Aurora vs Starfinder
Compare Aurora and Starfinder side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Aurora | Starfinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi | Scifi |
| Play Style | Crunchy, Combat-Heavy, Skill-Based, Mission-Based, Base-Building, Character Building, Lore-Heavy, Deadly, Random Tables, Random Character Creation, Superhero | Tactical, Crunchy, Combat-Heavy, Character Building, Grid-Based, Heroic, Ascending AC, Space Opera, Ship-Based, Exploration |
| Core Mechanic | Roll d100 equal to or under skill value for a standard success. Degrees of success scale with the margin: standard (full value), difficult (half value), very difficult (quarter value), legendary (01 only). Misfortune triggers on rolls of 96+ (99+ for skilled characters). Combat uses initiative based on Dexterity, with major actions, minor actions, and reactions (number limited by Dexterity / 30). Defenders choose to dodge, parry, counterattack, or maneuver as reactions. Superpowers cost energy points and risk destabilizing the dimension when used in front of witnesses. | d20 + modifier vs. DC. Three-action economy per turn. Four degrees of success. Cross-compatible with Pathfinder 2e. |
| Dice | d100 | d20 |
| Complexity | High | High |
| Accessibility | Low | Very High |
| Community | Very Low | High |
| License | All Rights Reserved | ORC |
| Cost | $$ | Free (ORC) |
| Publisher | GrubyBang | Paizo |
| Year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Best For | Groups who want a crunchy BRP-based sci-fi game where superpowered agents travel to other dimensions on tactical missions, build up a shared base between operations, and face detailed combat with location-based wounds. | Sci-fi fans who want Pathfinder 2e's tactical depth with plasma rifles and starships. Great for PF2e veterans looking for cross-compatible space adventure. |
| Highlights | Dimension-hopping premise supports any genre or historical period within a single campaign. 16 superpowers with leveled upgrades and a risk-reward discretion system. Base-building expands Facility 13 with modules like the Isomer Forge (iconic weapons) and Nanite Workshop. 120+ weapons spanning primitive, modern, and futuristic eras. Detailed wound tables by body location and weapon type. | Free rules on Archives of Nethys, deep tactical combat, cross-compatible with PF2e, distinct class identity |
| Considerations | 11-step character creation process is detailed but lengthy. Translated from Polish — occasional language inconsistencies. No free rules or SRD available. | Steep learning curve, fewer classes and options than PF2e (still growing), tactical starship combat rules deferred to a future supplement with current rules being narrative only |