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Full Guide

Starfinder Society Guide to Organized Play

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SFS Guide Version 7.02
30 July 2024

Introduction

The Guide is the home for campaign rules specific to the Starfinder Society (SFS) organized play campaign. The Guide is available in the form of this website or as a single page. To print or get a PDF of the Guide, follow the link.

Both active Guides have the same structure following the reorganization of the Pathfinder Society Guide. The Guides each have the following sections:

Resources

Recent changes

full change log

Campaign Rules Outside the Guide

See you in the Pact Worlds & beyond! Explore, Report, Cooperate!

Core Guide

Welcome to Starfinder Society

The Starfinder Society is a worldwide science fantasy roleplaying campaign set in the Starfinder Universe. As an agent of the Starfinder Society, an organization of explorers, archaeologists, and adventurers headquartered in the Lorespire Complex of Absalom Station, you dedicate your time to discovering and chronicling all corners of the galaxy (and beyond). Starfinder adventures range from exploring unknown worlds and star systems to undertaking covert assignments within the bowels of the Pact Worlds' largest metropolises.

Starfinder Society uses Paizo’s Starfinder Roleplaying Game ruleset and setting under the campaign leadership of the Paizo Organized Play Team. This guide presents the information you need to participate in this exciting, dynamic campaign. Welcome to the Starfinder Society!

What is Paizo Organized Play?

In a Paizo Organized Play campaign, your character adventures in a shared setting with thousands of other gamers worldwide. Anyone can host games at homes, game stores, libraries, conventions, and online, as long as they report the adventure’s results afterward. Reporting earns participants campaign rewards and player actions influence the fate of the world of the game.

As part of the Organized Play experience, you can take your character to any Organized Play event in the world, allowing you to join a game with friends and strangers alike with ease. After each adventure, your characters grow stronger and carry their rewards with them to the next adventure, even if your fellow players and Game Masters (GMs) change between adventures. The experience is uniquely immersive, as the diverse range of players, GMs, and characters provide incredible depth. The campaign is also a great way to meet other gamers and play regularly without needing to schedule events with a single set of people as you might for a more traditional game.

Paizo Organized Play campaigns include the Pathfinder Society (second edition) , Starfinder Society , Pathfinder Adventure Card Society (legacy), and Pathfinder Society (first edition) (legacy) campaigns.

Registering for Organized Play

To ensure you have access to all the tools and benefits available to players, you need an Organized Play number and an account on paizo.com . To create an account, visit paizo.com/organizedplay and click on the “New Players Create an Account” button.

If you are unable to acquire an organized play number online, ask your Event Organizer for help.

Where to Find Games

Each community uses their own game scheduling process. Common platforms used in scheduling games include:

Organized Play Forums

Join the vibrant Starfinder Society online community by participating in the official Starfinder Society forums . Ask questions! Compare character builds! Discuss! Find events! Your feedback helps us improve our program, so drop by and tell us what we can do to enhance your organized play experience.

Key Terms

What is a Player Character?

To participate in an Organized Play game, you need a Player Character (or PC). You control your character, who will be one of the protagonists in the game's story and can directly interact with the objects, characters, and events within the adventure. You can use a pregenerated character or create your own using the rules in Starfinder Society Characters below.

What is a Game Master?

A Game Master (GM) is the person who presents the story, adjudicates the rules, and establishes the parameters of the player’s exploration. A GM’s duty is to provide a fair and fun game for all involved, including themselves. GMs receive credit as if their character had played the adventure as well as other recognition as thanks for volunteering their time to run events.

What is an Event Organizer?

An Event Organizer sets up Organized Play games and ensures they are reported accurately. At smaller events, including tables at most game stores, there is no separate event organizer and the venture officer handles those duties. Separate event organizers are more common at conventions and other large events.

What is a Venture-Officer?

A Venture-Officer is a volunteer for Paizo Organized Play responsible for a specific geographical region, online lodge, or other area of responsibility. They set up and assist with regular Organized Play events in their area. They are also responsible for responding to any player concerns in their area, reporting concerns to higher ranked officers as needed, and ensuring accurate data reporting.

What are Achievement Points (AcP)?

Achievement Points (AcP) are currency used to purchase Boons (in-game benefits) on https://www.paizo.com. You earn AcP by participating in and reporting Paizo Organized Play games. Details about Boons and AcP are found under Player Options and Tools.

The rules of the campaign reside in this Guide, the Character Options page , and the FAQ . As the campaign develops, additional rulings might be needed. These rules will be published via the paizo.com forums or blogs and from there be compiled into the program documentation listed above.

Starfinder Society Characters

Most Starfinder Society Scenarios and Quests require the use of a Starfinder Society Character or Starfinder Society Sanctioned Pregen.

Resources and Access

Characters have Access to all options listed as legal for play by the Character Options page . Players can choose any options their character has Access to in any Paizo published books or supplements they own. Players residing in the same household can share owned resources. Players can choose options their character has access to in the Core Sources regardless of ownership. Boons and Chronicles can grant access to options not normally legal for play.

Using a Pregenerated Character

You can use a pregenerated character (or pregen) based on one of the Starfinder iconic characters. This option can be useful when time is short or you want to try out a character class. See Applying Credit for additional rules for Chronicles earned by playing a pregen.

You can choose any of the pregenerated characters without owning the associated source. You can download the Starfinder Pregenerated Characters or request them from your Event Organizer.

Character Creation

Creating a character for Starfinder Society play follows the same steps as in the Starfinder Core Rulebook (page 14 ) with a few additional Society-specific rules and benefits.

Character Sheets

There is no standard character sheet format required. Character sheets must be legible, clear, and reviewable by the GM. Blank character sheets for Starfinder can be found at:

Character Creation Guidelines

Follow the normal rules in the Core Rulebook and the additional rules below.

1. Create A Character Concept

Your character is a member of the Starfinder Society, so they should be able to work with any other Starfinder and abide by the Society’s motto: “Explore, Report, Cooperate.”

2. Choose A Playable Species

Regardless of whether you own a copy of the corresponding source book, you have access to the following playable species:

The following species are also available provided you own a copy of the corresponding source book:

* Species marked with an asterisk (*) are also profiled in Starfinder Interstellar Species . You can use a copy of the original source or of Interstellar Species to satisfy source ownership requirements.

Additionally, there are many species that can be accessed via a Species Admittance Boon. If you have a Species Admittance Boon for a playable species that has since become always available, see the Starfinder Society FAQ for more information on the effects of that Boon.

3. Choose A Theme

All Starfinder Society characters must select a character theme during character creation.

4. Choose A Class

Starfinder Society characters begin play at level 1.

5. Finalize Ability Scores

Starfinder Society characters must use the Buying Ability Scores rules . They cannot use the optional rules for Character Flaws, Ability Quick Picks, or Rolling Ability Scores.

6. Apply Your Class

Follow the normal rules in the Core Rulebook.

7. Assign Skill Ranks And Choose Feats

Each time your character invests a skill rank in Culture , choose an additional language from the list of languages in “9. Fill In The Finishing Details” below or from any language they otherwise gain Access to.

8. Buy Equipment

Characters begin with 1,000 credits to spend on armor, weapons , and other equipment . Characters can purchase any piece of equipment listed in Chapter 7 of the Core Rulebook with an item level no greater than 2nd. Characters can purchase any piece of equipment authorized by the Character Options page with an item level no greater than 1st.

Characters retain any remaining credits on a personal credstick.

9. Fill In The Finishing Details

Follow the normal rules in the Core Rulebook and the additional rules below.

Age: Characters must be between the age of maturity and the maximum age for their species. When determining the maximum age of a species, assume maximum dice results. For example, human maximum age is 120, while ysoki maximum age is 80.

Alignment: Player Characters cannot be evil-aligned. When choosing an alignment, be sure it satisfies any alignment requirements for your character’s theme (such as the priest theme).

Deities and Philosophies: Characters can worship any deity or philosophy from an approved source on the Character Options page, following the normal rules for sourcebook ownership.

Characters can worship any number of deities or philosophies but must choose a single deity or philosophy to gain mechanical benefits from. This choice can be changed later, but a character can never gain mechanical benefits from more than one deity or philosophy at the same time.

Characters with the priest theme must choose a deity or philosophy whose alignment is within one step (on either the good-evil axis or the law-chaos axis) of the character’s alignment.

Home World: This is where your character was raised, and it must be your species' home world, one of the Pact Worlds planets presented in the Core Rulebook, or a populated world presented in the Near Space sourcebook.

Introduction Notes: The beginning of a Starfinder Society game includes character introductions, so consider making a few notes on your character’s appearance, backstory, personality, and pronouns to share with other players. "In the Aftermath of the Gap" on the Society homepage and Chapter 12 of the Starfinder Core Rulebook both contain information on the campaign setting you can use for this purpose.

Languages: Characters gain some languages based on their species and home world, but might speak additional languages depending on their Intelligence or class. All Starfinder Society characters are literate and speak Common. A character with a high Intelligence score can select bonus languages from the list on pages 40–41 of the Core Rulebook.

They can also select the following languages from other sources:

  • Bolidan, Daimalkan, Embri, Ghoran, Orrian, Osharu, Pahtra, Quorlu, and Vlakan (Spoken, Signed and Tactile) from Starfinder Alien Archive 2
  • Accaran, Akan, Brenneri, Dirindi, Dromadan, Espraksi, Hortaa, Iji, Izalguun, Koshorian, Lumos, Morlamaw, Perani, Raxi, Sazaron, Shimreeni, Spathinae and Telian from Starfinder Alien Archive 3
  • Copaxi from Starfinder Alien Archive 4

Natural Disabilities: The Starfinder Roleplaying Game allows for characters to be naturally blind or deaf as part of character creation; these character options are allowed as part of the Starfinder Society. The selection must be made at character creation and cannot be reversed. A character can choose to be either naturally blind or naturally deaf; he cannot choose to be both. A blind character gains the tactile version of any language he knows, while a character who begins play deaf automatically knows the signed versions of their known languages.

Registration: Make sure to register your character at paizo.com so you can earn credit for playing!

Starship: The Society provides Starfinders with starships as needed. See this Guide's Starships section for more information on how starships work in the campaign.

Pawns

During combat, each PC is represented by a pawn. Each other creature controlled by a PC whose location outside their PC’s square affects combat is also represented by a pawn. No PC can place more than 2 pawns per adventure including their own. Temporary creatures who last no more than an encounter or two do not count toward this limit. Creatures who stay in their controller’s square during combat do not require pawns.

For in person games the Starfinder Roleplaying Game uses maps with a standard 1-inch grid to determine movement and tactical positioning in combat, so you need a physical representation of your character to use on the grid. Paizo produces a wide range of Starfinder Pawns and also works with Reaper Miniatures and WizKids to offer a wide variety of gaming miniatures so you can find just the right figure for your character.

For digital play, use a digital image. Ask your GM for their preferred image format and size.

Purchasing Guidelines

Between adventures, you can purchase items according to the rules below. When you are in a settlement during an adventure, the same purchasing rules apply subject to the normal limit that the only items available have an item level less than or equal to the settlement's listed Maximum Item Level . You can purchase the following items:

  • All equipment listed on the Character Options page which you have Access to with an item level less than or equal to your character level.
  • All equipment listed in the Starfinder Core Rulebook with an item level less than or equal to your character level + 1.
  • All equipment listed on your character’s Chronicles with an item level less than or equal to your character level + 2.
  • All items and services purchased with Achievement Points (AcP).

All Starfinders also have access to the Tetrad Certified Translator.

Your character has access to items which are listed on one of their Chronicles and not crossed off. You must still follow the normal rules for resource ownership (see the Character Options page).

Infamy can reduce a character’s effective level when purchasing items.

Magic, hybrid, and technological items that can be used less often than once per day (such as once per week or once per month and so on) are considered to be usable once per adventure.

Spellcasting Services

Provided you are in a settlement, you can purchase spellcasting services with a level up to half the settlement’s Maximum Item Level.
Follow the normal rules and costs for purchasing spellcasting services with credits in the Starfinder Core Rulebook (pages 234-235). You can also use Achievement Points to purchase spellcasting services, which are listed individually by spell.

Purchased spellcasting is assumed to be cast using the minimum caster level. Spells without a level, such as miracle and wish, cannot be purchased as a spellcasting service.

PCs can never purchase the traveling service of a spellcaster.

No PC to PC Exchanges

In Starfinder Society play, you can never permanently transfer items or credits between PCs, but you can lend items to another PC for the duration of an adventure. Borrowed items are returned at the end of the adventure in whatever condition they are in at the end of the adventure. This means a PC cannot buy, sell, trade, or donate items to another PC. This rule does not affect the ability of PCs to pool their credits for group purchases or removing afflictions.

Applying and Transferring Fusions

The Society has specialists at the Lorespire Complex trained in Mysticism who can apply or swap out fusions for agents of the Starfinder Society. This service is free but is only available before the briefing or once the adventure is complete unless stated in the adventure. Only the service is free; characters must still pay the normal cost for transferring the fusion.

Selling Gear

All gear is sold back for 10% of the credits the character originally paid. Partially used consumables cannot be sold back. A pregenerated character's gear can never be sold.

Recording Purchases

All purchases must be recorded on a Chronicle Sheet or on a separate record tracker.

Rebuilding Characters

When rebuilding your character in any way, you must describe all changes on your next Chronicle. You can never create a character using Rebuilding or Retraining that you could not build without it.

Level 1 Free Rebuilds

After playing a new character, you might find aspects of your character you would like to change. Don’t worry! Until you play a game in which your character starts with 3 or more XP, you can rebuild any aspect of your character. If this would change the character’s equipment, you can sell back equipment at 100% of credits paid. This otherwise follows the rules for Selling Gear. The character retains their Reputation earned and character number.

For retraining options available once your character reaches 3 or more XP, see Player Options: Retraining Characters.

Rules Changes

The Starfinder Roleplaying Game is a living game, and sometimes game elements change over the course of a PC’s career. To reduce confusion, rule changes announced during a gaming event do not take effect until after the event ends. If an errata changes an element of your character, you could be eligible for a partial rebuild. See Errata Rebuilds for more details.

Playing an Adventure

Once you have created a character or selected a pregen, it's time for the main event: playing an adventure!

About Adventures

There are two types of adventures written for the Starfinder Society campaign:

  • Starfinder Quests: 1-hour adventures often used as introductions to the game.

  • Starfinder Society Scenarios: 4–5 hour adventures that each present a single episode in a continuing story.

Rules for additional types of adventures can be found in GM Options: Additional Adventures.

Level Ranges

In a typical home game, the PCs are all the same level and face challenges tailored to their level. In Organized Play, more flexibility is necessary so characters of different levels can participate smoothly in the same adventure. Each adventure lists the character levels that are eligible to play it, as well one or more level ranges within the adventure.

If an adventure has more than 2 level ranges, each table must choose 2 adjacent level ranges for that adventure. Only characters whose level falls within those two level ranges can play at that table. This rule is primarily applicable to multi-table interactive special Scenarios.

Scenario Tags

Starfinder Society adventures use a set of tags (labels) to highlight properties of the adventure as follows:

  • Exclusive: Scenarios with this tag have running requirements outside the standard one table environment. Scenarios with this tag include specific rules on who is eligible to run it and where and how it can be run.
  • Faction: Scenarios with this tag address the listed faction's goals and usually grant additional reputation with a faction.
  • Mech: Scenarios with this tag indicate that the associated Scenario includes some form of Mech combat.
  • Metaplot: Scenarios with this tag are directly connected to a larger plot arc, typically the major plot throughline of a particular Season of Starfinder Society adventures.
  • Nova: Scenarios with this tag contribute to the GM 5 Nova requirements.
  • Quest: This tag indicates the associated product is a single Quest or a Quest pack.
  • Repeatable: Players and GMs can receive credit for Scenarios with this tag an unlimited number of times, though characters can still only receive credit once for a given Scenario.
  • Starship: This tag indicates the associated Scenario includes some form of the starship combat rules in the Starfinder Core Rulebook (Chapter 9 ).
  • Survival: This tag indicates the players will benefit from skills and abilities relating to survival while cut off from outside resources.
  • Vehicle: Scenarios with this tag indicate that the associated Scenario includes some form of vehicle combat or vehicle chase.

Starfinder Society adventures are written for four to six PCs.

Maximum Table: Tables cannot have seven or more players.

Minimum Table: A GM can run a table with two or three players in some situations. In those cases, all four-player adjustments written into the adventure still apply. See Adjusting the Adventure for details.

Before the Adventure

Before the game starts, choose a character to play. This can be one of your existing characters or a pregenerated character, but it must fall within the allowed levels for the adventure. If you choose a pregenerated character, you must also choose an existing character of a lower level, a first level character, or a brand new character to assign credit to.

You can also choose a Faction to represent.

Assigning Credit

The GM will provide a sign-in sheet to record your character’s name, Organized Play ID, Character Number, level and Faction, as well as any contact information the GM needs to send your Chronicle to you. If you are playing a pregenerated character, use the character number of the character who will receive credit for the adventure. At this point, the Chronicle for that adventure is assigned to that character at that level.

One Character per Adventure

You can have as many active characters as you want in Organized Play. However, you can play only one of your characters during a specific adventure.

One Adventure per Character

A character can only take part in one adventure at a time. From the time the character begins an adventure to the time Chronicles are issued, that character cannot be involved in any other adventure. Characters engaged in play-by-post are considered busy and cannot be used in another game while the play-by-post is running.

Replaying Adventures

By default, each player can receive up to two Chronicles for a given adventure: one for playing the adventure and one for running the adventure as the GM. Players can play each adventure once and GM it as many times as they like. GMing an adventure contributes to GM Nova rewards and earns AcP even when it does not award a Chronicle.

Ways to Replay

There are several ways to replay adventures:

Adventures with the Repeatable tag: Adventures with the Repeatable tag can be played any number of times, with a different character each time. Unlike other adventures, they also grant a Chronicle every time they are GMed.

Seeker of Knowledge boon: The Second Seekers (Ehu) and Second Seekers (Jadnura) Factions grant Access to the Seeker of Knowledge Boon, which allows a limited number of replays. They are functionally a single Boon; you cannot gain double the replays by gaining the Boon from each faction. See the Boon text for details.

Granted and purchased Replays: All players are granted 2 Replays after their first game. Each January 1st, GMs are granted 1 additional Replay for each Nova they have earned up to that point. Additional replays can be purchased from the AcP Boon Store on paizo.com. Players must have or purchase a Replay prior to completion and reporting of the Scenario they are replaying.

Granted and purchased Replays can only be used on sanctioned content that is Scenario-length or shorter. Each granted or purchased Replay allows one replay of an adventure you have already played as though that adventure had the Repeatable tag.

Replaying for no credit: This is only allowed if the alternative is for the table not to play. Players must record any items or resources expended and can use a blank Chronicle for this purpose. This is an exception to the rule that you cannot assign more than one copy of a single adventure's Chronicle to a given character.

Rules for Replaying

One Chronicle per Character: Each character can only earn one copy of a Chronicle for any single adventure. You cannot replay an adventure for credit with a character that has already received credit for that adventure.

Notify the GM: Inform the GM that you have already played the adventure or run it as a GM. Although GMs are asked to be flexible, the GM maintains the right to deny running the adventure for you if they feel uncomfortable running the event for players who have foreknowledge of the story.

No Spoilers: When you are replaying an adventure, avoid spoiling the adventure’s plot or using insider information to affect gameplay. Doing so can be grounds for the GM to remove you from the table. In general, be mindful in separating player knowledge from character knowledge, and if you are uncertain how to proceed, speak privately with the GM to determine the best course of action.

Reporting and Rewards for Replaying

Replays of repeatable adventures or using granted or purchased Replays earn rewards for the playthrough normally; that is, they earn a Chronicle and the same rewards a first-time player would earn. They get access to any Boons and items on the Chronicle, as well as currency, XP, and Reputation, all subject to the outcome of the adventure.

When reporting an adventure replayed using a granted or purchased Replay, the GM checks the “Consume Replay” box next to the character’s information so they earn full credit.

GMs do not record or report Organized Play numbers of players replaying for no credit.

During the Adventure

Remember your character is a member of the Starfinder Society, working with colleagues and friends. The Society's motto is “Explore, Report, Cooperate.”

Mission Briefing

Each adventure typically begins with a briefing, either in the form of a message, a meeting with a Venture-Captain, or a job offer from an outside employer.

Slotting Boons: This is when you choose which of your character's Boons are active (slotted) in boon slots for the adventure.

Purchasing Equipment: This will also often be the last opportunity your character has to purchase any needed equipment during the adventure.

Crafting

Characters cannot craft items during an adventure. The only allowed crafting is a single item per Downtime period (see Downtime Crafting).

Run As Written

The Paizo Organized Play program strives to provide a fun, engaging, consistent experience at all tables. GMs are required to run Paizo Organized Play adventures as written, which means:

  • No changes to major plot points and interactions
  • No addition or subtraction to the number of monsters other than scaling directed by the adventure
  • No changes to the DCs or results of hazards or skill checks defined in the adventure
  • No changes to the mechanics of the adventure, including penalties due to weather, terrain or hazards
  • No changes to armor, feats, items, skills, spells, statistics, traits, or weapons
  • No changes to the mechanics of player character options
  • No banning of legal character options

Beyond the above, GMs are encouraged to make choices that would result in the most enjoyable play experience for everyone at the table and that emphasize PCs are the heroes of the story. (See GM Discretion for discussion and examples.)

Ethical Infractions and Infamy

Players are responsible for their characters’ choices and are subject to consequences resulting from those choices.

Infamy represents a character’s reputation for performing evil or criminal actions. Some Scenarios will call out specific actions that will cause one or more PCs to gain Infamy. A GM can also assign Infamy for evil or criminal acts not specifically called out by the Scenario.

Warnings: The GM must warn the Player that their act will earn Infamy. This warning can be in character or out of character but must be clear to the player. If the PC goes through with the action, they earn the point of Infamy.

Effects of Infamy: Each point of Infamy reduces the PC's effective level by one for purposes of purchasing gear.
If a PC ends an adventure with 3 Infamy, they are ejected from the Starfinder Society and are no longer allowed to play in the campaign. The character must be marked dead when the table is reported.

Reducing Infamy: A PC can purchase the Infamy Reduction boon with AcP to reduce their Infamy by 1.

Major Infractions: Characters who become Wantonly Evil by performing vile actions deliberately and without motive or provocation cannot reduce the value by spending AcP and are retired from the campaign when they reach 3 Infamy. This measure is a last resort; players must try to play their characters in ways that are within the constraints of acceptable alignments, even if their characters have gained some Infamy.

If a character is retired for reaching 3 Infamy, the GM must report the issue to their local Venture-Captain or Regional Venture-Coordinator. (See Violation Enforcement Procedures for more information.)

Only in-game actions earn Infamy. Code of Conduct violations earn players table sanctions.

After the Adventure

Issuing Official Chronicles

After every adventure, the GM issues each player a Chronicle to document the rewards earned by a PC during a particular adventure.

Each Chronicle includes a summary of the adventure; indications of any choices made along the way which could impact the future of the campaign; and a log of rewards earned while exploring. It also provides areas for notes, purchases, and the acquisition/removal of conditions.

GMs must use the Chronicles included in the adventure or the adventure's sanctioning documents. GMs cannot create their own custom chronicles. Changes made to increase accessibility for the GM or players, such as enlarging the text to improve readability, are permitted and encouraged and do not invalidate Chronicles.

Record-Keeping

Organized Play characters rely on good record-keeping to ensure accurate information while playing. Most commonly, players track purchases, Downtime, and other notes on their Chronicle Sheets. However, you can use other tracking methods such as spreadsheets, text documents, or tracking software. If you use another tracking method, you must ensure all the data on each Chronicle is reflected in your records.

Regardless of your tracking method, you must keep copies of all Chronicle Sheets. Your Chronicle Sheets for a particular character must be available for review at all games that character plays in.

You can choose to keep their records digitally or in paper files. If stored digitally, you must be comfortable with GMs handling your device while reviewing records. If in paper files, all pages must be carried to games.

Ongoing Effects

All spells and effects end at the end of an adventure with the following exceptions:

  • Spells and effects with permanent or instantaneous duration that heal damage, repair damage, or remove harmful conditions remain in effect at the end of the adventure.
  • Afflictions and harmful conditions obtained during an adventure remain until healed and carry over from adventure to adventure.
Ongoing Afflictions

During an adventure, a character might gain afflictions or harmful conditions such as curses, diseases, poison, or death. Any permanent afflictions must be cleared from the character before the end of the adventure or the character ceases to be available for organized play and must be marked dead by the GM.

Exceptions include permanent negative levels, ability drain that does not reduce an ability score to 0, permanent blindness or deafness, and conditions that impose no mechanical effect. These must be recorded on the character’s Chronicle Sheet.

Affliction removal applies to pregenerated characters. Any unresolved afflictions on a pregen carry over to the Starfinder Society character receiving credit for the adventure. If that means the character would be marked dead, they are marked dead immediately.

Removing Afflictions

Other PCs can use their spells, feats or class abilities to assist characters in recovering from negative effects. They can also contribute consumables or credits, but are not required to. Characters can always use credits earned during the adventure to clear conditions. Condition removal purchased using AcP or credits automatically succeeds providing it is possible for it to succeed.

Reduce the credit cost to remove afflictions from a pregenerated character by:

Pregen Level Discount
Level 1 100 credits
Level 4 600 credits
Level 8 3,300 credits

Adventure Rewards

Chronicle Boons

Once completed, some adventures grant access to Boons. These Chronicle Boons will be noted on the Chronicle and can be accessed on the Boons tab of the My Organized Play page on paizo.com. (Year 1 and 2 Scenarios included such boons on each Chronicle Sheet.)

Downtime

Not every Starfinder works for the Society full time. Some are trained artisans, professionals, or performers and earn extra credits between missions. After each adventure that grants XP, except for Bounties, you gain a period of Downtime before your next mission, Characters who are trained in a Profession can use this to earn extra income.

Day Job: During Downtime, you can attempt one trained Profession check to earn extra money; this is called a Day Job check. Permanent bonuses from class, equipment, feats, species, and theme apply to your Day Job check as they would any check for the relevant skill. Temporary bonuses do not apply to Day Job checks, no matter the source. You can take 10 on a Day Job check, but you can’t take 20 or use the “Aid Another” action.

You gain a number of credits equal to twice your Profession skill check result, per the “Earn a Living” entry under the Profession skill (Starfinder Core Rulebook page 146 ). You cannot use other skills to make a Day Job check. Add this amount to the Day Job box on your Chronicle.

For other ways to spend your downtime, see Alternate Downtime Options.

Experience Points

Each time you play an adventure, your character will receive experience points (XP). Typically, you gain 1 XP for completing a Starfinder Society scenario or 3 XP for completing an Adventure Path volume.

Reputation

Reputation is a measure of how influential your character is in the Starfinder Society. See Factions and Reputation for more about how Reputation works.

Treasure

Unlike a traditional game in which the PCs would divide recovered magic items and other treasure among themselves, Starfinder Society awards each participating PC a share of credits based on their respective levels. Rather than divide up items unequally, PCs have equal access to purchase any special treasure found, represented by the items listed on the Chronicle. See Purchasing Guidelines for complete purchasing rules for these items.

Applying Credit

Normally, Chronicles are applied as soon as they are issued. Apply all Chronicle rewards, downtime, and ongoing effects and conditions to the character. This must be done before the character’s next game.

When a Chronicle is applied, the following things happen in order: earn adventure credits, complete Downtime, then earn XP. Downtime occurs before leveling up, which affects alternate Downtime options including crafting. Items can be purchased at any time when not playing an adventure, so characters can level up before making purchases, which affects what items are available.

Chronicles earned by playing a pregenerated character have a few additional rules:

  • Pregen Chronicles assigned to a brand new or 1st-level character can be applied immediately to the character at 1st level or held until the character reaches the pregen's level. Chronicles assigned to a character above level 1 must be held until the character reaches the pregen's level.

  • Pregen Chronicles applied to 1st-level characters gain the following limitations:
    • Reduce the credits awarded to 720 credits if the adventure grants 1 XP or 2,160 credits if it grants 3 XP.
    • Characters do not benefit from any boons on the Chronicle until the character reaches the minimum Chronicle level.

  • Characters receiving credit for pregen Chronicles can earn the rewards or benefits associated with any of their current Boons, as long as those Boons could have been slotted during the adventure. This can also apply to “out of table” boons like Digital Presence or Worldwide Explorer.

Once a PC reaches the level of one or more of their held Chronicles, those held Chronicles are applied immediately in the order in which they were played. Complete Downtime and earn all rewards on one Chronicle (following the order above) before applying the next Chronicle. Downtime checks use the skills of the character who is receiving credit for the adventure at the time the Chronicle is applied.

Applying credit in batches can advance a character multiple levels. The character’s level cannot exceed the level of any Chronicle applied to them, so any out-of-level Chronicles applied are lost.

Leveling Up

Characters advance 1 level for every 3 XP they earn. Characters who are eligible to level up must do so immediately.

Being a Game Master

Running Starfinder Society games is similar to running a home campaign with a few house rules established by campaign leadership. In addition to this section, familiarize yourself with the other sections of the Guide. You need to know what players know, what their expectations are, and how their characters are created, played, and advanced.

Who Can Be a Game Master

Anyone with a valid Organized Play ID can run Starfinder Society adventures. Local Starfinder Society groups and the campaign as a whole benefit as the pool of Game Masters increases; the Venture-Officer network provides support and guidance for anyone who wants to GM.

Duties of a Game Master

As a Starfinder Society GM, you have the following duties:

  • Communicate with your local Event Organizer.
  • Prepare an adventure to offer to players, including gathering the necessary supplies such as maps, miniatures, and reference materials.
  • Provide a welcoming environment for players.
  • Deliver session results to the player via established recording mechanisms.
  • Report the results of the game:
    • Ask your Event Organizer what reporting process they use.
    • If you are also the Event Organizer, report games directly on the paizo.com My Organized Play page.

Where to Buy Adventures

Starfinder Society adventures, including scenarios and quests, are available for purchase at paizo.com. They are usually released during the last week of each month. Current production rates include one or two new scenarios each month, with additional Society content released periodically throughout the year. These adventures are written expressly for use in the Starfinder Society campaign.

Paizo also produces additional adventures written for more general use. See Additional Adventures for more about these products and how to use them in Paizo Organized Play.

Preparing an Adventure

Because adventures are written for a variable number of characters across a range of levels, GMs need to adjust the scenario to their table using the Average Party Level and Table Size Scaling.

Determining Average Party Level

If the adventure has multiple level ranges, the GM will need to calculate the group’s Average Party Level (APL) to determine which range to use.

APL = (sum of character levels) / (number of characters)


Divide the total number of character levels by the number of characters in the party, rounding to the nearest whole number. (This is an exception to the usual ‘round down’ rule.) If the result of the Average Party Level calculation ends with 0.5, the players decide whether to round up or down.

Adjusting the Adventure

Level Range: Nearly all encounters list two different sets of creature statistics, one for each of the two level ranges the adventure is designed for. The adventure often also refers to important skill checks and saving throws in room descriptions or during events, listing one DC for the lower level range and one for the higher level range. In each of these cases, use the numbers, creatures, and other information listed for the selected level range.

Scaling: Within a level range, the scenario will also contain instructions for adjusting the difficulty of the scenario based on the number of PCs. These scaling instructions are usually in “scaling sidebars” but might also be in the text of the room description or encounter.

Legal Table Size: Starfinder Society adventures are written for four to six PCs. However, a GM can run a table with two or three players in some situations. In those cases, all four-player adjustments written into the adventure still apply. Make the following adjustments:

  • Adventures with a minimum level of 8 or lower: can be run for a table of two or three players by adding pregenerated iconic characters at the appropriate level to meet the minimum table size of four PCs. The GM can either play these characters themselves or have one or more players play them, provided the player or players agree.

    Pregenerated iconic characters are available for 1st, 4th, and 8th level. Use the pregens closest in level to the party’s APL, then recalculate the APL including the pregens since adding them might change the APL.

  • Adventures with a minimum level of 9 or higher: can be run for a table of 3 players, but only if all players at the table agree. A “hard mode” playthrough like this is expected to be satisfying, but remember that adventures are designed for a minimum of four PCs. Players and GMs are cautioned that playthroughs on "hard mode" will be more difficult than normal.

  • All levels: If there are still not enough players even with these adjustments and there is a player available who has already played the adventure, they can join the table, playing for no credit.

Running an Adventure

GM Discretion

As a Starfinder Society GM, you have the right and responsibility to make whatever judgments, within the rules, that you feel are necessary at your table to ensure everyone has a fair and fun experience.

This does not mean you can contradict rules or restrictions outlined in this document (including the requirement to Run As Written), a published Starfinder RPG source, errata document (like the Starfinder FAQ and Errata), or official FAQ (like the Starfinder Society FAQ) on paizo.com. What it does mean is that only you can judge what is right for your table for cases that are not covered in those sources.
Some examples of GM discretion include the following:

  • Creature tactics that have been invalidated by the players' actions.
  • Situations or player actions not covered by the rules.
  • Unclear rules.
  • Terrain or environmental conditions described by the scenario, but not given mechanics.
    • However, if mechanics are included, they cannot be altered.
  • Reactions of NPCs to good roleplaying, and the effect that has on the outcome of the encounter. Alternate or creative skills used to bypass or overcome traps and skill checks.
    • Note that DCs and results of the check are part of the mechanics and cannot be changed.
  • Aspects of the scenario’s description and story as appropriate for the players at the table as described in the section "Running the Game" (Starfinder Core Rulebook 392).
  • Changes required to comply with the Acceptable Content provision of the Community Standards and Expectations.
  • Creative solutions presented by players to overcome obstacles.
  • Moving plot points missed by players to encounterable areas.
    • This does not include moving missed treasure.

If a particular issue comes up repeatedly or causes a significant problem in one of your games, please raise any questions or concerns on the Organized Play forums where Venture-Officers, members of Paizo’s Organized Play team, or fellow GMs can help you resolve it.

Errata and Adventures

If an errata or clarification changes how an ability works in a Scenario, follow the current rules. If that means that the ability no longer works with how NPC tactics are written, modify the tactics as best you can to incorporate the changes.

Death and GM Discretion

Given the dangers characters face once they become Starfinders, character death is a very real possibility (and a necessary one to maintain a sense of risk and danger in the game). However, GMs are asked to consider the player's experience when deciding whether to use especially lethal tactics or target a character in extreme danger of death, especially when the player is new to the game.

Creative Solutions

Sometimes during a game, your players might surprise you with a creative solution that the adventure did not anticipate. Rewarding the creative use of skills and roleplaying makes Society games more fun for the players. If your players find a solution to successfully resolve or bypass an encounter, give the PCs the same reward they would have gained by resolving the encounter in the method anticipated in the scenario.

The Starfinder Society never wants to give the impression that the only way to solve a problem is to kill it.

It is also possible that the PCs will kill an NPC with an important piece of information or destroy a critical clue. Unless the scenario specifically instructs you to withhold that information, you are free to improvise an alternate way for the information to survive and reach the PCs.

Concluding an Adventure

Filling Out a Chronicle

The sections of a Chronicle are detailed below. Sections marked with an asterisk (*) include some element that GMs must address before players leave the table, either by filling it in themselves or asking the players to fill in the appropriate information. Players can fill out other sections between sessions.

Sample Chronicles

No Tabs

Sample Chronicle for PFS Seasons 1-3


  • (A.) Adventure Name/Number: Preprinted on the form.
  • (B.) Character Name: Name of the hero who took part in this adventure.
  • (C.) Character Number:* Unique identifier for the character played, including the player's Organized Play ID and the character's number.
  • (D.) Partner Code: A unique code that identifies the Chronicle. Can be used by third-parties to reference the Chronicle.
  • (E.) Adventure Summary: Might contain checkboxes to help remind you which choices you made during the adventure.
  • (F.) AcP Pointer: Where to find Achievement Point totals on paizo.com.
  • (G.) Treasure Access: Uncommon or high level items found during the adventure.
  • (H.) Variable quantities:* Quantities that depend on character’s level or successes during the adventure, such as credits earned, reputation, etc.
  • (I.) Event Name:* Name given to the event on paizo.com. This can help when an event number is incorrect or illegible.
  • (J.) Event Number:* Unique identifier for the event where the game was played; provided by the Event Organizer.
  • (K.) Date:* Date the adventure was completed.
  • (L.) GM Number:* The GM's Organized Play ID.

GMs are no longer required to sign or initial any part of a Chronicle, even though earlier adventures include boxes for that.

GMs are encouraged to add notes to Chronicles about interesting events that occur during the adventure.

Remember that certain permanent afflictions (including death), if not cleared at the end of an adventure, require a character to be marked as dead on the Chronicle Sheet and reported on paizo.com as dead. See Ongoing Effects for the list of those afflictions and options for removing afflictions, including limited exceptions.

Treasure Access

GMs cross off the high level range items on the Chronicle if the party did not play in high level range.

Variable Quantities

Experience Points (XP): Each Scenario awards 1 XP. Each Quest or Bounty typically awards 0.25 XP.

Credits earned: Each Chronicle lists the "Max Credits" an adventure grants if the PCs complete all encounters and find all the treasure. PCs playing in their level range receive the amount listed for that level range. PCs playing outside their level range receive the amount listed for "Out of level range". Scenarios contain instructions for how to reduce these amounts if PCs do not complete an encounter successfully.

Reputation: Each adventure lists how much reputation to award. Scenarios typically award 1 Reputation for accomplishing the mission you were sent on and 1 more for going above and beyond expectations (for a total of 2 Reputation gained). If the player did not choose a Faction to represent, they gain those 1-2 Reputation with the Wayfinders. Scenarios with the Faction tag often award an additional 1 Reputation with the named Faction(s) for completing their goals.

Fame: Adventures in Seasons 1-3 granted Fame as a spendable and trackable currency. Fame was replaced with Achievement Points (AcP) for all games played after the beginning of Year 4 (May 2021)--including tables of Season 1-3 Scenarios. If the Chronicle has a section for fame, cross it off.

GM Chronicles

Game Masters earn GM table credits and Achievement Points each time they GM an adventure. You can earn a Chronicle for GMing once per adventure (unless the adventure has the Repeatable tag), typically the first time you GM the adventure. If you GM an adventure but do not take a Chronicle for it, report the game on paizo.com using your Organized Play ID number as usual, but leave the character number blank.

GMs have a few special rules for assigning and applying Chronicles:

  • Chronicles earned by GMing must be assigned to characters when received.
  • Chronicles earned by GMing provide full rewards. This includes 100% of all credits, XP, Reputation (including any bonus reputation), Downtime, and access to items and Boons.
  • A GM's character receives credit for the level range they are in when the Chronicle is applied, regardless of the level at which the GM ran the adventure.
  • GMs can choose not to receive a Chronicle for any game they run, deferring it to a future run.
  • GMs can assign Chronicles to characters currently playing another adventure. In this case, apply the Chronicle after the character completes their current adventure.
  • Chronicles earned by GMing and playing count equally for the One Chronicle per Character rule.
  • When a chronicle is assigned to a character who is below the minimum level of the adventure, treat it as if the GM had played a pregenerated character at the minimum level of the adventure.
  • The GM’s character receives Downtime when the Chronicle is applied.

The GM can choose any combination of checkboxes / Boons / rewards that could have been earned by a player. The GM is not limited to the results of the players at any particular table; however, they must select rewards that could have been earned during a single play of the adventure. Boons for specific Faction members can only be selected if the character that is receiving credit also receives Reputation for that faction.

If the scenario requires players to choose among factions to receive bonus Reputation, the GM must also choose one; GMs do not earn Reputation with each faction that could be chosen. The GM's choice can be different from their players' choice.

Special Cases

The following rules are unlikely to come up at most tables. Many of them ideally never come up. They are included here for when they are needed.

Campaign Leadership

The people with the authority to issue rulings for the Starfinder Society campaign are:

  • Alex Speidel (Organized Play Coordinator),
  • Jessica Catalan (Starfinder Society Developer), and
  • Thurston Hillman (Associate Publisher).

Clarifications from other campaigns and their campaign managers do not apply to the Starfinder Society Organized Play campaign unless confirmed by one of the above individuals.

Rules Variations

From time to time, players might encounter different rules sources with minor variations in the rules. In general, the most current English-language printing of the rulebook in question is the definitive source. For this Guide, the most current printing is the English version on this webpage.

Errata Rebuilds

The following guidelines allow players to update or convert existing characters to use the most current rules. Campaign Leadership might allow additional changes in the case of specific errata.

Class Features and Archetype Abilities: If an errata or FAQ changes an ability score-dependent feature of a class or archetype, you can rebuild your character to its current XP. You can keep the same equipment or choose to resell any equipment that augments the altered ability score at full price.

If an errata or FAQ changes one of your character's class features for which there are multiple options (such as a biohacker's field of study), you can switch that class feature to a different one that your character would have qualified for at the same level when they first received the class feature. Any abilities that have the removed feature as a prerequisite can also be altered in the same manner.

If an errata or FAQ changes a class or archetype so that you no longer have proficiency with a given weapon or armor type, you can sell back any affected equipment at full price. You can also swap out any feats directly associated with the affected equipment.

Feats: If a feat changes or is removed from the Character Options page, you have two options: you can switch the old feat for an updated feat of the same name in another legal source (if available), ignoring any prerequisites of the new feat you do not meet, or you can replace the feat (and any of the old feat’s prerequisite feats) entirely with another feat for which you meet all the prerequisites. If any of the feat’s changes directly reference one or more pieces of equipment you own (such as the weapon selected for the Weapon Focus feat), you can sell back that equipment at full price.

Items: If the price of an item increases, you must sell back the affected equipment at its original full price. So long as you have enough credits, you can repurchase the same item at its updated cost.

Spells: If the level of a spell changes, you must retrain the altered spell, replacing it with another spell of its original spell level. You can also retrain one spell of the altered spell’s new level, but only in order to learn the altered spell. You must sell back any items that use that spell at their current full price based on the spell’s old level.

Community Standards and Expectations

All participants in Paizo Organized Play must adhere to the Paizo Organized Play Code of Conduct and the Organized Play Community Standards—read through them and uphold them at all Organized Play events and sessions.

Community Code of Conduct

The version of the Paizo Organized Play Code of Conduct posted on paizo.com is the official version and takes precedence in the case of any conflict with the version below, which is reproduced here for convenience.

Paizo Organized Play, encompassing Pathfinder Society (PFS), Starfinder Society (SFS) and Pathfinder Adventure Card Society (PACS), is an inclusive social event open to everyone, where we intend that all participants may enjoy gaming in a fun and safe environment. Participants are expected to respect their fellow players and work together to create positive and memorable experiences. While conflict between characters may arise, at no time should a player or Game Master (GM) feel excluded or threatened at the table. The Paizo Organized Play organization reserves the right to refuse participation to any person for inappropriate or illegal conduct. All refusals of participation from Organized Play must be accompanied by a reason, duration of refusal, and criteria for rejoining organized play activities.

Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to: the excessive use of foul language, physical or verbal aggression/intimidation, lewd conduct, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention, slander, stalking, or harassment/discrimination based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender or gender expression/identity, race, religion, sexuality, or any other reason.

Complaints under this policy should be brought to the Event Organizer or a Venture-Officer, who will work to resolve the issue or escalate the issue to the next level within the PFS organization. As an alternative, issues may be reported to the Organized Play Coordinator (OPC) via email at organizedplay@paizo.com . Issues will be resolved at the lowest level possible within the Organized Play organization. In the case that escalation is necessary, the OPC is the final arbiter of any dispute arising from application of this policy.

Illegal activity needs to be escalated to proper authorities such as convention organizers, facility security, local police, or other appropriate organizations. Event Organizer or Venture-Officers are available to assist participants with contacting local law enforcement, providing escorts, or otherwise help participants feel safe for the duration of an event.

Paizo recognizes that there may be themes included in the Organized Play campaigns that result in uncomfortable situations at the gaming table. If content within a scenario or another character at the table presents cause for concern, we request players identify the issue to the Game Master either vocally or by passing a note. We ask that GMs help the table respect attendees’ sensibilities and reduce/redirect problematic themes once identified. If a participant has been asked to stop any problematic behavior, they are expected to comply immediately, or will be asked to leave the table.

Once again, the intention of Paizo Organized Play is to provide a fun and inclusive gaming environment. The above policy is in place to help further that goal. By joining any Organized Play table, participants are agreeing to the terms and conditions of Paizo Organized Play.

Acceptable Content

Paizo Organized Play games use the Pathfinder Baseline. GMC pg. 7, CRB pg. 486GM Core page 7
Core Rulebook page 486
(click to close) Circumstances such as venue restrictions, table composition or player needs can require additional adjustments to the baseline. GMs are encouraged to choose alternate descriptions, utilize Lines and Veils, or incorporate X-Cards GMC pg. 7, CRB pg. 485GM Core page 7
Core Rulebook page 485
(click to close) to provide the best gaming experience possible.

The version of the Pathfinder Baseline published in the Pathfinder GM Core is the official version and takes precedence in the case of any conflict with the version below, which is reproduced here for convenience.

The Pathfinder Baseline

You might find that your players don’t have much to say on the topic of objectionable content, and just assume that general societal mores will keep the most uncomfortable topics out of the game. That’s not always enough, as that approach relies on shared assumptions that aren’t always accurate. The following is a set of basic assumptions that works for many groups, which you can modify to fit your preferences and those of the other players.

  • Bloodshed, injuries, and even dismemberment might be described. However, excessive descriptions of gore and cruelty should be avoided.
  • Romantic and sexual relationships can happen in the game, but players should avoid being overly suggestive. Sex always happens “off-screen.” Because attempts at initiating a relationship between player characters can be uncomfortably similar to one player hitting on another, this should generally be avoided (and is entirely inappropriate when playing with strangers).
  • Avoid excessively gross or scatological descriptions.

The following acts should never be performed by player characters:

  • Torture
  • Rape, nonconsensual sexual contact, or sexual threats
  • Harm to children, including sexual abuse
  • Owning slaves or profiting from the slave trade
  • Reprehensible uses of mind-control magic

Villains might engage in such acts, but they won’t happen “on-screen” or won’t be described in detail. Many groups choose to not have villains engage in these activities at all, keeping these reprehensible acts out of mind entirely.

Do Not Cheat

Maintain the integrity of the game. Cheating behaviors include, but are not limited to, falsifying rolls, forging records, using unapproved resources, not owning the sources used by your character, and lying to GMs and Event Organizers. Participants caught cheating will be barred from Paizo Organized Play events for an amount of time dependent on the severity of the offense. Repeat offenders will be banned from all Paizo Organized Play activities.

Keep Good Records

Paizo Organized Play uses a combination of character sheets, Chronicles, and record trackers to chart character progression. GMs and Event Organizers rely on these documents to keep the campaigns honest, fair, and fun for everyone. It is your responsibility to maintain accurate records. Always bring either paper or digital copies of your character sheet and supporting documentation such as Chronicles and record trackers of any character you wish to play to Paizo Organized Play events. If using paper copies, we suggest keeping them all together in a binder, with a folder for each character.

If you cannot produce the supporting documents for your character, the GM can ask you to play a pregenerated character instead.

No Character-versus-Character Combat

In keeping with the “Explore, Report, Cooperate” motto, engaging in non-consensual character-versus-character conflict is prohibited. Players must obtain the consent of other players before taking an action that would intentionally include another Player Character in a damaging effect or other or harmful effect (such as effects that impose negative conditions).

Some examples include casting a harmful spell on another Player Character or an area that includes them, using abilities with an area of effect that would deal damage to another PC, or moving so that another PC is affected by a harmful emanation surrounding your character.

This rule does not apply in situations where a character is not acting of their own free will, such as if they’re being mind-controlled by an NPC and forced to attack a fellow PC.

Dealing with Problems

While hopefully rare, sometimes out-of-game problems happen. See the policies below and check with your local Event Organizer or Venture-Officers for guidance.

Dealing with Cheating

Cheating is rare, and it can be a rather heated topic. If you suspect that a player is cheating, it’s always a good idea to take a step back and consider the possibility that they are instead making an honest mistake. Inaccurate numbers on a character or mistakes on a Chronicle are far more likely to be math errors than deliberate cheating. When you see these issues, keep an open mind and work with the player to resolve them. Other issues are more clear-cut, such as lying about the results of a dice roll or the contents of their character sheet or breaking the rules even after being informed of what they are.

If you believe a player is cheating, record the Organized Play number of that player and ask them to leave your table. Afterward, send an email to the Organized Play staff at organizedplay@paizo.com, including the player’s number and as much detail as you can remember about the situation.

Dealing with Distractions

No game table is completely free of distractions. However, if something (like an electronic device) creates an ongoing distraction, a GM can request that the player put it away or police their use of the device (such as not also using a tablet computer to play a video game). If the device continues to be a distraction, the GM has the right to ban that particular item for the duration of the game.

Dealing with Interruptions

Sometimes players lose access to their character sheet, whether due to device issues, drink spills, or something else entirely. If a player can no longer use their character sheet for any reason, they can use an Iconic Pregen for the remainder of the adventure and apply the adventure rewards to their original character.

Sometimes circumstances prevent a player from completing an adventure altogether. Reasons include—but are not limited to—personal emergencies, device battery issues, venue problems, and bad timing.

To mitigate the impact on the table, GMs can exercise their discretion by adjusting the adventure's level range or scaling to accommodate the remaining players, bringing in the Iconic Pregen that most closely resembles the lost PC, or postponing the game until all players are able to complete the adventure.

When a GM applies one of the above remedies, rewards for all players are based on the lowest level range played during the adventure.

In the (hopefully rare) case of a medical emergency (defined as a player needing immediate, unexpected, professional medical treatment), that player’s Chronicle is filled out as if they had played the full session and they earn the same benefits as the rest of the table. For any other case, see below.

Scenarios: For incomplete Scenarios, award 1 XP and award other game rewards the party earned up to the point when the player left the adventure. Specifically, award reputation and credits for the tasks completed up to that point. Items found up to that point that are listed on the Chronicle are not crossed off; items not yet found at the point of leaving are crossed off, even if the party finds them later.

Starfinder Adventures and Adventure Paths: For incomplete Adventures and Adventure Path volumes, the player receives partial credit based on how much of the adventure the party had completed up to the point when the player left the adventure. If they complete less than half of the adventure, they receive half of the adventure’s credits and XP. Items found up to that point that are listed on the Chronicle are not crossed off; items not yet found at the point of leaving are crossed off, even if the party finds them later.

If the player completes more than half of the adventure, they receive full credit for the adventure.

Violation Enforcement Procedures

If a player is removed from a table for violating the community standards or a character is marked “dead” due to Infamy, then it is the responsibility of the table GM or Event Organizer to advise their local venture-officer of the situation. The GM or Event Organizer will advise the player of the report and provide the player with the venture-officer's contact information so the player can present their side of the issue. Rules infringements will be kept on file, as continued violations will result in suspension of Organized Play membership.

Characters reported as Wantonly Evil must also be reported to the Organized Play Coordinator (organizedplay@paizo.com) to advise them of the situation. Be sure to include the player’s name, Organized Play number, and email address.

(See Ethical Infractions and Infamy for more about Wanton Evil.)

Player Options

My Organized Play

Every registered Organized Play participant has a record on paizo.com . You can access this information by direct link or by visiting paizo.com , hovering/clicking on the My Account at the top right of the screen, then selecting Organized Play. There are several tabs on your account page:

  • Summary: A list of your GM rankings, all registered characters, and character Reputation totals. You can create new characters by selecting the desired type at the bottom of the screen.
  • Sessions: A chronological list of all your games, which you can sort using the criteria on the left.
  • GM/Event Coordinator: A list of points you have earned (such as AcP and GM table credits), a list of events you are coordinating, and a button to create new events.
  • Boons: A list of all currently available boons in each program. See the Player Rewards section below for rules on Boons.

If you find an error in your session list, send an email to orgplayreportingerrors@paizo.com with details and any supporting documentation you have for the correct data.

Player Rewards

In addition to adventure rewards, players can also choose to use Boons, Factions, and the Retail Incentive Program.

Boons

Boons are small in-game rewards distributed for a variety of reasons, including playing certain adventures, attending events, and supporting charities. Boons must be stored or recorded alongside your adventure Chronicles and presented to GMs on request.

Achievement Point, Chronicle, and Game Reward Boons can be found on the Boons tab of your My Organized Play page. A list of purchased Boons appears at the bottom of the page, where each boon has a link to download a PDF copy with the text of the Boon.

The supplemental materials to this Guide include a list of Achievement Point Boons (coming soon) and retired Boons. Unless otherwise stated, Boons that are no longer available for purchase ("retired") can still be used in play.

Boons have no cash value. You cannot sell a Boon to another player.

You can only apply one copy of any Boon to a character unless the Boon states otherwise.

By contrast, as a player you can earn more than one copy of some Boons. The following rules are the default for how many copies of a Boon a player can earn:

  • Chronicle Boons are earned by completing adventures. You can earn up to two copies of each Chronicle Boon, one as a player and one as a GM. You can use Replays to earn additional Chronicle Boons.
  • AcP Boons are bought with Achievement Points (AcP). Unless otherwise specified, you can buy as many copies of AcP Boons you qualify for as you can afford.
  • All other boons limit you to one copy each.

As usual, specific rules override general rules, so the text of an individual Boon takes precedence over the default rules above.

Types of boons include:

  • Achievement Point Boons: Players earn Achievement Points (AcP) by participating in and reporting Starfinder Society games. AcP can be used online to purchase Boons.
  • Chronicle Boons: Some adventures award an additional Boon. Once the game has been reported on paizo.com, players and GMs can download the Boon from the Boons tab of your My Organized Play page and apply it to the character that received credit for the adventure.
  • Convention Boons: A player can acquire a convention Boon from participating in a convention supported by Paizo. You can’t assign multiple copies of a convention Boon to the same character. If the only difference in the Chronicle Sheet is the title of the convention or event listed at the top, it is the same Boon.
  • Discount Boons: Some Boons provide a discount on purchases. Unless otherwise noted, only one Boon that provides any discount can be applied to any one purchase. This prevents multiple discounts from reducing the cost by an unreasonable amount.
  • Fame Boons: Fame was a currency earned during Years 1-3 which has since been replaced with Achievement Points (AcP). Boons can no longer be purchased with Fame, but boons purchased with Fame before January 1, 2022, remain valid. A small number of Boons were retired instead of being converted to AcP boons; they are reproduced in Retired Rewards for reference.
  • Game Reward Boons: Certain in game accomplishments (such as reaching a certain level of Reputation with a Faction) grant a reward. Games must be reported on Paizo’s website to meet these requirements. Once a character has met the requirement, the Boon can be assigned and downloaded from the player’s Boons tab.
  • Species Access Boons: There are many species in Starfinder that can be accessed via special boons. Many of these boons can be earned by spending AcP. This includes System Traveler boons, which allow a player to spend AcP from one game system to access new species in another. For example, a player could spend Pathfinder Society (2e) AcP to access certain species for Starfinder Society play.
  • Welcome Boon: A player can apply the Welcome to Starfinder Boon to their first character (XXXX–701). This Boon is available for download from this Guide.

Boon Slots

To ease player record-keeping burdens, the Starfinder Society uses the Boon slot system. Each Boon slot represents an available space in which a player can place one of their earned Boons; A PC can apply only one of their Boons per Boon slot.

if you’ve slotted a Boon, it’s active for that adventure, and if you didn’t slot one of your Boons, it’s dormant. Every Starfinder Society character has five Boon slots, each of which corresponds to a different type of Boon.

Most Boons include a corresponding Boon type, so you can slot a Social Boon into your Social Boon slot, but not into your Ally Boon slot. This means that aside from slotless Boons, you will handle only up to five Boons during a session—and do not need to sort through stacks of paper in the middle of the game.

Shortly after beginning a scenario, the GM will call for the players to slot their Boons. This typically occurs following the mission briefing, giving the players some information about which Boons might be relevant to the Scenario. In some cases, the GM will actively advise the players of pertinent Boons they might have earned on Chronicles from previous Scenarios.

Slotless boons do not take up any of your character’s slots; they are always active. There is no limit on how many slotless Boons you can have active.

Some slotless Boons are tagged as “limited-use.” These Boons grant a benefit a limited number of times, either once per Boon or a limited number of uses indicated by a series of checkboxes. In most cases, you do not need to continue keeping track of a limited-use Boon once it has been expended. Rarely, a limited-use Boon might include additional or altered rules in the description of the individual Boon.

A pregenerated character has Boon slots, though such characters rarely have Boons to use in these slots. If a pregenerated character does have Boons, such as Promotional Boons or temporary Boons granted by the adventure, they can slot them as normal.

Boon Slot List

Ally: These Boons typically represent an ally actively assisting the PC. This could be a hired ammo loader, a dodgy hacker, or a knightly squire from the Hellknights or Knights of Golarion.

Personal: Personal Boons represent a wide variety of special Boons available in the campaign. Uncommon playable species, typically those found outside the Starfinder Core Rulebook, are often accessed by Boons that occupy this slot. The Personal slot often requires associated Boons (such as new species options) to be permanently slotted, so that the slotted boon does not change on a scenario-by-scenario basis.

Promotional: Promotional Boons are unique in that they often represent out-of-game acquisitions that promote Starfinder or Starfinder Society and translate to in-game benefits. For a complete list of current Promotional Boons and associated requirements, see the Paizo Organized Play Perks page.

Social: These Boons often encompass agreements or alliances with in-game organizations or NPCs. The benefits of these arrangements often come in the form of a Boon granted by a Chronicle.

Starship: Starfinder Society Scenarios call out the inclusion of starship combat with the Starship Scenario tag. Starship Boons are most relevant to these Scenarios, allowing for the customization of the standard ships offered by the Starfinder Society organization. See the Starships section for more information on these Boons and customizing ships.

New Character Boons

Some Boons must be applied to new characters. Such Boons must be assigned to a particular character when received but can be held and applied later during character building or rebuilding.

Such Boons are applied in the following order:

  1. Any Boon that specifies it must be the first Boon applied.
    If you can apply multiple such Boons, you can choose the order in which they are applied, provided that all such Boons are applied before any other Boons.
  2. Any Boon that specifies it must be applied to a character with 0 XP.
    If you can apply multiple such Boons, you can choose the order in which they are applied, provided that all such Boons are applied before the character gains any XP.
  3. Other Boons are then applied as normal.

You can use the normal level 1 character rebuild rules with the rules above.

Boons That Unlock Over Time

Some Boons allow players to unlock access to character options over time by checking boxes after meeting the criteria. The following additional rules apply to such Boons:

  • Adventure Completion Boons: These are Boons that allow you to check one or more boxes after completing any adventure. After completing a given adventure, you can check off the relevant number of boxes on any one of these boons. Note the boon affected on the Chronicle for the adventure.
  • Adventure-specific Boons: These are Boons which allow you to check off a box after completing a specific adventure. These boxes can always be checked when that adventure is completed, even if using that adventure completion to check off boxes on other Boons.
  • Income-donation Boons: These Boons require the PC to donate a portion of their income. After completing an adventure, you can check off boxes on any number of Boons that require you to donate a portion of your income, provided you can afford to donate that amount. Any Boons that require a percentage donated are calculated as a percentage of total income (including Day Job, if any), not as a percentage of what remains after earlier donations.
  • Downtime-donation Boons: These Boons require the PC to give up their downtime or their Day Job roll. PCs can check boxes on only one of these Boons per adventure.

For the purpose of checking off boxes on the Boons above, treat adventures that grant more than 1 XP as Adventure Path volumes.

Factions and Reputation

Factions

Factions have existed within the Starfinder Society since the organization’s inception. Each Faction supports its agents working within the Starfinder Society. All Society agents know that their allegiance is first to the Starfinder Society, followed by any Faction allegiances they maintain. In fact, most Factions within the Starfinder Society actively cooperate despite their differing goals.

Note: Each Faction's name below links to a page with additional details, including current faction leader and goals.

Acquisitives: "Fame, glory, and money. We want it all."
Members of the Acquisitives seek to increase their personal fame and fortune through working with the Starfinder Society and building its prestige.

Advocates: "We're here for you!"
The Advocates aim to heal the widening rifts between factions, unite the squabbling Starfinder agents into an accepting, loving, and supportive community, and encourage the Starfinder Society to do good throughout the Pact Worlds and beyond.

Cognates: "Diversity in knowledge, unity in purpose."
The Cognates aim to reduce the Starfinder Society’s dangerous over-reliance on technology, including Guidance, and refocus instead on magical and natural innovations, along with analog and other low-tech solutions.

Dataphiles: "Knowledge is power."
If information is power, the Dataphiles seek to become the most powerful faction within the Starfinder Society. The Dataphiles believe in curating all data (both digital and physical) and that they alone are worthy of deciding what is fit for public consumption.

Exo-Guardians: "The sword that seeks the darkness."
The Exo-Guardians are dedicated to protecting the Pact Worlds from external threats. Their members campaign in Near Space and the Vast to amass equipment, knowledge, and magic believed to be essential in protecting the Pact Worlds.

Manifold Host: "We who welcome all."
Functioning as recruitment officers and an enthusiastic welcoming committee, members of the Manifold Host are dedicated to inducting new species into the Starfinder Society in the belief that each alien species can contribute their own new and unique skills to the benefit of all. Additionally, they welcome new agents of all kinds and aid them in acclimating to the Society’s operations.

Second Seekers: "The past looms large" - Sarmak
The Second Seekers are an informal faction dedicated to pursuing the agenda of the Society’s current leader, the First Seeker. The current First Seeker, Sarmak, has dedicated his tenure to archeological exploration of ancient civilizations with advanced technology or megastructures, beginning with expeditions to Eternity, a city on Aballon left by the First Ones.

Wayfinders: "First into the unknown."
Named for an old relic of bygone explorers, the Wayfinders seek to explore space and create peaceful relationships with new species. Members of the Wayfinders often act as first contact ambassadors, as well as explorers to the absolute frontiers of known space.

Other Factions

There are innumerable entities and organizations in the galaxy, and some represent unique factions who are not currently influential in the Starfinder Society. During the course of play, it is possible for a character to receive an offer to join one of these factions. Other factions currently in circulation include the Second Seekers factions associated with former First Seekers Roheas, Jadnura, Luwazi Elsebo, and Ehu Hadif.

Reputation Tiers

As a PC earns Reputation associated with a faction, they unlock additional benefits and access to more Boons.

A PC’s overall standing is represented by their Reputation Tier. There are five Reputation Tiers numbered 0 through 4, with a Reputation Tier of 0 representing no advancement within a faction, and a Reputation Tier of 4 representing the height of prestige within a faction. A Reputation Tier of 0 is not a valid Reputation Tier to collect the rewards from Boons based on Reputation Tier.

To reach a particular Reputation Tier, a character must earn the corresponding amount of Reputation in the table below:

Reputation Tier Thresholds
Reputation Tier Reputation
0 0+
1 5+
2 15+
3 25+
4 45+

All Factions Reputation

To calculate your current Reputation Tier for the purpose of all-factions Boons, add up your total Reputation from all factions.

Retail Incentive Program

The Retail Incentive Program (RIP) rewards players with benefits for their characters when they patronize retailers who provide space for Organized Play activities. Purchases made at the location within a stated time period are added together by table and unlock benefits at different levels for the next game played, including some that reduce the severity of failures. Implementation methods vary from store to store and are posted for attendees to review. For more information, read the full policy and consult your Event Organizer for details.

Group Purchases

Players are permitted to pool their money to purchase items or spellcasting services for use in the current adventure. If the PCs buy an item using pooled money that they do not use during the adventure, one PC can purchase the item at the end of the adventure, paying the item’s full cost. If no PC wants to purchase the item, the PCs must sell the item back for 10% value, reimbursing each PC 10% of what they paid into the pool.

Retraining Characters (Level 2+)

Once you begin a session as a second level character, you still have multiple options for changing your character’s choices. You cannot use Rebuilding (for level 1 characters) or Retraining to build a character that could not be built without using either of those two tools.

Mnemonic Editor: The mnemonic editor hybrid item (Starfinder Core Rulebook page 226 ) allows characters to reverse the last 2 levels worth of decisions on a character. Different versions of the device allow you to retrain up to three additional times, effectively allowing a character to clear and retrain up to 8 levels worth of decisions throughout their career. For more information on purchasing a mnemonic editor, see the corresponding Boon.

Training Montage: The Training Montage and Extended Training Montage boons allow characters to clear and retrain character decisions from all levels. Training Montage is for characters with 12 or fewer XP; Extended Training Montage is for characters with 13 or more XP. For more information on purchasing a Training Montage, see the boon text .

Alternate Downtime Options

Downtime Crafting

You can spend your Downtime to craft a single item following the rules in the Starfinder Core Rulebook (page 235 ). A character must use the skills listed in this section of the book and cannot use the Profession skill to craft equipment. It is assumed that between adventures, you have access to the tools and workshop necessary to craft equipment.

To craft an item, you must acquire the requisite number of UPBs. You can purchase UPBs at a rate of 1 UPB for every 1 credit spent. You cannot scavenge parts from equipment you own or collect during a Scenario. Equipment crafted between sessions is marked on the Chronicle Sheet.

If you have the Master Crafter feat, you receive a 5% discount on crafting if the crafted item is crafted using the Master Crafter feat’s associated skill. You can still craft only a single item during a single Downtime period.

Other Downtime Pursuits

Some Boons allow you to use Downtime in other ways. These Boons will provide exact rules on their use, but often require a character to sacrifice the opportunity to attempt a Day Job check or perform any crafting.

Playtest Rules

These are the general rules for Starfinder Society Playtests. See each playtest announcement for any rules specific to that playtest.

Playtest Period

Each playtest runs for a specified period. Once this period has expired, players can no longer use the options being playtested until their publication in a future Paizo product.

Playtest Characters

Playtest options can be accessed by creating a custom character using the rules presented in the playtest document. This character functions as a pregenerated character.

Creating a playtest character: Depending on the level range of the adventure, the player can use a 1st-, 4th-, or 8th-level character created using the eligible playtest options and the following guidelines:

Class: The character can only take levels in a single class being actively playtested. Although multiclassing ramifications are important for playtests as a whole, the Organized Play portions of playtests use single classes for simplicity.

  • 1st Level: The character can be made using the character creation rules in the Character Creation section.
  • 4th Level: This character follows the same rules as above, except that instead of the starting 1,000 credits, they can select one 4th-level armor or weapon and one 3rd-level armor or weapon. In addition, the player can spend up to 4,000 credits on other available equipment.
  • 8th Level: This character follows the same rules as above, except that instead of the starting 1,000 credits, they can select one 8th-level armor or weapon and one 7th-level armor or weapon. In addition, the player can spend up to 18,000 credits on other available equipment.

Credit: Choose which of your characters will receive the credit at the beginning of the adventure. Chronicles earned for playing a playtest character follow the same rules as for Chronicles earned by playing a pregenerated character.

To encourage play of higher-level characters in playtest classes, the rules for applying credit when playing a playtest character are more open. A player using a non-1st-level playtest character can choose to apply the earned Chronicle to an existing Organized Play character immediately. To do so, simply replace the credits earned on the Chronicle with credits from the table below that match the level range of the existing player character.

Level Range Scenario Credits Adventure Path Volume Credits
Levels 1-2 720 2,160
Levels 3-4 1,460 4,380
Levels 5-6 4,085 12,255
Levels 7-8 5,835 17,505

This follows all the other rules for applying a Chronicle early.

Boons and Other Character Options: For the playtest character to take a character option that would normally require a Boon, the playtest character must have all of their credit assigned to a character that has access to that character option.

GM Opt In

Because playtests use additional rules that some GMs might not be comfortable with, each GM must opt-in for playtest characters to be used at their tables. Please consult your GM prior to the game!

Current and Past Playtests

This list contains all previous playtests. Make sure to check the dates to see if a playtest is still ongoing.

Evolutionist Playtest

August 2 to September 24, 2021
This playtest included the evolutionist class, published in Interstellar Species .

Precog Playtest

November 16 to December 25, 2020
This playtest included the precog class, published in Galactic Magic .

Tech Revolution Playtest

July 27 to September 18th, 2020
This playtest included the nanocyte class and mech rules , both published in Tech Revolution .

Character Operations Manual Playtest

December 3, 2018 to January 16, 2019
This playtest included the three classes in the Character Operations Manual : biohacker, vanguard, and witchwarper.

GM Options

GM Rewards

The Starfinder Society rewards GMs for volunteering their time to run events. See the GM Chronicles section for additional rules and benefits of GM Chronicles. GMs also receive rewards based on the number of adventures they have run and reported.

GM Achievement Points

GMs receive Achievement Points (AcP) every time they run an adventure, whether it is repeatable or not. In addition, they receive double the AcP they would have received for playing that adventure.

GM Table Credits

GMs receive “table credits” for every table they run and report. These credits determine how many Novas a GM has. Each Scenario earns 1 table credit. Each Adventure Path volume earns 2 table credits.

GM Novas

The Starfinder Society offers a GM rank system that uses Novas to represent the activity and experience of a given GM. The novas are visible on the GM's Organized Play ID card. A GM can earn up to five Novas. Earning Novas 1-4 requires a certain number of table credits; earning a 5th Nova has additional requirements. The total number of table credits for each Nova is as follows:

Table Credits Novas earned
10 Table Credits 1 Nova
30 Table Credits 2 Novas
60 Table Credits 3 Novas
100 Table Credits 4 Novas
150 Table Credits 5 Novas
with additional requirements met

GMs receive the following rewards based on the number of GM novas they have earned:

  • For each Nova earned, GMs can apply a +1 bonus to all rerolls gained via Boons.
  • For each Nova earned, GMs receive one additional Granted Replay each January 1.
  • GMs with 4 or 5 Novas might be able to run exclusive or limited release content.
Fifth Nova Additional Requirements

A GM must accomplish the following to qualify for their fifth Nova:

  • Earn 150 GM table credits.
  • Run 50 different adventures.
  • Run 10 or more adventures from the 5 Nova Qualifying Adventures list (below). Except for multi-table interactives, a particular scenario can earn credit for a maximum of 3 of those 10.
  • Complete 3 evaluation games, each in the presence of a different Qualified Evaluator (a Venture-Captain, Regional Venture-Coordinator, or Paizo Organized Play staffer) using the Organized Play rubric.

If no Qualified Evaluator is willing or able to evaluate a GM due to unreasonable travel requirements or similar reasons, the GM can contact their Regional Venture-Coordinator. In such cases, their RVC can designate a 5-Nova GM, a Venture-Lieutenant, or other trusted community member as a Qualified Evaluator for that GM.

5-Nova Qualifying Adventures:

Organized Play Rubric

To fully experience the benefits of peer review and feedback, we recommend the following observation schedule:

  • 0–10 GM table credits: You are starting your GM adventure. Thank you for GMing!
  • 11–49 GM table credits: Use the rubric to get a feel for Organized Play best practices. Consider having a fellow GM sit at your table and give feedback.
  • 50–99 GM table credits: Ask any Venture-Officers at your tables to do a rubric evaluation to give feedback as if it were an evaluation game.
  • 100+ GM table credits: Receive 3 formal evaluations from 3 different Qualified Evaluators.

GMs need a better than average score to pass an evaluation. For example, they could have one criterion rated "exceeds expectations" and the rest "meets expectations" and qualify. They could also have one rated "does not meet expectations," two "meets expectations," and two "exceeds expectations" and qualify.

A GM cannot complete more than three evaluations in a weekend. A GM that fails to meet the criteria can wait three months and try again.

Aspect Does Not Meet Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
The GM’s preparation allowed for smooth game flow. The GM had to check on information repeatedly throughout the session, and/or took long pauses to figure out what happens next. The GM had to check on things throughout, but the game did not experience extensive delays. The GM was able to keep the flow of the game consistent and dealt with unforeseen challenges by exercising skilled time management.
The GM had a solid understanding of the rules of the game. The GM has basic rules knowledge, but frequent breaks or questions impacted the flow of the game. GM did not know the majority of the rules. GM defaulted to arbitrary ad hoc rulings. GM confused rules between game systems consistently. GM did not allow players to question GM rulings made at the table. The GM had average rules knowledge, and questions did not impact the flow of the game. GM knew the most common rules of the game well and GM did not have confusion between game systems. GM allowed players to question GM rulings and resolved questions in a professional manner. The GM had solid rules knowledge and kept the game flowing while handling questions. GM acknowledged when a rule is unclear or when the GM made a mistake. GM did not have confusion between game systems. If a rules challenge arose, the GM handled it fairly and consistently.
The GM made efforts to make the game distinct and interesting. The GM made little attempt at tying in setting, NPCs, or imagery to convey an imaginative setting. GM did not provide opportunities for players to engage with the storyline. The GM made a reasonable effort to make the game distinct in at least one meaningful way, such as deeply roleplaying the NPCs, using setting specific terms and lore to increase immersion, or using words with imagery to describe the environment, situations, etc. The GM put in an excellent effort to make the game distinct, using multiple techniques off the “meets expectations” list.
The GM presented the scenario as written. The GM followed the gist of the storyline but adjusted content. GM did not run encounters as written. GM ran the wrong sub-tier encounters. The GM ran the adventure as written. GM did not allow for creative solutions by the PC to resolve situations. The GM stayed true to the storyline while allowing for creative solutions and player interest.
The GM understood and applied the rules of the Organized Play Program. The GM was not familiar with core Organized Play concepts. GM was unfamiliar with the contents of the Guide. The GM was familiar with the majority of Organized Play concepts and applied the rules of Organized Play consistently. GM knew where to look up general guidelines in the Guide. The GM was markedly familiar with the majority of Organized Play concepts and applied the rules of Organized Play consistently. GM knew where to find obscure corner case answers in the Guide.

Reviewing Chronicles

If time permits, GMs and Event Organizers can spend a few minutes reviewing players’ Organized Play records at the start of an event slot. These reviews can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, you might need to learn what a character did in previous adventures, or you might want to verify the records' accuracy.

When you are looking over the players' records, if you notice anything that seems amiss, you can ask the player to explain any potential errors. Remember that errors are far more likely to be honest mistakes than intentional cheating—and that it is possible that they are not errors at all. When you ask the player about a potential error, speak with the player calmly, nicely, and with an open mind. The player might have simply made a mistake—or you might have made a mistake in your understanding of their records.

Remember that the game is supposed to be fun, so waste as little time as possible on drama and spend as much time as possible providing an exciting, action-packed adventure for your players.

Resolve any issues as fairly as possible. For example, if the character selected an option that they did not have Access to, let them pick another option to replace it; if they paid a discounted price for an item in error, let them pay the additional costs to meet the full purchase price; and so on. If you believe a player is cheating, ask your Event Organizer for assistance. If you are both the Event Organizer and the GM, use your discretion on how to proceed.

Additional Adventures

In addition to the adventures written for Starfinder Society, some other Paizo adventures have been sanctioned (approved) for Organized Play credit. Since these adventures are published for a wider audience than the Starfinder Society campaign, there is typically a downloadable sanctioning document with Chronicles and any special considerations for Organized Play.

Sanctioned Adventures

  • Starfinder Adventure Paths : Multi-volume campaigns that take dozens of game sessions to complete. Many Adventure Paths are sanctioned for use in the Starfinder Society campaign.

  • Starfinder Adventures : Stand-alone adventure books that take one or more sessions to complete. Many Adventures are sanctioned for use in the Starfinder Society campaign.

  • Starfinder Bounties : Short one-hour adventures aimed at introducing new players to the game or representing what characters do between Starfinder missions. Bounties are sanctioned for use in the Starfinder Society campaign.
    • As sanctioned adventures, all Starfinder Bounties are repeatable.
    • As sanctioned adventures, bounties do not grant Downtime.

Modes of Play

The Society rules of play are customized to work with Starfinder Scenarios and Bounties and are not necessarily applicable to other sanctioned adventures. Adventures run using normal rules are referred to as “Society Mode” in the rest of this document.

“Adventure Mode” is used for adventures not specifically designed for Society play. This mode allows the GM more freedom to adapt those adventures, including running the adventure in Starfinder using GM house rules and the ability to alter encounters and statistics found in the adventure.

Character Types

Most Adventure Mode sanctioned products can be played with any character; some products include pregens, and players are encouraged to play those characters for an optimal experience.

Any adventure that can be played with a SFS character can also be played with a SFS-sanctioned pregen. When playing an adventure using a SFS character, the Chronicle must be assigned to that character.

Story Pregens are characters released with an adventure. They often contain ties to the adventure's backstory.

Campaign Characters are characters that are designed according to the GM's house rules.

Ruleset (Mode) / Characters by product:

SFS Characters Only Story Pregens Required Story Pregens Recommended* Campaign Characters
Society Mode Scenario, Quest - - -
Adventure Mode Bounty Free RPG Day Beginner Box, One Shot Adventure, Adventure Path

*To provide the same level of experience, we strongly recommend that GMs who chose to use Campaign Characters work with their players to tie those characters into the adventure backstory.

Sanctioning Documents

Each sanctioned adventure comes with a freely downloadable sanctioning document located on the product’s description page on paizo.com. This document contains the rules for running that adventure, as well as Chronicle Sheets awarded for completion.

Read the sanctioning document carefully, as it might modify the adventure's rewards. Specific information in a particular sanctioning document always takes precedence over the general information presented in this Guide.

Unlike Starfinder Society adventures, Chronicles for sanctioned adventures are assigned at the completion of the adventure.

A group can complete an adventure when it is not sanctioned. If it later becomes sanctioned, the GM is allowed and encouraged to issue Chronicles to all interested players. These Chronicles are applied as if the group had completed the adventure on the date the Chronicle is issued. Such Chronicles must have an accurate issue date (that is, they cannot be backdated) and cannot be applied such that they retroactively affect other Chronicles.

Starships

Starship combat is an integral part of the Starfinder Roleplaying Game and is included in some adventures. As noted in this Guide, certain Scenarios have the Starship tag, indicating that the associated Scenario includes one or more starship combat encounters. This appendix details guidelines and information for starship combat encounters, used along with the rules in the Starfinder Core Rulebook.

Starship Combat Overview

The Starfinder Roleplaying Game contains a robust system for starship creation and customization, which while intuitive for home campaigns, is difficult to manage in an Organized Play environment. As starships are essentially another character shared between a party, it would be extremely time consuming for a group of players to decide on exactly how to customize a starship prior to a Scenario. To facilitate ease of play, the Starfinder Society provides characters with common starship variants, accessible in any Scenario involving starship combat.

Starship Choice: Starship choice occurs immediately prior to slotting Boons for the Scenario. During this period, the PCs can also decide on any Starship Boons they wish to utilize (more on this below). Ideally, players will reach consensus on which starship will best suit their style of play and the specific mission. If players cannot agree on which ship to take, Scenarios suggest a starship and the GM can declare the party will use that ship.

When choosing a starship, the PCs always receive the version of the ship with a tier equal to the highest level of their level range. For example, a party playing in level range 1-2 receives a tier 2 ship, while a party playing in level range 5–6 receives a tier 6 ship.

Common Starships: The Azata, Drake, and Pegasus models of starship are the most commonly employed ships in the modern Starfinder Society. This Guide includes stat blocks of each at tiers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. Versions at higher tiers exist, but they are included within a Scenario when appropriate. With the exception of the Gorgon, ships presented in this guide are always available to PCs; the Gorgon is accessible only with the Starship Schematic boon, a Tier 4 Exo-Guardians Faction reward.

New Starships: Throughout the course of a character’s career, they might come into possession of a new starship to use in the Starfinder Society campaign. Often, these starships will be a reward from an important Scenario, gained from a promotional Chronicle Sheet, or featured temporarily in an adventure. Unlike the common starships presented in this Guide, new starships will have all the rules for using them in starship combat scenarios listed on their respective information sheets.

Starfinder Society Starships

Pegasus (Explorer Frame Variant)

The Pegasus emphasizes speed and provides a suite of supportive options. It is less armed than the Drake but employs improved sensors and a host of ready expansion bays; in turn, its sensors are less advanced than the Azata but it has more firepower. This makes the Pegasus ideal for missions where starship support and combat capabilities are likely to be equally as valuable.

Drake (Transport Frame Variant)

When a problem can be solved through the liberal application of missiles, the Drake stands ready. This workhorse starship proves the Starfinder Society can bring impressive combat presence to a space battle. It sacrifices scanning capabilities and the built-in expansion bays of the Pegasus, making it less enticing to support landing parties or extended operations; the Azata outpaces both the Drake and the Pegasus in longevity and scanning.

Azata (Explorer Frame Variant)

The Azata is the first of a new generation of spacecraft designed to modernize the Starfinder Society fleet and support First Seeker Ehu Hadif's renewed focus on exploration and expanding the Society's presence in the Vast. It is designed to support long-range travel, withstand hazardous environments, and be well-equipped for the rigors of deep-space exploration. It features the best scanners and science assets of the common Starfinder ships, though it is the least heavily-armed.

Gorgon (Destroyer Frame Variant)*

The Gorgon represents a new class of starship pressed into service by the Exo-Guardians faction and intended to handle high-level threats. Unlike the Society’s other standard starship designs, the Gorgon sacrifices amenities and scientific equipment in exchange for raw firepower. These ships thrive in battle or situations where force of arms is more important than other considerations.
* Selecting the Gorgon requires the Starship Schematic Boon.

Starship Boon Slot

Following the selection of a starship, a character can select a Boon for their Starship Boon slot. This Boon slot typically includes Boons that act as abilities, modifications, or replacements for starships. Each Starship Boon indicates the specific rules in applying it, often citing specific starships or tiers to which the Boon can be applied. For ease of play, players do not need to concern themselves with the build points, power core units (PCU), or available expansion bays of a shared starship.

Unless otherwise stated, multiple versions of the same Starship Boon do not stack.

Starship Statblocks

No Tabs

Tier 2 Starships

No Tabs


Pegasus Starship Image
Starfinder Society Pegasus Tier 2
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 12; TL 12
HP 55; DT —; CT 11
Shields basic 40 (forward 10, port 10, starboard 10, aft 10)

Attack (Forward) light laser cannon (2d4; range 5)
Attack (Port) light laser cannon (2d4; range 5)
Attack (Starboard) light laser cannon (2d4; range 5)
Attack (Turret) coilgun (4d4; range 20)

Power Core Pulse Green (150 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems basic medium-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 1 duonode computer, mk 2 armor, mk 2 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods, science lab, tech workshop

Modifiers +1 to any two checks per round, +2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Drake Starship Image
Starfinder Society Drake Tier 2
Medium transport
Speed 8; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 12; TL 12
HP 70; DT —; CT 14
Shields light 40 (forward 10, port 10, starboard 10, aft 10)

Attack (Forward) gyrolaser (1d8; range 5; broad arc )
Attack (Turret) coilgun (4d4; range 20), high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)

Power Core Arcus Heavy (130 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems budget medium-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 1 trinode computer, mk 2 armor, mk 2 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +1 to any three checks per round
Complement 4–7


Azata Starship Image
Starfinder Society Azata Tier 2
Medium explorer
Speed 8; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 12; TL 12
HP 55; DT —; CT 11
Shields basic shields 40 (forward 10, port 10, starboard 10, aft 10)

Attack (Forward) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5)
Attack (Turret) coilgun (4d4; range 20)

Power Core Arcus Heavy (130 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems budget long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 1 trinode computer, mk 2 armor, mk 2 defenses
Expansion Bays medical bay, science lab (general), cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +1 to any three checks per round, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Gorgon Starship Image
Starfinder Society Gorgon* Tier 2
Large destroyer
Speed 4; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 10; TL 10
HP 150; DT —; CT 30
Shields Basic 20 (forward 5, port 5, starboard 5, aft 5)

Attack (Forward) heavy laser cannon (4d8; range 10)

Power Core Arcus Ultra (150 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems crew quarters (common), cut-rate sensors, mk 1 armor, mk 1 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold (4)

Modifiers -2 Computers, +2 Piloting
Complement 4–20
* Selecting the Gorgon requires the Starship Schematic boon.


Tier 4 Starships

No Tabs


Pegasus Starship Image
Starfinder Society Pegasus Tier 4
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 13; TL 14
HP 65; DT —; CT 13
Shields light 60 (forward 20, port 15, starboard 15, aft 10)

Attack (Forward) light particle cannon (3d6; range 10)
Attack (Port) laser net (2d6; range 5; point +10)
Attack (Starboard) light laser cannon (2d4; range 5)
Attack (Turret) light particle cannon (3d6; range 10)

Power Core Pulse Red (175 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems advanced medium-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 2 duonode computer, mk 3 armor, mk 4 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods, science lab, tech workshop

Modifiers +2 to any two checks per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Drake Starship Image
Starfinder Society Drake Tier 4
Medium transport
Speed 8; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 14; TL 14
HP 85; DT —; CT 17
Shields light 70 (forward 20, port 15, starboard 15, aft 20)

Attack (Forward) heavy laser cannon (4d8; range 10), coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Aft) coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Turret) coilgun (4d4; range 20), high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)

Power Core Pulse Green (150 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems budget medium-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 1 trinode computer, mk 4 armor, mk 4 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +1 to any three checks per round
Complement 4–7


Azata Starship Image
Starfinder Society Azata Tier 4
Medium explorer
Speed 8; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 14; TL 14
HP 65; DT —; CT 13
Shields medium shields 90 (forward 25, port 20, starboard 20, aft 25)

Attack (Forward) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5)
Attack (Turret) coilgun (4d4; range 20)

Power Core Pulse Red (175 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems basic long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 2 trinode computer, mk 4 armor, mk 4 defenses
Expansion Bays medical bay, science lab (general), cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +2 to any three checks per round, +2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Gorgon Starship Image
Starfinder Society Gorgon* Tier 4
Large destroyer
Speed 6; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 12; TL 12
HP 170; DT —; CT 34
Shields Basic 60 (forward 15, port 15, starboard 15, aft 15)

Attack (Forward) heavy laser cannon (4d8; range 10), twin laser (5d8; range 20)
Attack (Port) light laser cannon (2d4; range 5)
Attack (Starboard) light laser cannon (2d4; range 5)
Attack (Turret) tactical nuclear missile launcher (5d8; range 20; speed 10; limit 5; irradiate (low))

Power Core Arcus Ultra (150 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems crew quarters (common), cut-rate sensors, mk 3 armor, mk 3 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold (4)

Modifiers -2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–20
* Selecting the Gorgon requires the Starship Schematic boon.


Tier 6 Starships

No Tabs


Pegasus Starship Image
Starfinder Society Pegasus Tier 6
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 14; TL 16
HP 65; DT —; CT 13
Shields medium 100 (forward 25, port 25, starboard 25, aft 25)

Attack (Forward) twin laser (5d8; range 20)
Attack (Port) light laser cannon (2d4; range 5)
Attack (Starboard) light plasma torpedo launcher (3d8; range 20; speed 14; limit 5)
Attack (Turret) light particle cannon (3d6; range 10)

Power Core Pulse Blue (200 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems advanced medium-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 3 duonode computer, mk 4 armor, mk 6 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods, science lab, tech workshop

Modifiers +3 to any two checks per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Drake Starship Image
Starfinder Society Drake Tier 6
Medium transport
Speed 8; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 15; TL 14
HP 85; DT —; CT 17
Shields medium 100 (forward 25, port 25, starboard 25, aft 25)

Attack (Forward) particle beam (8d6; range 20), coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Port) coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Aft) coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Turret) heavy plasma torpedo launcher (5d10; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)

Power Core Pulse Blue (200 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems basic medium-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 2 trinode computer, mk 5 armor, mk 5 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +2 to any three checks per round, +2 Computers
Complement 4–7


Azata Starship Image
Starfinder Society Azata Tier 6
Medium explorer
Speed 8; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 16; TL 15
HP 65; DT —; CT 13
Shields medium shields 120 (forward 30, port 30, starboard 30, aft 30)

Attack (Forward) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5)
Attack (Port) flak thrower (3d4; range 5; point +8)
Attack (Starboard) flak thrower (3d4; range 5; point +8)
Attack (Turret) coilgun (4d4; range 20)

Power Core Pulse Red (175 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems basic long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 2 trinode computer, mk 6 armor, mk 6 defenses
Expansion Bays medical bay, science lab (general), cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +2 to any three checks per round, +2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Gorgon Starship Image
Starfinder Society Gorgon* Tier 6
Large destroyer
Speed 6; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 13; TL 14
HP 170; DT —; CT 34
Shields Medium 90 (forward 25, port 20, starboard 20, aft 25)

Attack (Forward) maser (6d10; range 20), twin laser (5d8; range 20)
Attack (Port) high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)
Attack (Starboard) high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)
Attack (Turret) tactical nuclear missile launcher (5d8; range 20; speed 10; limit 5; irradiate (low))

Power Core Arcus Maximum (200 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems crew quarters (common), cut-rate sensors, mk 4 armor, mk 5 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold (4)

Modifiers -2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–20
* Selecting the Gorgon requires the Starship Schematic boon.


Tier 8 Starships

No Tabs


Pegasus Starship Image
Starfinder Society Pegasus Tier 8
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 15; TL 17
HP 75; DT —; CT 15
Shields medium 160 (forward 40, port 40, starboard 40, aft 40)

Attack (Forward) particle beam (8d6; 20 range 20), high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)
Attack (Port) laser net (2d6; range 5; point +10)
Attack (Starboard) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5)
Attack (Turret) twin laser (5d8; range 20)

Power Core Pulse Orange (250 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems advanced long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 3 duonode computer, mk 5 armor, mk 8 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods, science lab, tech workshop

Modifiers +3 to any two checks per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Drake Starship Image
Starfinder Society Drake Tier 8
Medium transport
Speed 8; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 16; TL 15
HP 100; DT —; CT 20
Shields medium 160 (forward 40, port 40, starboard 40, aft 40)

Attack (Forward) persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20), coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Port) coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Starboard) twin laser (5d8; range 20)
Attack (Aft) laser net (2d6; range 5; point +10)
Attack (Turret) heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5), light particle cannon (3d6; range 10)

Power Core Pulse Orange (250 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems basic medium-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 2 trinode computer, mk 6 armor, mk 6 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +2 to any three checks per round, +2 Computers
Complement 4–7


Azata Starship Image
Starfinder Society Azata Tier 8
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 18; TL 17
HP 75; DT —; CT 15
Shields medium shields 200 (forward 50, port 50, starboard 50, aft 50)

Attack (Forward) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5)
Attack (Port) flak thrower (3d4; range 5; point +8)
Attack (Starboard) flak thrower (3d4; range 5; point +8)
Attack (Turret) high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)

Power Core Pulse Orange (250 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems advanced long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 3 trinode computer, mk 8 armor, mk 8 defenses
Expansion Bays medical bay, science lab (general), cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +3 to any three checks per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Gorgon Starship Image
Starfinder Society Gorgon* Tier 8
Large destroyer
Speed 6; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 15; TL 14
HP 200; DT —; CT 40
Shields Medium 160 (forward 40, port 40, starboard 40, aft 40)

Attack (Forward) graser (7d10; range 5; irradiate (med)), particle beam (8d6; range 20)
Attack (Port) tactical nuclear missile launcher (5d8; range 20; speed 10; limit 5; irradiate (low))
Attack (Starboard) tactical nuclear missile launcher (5d8; range 20; speed 10; limit 5; irradiate (low))
Attack (Turret) tactical nuclear missile launcher (5d8; range 20; speed 10; limit 5; irradiate (low))

Power Core Pulse Orange (250 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems crew quarters (common), cut-rate sensors, mk 6 armor, mk 6 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold (4)

Modifiers -2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–20
* Selecting the Gorgon requires the Starship Schematic boon.


Tier 10 Starships

No Tabs


Pegasus Starship Image
Starfinder Society Pegasus Tier 10
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 16; TL 18
HP 75; DT —; CT 15
Shields medium 200 (forward 50, port 50, starboard 50, aft 50)

Attack (Forward) persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20)
Attack (Port) heavy laser net (5d6; range 5; point +12)
Attack (Starboard) light particle cannon (3d6; range 10)
Attack (Turret) particle beam (8d6; range 20)

Power Core Pulse Prismatic (300 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems advanced long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 5 duonode computer, mk 6 armor, mk 9 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods, science lab, tech workshop

Modifiers +5 to any two checks per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Drake Starship Image
Starfinder Society Drake Tier 10
Medium transport
Speed 8; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 17; TL 16
HP 100; DT —; CT 20
Shields medium 200 (forward 50, port 50, starboard 50, aft 50)

Attack (Forward) persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20), heavy plasma torpedo launcher (5d10; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)
Attack (Port) coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Starboard) coilgun (4d4; range 20)
Attack (Aft) heavy laser net (5d6; range 5; point +12)
Attack (Turret) heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5), light particle cannon (3d6; range 10)

Power Core Pulse Prismatic (300 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems basic long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 3 trinode computer, mk 7 armor, mk 7 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +3 to any three checks per round, +2 Computers
Complement 4–7


Azata Starship Image
Starfinder Society Azata Tier 10
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 20; TL 18
HP 75; DT —; CT 15
Shields heavy shields 320 (forward 80, port 80, starboard 80, aft 80)

Attack (Forward) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5), particle beam (8d6; range 20)
Attack (Port) chain cannon (6d4; range 5; ripper )
Attack (Starboard) chain cannon (6d4; range 5; ripper )
Attack (Turret) high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)

Power Core Nova Ultra (300 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems advanced long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 3 trinode computer, mk 10 armor, mk 10 defenses
Expansion Bays medical bay, science lab (general), cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +3 to any three checks per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Gorgon Starship Image
Starfinder Society Gorgon* Tier 10
Large destroyer
Speed 6; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 17; TL 16
HP 200; DT —; CT 40
Shields Heavy 240 (forward 60, port 60, starboard 60, aft 60)

Attack (Forward) persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20), persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20)
Attack (Port) heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5)
Attack (Starboard) heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5)
Attack (Turret) light particle cannon (3d6; range 10)

Power Core Pulse Prismatic (300 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems crew quarters (common), cut-rate sensors, mk 8 armor, mk 8 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold (4)

Modifiers -2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–20
* Selecting the Gorgon requires the Starship Schematic boon.


Tier 12 Starships

No Tabs


Pegasus Starship Image
Starfinder Society Pegasus Tier 12
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 18; TL 19
HP 85; DT —; CT 17
Shields heavy 280 (forward 70, port 70, starboard 70, aft 70)

Attack (Forward) persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20), heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5)
Attack (Port) heavy laser net (5d6; range 5; point +12)
Attack (Starboard) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5), light plasma cannon (2d12; range 5)
Attack (Turret) particle beam (8d6; range 20)

Power Core Pulse Prismatic (300 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems advanced long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 6 duonode computer, mk 8 armor, mk 10 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods, science lab, tech workshop

Modifiers +6 to any two checks per round, +4 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Drake Starship Image
Starfinder Society Drake Tier 12
Medium transport
Speed 8; Maneuverability average (turn 2); Drift 1
AC 18; TL 18
HP 115; DT —; CT 23
Shields heavy 280 (forward 70, port 70, starboard 70, aft 70)

Attack (Forward) linked plasma cannons (10d12; range 10)
Attack (Port) twin laser (5d8; range 20)
Attack (Starboard) twin laser (5d8; range 20)
Attack (Aft) heavy laser net (5d6; range 5; point +12)
Attack (Turret) heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5), heavy plasma torpedo launcher (5d10; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)

Power Core Pulse Prismatic (300 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems basic long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 4 trinode computer, mk 8 armor, mk 9 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +4 to any three checks per round, +2 Computers
Complement 4–7


Azata Starship Image
Starfinder Society Azata Tier 12
Medium explorer
Speed 10; Maneuverability good (turn 1); Drift 1
AC 22; TL 19
HP 85; DT —; CT 17
Shields heavy shields 480 (forward 120, port 120, starboard 120, aft 120)

Attack (Forward) light EMP cannon (EMP ; range 5), particle beam (8d6; range 20)
Attack (Port) chain cannon (6d4; range 5; ripper )
Attack (Starboard) chain cannon (6d4; range 5; ripper )
Attack (Turret) high explosive missile launcher (4d8; range 20; speed 12; limit 5)

Power Core Nova Ultra (300 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems ultra long-range sensors, crew quarters (good), mk 4 trinode computer, mk 12 armor, mk 12 defenses
Expansion Bays medical bay, science lab (general), cargo hold, escape pods

Modifiers +4 to any three checks per round, +6 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–7


Gorgon Starship Image
Starfinder Society Gorgon* Tier 12
Large destroyer
Speed 6; Maneuverability average (turn 3); Drift 1
AC 19; TL 17
HP 230; DT —; CT 46
Shields Heavy 320 (forward 80, port 80, starboard 80, aft 80)

Attack (Forward) persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20), persistent particle beam (10d6; range 20)
Attack (Port) heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5)
Attack (Starboard) heavy antimatter missile launcher (10d10; range 20; speed 8; limit 5)
Attack (Turret) X-Laser cannon (8d6; range 20; line )

Power Core Gateway Heavy (400 PCU)
Drift Engine Signal Basic
Systems crew quarters (common), cut-rate sensors, mk 10 armor, mk 10 defenses
Expansion Bays cargo hold (4)

Modifiers -2 Computers, +1 Piloting
Complement 4–20
* Selecting the Gorgon requires the Starship Schematic boon.


Change Log

Version 7

7.01 -> 7.02 - 30 July 2024

  • Introduction:
    • Added outline of Guide organization; PFS2 now has the same structure

  • Core Guide:
    • Renamed Guide to official title: Guide to Organized Play: Starfinder Society - First Edition
    • Welcome
      • Key Terms: Added "What are Achievement Points (AcP)?" section
    • Being a Game Master
      • Filling Out a Chronicle: Added reminder PCs with uncleared permanent afflictions are reported as dead & retired from play
      • GM Chronicles: Added note to leave GM character number blank when reporting when GM is not taking a Chronicle; other minor adjustments
    • Special Cases

  • Player Options and Tools:

  • Supplemental Materials:
    • Main page: added documents/links, reorganized to align with PFS2 Guide

7.00 -> 7.01 - 4 June 2024

  • Core Guide:
    • Special Cases: Re-added and clarified text on partial credit when players leave a game

6.03 -> 7.00 - 20 May 2024

  • Core Guide:
    • Character Creation: added new always available playable species: barathu, borai, ghibrani, morlamaw, and prismeni

  • Player Options and Tools:
    • Factions: updated Second Seekers Faction information for new First Seeker Sarmak

Version 6

6.02 -> 6.03 - 10 May 2024

  • Player Options and Tools:
    • Boons
      • specified additional Boon rules, aligning with PFS2 Guide (e.g. can't sell Boons, one copy per PC, etc.)
      • specified retired Boons still function
    • Factions: revised Acquisitives flavortext; streamlined phrasing, no longer "newest Faction"

6.01 -> 6.02 - 13 November 2023

  • Rebuilt Guide on new site
  • Core Guide:

Version 5

5.04

  • Core Guide:
    • Campaign Leadership: Removed Tonya Woldridge; corrected missing hyphen in Linda Zayas-Palmer's name

5.02->5.03 - 15 September 2022

  • Getting Started: Added a printable Welcome to Starfinder Society section
  • Player Basics: Clarified rules regarding player pawns
  • Game Master Basics: Explained issuing Chronicles better
  • Starships: Added ranges for weapons (and speed and capacity for tracking weapons)

5.01->5.02 - 30 August 2022
Playable Species
As of the upcoming publication of Starfinder Interstellar Species , Paizo will use the term "playable species" going forward for what had been called "playable race" in prior publications. References throughout this Guide have been updated with the change. The following pages have been updated:

  • Players: Player Basics, Character Creation, Player Rewards, Factions and Reputation, and Retired Rewards
  • Other: Changelog

5.00->5.01 - 20 August 2022

  • Community Standards and Expectations: Revised 'no Character vs Character combat' rule (no PvP) & included more examples

Players

  • Player Basics: Specify no crafting is allowed during adventures (only in Downtime).
  • Character Creation
    • Clarify that always-available species from Alien Archive do not require ownership of Alien Archive.
    • Specify that any deity or philosophy from a source on the Character Options page can be worshipped (subject to normal access and sourcebook ownership rules).
    • Specify that multiple deities or philosophies can be worshipped, but only one can give a mechanical benefit.
  • Player Rewards: Correct AcP earned for Bounties at Premiere events (1.25 AcP, not 1).
  • Factions and Reputation
    • Add remaining new boons for Advocates, Cognates, and Manifold Host factions.
    • Add one new boon for each Second Seekers faction: Well-Traveled (Ehu); Augmented Shields (Jadnura); Pass the Torch (Luwazi)

Game Masters

  • Game Master Basics
    • Clarify notes on retired boons
    • Add typical XP awarded note
  • Additional Adventures: Specify all Starfinder Bounties are repeatable
  • GM Rewards: Specify GMing one AP volume counts at 2 GM credits for novas

Pending Year 5 notes
Year 5 began in May; notes about what would change when it started are outdated. Such notes removed and any related adjustments made to:

  • Getting Started: The Pact Worlds
  • Players: Character Creation, Factions and Reputation

Minor Edits
Minor edits for typos, grammar, clarity, etc. made to:

  • Getting Started: Welcome to Starfinder Society
  • Players: Player Basics, Playtest Rules, Player Rewards, Factions and Reputation, and Retired Rewards
  • Game Master: Game Master Basics, Additional Adventures, Table Variation and Creative Solutions, and Dealing with the Unexpected
  • Starships
  • Volunteer: Event Coordinator Basics

4.21 -> 5.00 - 5 May 2022

  • The Pact Worlds: Add Minor Factions for season 5: Advocates, Cognates, Manifold Host.

  • Community Standards and Expectations
    • Corrected out of date sentence implying that engaging in PvP awards infamy. Non-consensual PvP is never allowed.
    • Updated Campaign Leadership list

  • Player Basics
    • Clarified that you can buy items on a Chronicle even if they are not normally allowed in play
    • Fixed link to mnemonic editor boon

Version 4

4.2 -> 4.21 - 1 March 2022
Players

  • Player Basics
    • Included in main body of Guide existing rule (limit one companion) from current place in glossary (definition of "companion")
    • Added text: 2- and 3-player tables receive the 4-player adjustments
    • Added text: Bounties do not grant Downtime
  • Character Creation: Added note: see FAQ for more information on species accessed with a boon that have since become always available
  • Player Rewards: Added SF Bounties to typical AcP rewards table

Game Masters

  • Additional Adventures
    • Added information on SF Bounties to Sanctioned Adventures
    • Removed temporary section on revised rewards (for some adventures published before August 2021) since the affected sanctioning documents have all been updated
  • GM Rewards
    • Revised and extended GM Credit text, aligning with PFS2 Guide and clarifying
    • Removed SFS #1-39 from 5-Nova Qualifying list (sunset date: March 1, 2022)

Glossary

  • Added page navigation links
  • Revised definition of "companion" (not limited to class features; does include purchased creatures)

4.03 -> 4.2 - 1 February 2022
Getting Started

  • Welcome to Starfinder Society: Made minor revisions to character and pregen references for clarity and succinctness
  • Community Standards and Expectations: Added rules for rebuilding PCs when changes are made to "class features for which there are multiple options (such as a biohacker's field of study)"

Players

  • Player Basics: Restored and revised rules on default 2 Chronicles per adventure per player (1 as a PC, 1 as a GM)
  • Factions and Reputation
    • Made extensive revisions due to the elimination of Fame / transition to AcP
    • Re-added Year of the Scoured Stars boon, now available with AcP
    • Clarified that Starfinder Body Recovery is for situations when your party cannot feasibly recover your body themselves
  • Retired Rewards
    • Removed Year of the Scoured Stars boon; reactivated and restored to Factions and Reputation
    • Added Fame boons not converted to AcP boons
    • Added Alien Archive Admittance boon

Other

  • GM Rewards: Listed Nova-qualifying scenarios, including SFS #1-39 sunset as of March 1, 2022.
  • Starships: Restored Tier 6 Drake Port coilgun.
  • Glossary
    • Added Character, Evergreen, and NPC definitions
    • Revised Fame, PC, and Sanctioned Adventure definitions

4.02 -> 4.03 - 11 November 2021

  • Pact Worlds: Added note regarding additional information for each faction
  • Player Basics: Added Note regarding updated Adventure Rewards for early adventures
  • Player Rewards: Updated to reflect transition to AcP
  • Factions and Reputation: Updated "End of Fame" link in first paragraph to point to most recent announcement
  • Additional Adventures
    • Added note that Chronicles for Adventure Mode adventures are assigned at the end of an adventure
    • Added revised adventure reward section to bring early adventures up to similar rewards as later adventures.
  • Starships: Fixed some weapon entries on the Pegasus that referenced a weapon that did not exist

4.01 -> 4.02 - 3 August 2021

  • Main Page: Fixed copy -paste error
  • The Pact Worlds: Degendered text
  • Recent History: Made minor grammatical edits
  • Player Basics
    • Degendered text
    • Added references to AcP
    • Removed a reference to "gold"
    • Added instructions for downloading Chronicle Boons
  • Character Creation
    • Minor grammatical edits
    • Degendered text
  • Playtest Rules
    • Added Evolutionist playtest
    • Updated playtest rules to re-insert the requirement that playtest characters must be single-classed
    • Updated the expected date for Galactic Magic
  • Player Rewards: Degendered text
  • Factions and Reputation
    • Degendered text
    • Added AcP costs
    • Clarified replay boons.
  • Game Master Basics
    • Updated "Where to buy" to include new product lines.
    • Cleaned up grammar and generally clarified "Filling out Chronicle Sheets"
  • Additional Adventures
    • Added: When playing an adventure using a SFS character, the Chronicle *must* be assigned to that character.
    • Added Beginner Box
  • GM Rewards
    • Degendered text
    • Added limitation that a given special can not account for more than three of the 10 specials needed to qualify for 5 novas
  • Table Variation and Creative Solutions
    • Degendered text
    • Added AcP references
  • Dealing with the Unexpected: Degendered text
  • Starships
    • Fixed minor errors on Azata
    • Incorporated Azata into the Starship overview section

4.00 -> 4.01 - 1 July 2021

  • Starships
    • Added Azata Tiers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
    • Added ranges to starship weapons
  • Changelog: Added missing change in changelog 3.00 -> 4.00: The maximum table size has been reduced to 6. (Tables of 7 players are no longer legal. )

3.00 -> 4.00

  • Player Basics
    • Major Changes
      • Players are responsible for Downtime
      • Pregen / GM Downtimes use the skills of the character applied to.
      • Purchased condition removal automatically succeeds
      • The maximum table size has been reduced to 6. (Tables of 7 players are no longer legal. )
    • Minor Changes
      • Negative Condition removal clarified and consolidated.
      • Applying/transferring weapon fusions text added (free at HQ)
  • Character Creation
    • Minor Changes: Characters can pick (named) home worlds from the Veskarium / Near Space
  • Rewards
    • Minor Changes: Added "Boons which unlock over time" section for boons with checkboxes
  • Reputation Boons
    • Minor Changes: Revised Hireling text along the lines of PFS text; Hirelings can only perform recall knowledge checks in combat, nothing else.
  • Retired Player Rewards
    • Minor Changes: Season Boons are Cumulative boons, not capstone boons
  • Game Master Rewards
    • Minor Changes: GMs cannot chose mutually exclusive rewards on Chronicles
  • Additional Adventures
    • Page created to host rules for running Sanctioned Adventures, including sections on Sanctioned Adventures, Modes of Play, Character Types, and Sanctioning Documents

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