I read a post somewhere on this site about a Pathfinder SciFi game. There were some comments to it, and I started looking into it.

What I've some up with is to use the D20 Modern/Future classes, but with a tweak. Rather than the Occupations they used, I'm working on a more extensive list of Professions, which would be more of an overlay or kit--like a template.

So, for example, you'd wind up with a Strong Corsair, or a Fast Corsair, or a Tough Corsair, or a Smart Corsair, or a Dedicated Corsair, or a Charming Corsair.

This is easier than trying to make up 60 different classes.


I was thinking of using the D20 Future races, but I was also thinking of allowing most of the Pathfinder races... to give a sort of Star Wars cantina feel. So you go into a bar and there could be a Vrusk, a Dralasite, a T'sa, an orc, an ogre, a goblin, a catfolk, etc.


So just wondering if anyone would be interested in this?


Also, was wondering if this was a good place to hash out more of the details, or if there was a better place.

The best way to do it would be to check for interest here.  Then, if you want to go ahead with it, hash out more details in the game itself.

You could try adapting it to the Dragonstar Universe.  I think it would be easy, as it blends high Technology and High Magic.

I would be interested in it for sure.

Paizo does have a starfinder game coming out you could check there site for any details. It's pathfinder in space. It's not out yet but you might find something useful
This message was last edited by the user at 14:36, Sun 04 Sept 2016.

I don't have the Dragonstar game any more, so that would be an issue. Also, I was interested in a pure science fiction game, without magic... or dragons.


Thanks for the info on Starfinder. It's still a year away from release, but it takes magic into space. I've never really been 'comfortable' with magic and science co-existing; they've always seemed mutually exclusive to me. While I can appreciate magic affecting science, I'd want to see science that can affect magic, too.

But that's not the game I want to run. I don't want the Pathfinder setting, only the Pathfinder resources.

That should be easy enough.  You may have to adapt some of the racial abilities to be more in line with the sci-fi feel.  Definitely some of the Professions (?)/Occupations as you mentioned.

I would be interested, especially if you come up with a good background for the game.

There is a game called Alternity I actually just found my books for it a couple of weeks ago. It was D20 in hard core space, no magic. I had psionics though. And had a bunch of alien races in it pretty much like the fantasy equivalent. It's been along time since I even opened the books.

My tentative idea for a campaign setting is Shattered Stars... or possibly Shattered Imperium. Not keen on the last one, though, as I'm not sure I want to deal with such an entity, though there is certainly appeal in finding intact isolated Imperial bases. The premise is basically that the reigning government has collapsed, and everything is up for grabs. That way, the game is wide open for whatever the players want to do. A bit of Firefly mixed with Star Wars, rather than Star Trek. I was thinking of borrowing a page from Dungeonworld and letting/getting the players to make up the new worlds as needed.


Yes, I'm aware of Alternity. I'm even running a game of it here on RPoL. The D20 Future supplement used those races, plus added a couple of races from the older Star Frontiers game. So all those would be available.


I've pulled the Careers (changed from their Occupations and my earlier Professions because there's a skill Profession, so didn't want to get people confused) from many sources.

I've been a SciFi fan forever, and fantasy almost as long, but just never could get into the merged (Science Fantasy) mindset. I suspect it's because I know that magic isn't real, whereas science fiction at least can be. Thus anyone can learn science and understand it. No game has ever adequately 'explained' magic; anyone can USE it, but no one really understands it, because then it becomes a science, and not the ART that it's supposed to be.

I've only played one game of pathfinder, and even then that didn't last long (lack of roleplay leaves a bad taste in my mouth). Then again, considering that this seems to be using a modified/different/etc system anyways, I'll have learning to do anyways.

Point is, I'm interested, but I'm a newbie. I can learn though.

The thing to keep in mind with Pathfinder is that it didn't start out  with 1,000 books. It started with just one. And then it just kept growing. Playing it is the same. Don't try to start out knowing ALL the rules. Start with the basics, and then learn more as you go.

Also, Pathfinder on RPoL tends to lean towards role-playing anyway. Complex game mechanics tend to bog down combat.

I'm hoping I can get the 'rules' hammered out by next week.

well that's cool that you already know about it AND run it, I was just trying to throw what things I knew about out there to try to help. I my self might be interested in this game as well if not just for the sci-fi, to see how the mechanics work.

I'd be interested! Sounds really cool.

Still working on this. It's a lot more work than I anticipated. I though most of it was already done... but it isn't working out that way.


I do have one question for everyone. It's about equipment. Because it's a science fiction version of Pathfinder, there are clearly no equipment lists for hi-tech equipment and weapons. Also, since I can't expect anyone to actually have the D20 Future rules, I figure I'll need to provide some lists. Unfortunately, there is just way too much equipment! Adventuring/survival gear, tech equipment, armor, weapons, vehicles, clothing, programs, kits, services, supplies and miscellaneous gear. While it'd be 'easier' if there was a separate thread for each category, that would make for a very extensive list of threads... with all the others that I need to put up.

My only alternative thought at this point is to use one thread for all equipment, but just put each category into a separate post. As long as I keep them alphabetical, that should make what you are looking for easier.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

There actually is high-tech equipment for Pathfinder, from Paizo's Technology Guide. And it's all on D20PFSRD, which makes things a lot easier.

Base technology rules - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipm...hnological-equipment
Tech weapons - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipm...echnological-weapons
Tech armor - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipm.../technological-armor
Drugs - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamema...ions/pharmaceuticals
Cybertech - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/cybertech
Misc. gear - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipm...s/technological-gear
Artifacts - http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipm...hnological-artifacts

Thanks! I had no idea there was such a thing.

Looking over it, though, I'm not so sure it's useful. Prices are in GP, which would imply that these are the prices you would pay in a fantasy campaign.

And it looks like the items were all 'defined' in fantasy terms.

Well just replace "GP" with "credits" or something sci fi. Done. As for the descriptions, well, i dunno.

Yes, that was a 'logical' way to go, except that the prices are a bit high for what should be more 'mundane' equipment.

The tech in those books is all over the map, too. Sure, different tech levels, but seems extrapolated in an odd way.

Anyway, still thinking about it.

Surely that entirely depends on how much you decide the currency is worth compared to the average wage in your setting (or, more relevantly, the PCs' starting cash).