2021 Starfinder Buyers Guide

[@ferrous412]

As a GM I think the first 2 books that you need are the rulebook, of course, and the Alien Archive 1. No point in running a game if you don't have monsters to fight. Then the character operations manual. Followed by the armory, pact worlds ,and then aliens archives 2. After that then get the other books in any order that you choose, and can afford.

[@robertyoung8486]

totally agree. The AA1 has rules for making NPCs/monsters and that's essential for a GM.

[@mkdh2298]

A good list. I agree with your priorities. But one thing is missing though. No game without my original purple Skittermander plush with built-in dice bag .....

[@TheMapleTable]

I did not know that they had a built in dice bag... And it definitely increases the chances of me buying one now

[@mkdh2298]

@@TheMapleTable It has, and dont forget to fill it with original Starfinder dice.

[@MrX-ny3jv]

You didn't mention the beginners box. It's basically Starfinder the board game. It's a fantastic stand alone product, and is also a great way to whet your whistle before getting into the rest of the Starfinder system. And you also didn't mention my personal favorite Paizo products, pawns. If you are into the miniature aspect of ttrpgs, pawns represent a terrific value.

[@LondrieGirl]

Holy shit I haven't watched your videos in awhile but your production values have improved dramatically! I'm happy for you!

[@TheMapleTable]

Thank you! Im very happy with how things have progressed

[@BjornKuma]

Looking forward to the Exploration Manual as I think it'll be a great tool for fleshing out your "local" galactic region when combined with the Deck of Many Worlds. Having stepped away from the hobby around the time 3.5 dropped, I really like what Paizo has been doing. Hoping to get a game going soon with some newer to the hobby players and your vids have been very helpful in getting me caught up to the current state of SF. It's a really cool system and I'm surprised how quickly the core concepts are clicking with where I had left off in RPGs back in the day. Thanks for doing these, and the Werewolf content, loved that game and its lore too.

[@TheMapleTable]

I hope you get your game going! I wanted my channel to talk about the setting, the lore, a bit less of how to play and more of what's in the game. Enough people talk about how to play. No one is talking about why you should play :p

[@haydongonzalez-dyer2727]

Player buy list 1) Core Rulebook 2) Character Operations Manual or Armory 3) the book from (2) that you did not get 4) everything else is a nice to have GM buy list 1) Core Rulebook 2) Alien Archive 1 3) from here follow the player buy order Every other book is nice to have.

[@quinnsoutar2196]

Looking at putting together a Starfinder game later this year - I haven't played since before 2020, this video did a great job getting me up to speed on what I should be looking to stock up on to run a smooth game! I know it is a tiny bit out of date, but I can't imagine it's changed too much and this is a wonderful starting point regardless.

[@TheMapleTable]

Its a bit older but I feel it still holds up

[@trevorbbass]

Hi! I'm from Brasil and I really like your vídeos! When I first ran a Starfinder game as GM, I only had the rulebook and I really missed the Alien Archive, so, um my case, I would recomend at least the first Alien Archive as a must have right after the core rulebook.

[@TheMapleTable]

Hello in Brazil! I can see from the GM perspective that having some monsters is always useful. One of the alien archives is a must but not all of them at once.

[@thiagoflores01]

Tomara que a New Order lance todos os suplementos deste video. Starfinder e sua linha de produtos são sensacionais.

[@trevorbbass]

@@thiagoflores01 Seria ótimo! Eu infelizmente precisei apelar pra versão em inglês, mas o ideal seria o material traduzido, até pra incentivar o pessoal daqui a jogar.

[@thiagoflores01]

@@trevorbbass eu só estou comprando o nacional mesmo, o arquivo alienígena ta pra chegar este mês.

[@trevorbbass]

@@thiagoflores01 Show! O material da New Order é bom, então deve ter ficado bem legal.

[@patriciusthehumanfighter3642]

The past couple of months, I've gained an interest in Starfinder. What can I say? I'm a sucker for Science Fantasy. Been poking around the last week looking for advice on what I need to run it when I get the books. This video helped a lot with that. Also, been looking at this channel for a while to get an idea for the lore, lore buff that I am.

[@TheMapleTable]

Glad to hear, I love starfinder

[@johnharrison2086]

For me the Corebook and Character Operations Manual are the must have books for players. Those two plus Pact Worlds and Alien Archives would be the must haves for GM's Then either an Adventure Path OR the Galaxy Exploration Manual and the Deck of Many Worlds depending on preference.

[@TheMapleTable]

Yea there are now so many slats and a lot of them are really good its hard to choose now

[@JacksonOwex]

No you DEFINITELY NEED the first Alien Archive 1 because... SKITTERMANDERS ARE SO DAMN CUTE!!! 10:39 MY FAVORITE PRODUCT EVER!!!! Also the first one I actually bought!!! The Exploration Manual is fairly nice to help make some of those world you drew with the DoMW.

[@madwizard92]

Thank you for this Video, It helped me and my friends get into this game and really enjoy it.

[@TheMapleTable]

Glad to hear that!

[@KuittheGeek]

I've never played Starfinder, but I have been playing D&D 5e within the last year, and I am now starting to look at other options for Sci-Fi games. Currently there is a Humble Bundle going that has most of the books you have talked about in digital form for $25, which is very tempting for me to give it a shot. The only thing I don't like is that it is digital only. I have no real problem using the PDFs on a computer or tablet, but I do feel that can get in the way some times at the game table. I also find it kind of funny that they have the GM screen as one of the items, but it does make sense with the customizable GM screens that you can buy for cheap. The flip tiles are another thing that is a little odd to me, but with a printer and laminator, that shouldn't be an issue either, although I am just starting to feel like the savings in the bundle might be losing value when you have to print so much. But I did come to your video to see what all I should expect to get, and it does seem like the Humble Bundle would be the best option as a starting point considering what all is included. So I appreciate your summary, as I can see myself getting the digital bundle and then being good to go on everything. But I would love to hear others feedback.

[@TheMapleTable]

The humble bundle is a great starting place for Starfinder. If you're familiar with 5e its not a huge departure from that to starfinder. Of you like the game you can get physical copies from Paizo directly or amazon as well

[@KuittheGeek]

@@TheMapleTable Awesome, thanks for the advice and thanks again for the video.

[@jonathanosborne4817]

I've managed to print maps for the rooms players enter... Its alot of work though. Nathaniel is right, not many need the battle map... But we did 😅 One that you can flip that has a hexagonal grid and a square grid like I have is not too hard to find. 😎

[@TheMapleTable]

In person a plain flip mat is fine. Online there is no need except for deeper immersion. A blank screen with basic shapes is good too

[@jonathanosborne4817]

@@TheMapleTable oooh I cannot WAIT when we are able to game in person again. Until then, stay safe, wash those hands and remember to respect other humans 😎 We will all soon be able to hang out together in person soon.

[@Rumbanana]

How is the Alien Archive not mentioned immediately after the core rule book?

[@Ditidos]

A thing I would say about the Alien Archives, the first one come with the rules to make custom monsters. They are amazing and something that should be in the Core Rules in the GM section, or reprinted in a GM-focused book that is more than a colection of monsters. Because as a GM you definetly want them. Also, as a GM who want to offer a ton of alien races to play, a deck with all of those released at the moment plus a few new ones will be coming so you don't need them for that. That said, the AA are very cool bestiaries with much more than just monsters, it will allow you to give weird and alien loot to the players and I think that's very cool.

[@oldcampaign]

Y'know, I've been playing Starfinder for a VERY short time, and I LOVE IT! Thing is... I am missing only 2 (arguably 3) mainline books, and a BUNCH of Adventure Paths. A few pawn boxes won't hurt too.

[@TheMapleTable]

Pawn boxes are great for in person play

[@oldcampaign]

@@TheMapleTable Definitely. Just need to rob a bank...

[@lazerninga]

I’m prepping a charter campaign using Planetfall as a base, but not the rest of the Horizons of the Vast AP. Do you think I should pick up more Starfinder source books? Here’s what I have: Beginner Box, Core Rulebook, Alien Archive (1), Galaxy Exploration Manual, Interstellar Species, and Ofc HotV Planetfall. Also the Crit and fumble decks but those are just to shake things up.

[@TheMapleTable]

If you have the cash to splash those are all good options

[@lazerninga]

@@TheMapleTable I meant I have those already. I was wondering if you had suggestions on what to add to my collection.

[@TheMapleTable]

@@lazerninga sorry I miss read. I might get galactic magic for dirty lore and ideas. Potentially some spell ideas. Tech Revolution is good for mech, and vehicle rules if you want something different

[@lazerninga]

@@TheMapleTable Thanks

[@raymondbosma9296]

You talked about flip tiles and flip mats in this video. I'm wondering if you have any recommendations for flip tiles?

[@TheMapleTable]

At this point I dont because we went into lockdown before i could buy and test them. Some friends have a couple sets for biomes but I don't think tbeynare specific to starfinder

[@WWEisnotPunkrock]

Any third party products you prefer or recommend?

[@TheMapleTable]

I haven't really explored the 3rd party products. There are a few producers but not a lot from what I can tell

[@OverboardDM]

Cool explanation. Thanks.

[@TheMapleTable]

Hope it helps if you are considering the system

[@jonathanosborne4817]

Now just get some buddies. Some inspirado... Dice are great but don't worry you can get an app on your phone or pad to use.

[@TheMapleTable]

Lots of things that you can do when you want to play! Don't have to have a lot of fancy stuff.

[@shadowhenge7118]

One thing i dont understand fully is the adventure paths here in 2023. Dead suns, aeon, screams, etc etc.. it seems like its a world where you have to buy all of them to have one long campaign, but they seem to overlap? Its confusing.

[@duttdits]

Thank you very much for this very informative video on a very thinly covered subject on KZbin.

[@TheMapleTable]

I hear a lot that the Starfinder space (pun intended) is pretty thin

[@duttdits]

@@TheMapleTable ha! Subbed.

[@TheMapleTable]

@@duttdits sub for the content, stay for the pun threads that several of my videos turn into lol

[@trenthogan4212]

I've played Starfinder about 3 times and loved it, and now my play group wants to start a campaign. We all however, do not want to use magic at all, we want the campaign completely predicated on technology. We'll play D&D 4e or PF2 if we want magic. Any suggestions of books not to buy to avoid the magic in pathfinder? Thank you. New sub BTW hello from Ontario

[@TheMapleTable]

I would grab the tech revolution book if thats where you are leaning. dont get the galactic magic as thats all its about.

[@trenthogan4212]

@@TheMapleTable Thank you

[@giocoastratto]

I just into Starfinder after 2 years of dnd with my family, currently running as GM the short standalone in beginner box. Thank you for the video, it's very useful to know where to start to experience the real game! Subscribed :)

[@TheMapleTable]

Glad i could help out!

[@johnvalverde1]

I am confuse I was expecting Core + Alien 1 + pact world as starter, but sound like I need more that to start??

[@TheMapleTable]

Depending on what you want, it can change. Core + AA1 gives you monsters and rules. If you do homebrew i would do either character ops or Galaxy exploration manual. If you are doing adventure paths or your own story in the setting pact worlds.

[@johnvalverde1]

@@TheMapleTable I was planning homebrew within the pactworlds to “start” I have never play StarFinder, but I am very experienced in D&D So my D&D mind thinks like…. Rules, monsters, setting let’s go…. Anything else is for do the experience better…

[@johnvalverde1]

So that question here is Armory, and operations manual or any other need it to just start?

[@TheMapleTable]

@@johnvalverde1 Yea rules monsters go. Anything else is just more of the game. Character ops gives new classes, and expands existing ones. Armory gives more items and equipment, nice to have but for me not as important

[@franklinwhitfield1893]

IF your getting any of the material i would go digital, its cheaper and its a lot lighter to carry.

[@TheMapleTable]

Just because I am moving, i have had to buy the digital material out of necessity

[@thiagoflores01]

Great video Nathaniel!

[@TheMapleTable]

Thanks i hope it helps!

[@jayhova3926]

Are there any good starfinder discord servers?

[@TheMapleTable]

I know mines is pretty active

[@juanantonetti]

I recently discovered Starfinder and I'm excited to DM this game eventually, this was a good video to know where to start. I really like your videos and apreciate what you're doing because there aren't many videos about the game. Really looking foward to see all your Starfinder videos and some of the other games too.

[@TheMapleTable]

Glad i could help, more people playing the game is always good to me!

[@nukaman8314]

As someone who loves official artwork and feels a compulsive need to collect, of course I own all the books except for for the adventure paths. I love looking through the pages and enjoying the artwork on them.

[@TheMapleTable]

The art is very good but they also hide a bunch in the adventure paths, art wise and items too

[@jrock-hk7rm]

I'm looking forward to Mech introduction!!

[@TheMapleTable]

I have plans but I just need to sit down and look at what I can do

[@VoxAnteron]

A guide to lay this out is always handy. It's so easy to drown in options with some of these systems.

[@TheMapleTable]

Yea, the book bloat is getting real with Starfinder

[@GryphonDes]

thought I was done buying all but the newest stuffs LOl but my cart is getting FAT :D THANKS!~

[@TheMapleTable]

Sorry... Not sorry...

[@Crabinton]

Does he always heart all the comments

[@TheMapleTable]

as many as i can! because i struggle with seeing things and forgetting if i dont respond right away ... it half a reminder for me to prove I have seen it.

[@jrock-hk7rm]

I use the Crit fail/success Decks in the Skitter Shot series and they have been so much fun for me and my players!

[@TheMapleTable]

I want to use them a bit more, at least give an option right

[@aaronlirette1336]

AIN'T NO WAIIFFFFUUUUU!!!

[@TheMapleTable]

Arnt you sad you didn't think of this name?

[@aaronlirette1336]

@@TheMapleTable Eternally.

[@gameon_ct]

I need more cigs for my character

[@TheMapleTable]

Mmm death sticks

[@wolfgamer8770]

Don't forget that the Starfinder core rule book teaches you how to convert Pathfinder races for starfinder. So it wouldn't heart getting the Pathfinder Advance Race Guide if your GM allows conversions. It's mentioned in the same section where the legacy races are located at the beginning of said section (the legacy races section is at the end).

[@TheMapleTable]

Also a good idea. I didn't think to check this out. Is there a conversion guide for 2e races now?

[@wolfgamer8770]

@@TheMapleTable I'm not sure because starfinder came out 2 years before pathfinder 2e but I'm pretty sure It's possible. also Pathfinder 1e has more content then 2e anyways.

[@lucasaugusto7743]

Me in Brazil seeing this video just to find out there's only 4 books for sale here: 🤡

[@TheMapleTable]

Use archives of nethys. All the rules are free there.