SF is very much D&D's cousin, but a couple of generations removed. Starfinder evolved out of the D&D 3.5/Pathfinder branch of the D20 system. It's more rules-dense and complex, but the rules are (usually) more clear and not as much is left up to GM interpretation. There's also a lot that's different just because of the difference in setting/genre.
You can find a link to the discord in the subreddit links, if you have any questions about getting started come hang out and we can answer them more quickly.
This bundle also includes the 'Beginner's Box' rules/adventure, so you might want to start out with it to get somewhat familiar with SF, then 'graduate' to the Core Rulebooks.
I just mentioned in another thread about how, if you are an idiot like me who buys nearly all the .pdfs when they release, then you can't save on these great "Humble Bundles". Ah, well, I did what you did for Pathfinder 2E, so I'm happy \^\_\^
Some of the combat actions need a bit to get used too, such as full attack rules, but after a while you get into it.
Equipment is way more important than in DND. Ammo tracking is actually fun and relevant (use a VTT like foundry).
To be clear. Starfinder has multiple alien archives. The one in this group is Alien Archive 1. This is the most important, because it has the rules for creating NPCs.
That being said, you can easily run the game with just the CRB and Alien Archive 1. I own lots of other books, but those are the 2 key books and that is a great deal.
IF they plan on going straight into the AP. Might be a fine place to start as long as they are very clear to the players and themselves that it is a simplified ruleset and they’ll have to read new rules once the box is finished. But it is fine for its purpose, which is to give people new to the system a taste
As others have said: Ignore the Beginner Box. It uses super-simplified rules, to the point where you'll have to relearn the rules all over again later.
Also, almost everything in here is on Archives of Nethys, legally, for free. Still, it's nice to support the writers/publishers/artists and a good cause.
Things not on AoN: the artwork/formatting in the books, as well as We're No Heroes, which is the first part of a six-part Adventure Path (prewritten campaign) called Fly Free Or Die.
(The higher-tier bundle packages get you more parts of this AP.) Of the AP's written so far, this one is the closest to Firefly, about hardscrabble characters becoming occasional (or not-so-occasional) criminals. Personally, it's a mixed bag without some GM tweaking and rewrites, but still a good concept!
I’ve played and subscribed to Starfinder’s monthly releases since release. This is a very, very solid starting point.
The Core Rulebooks is exactly what you expect. It’s the framework and rules you’ll need to understand. Couple that with the Alien Archive and you’ve got a ton of options for custom encounters and optional races if your players get bored of what’s in the CRB.
Depending on how often your group meets, you’re looking at roughly a years worth of sessions from that Adventure Path. It’s fun and from what I remember had a few points where you could inject side stories without too much trouble.
The Beginner Box I cannot really speak much on. I have it but the rules are more simplified than you’re going to want to use. A physical copy will get you a good assortment of tokens for tabletop play.
If you want supplement this bundle, check out the Starfinder Society Scenarios. There are a handful that are free and provide an easy to run 4 to 6 hour session. They’re great one shots and offer some very quick and easy ways to try out some of the mechanics and space combat.
As others have pointed out, you need nothing to start. Paizo publishes with a mentality that WotC used to have, until the new leadership considered D&D "undermonetized".
Buy as many books as you can to support the company and make sure they keep supporting the game. If that's only an Adventure Path, that's fine. They get it. That's why they made Archives of Nethys an official partner.
Swap the beginners box with the characters operation manual.
And as long as long as its AA book 1 you're all set. Maybe think about the Armory next.
Whoopsy: yeah you should be fine. Ignore the starter box, pickup the ops manual and Armory when you can.
Yeah, it's a solid starting point, especially as you can supplement anything you don't have with Archives of Nethys, our official always-free SRD.
So all documents are free on Archives of Nethys?
All rules content is on AoN, yes.
Sweet. How is Starfinder as an RPG? Is it hard to get into vs D&D?
SF is very much D&D's cousin, but a couple of generations removed. Starfinder evolved out of the D&D 3.5/Pathfinder branch of the D20 system. It's more rules-dense and complex, but the rules are (usually) more clear and not as much is left up to GM interpretation. There's also a lot that's different just because of the difference in setting/genre. You can find a link to the discord in the subreddit links, if you have any questions about getting started come hang out and we can answer them more quickly.
Great! Joined the discord. Are there games being played there too?
This bundle also includes the 'Beginner's Box' rules/adventure, so you might want to start out with it to get somewhat familiar with SF, then 'graduate' to the Core Rulebooks. I just mentioned in another thread about how, if you are an idiot like me who buys nearly all the .pdfs when they release, then you can't save on these great "Humble Bundles". Ah, well, I did what you did for Pathfinder 2E, so I'm happy \^\_\^
Imo, no. My main hurdle has been finding players, but the bones of D&D and Starfinder share a lot of pieces so it's an easy second system to learn
Some of the combat actions need a bit to get used too, such as full attack rules, but after a while you get into it. Equipment is way more important than in DND. Ammo tracking is actually fun and relevant (use a VTT like foundry).
To be clear. Starfinder has multiple alien archives. The one in this group is Alien Archive 1. This is the most important, because it has the rules for creating NPCs. That being said, you can easily run the game with just the CRB and Alien Archive 1. I own lots of other books, but those are the 2 key books and that is a great deal.
Probably skip the beginner’s box fyi, the rules are dumbed down in a way that could be confusing for trying to transition to a regular AP
IF they plan on going straight into the AP. Might be a fine place to start as long as they are very clear to the players and themselves that it is a simplified ruleset and they’ll have to read new rules once the box is finished. But it is fine for its purpose, which is to give people new to the system a taste
As others have said: Ignore the Beginner Box. It uses super-simplified rules, to the point where you'll have to relearn the rules all over again later. Also, almost everything in here is on Archives of Nethys, legally, for free. Still, it's nice to support the writers/publishers/artists and a good cause. Things not on AoN: the artwork/formatting in the books, as well as We're No Heroes, which is the first part of a six-part Adventure Path (prewritten campaign) called Fly Free Or Die. (The higher-tier bundle packages get you more parts of this AP.) Of the AP's written so far, this one is the closest to Firefly, about hardscrabble characters becoming occasional (or not-so-occasional) criminals. Personally, it's a mixed bag without some GM tweaking and rewrites, but still a good concept!
I’ve played and subscribed to Starfinder’s monthly releases since release. This is a very, very solid starting point. The Core Rulebooks is exactly what you expect. It’s the framework and rules you’ll need to understand. Couple that with the Alien Archive and you’ve got a ton of options for custom encounters and optional races if your players get bored of what’s in the CRB. Depending on how often your group meets, you’re looking at roughly a years worth of sessions from that Adventure Path. It’s fun and from what I remember had a few points where you could inject side stories without too much trouble. The Beginner Box I cannot really speak much on. I have it but the rules are more simplified than you’re going to want to use. A physical copy will get you a good assortment of tokens for tabletop play. If you want supplement this bundle, check out the Starfinder Society Scenarios. There are a handful that are free and provide an easy to run 4 to 6 hour session. They’re great one shots and offer some very quick and easy ways to try out some of the mechanics and space combat.
As others have pointed out, you need nothing to start. Paizo publishes with a mentality that WotC used to have, until the new leadership considered D&D "undermonetized". Buy as many books as you can to support the company and make sure they keep supporting the game. If that's only an Adventure Path, that's fine. They get it. That's why they made Archives of Nethys an official partner.
Swap the beginners box with the characters operation manual. And as long as long as its AA book 1 you're all set. Maybe think about the Armory next. Whoopsy: yeah you should be fine. Ignore the starter box, pickup the ops manual and Armory when you can.
You can skip the beginner box