Even though it's the counterpart to Pathfinder, Starfinder has enough differences in rules and setting to be its own style of tabletop game. It can be tricky to learn everything when venturing into a new TTRPG, but that's where premade adventures come in. Designed to give Game Masters a leg up, these are handy for getting a grasp on any game, and Starfinder has some great ones for newcomers.
For those thinking about getting into Starfinder, the Beginner Box is a possible way to go. It contains a short adventure called "Steel Talon’s Lair" that does a good job of introducing newcomers with simplified versions of the rules. However, to get right into the game and experience everything it has to offer, there are some great premade adventures to get started with.
Into the Unknown Introduces Multiple Elements of the Starfinder Universe
Into the Unknown is a short Starfinder Society Quest pack rather than a long campaign, but it's fun and does a good job of introducing everyone to the mechanics. It contains five short adventures that start in a main area, gets characters to explore part of the world, introduces combat, and contains starships. Learning the mechanics of a starship sounds daunting, but since the ship comes pre-built with Into the Unknown, it skips right to the core gameplay elements like combat and navigation.
The pack has a little bit of everything and takes place in the Starfinder setting, so the GM can get an idea of the world for future adventures. All five quests are connected, making it a nice mini-adventure to get started with. The best part is that Into the Unknown is available for free on Paizo's website, so players can't go wrong.
Against the Aeon Throne Has Plenty to Offer
If players are looking for something a bit longer or have finished Into the Unknown and are looking for their next beginner adventure, Against the Aeon Throne is a worthwhile pick. It spans three books and contains quite a bit of combat against an empire with plenty of intrigue to round it out. It has the feel of a traditional RPG stage but is set in the Starfinder universe.
This one requires players to create their own starship unlike the previous one, but overall, it does a good job of introducing a lot of mechanics and gameplay as a full-fledged adventure. It offers players a good amount of freedom, which is nice for them but may present some challenges for a new GM to balance. Since there are three books for the full story, this one does cost some money.
Dead Suns Is More of a Mixed Bag
Dead Suns was the first Adventure Path to be released for the game and has some pros and cons as a beginner adventure. It does a good job of introducing everyone to the Starfinder universe as a setting and role-playing game. It has everything that players will encounter at most levels in a standard game and even includes more uncommon areas and themes. It takes players to a bunch of different locations and has a great mystery story involving alien tech, requiring the party to confront cults and other organizations along the way.
However, the combat and encounters in Dead Suns haven't aged well. As the first Adventure Path, it has some optimization problems and can be difficult or need adjusting for new groups, particularly if the group is small. Dead Suns is also a long adventure spanning six books, making it more of an investment in time and money.
Skitter Shot is a Fun and Straightforward Starfinder Adventure
This is another short, free adventure released for Free RPG Day on Paizo's site. Skitter Shot doesn't have as much freedom as other adventures and makes use of specific premade characters, but its simple and light story makes it quick, fun, and easy. It works as an introductory adventure for Starfinder's mechanics and that of a tabletop RPG in general.
Skitter Shot follows four Skittermander characters stopping an AI on a cruise ship while encountering comical enemies related to the theme. It works for a brand-new group who may find the idea of tabletop-RPGs daunting but wants to give it a try, as it's not too serious or grand.
Crash Down Offers a Well-Rounded Gaming Experience
Crash Down is the first in the third series of Starfinder Society Scenarios, and it starts off at low-level. In general, the scenarios are inexpensive and provide small adventures that are separate or can be combined. This provides elements encountered in bigger adventures later, which gives a new group a good look at what Starfinder is all about in terms of gameplay. Crash Down also allow players to explore an unusual setting on an alien world, making it a unique experience.