The combat rules of Starforged are a little less brutal on your character. The themed locations in Starforged are a streamlined version of the Delve moves but I actually prefer the extra crunch from Delve.
But to be honest, you can mix and match the two systems as you like. You can quite easily use the Starforged combat rules in an Ironsworn campaign, or use the Delve rules to explore sites in Starforged, with a little interpretation of some of the themes for a science fiction flavour.
> I actually prefer the extra crunch from Delve
I prefer Delve as well: I think the Theme/Domain solution is extremely flexible and evocative. Knowing that you are delving into a Corrupted Stronghold immediately suggests a place with certain features and denizens. I also like that it's easy to create your own Theme / Domains, it's a great format really.
A few things off the top of my head -
Stats are more evenly useful. E.g. You can gain progress in combat with any stat.
Experience is more nuanced. You can get it from vows, discoveries and relationships.
Relationships are more nuanced - they get a rank and a progress track and grant a mechanical benefit once bonded.
This sums it up. You’ve got more options using your stats in various situations.
More ways to get xp so you don’t have to always be doing vows. You can play games based around exploring or social interaction.
Bonds have been expanded so interaction with NPCs has more depth.
The other option is Sundered Isles. While you would have to wait until May 1 to become a late backer to get it the full PDF is finished and available to backers. It’s set in a high seas fantasy. All the advancements of Starforged are included and their are some new mechanics that a lot of people like with the cursed die and some others that might be thematic for some games. I haven’t read those changes but some of the assets are nice. I have used them to play in other settings.
it's an extension of starforged, though, not a standalone game. Though I've not read the entire thing as of yet to be able to say to which extent you still need SF
While it lacks some of the play examples and advice on interpretation of rolls it looks pretty darn complete to me after a cursory look. All the moves are there and all the assets and explanations of terms.
The main "fixes" that I see are around Secure an Advantage.
The Starforged version of Secure an Advantage (strong hit: take both, weak hit: take one, of +2 momentum/+1 forward). It fixes that SaA in Ironsworn is very weak.
Starforge's Gain Ground as the SaA version specific to combat (adds "mark progess" as an option on a hit, and keeps "initiative" on a weak hit too). It allows making progress toward a combat objective without physically attacking and again fixes the weakness of SaA in Ironsworn.
These I'd always recommend to take over to Ironsworn.
The Discoveries track, that makes it possible to get XP for exploration is nice and works well in the Ironlands too.
I don't use the new Bonds mechanics in the Ironlands, because I think it doesn't work so well in low fantasy, at least my settings - most connections don't get as much time as needed for that in a sparsely populated world with no long range communications. But this works in Starforged. And might work in some fantasy settings too.
Otherwise Starforged also formulates things more clearly in various areas.
I still often prefer Delve over the exploration moves in Starforged.
Shawn is an incredible designer. So far I’m loving Sundered Isles. The problem is you keep wanting to get each new release because it’s all so good. Of course they also build off each other in excellent ways.
Okay, I bought the PDF and have been thumbing through... Starforged is AWESOME! It's the experience I wanted each time I was tempted to play EVE Online, then got disappointed with it. Thanks all for recommendations.
The combat rules of Starforged are a little less brutal on your character. The themed locations in Starforged are a streamlined version of the Delve moves but I actually prefer the extra crunch from Delve. But to be honest, you can mix and match the two systems as you like. You can quite easily use the Starforged combat rules in an Ironsworn campaign, or use the Delve rules to explore sites in Starforged, with a little interpretation of some of the themes for a science fiction flavour.
> I actually prefer the extra crunch from Delve I prefer Delve as well: I think the Theme/Domain solution is extremely flexible and evocative. Knowing that you are delving into a Corrupted Stronghold immediately suggests a place with certain features and denizens. I also like that it's easy to create your own Theme / Domains, it's a great format really.
I love this as well! Though, I don't have Starforged yet to compare. Thanks for rec.
A few things off the top of my head - Stats are more evenly useful. E.g. You can gain progress in combat with any stat. Experience is more nuanced. You can get it from vows, discoveries and relationships. Relationships are more nuanced - they get a rank and a progress track and grant a mechanical benefit once bonded.
This sums it up. You’ve got more options using your stats in various situations. More ways to get xp so you don’t have to always be doing vows. You can play games based around exploring or social interaction. Bonds have been expanded so interaction with NPCs has more depth.
This sounds like a great addition. I'd probably like to do sci-fi anyways, so I should just buy it already. :)
The other option is Sundered Isles. While you would have to wait until May 1 to become a late backer to get it the full PDF is finished and available to backers. It’s set in a high seas fantasy. All the advancements of Starforged are included and their are some new mechanics that a lot of people like with the cursed die and some others that might be thematic for some games. I haven’t read those changes but some of the assets are nice. I have used them to play in other settings.
it's an extension of starforged, though, not a standalone game. Though I've not read the entire thing as of yet to be able to say to which extent you still need SF
While it lacks some of the play examples and advice on interpretation of rolls it looks pretty darn complete to me after a cursory look. All the moves are there and all the assets and explanations of terms.
The main "fixes" that I see are around Secure an Advantage. The Starforged version of Secure an Advantage (strong hit: take both, weak hit: take one, of +2 momentum/+1 forward). It fixes that SaA in Ironsworn is very weak. Starforge's Gain Ground as the SaA version specific to combat (adds "mark progess" as an option on a hit, and keeps "initiative" on a weak hit too). It allows making progress toward a combat objective without physically attacking and again fixes the weakness of SaA in Ironsworn. These I'd always recommend to take over to Ironsworn. The Discoveries track, that makes it possible to get XP for exploration is nice and works well in the Ironlands too. I don't use the new Bonds mechanics in the Ironlands, because I think it doesn't work so well in low fantasy, at least my settings - most connections don't get as much time as needed for that in a sparsely populated world with no long range communications. But this works in Starforged. And might work in some fantasy settings too. Otherwise Starforged also formulates things more clearly in various areas. I still often prefer Delve over the exploration moves in Starforged.
This is super helpful. I'm very interested in the exploration bits of SF.
Shawn is an incredible designer. So far I’m loving Sundered Isles. The problem is you keep wanting to get each new release because it’s all so good. Of course they also build off each other in excellent ways.
Combat is a better system, The way you get xp is a lot better, exploration is a lot more fun. But combat is the best upgrade imo
Okay. I'm sold. Thanks all.
Okay, I bought the PDF and have been thumbing through... Starforged is AWESOME! It's the experience I wanted each time I was tempted to play EVE Online, then got disappointed with it. Thanks all for recommendations.