beta V

I'd get the Last Parsec primer.

That could keep you going for a full year of gaming.

 

[Imaculata]

Starfinder is basically Pathfinder in space, so if you don't like the 3.5 rules system, you'll hate this.

 

[Robyo]

Starfinder is only slightly less crunchy than Pathfinder, and they add in all the chase and starship rules on top, so you really don't get out of rules overload.

However, it's my favorite system right now, mainly because it IS fairly compatible with PF and other d20 systems.

If you want a chunky, yet rules light Sci-Fi game (and one that is similar to D&D), check out Stars Without Number: Revised. So much winning!

 

[76512390ag12]

Starfinder is only slightly less crunchy than Pathfinder, and they add in all the chase and starship rules on top, so you really don't get out of rules overload.

However, it's my favorite system right now, mainly because it IS fairly compatible with PF and other d20 systems.

If you want a chunky, yet rules light Sci-Fi game (and one that is similar to D&D), check out Stars Without Number: Revised. So much winning!

SWN is a white box type retroclone. It does have great world/system/faction generation rules but I would hesitate to say it is an alien packed sci-fantasy

 

[daddystabz]

Starfinder is basically Pathfinder in space, so if you don't like the 3.5 rules system, you'll hate this.

I have heard multiple people state that it is not fair to call it Pathfinder in space. Regardless, I picked up the core rulebook, GM screen, Combat Pad, and Condition Cards the other night because I have been a bit intrigued. If I end up hating it I will sell it off or something.

I hope I do not regret this.

Would you say it is crunchier than D&D 5e? D&D 5e is fine for me in terms of crunch.

 

[Robyo]

It's definitely more crunchy than 5e, slightly less than PF.

If running the game, the OP will definitely want the Alien Archive too. All the books are great however.
I would rate the books in importance: 1)Core, 2)Alien Archive, 3)Armory, 4)Alien Archive 2, 5)Pact Worlds.

 

[Morrus]

If you hate Pathfinder? Probably not.

 

[Jacob Lewis]

Are you trying to make Pathfinder jealous? Sure.

 

[billd91]

If it was a question of not liking the way PF interacts with a fantasy environment, then maybe. But if you hate PF mechanics, Starfinder is probably not for you.

 

[Shawn Stroud]

No. You shouldn't. If you hate the ruleset, then another very similar ruleset will not make you happy.

I would strongly suggest hitting your local Barnes & Noble to see if they're carrying a copy and peruse it. Then, if you like what you see, you can pick up the rules.

 

[billd91]

No. You shouldn't. If you hate the ruleset, then another very similar ruleset will not make you happy.

I would strongly suggest hitting your local Barnes & Noble to see if they're carrying a copy and peruse it. Then, if you like what you see, you can pick up the rules.

Or if you’re willing to risk $10, you can always pick up the core rules PDF.

 

[5ekyu]

Go to drive thru rpg and take a look at Esper Genesis rpg - 5e derived scifi free basic rules available there. Not at all pathfinders crunch and very familiar mechanically to 5e.

Ran it for about an 18 month campaign. Great stuff.

 

[Imaculata]

I have heard multiple people state that it is not fair to call it Pathfinder in space.

But that's basically what it is. It is the standard Pathfinder rule set, but set in a Guardians of the Galaxy-esque fantasy/scifi setting. The only real difference seems to be the rules for spaceships, which are okay-ish. But it is mostly the exact same complexity of rules.

Would you say it is crunchier than D&D 5e? D&D 5e is fine for me in terms of crunch.

Way crunchier. It is basically D&D 3rd edition (or more accurately, 3.5, for people who care to make that distinction).
So if you dislike 3rd edition, that is what this is. It's 3rd edition wearing a fake mustach and a spacesuit.