PF2E ↔ SF2E COMPATIBILITY QUICK REFERENCE
Source: SF2E GM Core Chapter 5: Anachronistic Adventures
Last Updated: 2026-01-17
"The rules for Starfinder and Pathfinder are fully compatible." - with adjustments.
| PF2E Skill | SF2E Substitute |
|---|
| Driving Lore | Piloting |
| Sailing Lore | Piloting |
| (none) | Computers |
| SF2E Skill | PF2E Substitute |
|---|
| Computers | Crafting, Thievery, Mathematics Lore |
| Piloting | Driving Lore, Sailing Lore, Survival |
| PF2E Item | SF2E Equivalent |
|---|
| Scrolls | Spell gems |
| Potions | Serums |
| Alchemical bombs | Grenades |
| Elixirs | Serums |
| Poisons | Biotech toxins |
| PF2E Item | Solution |
|---|
| Wands | Use spell chips |
| Runes | Use equipment grades/upgrades |
| Talismans | Exclude or convert to tech consumables |
- PF2E equipment receives archaic trait
- Tech Conversion: 1 week + 50% base cost to install upgrade-compatible technology
- Archaic ammunition remains available (crossbow bolts, arrows, flintlock, blowgun darts)
- Broken Threshold: 75% max HP (instead of 50%)
- Armor Weakness vs Non-Archaic: Light 6 / Medium 4 / Heavy 2
- Weapon Damage: One die size reduction vs non-archaic armor (min 1d4)
| Class | Solution |
|---|
| Alchemist | Use grenades from tech-items |
| Inventor | Use experimental tech armor |
| Class | Solution |
|---|
| Operative | Allow Aim with all ranged weapons |
| Soldier | Scavenged alien weapons, Whirling Swipe, or modified Suppressed condition |
| Envoy | Verify vehicle/computer availability |
Avoid mixing: Bard/Mystic, Rogue/Operative, Commander/Envoy (overlapping abilities).
| Feat Type | Alternative |
|---|
| Rune-dependent | Use upgrade-related feats |
| Scroll feats | Use spell gem feats |
| Wand feats | Use spell chip feats |
| Specific alchemy | Use tech item crafting feats |
| Feat Type | Alternative |
|---|
| Augmented Body | Remove or require narrative source |
| Tech skill feats | Use Crafting/Thievery feats |
| Comm unit/infosphere feats | Exclude or provide magical alternatives |
| Piloting feats | Ensure vehicle availability |
Rune-modifying spells, equipment enchantment spells.
| Type | Alternative |
|---|
| Tech-dependent (Motivating Ringtone) | Require magical item bridges |
| Robot references | Use construct equivalents |
| Virtual reality spells | Use illusion/dreams/mindscape |
Note: Utility spells (darkvision, flight) less valuable in SF2E due to cheap tech alternatives.
- PF2E ancestries exist on Absalom Station post-Gap
- SF2E ancestry feats activate earlier; consider empowering PF2E ancestries
- Introduce via interdimensional transport, ancient civilization returns, or cultural integration
- Restrict darkvision/flight to higher feat levels
All item prices use PF2E gold pieces (gp). In the Pact Worlds, "credits" is the in-world flavor name (10 credits = 1 gp).
| PF2E | SF2E Flavor |
|---|
| 1 gold piece | 10 credits |
| 1 silver piece | 1 credit |
| 1 copper piece | 0.1 credits |
- Cross-system content is uncommon by default
- Ancestry/class/deity-specific items are rare
SF2E crafting is faster: creator capsules (hours vs days), Fabricator feat, Maker's app, Serum Crafting.
Standard PF2E crafting rules. Tech requires narrative source: Numeria, Jistka Imperium, Alkenstar, alchemical/magical equivalents.
- Damage Types: SF2E parties have broader damage variety; fire weakness common vs lasers/explosives
- Space Encounters: Creatures need environmental protections or cosmic trait
- Equipment: Apply analog/tech traits to weapons; provide comm units to intelligent NPCs
- Movement: Address flying PCs with grafted wings, jetpacks, climb speeds, environmental features
- Ranged Attacks: Add ranged options or gap-closing abilities (Improved Grab, environmental hazards)
- Rune/rune-dependent? → Use equipment grades/upgrades
- Scroll/potion? → Use spell gem/serum
- Wand/talisman? → Use spell chip or exclude
- Class feature? → Check multiclass stacking
- Feat? → Check for rune/scroll/wand/alchemy references
- Spell? → Check for rune/enchantment dependencies
- Equipment? → Apply archaic trait (optional tech conversion: 1 week + 50% cost)
- Everything else → Usually works
- Requires Computers/Piloting? → Substitute skills
- Requires tech? → Find narrative source
- Class? → Check class-specific adjustments
- Feat? → Check tech/comm unit/infosphere dependencies
- Spell? → Check tech/robot/VR dependencies
- Ancestry? → Restrict darkvision/flight to higher levels
- Everything else → Usually works
Distilled from SF2E GM Core Chapter 5: Anachronistic Adventures.
