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Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Starfinder RPG Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition)

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Scaling Equipment

Overview

Source Starfinder Enhanced pg. 140
Creating new gear involves imagination and a little math. You can approach your designs from either direction. If you want, you can start with an idea (like a magitech sniper rifle that transforms its bullets into razor-sharp beetles which burrow into their target) and choose options that support that concept. You can also just choose abilities you like and use those to inform the item’s appearance and flavor. Here are a few key terms and considerations.
Item Level: An item’s level determines its basic statistics, such as the armor bonus it provides or the amount of damage it deals. Additional choices you make can modify these values. A scaling item’s level shouldn’t exceed your level (unlike purchased or found items, which might exceed your level).
Build Points and Perks: Over time, an item gains a small number of Build Points (BP) that you can use to purchase special abilities called perks. A perk might adjust the item’s basic statistics or grant a special function. Most perks cost 1 BP, though some cost 2 or more. A few perks have a different BP cost for certain item types.
Flaws: Sometimes an item is imperfect or is designed to be less effective in one way to make room for some other feature. When creating an item, you have the option to select a flaw. If you do so, the item gains one additional BP.
Price and Upgrade Cost: A scaling item’s level determines its price when purchased, as shown in the Scaling Gear Costs table. To upgrade to a higher-level version of the item, you must expend resources (usually UPBs or appropriate materials) equal to the upgrade cost of the item’s new level. If you increase an item’s level by more than 1, you must pay the upgrade cost for each level gained. For example, scaling a level 7 sword to level 10 would require paying the level 8, level 9, and level 10 scaling costs (14,750 credits total). The Upgrading Gear section (page 146) further details changes you can make to your equipment and how your character can do the work themselves to potentially defray the cost or time taken.