Starfinder vs Traveller
Compare Starfinder and Traveller side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Starfinder | Traveller | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi | Scifi |
| Play Style | Tactical, Crunchy, Combat-Heavy, Character Building, Grid-Based, Heroic, Ascending AC, Space Opera, Ship-Based, Exploration | Sandbox, Simulation, Exploration, Deadly, Realistic, Character Building, Faction Play |
| Core Mechanic | d20 + modifier vs. DC. Three-action economy per turn. Four degrees of success. Cross-compatible with Pathfinder 2e. | Roll 2d6 + skill + modifier ≥ 8 to succeed. Character generation is a mini-game. |
| Dice | d20 | 2d6 |
| Complexity | High | Medium |
| Accessibility | Very High | Low |
| Community | High | Medium |
| License | ORC | Traveller Fair Use Policy |
| Cost | Free (ORC) | $$ |
| Publisher | Paizo | Mongoose Publishing |
| Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Best For | 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. | Hard sci-fi sandbox campaigns with trading, exploration, and realistic space travel. |
| Highlights | Free rules on Archives of Nethys, deep tactical combat, cross-compatible with PF2e, distinct class identity | Comprehensive sci-fi toolkit, lifepath character creation, detailed trade/travel systems |
| Considerations | 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 | Lifepath character creation can produce unplayable results, subsystem rules are spread across multiple supplements, steep buy-in if using official sourcebooks |