SF2E Tech Class Playtest Adaptation

Source: PZO22006_TechClass_Playtest.pdf (Paizo Inc., 2025) Status: PLAYTEST - Subject to change before final release Module Source Tag: playtest

This document adapts the Starfinder 2E Tech Class Playtest content for the pf2e-starships module. The playtest introduces two new classes—the Mechanic and the Technomancer—along with robot companions, customizations, magic hacks, and new equipment.

Table of Contents

1. Mechanic Class
   • Class Features
   • Exocortex Options
   • Mechanic Feats
2. Robot Companions
   • Drone Chassis Types
   • Customizations
3. Technomancer Class
   • Class Features
   • Programming Languages
   • Magic Hacks
   • Technomancer Feats
4. Equipment
   • Electromag Grenades

Mechanic Class

When it comes to tech, your understanding is unmatched. You're constantly crafting and modifying gear, whether that's computers, explosives, tools, weapons, or items of your own design. You've constructed a sophisticated exocortex, a custom neural implant linking your own mind to your most complex creation: a robot companion, a weapon turret, or remote mines.

Key Statistics

Mechanic Class Features

Custom Rig

You begin with a specialized toolkit called a custom rig. Your custom rig weighs 1 Bulk and counts as both a commercial repair toolkit plus any one of the following: a commercial hacking toolkit, infiltrator's toolkit, or maker's toolkit. You can use your custom rig with one hand if wearing it or two hands if holding it.

You can integrate purchased toolkits (or higher-grade versions) into your custom rig by spending 10 minutes. Your custom rig and integrated toolkits can't be sold or used by another creature.

Modify Action

MODIFY ◆

• Traits: Manipulate, Mechanic
• Requirements: You are holding or wearing your custom rig.

Using your custom rig, you quickly customize a piece of gear. Interact to draw, retrieve, or swap an item, then add one mod to the item. The item remains modded until the start of your next turn, ending early if you Modify again or if the item is destroyed or leaves your possession.

Base Mods:

Exocortex Options

At 1st level, you choose your exocortex type:

Drone Exocortex

Your exocortex connects to a basic robot companion called a drone. Your drone begins with one integrated weapon mount. You control it with your thoughts at up to 150 feet range.

• Spend 2 actions to Command for 3 actions (instead of 1 action for 2)
• Can Modify drone and its weapons when within reach
• Drone counts as armor for Modify purposes

Drone-Specific Mods:

Mine Exocortex

Your exocortex manages a network of mines. Create 2 + Int mod mines during daily preparations.

DEPLOY MINE ◆ to ◆◆

• Traits: Manipulate, Mechanic
• Cost: 1 mine

Deploy a mine in an adjacent square (1 action) or occupied square within 30 feet (2 actions). Select fire or piercing damage.

DETONATE MINE ◆ or ⟳

• Traits: Concentrate, Mechanic
• Requirements: Mine within 100 feet

Detonate mine in 10-foot burst dealing 2d6 fire or piercing damage (basic Reflex). Increases by 1d6 at 3rd level and every 2 levels thereafter.

Mine-Specific Mods:

Turret Exocortex

Your exocortex connects to a deployable turret stored in your custom rig.

• Occupies 5-foot square, provides lesser cover
• Fire remotely within 100 feet using your attack modifier
• Has its own targeting sensors including darkvision
• Commercial martial ranged weapon with 2 upgrade slots
• Level = your level, AC = class DC, Hardness = half level (rounded up)
• HP = 6 + (2 + Int mod) per level
• Hardness increases: 10 at 5th, 15 at 10th, 20 at 15th

DEPLOY TURRET ◆

• Traits: Manipulate, Mechanic

Deploy turret into unoccupied square within 30 feet, or collect from adjacent square.

Turret Arrays:

Turret-Specific Mods:

Mechanic Advancement

Level-Based Class Features

Mobile Exocortex (3rd)

• Drone: Gain Synchronized Step action (you and drone each Stride once)
• Mine/Turret: Gain Reposition Exocortex action (mine/turret Strides up to 30 ft)

Will Expertise (3rd)

Will saves proficiency increases to expert.

Damage Customizations (5th)

New mods available:

• Energy Versatility: Change energy damage type to acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic
• Physical Versatility: Change physical damage type to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing

Mechanic Weapon Expertise (5th)

Simple/martial weapons and unarmed attacks increase to expert. Gain critical specialization effects.

Mechanic's Reflexes (7th)

Reflex saves increase to master. Success becomes critical success.

Weapon Specialization (7th)

+2 damage with expert weapons, +3 master, +4 legendary.

Mechanical Expertise (9th)

Mechanic class DC increases to expert.

Remote Mods (9th)

Range to Modify exocortex increases by 30 feet.

Medium Armor Expertise (11th)

Light/medium armor and unarmored defense increase to expert.

Perception Mastery (11th)

Perception increases to master.

Enduring Mods (13th)

Pick one mod during daily preparations that doesn't count against limit (lasts 24 hours).

Impressive Endurance (13th)

Fortitude saves increase to master. Success becomes critical success.

Mechanic Weapon Mastery (13th)

Simple/martial weapons and unarmed attacks increase to master.

Manifold Mods (15th)

When you Modify, select two mods instead of one.

Greater Weapon Specialization (15th)

+4 damage with expert, +6 master, +8 legendary.

Critical Eye (17th)

Perception increases to legendary.

Mechanical Mastery (17th)

Mechanic class DC increases to master.

Instant Mods (19th)

Modify as a free action instead of a single action.

Medium Armor Mastery (19th)

Light/medium armor and unarmored defense increase to master.

Mechanic Feats

1st Level

2nd Level

4th Level

6th Level

8th Level

10th Level

12th Level

14th Level

16th Level

18th Level

20th Level

Robot Companions

Robot companions follow animal companion rules with modifications:

• Gains construct, robot, and tech traits; loses animal trait
• Immune to: bleed, death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, mental, nonlethal, paralyzed, poison, sickened, spirit, vitality, void
• Weakness to electricity = half level (rounded up)
• Size increases from advancement are optional
• Begins with one commercial customization
• Destroyed drone can be replaced with 1 week downtime (mechanics: daily preparations)

Drone Chassis Types

Agile Chassis

• Size: Small or Medium
• Melee: integrated blade (agile, finesse, versatile P), 1d6 slashing
• Stats: Str +1, Dex +3, Con +2, Int –4, Wis +2, Cha –1
• HP: 6 | Skill: Acrobatics | Senses: low-light vision
• Speed: 40 ft, climb 20 ft
• Support Benefit: Launch item/weapon 20 ft; you Interact to catch
• Advanced Maneuver: Surgical Strike (2 actions: Stride + blade Strike, +1d6 precision if undetected, +2d6 at tactical/advanced)

Imitator Chassis

• Size: Varies (matches chosen ancestry)
• Melee: fist (agile, finesse), 1d4 bludgeoning
• Stats: Str +2, Dex +2, Con +2, Int –4, Wis +2, Cha +1
• HP: 4 | Skill: Deception | Senses: low-light vision
• Speed: Matches chosen ancestry
• Special: +2 circumstance to Deception DC to Impersonate chosen ancestry
• Support Benefit: Target within first range increment becomes off-guard to your Strikes until next turn
• Advanced Maneuver: Disturbing Display (1 action: Demoralize using Deception, visual not linguistic; target off-guard while frightened)

Powerful Chassis

• Size: Medium or Large
• Melee: hydraulic fist, 1d8 bludgeoning
• Melee: serrated blade, 1d8 slashing
• Stats: Str +3, Dex +1, Con +2, Int –4, Wis +2, Cha –1
• HP: 8 | Skill: Athletics | Senses: low-light vision
• Speed: 30 ft
• Support Benefit: Your Strikes that damage threatened creatures deal 1d6 persistent bleed (2d6 at commercial/advanced)
• Advanced Maneuver: Hydraulic Flipper (2 actions: melee Strike, auto-prone on hit)

Surveillance Chassis

• Size: Small
• Ranged: spark (range 30 ft), 1d4 electricity
• Stats: Str +0, Dex +3, Con +1, Int –4, Wis +3, Cha +0
• HP: 4 | Skill: Stealth | Senses: darkvision
• Speed: 25 ft, fly 20 ft
• Support Benefit: Adjacent creatures can't flank you or make you off-guard until end of next turn
• Advanced Maneuver: Blinding Spotlight (2 actions, Light: target within 60 ft dazzled until end of next turn or Averts Gaze; Points Out if undetected)

Tank Chassis

• Size: Medium or Large
• Melee: battering ram (shove), 1d6 bludgeoning
• Stats: Str +2, Dex +1, Con +3, Int –4, Wis +2, Cha –1
• HP: 10 | Skill: Athletics | Senses: low-light vision
• Speed: 20 ft
• Support Benefit: +1 circumstance to next attack roll against foe in reach
• Advanced Maneuver: Ram Slam (2 actions: Stride straight line + battering ram Strike, push 10 ft if moved 20+ ft and hit)

Customizations

Commercial Customizations

Tactical Customizations (Mature+)

Advanced Customizations (Burly/Graceful+)

Superior Customizations (Specialized+)

Technomancer Class

You know that magic and technology are all part of the same code—a code you've learned to hack. You're versed in a magical programming language that allows you to overclock your equipment into higher performance and versatility. You've learned to jailbreak your spells, pushing your magic past the limits.

Key Statistics

Technomancer Class Features

Technomancer Spellcasting

Arcane prepared spellcaster. At 1st level: 2 first-rank spells + 5 cantrips prepared daily.

Spell Database: Contains 10 arcane cantrips + 5 first-rank arcane spells + 1 first-rank spell from programming language. Add 2 spells per level + 1 spell from programming language when gaining new spell ranks.

Programming Language

Choose a programming language that determines:

• Bonus spellshape feat at 1st level
• Initial magic hack (focus spell)
• Spell cache spells
• Overclock boost
• Jailbreak spellshape bonus

Spell Cache

Programming language grants bonus spells automatically added to spell database and cache. Can Download Spell to replace prepared spell with cached spell.

DOWNLOAD SPELL ⟡

• Traits: Concentrate, Technomancer
• Frequency: Once every 10 minutes

Overwrite one prepared non-cantrip spell with a spell from your spell cache of the same rank or lower.

Magic Hacks (Focus Spells)

Start with 1 Focus Point and initial magic hack from programming language. Refocus by scrolling spell database or arcane research.

Overclock Gear

OVERCLOCK GEAR ◆

• Traits: Concentrate, Technomancer
• Requirements: Most recent action was to cast a non-cantrip spell.

One item you hold, wield, or wear (or tech minion you command) becomes overclocked for 1 minute. Only one overclocked item at a time. Gain programming language's overclock boost while item is overclocked.

Jailbreak Spell (3rd Level)

JAILBREAK SPELL ⟡

• Traits: Concentrate, Spellshape, Technomancer
• Requirements: Your gear is overclocked.

Apply a technomancer spellshape to next spell without extra action. Can apply jailbroken benefits. Gear is no longer overclocked after casting.

Technomancer Spells Per Day

*Administrator privileges grants 10th-rank slot.

Programming Languages

DPS++

Premier programming language for weapons. Responsible for universal weapon upgrade compatibility.

Spell Cache:

• 1st: supercharge weapon
• 2nd: caustic conversion
• 3rd: electrotether
• 4th: hydraulic torrent
• 5th: impaling spike
• 6th: disintegrate
• 7th: true target
• 8th: arctic rift
• 9th: implosion

Magic Hacks: thermoelectric phase change (initial), virtualized data transmission (advanced), overclock brain (greater)

Spellshape: Signal Boost

Overclock Boost (weapon): Reduce cover bonus to AC by half spell rank (min 1). Reduce range penalties by 1. Circumstance bonus to weapon damage = spell rank. If spell dealt damage, bonus damage uses spell's damage type.

Jailbreak Spellshape: When using Signal Boost on damaging spell, +item bonus to damage = base weapon die to one target. No other modifiers apply.

FORTRUN

AbadarCorp standard for heat sinks and armor. Simple, elegant code designed to minimize life-threatening errors.

Spell Cache:

• 1st: protection
• 2nd: resist energy
• 3rd: haste
• 4th: unfettered movement
• 5th: scouting eye
• 6th: repulsion
• 7th: energy aegis
• 8th: gravity field
• 9th: foresight

Magic Hacks: energy sink (initial), active defense firewall (advanced), overclock armor (greater)

Spellshape: Denial of Safety

Overclock Boost (armor): +1 circumstance bonus to AC until start of next turn. Hostile creatures touching or damaging you with unarmed/non-reach melee weapon take force damage = spell rank (or spell's damage type if applicable).

Jailbreak Spellshape: When using Denial of Safety on damaging spell, move 1 square/spell rank before spell takes effect (forced movement, no reactions).

ServoShell

Originally developed by university student for coffee-serving minibot. Maximizes compatibility between different software systems.

Spell Cache:

• 1st: summon robot
• 2nd: illusory creature
• 3rd: discharge
• 4th: speak with computers
• 5th: control machine
• 6th: dominate
• 7th: wall of steel
• 8th: phantasmal fleet
• 9th: telekinetic tantrum

Magic Hacks: signal relay (initial), spell transfer protocol (advanced), overclock minion (greater)

Spellshape: Incognito Spell

Overclock Boost (minion): When you Command overclocked minion, also Sustain a spell as free action.

Jailbreak Spellshape: When using Incognito Spell, spell manifests from minion's space instead. If touch range, minion can deliver. If Demoralizing, choose creature in range of minion.

Viper

Originally developed by Aspis Consortium engineers for hybrid items. Implemented as high-level, general purpose programming language.

Spell Cache:

• 1st: delete
• 2nd: translate
• 3rd: locate
• 4th: creation
• 5th: truespeech
• 6th: truesight
• 7th: contingency
• 8th: pinpoint
• 9th: foresight

Magic Hacks: dynamic frequency scaling (initial), log spell execution (advanced), overclock lattice (greater)

Spellshape: Spell Circuit

Overclock Boost (spell gem or spell chip): Cast spell from other tradition items as arcane spells using your spell DC and attack rolls.

Jailbreak Spellshape: When using Spell Circuit from spell gem, draw item as free action and treat as electromag grenade (level ≤ spell gem level) until end of next turn. If spell dealt damage, grenade uses that damage type.

Magic Hacks

DPS++ Magic Hacks

Thermoelectric Phase Change ◆ (Focus 1)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer

If next action is to Cast a Spell with elemental trait and one damage type (no duration), replace trait and damage: air (elec/sonic), earth (B/P), metal (acid/slashing), fire (fire), water (cold), wood (poison).

Jailbreak: Critical failure or critical hit causes 1d6 persistent damage of chosen type.

Virtualized Data Transmission ◆ (Focus 3)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer, Teleportation
• Requirements: Wielding tech ranged weapon.

If next action is to Cast a Spell with range and area, teleport to open space within spell's area (before or after effect).

Jailbreak: If single-target spell, teleport to any open space within range.

Overclock Brain ◆ (Focus 5)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Technomancer
• Duration: 1 minute

Gain quickened condition. Extra action each round to Strike.

FORTRUN Magic Hacks

Energy Sink ◆ (Focus 1)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer

If next action is to Cast a Spell dealing energy damage, gain resistance = 2× spell rank to chosen energy type for 1 minute.

Jailbreak: Gain resistance to all energy damage = 2× spell rank.

Active Defense Firewall ◆ (Focus 3)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer
• Duration: Until next daily preparations

If next action is to Cast a hostile single-target Spell, store in armor instead. When touched/damaged by unarmed/non-reach melee weapon, cast as reaction targeting triggering creature (off-guard). Can Dismiss to recover spell slot (not spell).

Overclock Armor ◆ (Focus 5)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Technomancer
• Duration: 1 minute

Create shimmering energy functioning as superior force field. Then immune to overclock armor for 10 minutes.

Heightened (7th): Elite force field. Heightened (9th): Ultimate force field.

ServoShell Magic Hacks

Signal Relay ◆ (Focus 1)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer
• Requirements: Line of effect to controlled tech minion.

If next action is to Cast a self-only Spell, affects minion instead.

Jailbreak: With harmless spell, affects minion in addition to original target.

Hardlight Simulacrum ⟡ (Focus 3)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer

If next action is to Cast summon Spell, summon hardlight simulacrum instead. Gains construct and tech traits, resistance = level to physical (except ghost killer), construct immunities; loses abilities/spells with those traits.

Jailbreak: Overclock Gear summoned creature as free action immediately.

Overclock Minion ◆ (Focus 5)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Technomancer
• Range: 120 feet
• Target: 1 controlled minion
• Duration: 1 minute

Target gains quickened. Extra action each round for Stride or Strike only.

Viper Magic Hacks

Dynamic Frequency Scaling ◆ (Focus 1)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer

If next action is to Cast Spell from spell gem, gem becomes temporary item lasting until used again or daily preparations. If used from already-used gem today, it is destroyed.

Jailbreak: Gem only becomes broken on critical failure.

Log Spell Execution ◆ (Focus 3)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer

If next action is to Cast Spell from spell chip/gem, add to spell cache until Download Spell or next log spell execution. Only arcane list spells.

Jailbreak: Can log any tradition spell as arcane (requires Overclock Gear viper effect or Trick Magic Item success).

Overclock Lattice ◆ (Focus 5)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Focus, Spellshape, Technomancer
• Duration: 1 minute

When casting from spell chip/gem, heighten up to 2 ranks lower than highest slot.

Jailbreak: Heighten up to same rank as overclocking spell.

Other Magic Hacks

Liminal Hyperlink ◆◆ (Focus 5)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Manipulate, Technomancer, Teleportation
• Range: 100 feet
• Duration: 1 round (Sustained up to 1 minute)

Create two hyperlinks in unoccupied squares ≥15 feet apart. Creatures entering one emerge adjacent to the other.

Speedrun ◆ (Focus 9)

• Traits: Uncommon, Concentrate, Technomancer
• Duration: 1 round

Gain resistance 10 to all damage (except force), cosmic and incorporeal traits. Phase through walls, move through air. Can extend 1 round by ending overclock.

Technomancer Feats

1st Level

2nd Level

4th Level

6th Level

8th Level

10th Level

12th Level

14th Level

16th Level

18th Level

20th Level

Equipment

Electromag Grenades

Electromag Grenade (Item 0+)

• Traits: Consumable, Electricity, Grenade, Tech
• Usage: held in 1 hand
• Bulk: L
• Activate: ◆ Area Fire

These grenades discharge a shocking field that deals electricity damage with a basic Reflex save. Tech creatures and unattended tech items that critically fail become glitching.

Key Terms

Flourish

Actions with this trait require too much exertion to perform frequently. You can only use 1 action with the flourish trait per turn.

Mod

Actions with this trait are special customizations that change how items work. You use the Modify action to apply mods. This action has the manipulate trait.

Overclock Gear

Overclocked Gear benefits from a special bonus based on your programming language.

Jailbreak

You can apply the additional jailbreak effects of the spellshape feat chosen when you use Jailbreak Spell. This is always optional and might not apply to every spell compatible with that spellshape.

Spellshape

Actions with the spellshape trait tweak your spell properties. You must use a spellshape action directly before Casting the Spell you want to alter. If you use any action other than Cast a Spell directly after, you waste the benefits.

Hover

Some creatures have a land Speed that represents hovering within 5 feet of a solid surface. Hovering creatures don't count as flying but might avoid certain terrain at GM discretion.

Untethered

You're in zero gravity without movement means. Can't take move actions unless they work in your environment. At turn end, move 5 feet in last direction moved. Use Push Off action to change direction.

Push Off ◆ (Move)

• Requirements: One hand/leg free, untethered.

Use object/creature of same size or larger as leverage. Float up to half Speed in chosen direction. Can Push Off as free action after successful melee Strike or Shove.

Gravity Types

High Gravity

• Bulk doubled, carry half as much
• Move at half Speed, jump half as high/far
• Physical ranged attacks impossible beyond 3rd range increment
• Fall damage = distance fallen

Low Gravity

• Bulk halved, carry twice as much
• Jump twice as high/far
• Physical ranged attacks possible up to 12th range increment
• No damage for first 10 ft of fall, then 1/4 remaining distance

Normal Gravity

Standard Earthlike gravity conditions.

Zero Gravity

Creatures float unless they can propel themselves. Creatures without movement are untethered.

Implementation Notes

Module Source Tag

All items from this playtest should use the playtest source tag to distinguish from final SF2E release content.

Website Categories

• Feats: mechanic class feats, technomancer class feats
• Class Features: mechanic features, technomancer features, magic hacks
• Equipment: electromag grenades
• Companions: drone chassis, customizations

Compendium Packs

• playtest-feats - All mechanic and technomancer feats
• playtest-class-features - Class features and magic hacks
• playtest-equipment - Electromag grenades and related items

Source: Starfinder Tech Class Playtest © 2025 Paizo Inc.Authors: Jessica Catalan, Jenny Jarzabski, Mike Kimmel, Dustin Knight