Starfinder Guide: How to Play an Envoy
As the natural leader of the team, the Starfinder Envoy knows how to talk to people, get info, and tell their team exactly what to do.
The Starfinder Envoy is the natural leader of the party. They are likely to be a character with a lot of charm, a quick wit, street smarts, and a lot of influence. They get others to do what they want—either by coercion or inspiration. The Envoy may be a con artist, diplomat, performer, military officer, a mixture, none of them above, or whatever else the situation demands.
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The Starfinder Envoy Basics
The Starfinder Envoy is a class for characters who can talk their way into and then back out of trouble, inspire others, and take on the role of a leader. As a result, they are a Charisma-heavy class and take a boost to the attribute at character creation. Additionally, they start with expert-level training in their Will and Reflex saving throws.
Finally, they start out with training in Fortitude, Perception, Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Unarmed Attacks, Light Armor, and Unarmored Defense. They will also take training in their choice of Deception, Diplomacy, or Intimidation, one additional skill determined by their leadership style, and a number of additional skills equal to their Intelligence Modifier plus six.
In combat, the Envoys act as their party’s leader. They have the ability to give their allies benefits and bolster their attacks. And their quick thinking and cunning can help get their team out of danger when the odds seem otherwise stacked against them.
In non-combat scenarios, a Starfinder Enjoy is likely to be the face of their team. Their quick thinking and reputation may help smooth their way into places, out of bad situations, or even just give the team an air of respectability and gravitas. They motivate their team, overcome obstacles, and are always looking for a way to better their reputation.
Directives
Starfinder Envoys use directives to encourage their allies. Directives are orders that Envoys can give to their allies that in turn benefit any allies who follow them. These orders have auditory or visual traits, and allow the Envoy to lead by example for an increased effect.
Envoys start with one directive, but can learn more over time. “Get ’em!” is their starter directive. It allows them to single out an enemy to focus on and gives a status bonus against that target. But additional directives can be earned with feats, and with the Envoy’s chosen leadership style.
Leadership Style
Every Starfinder Envoy has a different leadership style. Some may come by it naturally, while others may have trained extensively to hone their leadership skills. But each has qualities that makes them especially good at taking control of a situation. These skills are represented with the character’s chosen Leadership Style which is chosen at character creation.
From the Front: Envoys with the ‘From the Front’ leadership style prefer to lead their allies from alongside them on the frontlines. They take training in Medium Armor as well as ways to get proficiencies in other armor skills, the skill Athletics, and the directive ‘Into Position!’
From the Shadows: This leadership style is for Envoys who prefer to lead from behind and support their team from a safe distance. They gain Assurance as a bonus feat, the skill Stealth, and the directive ‘Coordinated Ambush!’
Guns Blazing: Envoys who use this leadership style like to make an impressive display of their firepower. They gain Incredible Initiative as a bonus feat, the skill Acrobatics, and the directive ‘Ready Arms!’
Into the Spotlight: This leadership style is for Envoys who use charm and cunning to influence others. It provides access to the Impressive Performance feat, the skill Performance, and the directive ‘Dance Partner!’
Infosphere Director: An Envoy with this leadership skill is always in control of the flow of information. They gain the Digital Diversion feat, the skill Computers, and the directive ‘Digital Assessment!’
Through Desperate Times: This leadership skill is for Envoys who fell into power during difficult times or stepped up when their team needed someone. They gain the Battle Medicine feat, the skill Medicine, and the directive ‘Keep On Keeping On!’
Multiclassing a Starfinder Envoy
For a character who already has a job, but also has natural leadership skills or needs to step into that leadership position, multiclassing as an Envoy may give them access to more leadership skills and than they even knew about.
Mystics can learn a whole new way to empower their friends. Soldiers may be natural commanders who will use their bonuses to a powerful effect. And Witchwarpers will maximize their party’s mobility and effectiveness while hindering their foe’s movement.
Characters who multiclass as an Envoy will gain access to the feats Envoy Dedication, Basic and Advanced Leadership, Adaptive Talent, Really Get Em!, and Leader’s Confidence.
How to Play a Starfinder Envoy
Envoy is the dream class for anyone with a lot of that type-A, eldest-child energy. Not only should people definitely listen to you, but doing so will finally have definitive benefits that everyone can see in real time. As the eternal group mom, this is a class that speaks directly to me on a deep level.
There are a few ways to approach the Envoy as a class. You could just build whatever you think will be most fun. There is almost certainly a leadership style that feels most appealing or natural to you as a player. But it may also make sense to see what kinds of characters your friends are making—or what they usually make—and trying to tailor your leadership style around them. Firepower or information gathering might not be the best fit for your specific band of misfits.
Happy adventuring!
