Player Core
Chapter 1: Introduction
What is a Roleplaying Game?
Source Player Core pg. 5
A roleplaying game is an interactive story where one player, the Game Master (GM), sets the scene and presents challenges, while other players take the roles of player characters (PCs) and attempt to overcome those challenges. Danger comes in the form of monsters, hostile tech, and alien environments, but Starfinder conflicts also involve political schemes, puzzles, interpersonal drama, and more.
The game is typically played in a group of four to seven players, with one of those players serving as the group's GM. The GM prepares, presents, and presides over the game's setting and story, posing challenges and playing adversaries, allies, and bystanders alike. As each scene flows, every player contributes to the story, responding to situations according to the personality and abilities of their character. Combined with preassigned statistics, dice rolls add an element of chance to the game and determine whether characters succeed or fail at actions.
The game is typically played in a group of four to seven players, with one of those players serving as the group's GM. The GM prepares, presents, and presides over the game's setting and story, posing challenges and playing adversaries, allies, and bystanders alike. As each scene flows, every player contributes to the story, responding to situations according to the personality and abilities of their character. Combined with preassigned statistics, dice rolls add an element of chance to the game and determine whether characters succeed or fail at actions.
The Flow of the Game
Source Player Core pg. 5
Starfinder is played in sessions during which players gather in person or online for a few hours to play the game. A complete story can be as short as a single session, often referred to as a “one-shot,” or it can stretch for multiple sessions, forming a campaign that might last for months or even years. If the GM enjoys telling the story and the players are entertained, the game can go on for as long as you like.
A session can be mostly action, featuring battles with ferocious monsters, hacking computer terminals and magitech traps, and the completion of heroic missions. Alternatively, it could include unionizing miners on an asteroid teeming with megafauna, infiltrating a galactic empire's military, or bargaining with enigmatic spectras for a starship's speedy passage through the Drift. Ultimately, it's up to you and your group to determine what kind of game you're playing, from exploration of uncharted space to an intergalactic political drama, or anything in between.
A session can be mostly action, featuring battles with ferocious monsters, hacking computer terminals and magitech traps, and the completion of heroic missions. Alternatively, it could include unionizing miners on an asteroid teeming with megafauna, infiltrating a galactic empire's military, or bargaining with enigmatic spectras for a starship's speedy passage through the Drift. Ultimately, it's up to you and your group to determine what kind of game you're playing, from exploration of uncharted space to an intergalactic political drama, or anything in between.
The Players
Source Player Core pg. 5
Everyone involved in a Starfinder game is a player, including the Game Master, but for the sake of simplicity, “player” usually refers to participants other than the GM. Before the game begins, players invent a history and personality for their characters, using the rules to determine their characters' statistics, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. The GM might limit the options available to the players during character creation, but these restrictions should be discussed ahead of time so everyone can create interesting heroes. In general, the only limits to character concepts are the players' imaginations and the GM's guidelines.
During the game, players describe the actions their characters take and roll dice, using their characters' abilities. The GM resolves the outcome of these actions. Some players enjoy acting out (or roleplaying) what they do as if they were their characters, while others describe their characters' actions as if they were telling a story. Do whatever feels best!
If this is your first experience with a roleplaying game, it's recommended that you take on the role of a player to familiarize yourself with the rules and the galaxy.
During the game, players describe the actions their characters take and roll dice, using their characters' abilities. The GM resolves the outcome of these actions. Some players enjoy acting out (or roleplaying) what they do as if they were their characters, while others describe their characters' actions as if they were telling a story. Do whatever feels best!
If this is your first experience with a roleplaying game, it's recommended that you take on the role of a player to familiarize yourself with the rules and the galaxy.
The Game Master
Source Player Core pg. 6
While the other players create and control their characters, the Game Master (or GM) is in charge of the story and setting.
The GM describes all the situations the player characters experience in an adventure, considers how the actions of player characters affect the story, and interprets the rules along the way. The Game Master uses the rules and advice found in Starfinder GM Core.
The GM can create a new adventure—crafting a narrative, selecting monsters, and assigning rewards on their own— or they can instead rely on a published adventure, using it as a basis for the session and modifying it as needed to accommodate their individual players and the group's style of play. Some GMs run games that combine original and published content, mixing both together to form a new story.
Being the GM is a challenge, requiring you to adjudicate the rules, narrate the story, and juggle other responsibilities. But it can also be very rewarding and worth all the work required to run a good game. If it's your first time running a game, remember that the only thing that matters is that everyone, including you, has a fun time. Everything else will come naturally with practice and patience.
The GM describes all the situations the player characters experience in an adventure, considers how the actions of player characters affect the story, and interprets the rules along the way. The Game Master uses the rules and advice found in Starfinder GM Core.
The GM can create a new adventure—crafting a narrative, selecting monsters, and assigning rewards on their own— or they can instead rely on a published adventure, using it as a basis for the session and modifying it as needed to accommodate their individual players and the group's style of play. Some GMs run games that combine original and published content, mixing both together to form a new story.
Being the GM is a challenge, requiring you to adjudicate the rules, narrate the story, and juggle other responsibilities. But it can also be very rewarding and worth all the work required to run a good game. If it's your first time running a game, remember that the only thing that matters is that everyone, including you, has a fun time. Everything else will come naturally with practice and patience.
Gaming is for All
Source Player Core pg. 6
Whether you're the GM or a player, participating in a tabletop roleplaying game includes a social contract: everyone's gathered together to have fun. For many, roleplaying is a way to escape the troubles of everyday life. Be mindful of everyone at the table and what they want out of the game; when a group gathers for the first time, they should talk about what they hope to experience at the table, as well as any topics they'd like to avoid. Everyone should understand that elements might come up that make some players feel uncomfortable or even unwelcome, and everyone should agree to respect those boundaries during play. That way, everyone can enjoy the game together.
Starfinder is a game for everyone, regardless of their age, gender, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other identities and life experiences. It's the responsibility of all of the players, not just the GM, to make sure the game is fun and welcoming for everyone.
Starfinder is a game for everyone, regardless of their age, gender, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other identities and life experiences. It's the responsibility of all of the players, not just the GM, to make sure the game is fun and welcoming for everyone.
Tools of Play
Source Player Core pg. 6
In addition to this book, there are a few things you will need to play Starfinder. These supplies can be found at your local hobby shop or online at paizo.com.
Character Sheet: Each player needs a character sheet to create their character and to record what happens to them during play. You can find a character sheet in the back of this book and online as a free PDF.
Dice: The players and GM need at least one set of polyhedral dice, although most participants bring their own. Six-sided dice are quite common, but all the dice in the set can be found at hobby game stores or online. See the Dice sidebar for an overview of the different kinds of dice and how they are discussed in the text.
Adventure: Every group needs an adventure to play, whether it's designed by the GM or found in a published resource. You can find a variety of exciting adventures and even entire Adventure Path campaigns at paizo.com. Starfinder Alien Core: From the vanguard components of the Swarm to immensely powerful starmetal dragons, monsters are a common threat that the PCs might face, and each type has its own statistics and abilities. These can be found in Starfinder Alien Core, an invaluable book for GMs. Monster statistics can also be found online for free at paizo.com/prd.
Maps and Miniatures: The chaos of combat can be difficult to imagine, so many groups use maps to represent the battlefield. These maps are marked with a 1-inch grid, and each square usually represents 5 feet in the game. Miniatures and illustrated tokens called pawns are used to represent the characters and the adversaries they face.
Character Sheet: Each player needs a character sheet to create their character and to record what happens to them during play. You can find a character sheet in the back of this book and online as a free PDF.
Dice: The players and GM need at least one set of polyhedral dice, although most participants bring their own. Six-sided dice are quite common, but all the dice in the set can be found at hobby game stores or online. See the Dice sidebar for an overview of the different kinds of dice and how they are discussed in the text.
Adventure: Every group needs an adventure to play, whether it's designed by the GM or found in a published resource. You can find a variety of exciting adventures and even entire Adventure Path campaigns at paizo.com. Starfinder Alien Core: From the vanguard components of the Swarm to immensely powerful starmetal dragons, monsters are a common threat that the PCs might face, and each type has its own statistics and abilities. These can be found in Starfinder Alien Core, an invaluable book for GMs. Monster statistics can also be found online for free at paizo.com/prd.
Maps and Miniatures: The chaos of combat can be difficult to imagine, so many groups use maps to represent the battlefield. These maps are marked with a 1-inch grid, and each square usually represents 5 feet in the game. Miniatures and illustrated tokens called pawns are used to represent the characters and the adversaries they face.