Basic Structures
Source GM Core pg. 65
When building your campaign, you can use these structures as a starting point. The Adventure Design section explains various styles of adventures on that can be used to inspire the creation of the adventures in your campaign. For a campaign consisting of multiple adventures, you'll need to add some story elements that speak directly to the characters in your game rather than just to the events of the adventure. In other words, the characters should have individual goals in addition to the group's overall goals.
One-Shot
Source GM Core pg. 65
A one-shot is an adventure that's played in one session. It works well for a highly thematic adventure using characters or concepts that players might not want to stick with long-term.
Adventures 1, typically exploration, horror, investigation, or a weird adventure
Top Level 1, but often starts at a higher level
Time Frame 1 session
Adventures 1, typically exploration, horror, investigation, or a weird adventure
Top Level 1, but often starts at a higher level
Time Frame 1 session
Brief Campaign
Source GM Core pg. 65
This structure is meant for a brief, self-contained campaign. It can be ideal for introducing new players to Starfinder and can be extended to a longer campaign if the group wishes.
Adventures 2, typically one exploration or investigation followed by a higher level adventure; might be any type of adventure
Top Level 4–5
Time Frame 3 months weekly, 6 months biweekly
Adventures 2, typically one exploration or investigation followed by a higher level adventure; might be any type of adventure
Top Level 4–5
Time Frame 3 months weekly, 6 months biweekly
Extended Campaign
Source GM Core pg. 65
An extended campaign works well for a dedicated group that might want to switch to a new campaign or a different game after a year or so. It allows for significant character and plot development but doesn't reach the higher levels of the game.
Adventures 5, typically with multiple adventures fitting the main theme of the campaign; might be any type of adventure
Top Level 11–13
Time Frame 1 year weekly, 1-1/2 years biweekly
Adventures 5, typically with multiple adventures fitting the main theme of the campaign; might be any type of adventure
Top Level 11–13
Time Frame 1 year weekly, 1-1/2 years biweekly
Epic Campaign
Source GM Core pg. 65
An ambitious and complex game, the epic campaign takes PCs all the way to level 20, pitting them against the greatest threats in the galaxy and beyond. This can be challenging in terms of time commitment and complexity, but it lets PCs develop into true legends, and the players will likely remember it for years.
Adventures 6 long adventures; might be any type of adventure
Top Level 20
Time Frame 1-1/2 years weekly, 3 years biweekly
Adventures 6 long adventures; might be any type of adventure
Top Level 20
Time Frame 1-1/2 years weekly, 3 years biweekly