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It looks like I may get an extra chance to run a scenario in a couple of weeks. However, the session will only be about 3 hours long. Are there any scenarios that tend to run short?
Most of the players have only played a couple of scenarios (other than the First Steps ones) so any scenarios in seasons 0-3 are fair game.
Does anyone have any advice?
Mists of Mwangi
Mists of Mwangi** spoiler omitted **
My normal location ran 2 tables of it tonight, the "larger" table had 2 level 6s (including my Gunslinger) and a level 5...we were done in under 2 hours, I think a record for my location.
I find the ones that tend to run short are the mini-dungeon or linear chase types.
Mists of Mwangi = mini-dungeon
Tide of Morning = chase
Another fairly short (mini-dungeon) scenario (in my experience) was Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible.
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Mists of Mwangi** spoiler omitted **My normal location ran 2 tables of it tonight, the "larger" table had 2 level 6s (including my Gunslinger) and a level 5...we were done in under 2 hours, I think a record for my location.
Isn't that a Tier 1-5 scenario? Having any Level 6 PCs in it is sort of overpowering it, even at subtier 4-5, then...
Isn't that a Tier 1-5 scenario? Having any Level 6 PCs in it is sort of overpowering it, even at subtier 4-5, then...Mists of Mwangi** spoiler omitted **My normal location ran 2 tables of it tonight, the "larger" table had 2 level 6s (including my Gunslinger) and a level 5...we were done in under 2 hours, I think a record for my location.
I didn't set the table up, I just killed everything.
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I didn't set the table up, I just killed everything.Isn't that a Tier 1-5 scenario? Having any Level 6 PCs in it is sort of overpowering it, even at subtier 4-5, then...Mists of Mwangi** spoiler omitted **My normal location ran 2 tables of it tonight, the "larger" table had 2 level 6s (including my Gunslinger) and a level 5...we were done in under 2 hours, I think a record for my location.
Spoken like a true Pathfinder.
season 0 has a reputation for being undead heavy, so if you have someone who can channel energy, many of the fights drop quickly
Nope, the fact that I get three shots with a double hackbut pretty negates anything in Tier 1-5 in Season 0. As long as I didn't roll a 1-3, I hit (amazing Dex for the Win).
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Isn't that a Tier 1-5 scenario? Having any Level 6 PCs in it is sort of overpowering it, even at subtier 4-5, then...Mists of Mwangi** spoiler omitted **My normal location ran 2 tables of it tonight, the "larger" table had 2 level 6s (including my Gunslinger) and a level 5...we were done in under 2 hours, I think a record for my location.
Not only would that be overpowered, but characters aren't allowed to play out of tier. They can, in certain circumstances, play up or down one sub-tier, but not if they don't fall in the level range of the scenario.
Not only would that be overpowered, but characters aren't allowed to play out of tier. They can, in certain circumstances, play up or down one sub-tier, but not if they don't fall in the level range of the scenario.Isn't that a Tier 1-5 scenario? Having any Level 6 PCs in it is sort of overpowering it, even at subtier 4-5, then...Mists of Mwangi** spoiler omitted **My normal location ran 2 tables of it tonight, the "larger" table had 2 level 6s (including my Gunslinger) and a level 5...we were done in under 2 hours, I think a record for my location.
Seeing as in order to seat a legally sized table, we had to use the level 6s on that table. Otherwise, there would have been 4 players that were there that would not have been able to play period. So, unless you're telling me that it's OK to tell 4 players that they can't play, you have to bend that rule from time to time.
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Seeing as in order to seat a legally sized table, we had to use the level 6s on that table. Otherwise, there would have been 4 players that were there that would not have been able to play period. So, unless you're telling me that it's OK to tell 4 players that they can't play, you have to bend that rule from time to time.
I'm not trying to be a "richard" here; just trying to help out. I hate turning people away, and I've run into similar problems with our group, so I know there are options:
- You could have some or all of the players play lower level characters, even if they had to make up new level 1 characters. I always suggest that a player should make a new character once their first character reaches the 4-5 level range. It makes it much easier to join a game. Personally, I have characters at level 1, 4, 7, and 9, so I can play any tier.
- One of the level 6 characters could have played a level 4 pre-gen character. They wouldn't have gotten a chronicle sheet, and it's not as much fun as playing your own character, but it still lets you play. Technically, the only time you can play a pre-gen is if you have 3 players already, and need a fourth to make a legal table. If you only have 3 players, the GM can run the pre-gen.
We have found that scheduling games in advance helps a lot. We use Warhorn for all our events. It's not perfect, but it does help. We now have enough players that like to come to our main weekly events that we've had to tell people that if they don't sign up, they might not be able to play. That being said, I don't think we've had to turn anyone away yet. We also make sure there are at least a couple of spots open at a low level scenario for any new walk-up players.
Another thing to remember is that the rules could very well be there for a reason. I would think that playing at a tier lower than you should would make for a much poorer play experience. If it's not a challenge, it's not as much fun. The rewards on the chronicle sheet are much lower than they should be too.
I agree, nicely done.
As to only be allowed a pre-gen for the fourth player, I thought that was only for the GM. I thought a player at any time could use a pre-gen for no credit simply to try out a new class.
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I agree, nicely done.
As to only be allowed a pre-gen for the fourth player, I thought that was only for the GM. I thought a player at any time could use a pre-gen for no credit simply to try out a new class.
Sorry, you're right. That's what I get for focusing on the tone of my post, instead of double checking the rules. :)
If you don’t have time to create a new character or simply wish to try out a new character class, you may choose to use one of several level-appropriate pregenerated characters available at paizo.com/pathfindersociety or from your local event coordinator. If you play a 1st-level pregenerated character, you can even apply the credit for its first adventure to a newly created character of your very own.
So, you can play a pre-gen at any time, as long as it's one of the official ones from Paizo. You can only apply credit to your own character if you play a 1st level pre-gen, and it's the first chronicle for a new character.
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If you don’t have time to create a new character or simply wish to try out a new character class, you may choose to use one of several level-appropriate pregenerated characters available at paizo.com/pathfindersociety or from your local event coordinator. If you play a 1st-level pregenerated character, you can even apply the credit for its first adventure to a newly created character of your very own.So, you can play a pre-gen at any time, as long as it's one of the official ones from Paizo. You can only apply credit to your own character if you play a 1st level pre-gen, and it's the first chronicle for a new character.
Okay, anyone know when the new version of the credit rules for pregens is going to go into effect, or am I hallucinating?
New version:
Playing a level 1 pregen stays the same.
Playing a higher level pregen allows credit for the scenario, either as written to a level-appropriate PC, or at 1 XP, 500 GP for a new first level PC.
I do not believe they are changing. The way pre-gens work in modules is under discussion, but nothing has been said for pre-gens in normal scenarios.
Venture-Captain, Massachusetts—Central & West
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3-23 The Goblinblood Dead is also very short. Can be run in 2.5 hours, depending on how some things play out.
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S04-19 Night March of Kalkamedes runs short. Even with an unavoidable table disruption and including the optional encounter the table I ran was done in around 3 hours. Skipping the optional would have ended it even sooner, of course.
Probably my favorite 1-5 scenario.
The table I ran ended up accidentally poking the
with a stick. Hilarity ensued.
season 0 has a reputation for being undead heavy, so if you have someone who can channel energy, many of the fights drop quickly
Nope, the fact that I get three shots with a double hackbut pretty negates anything in Tier 1-5 in Season 0. As long as I didn't roll a 1-3, I hit (amazing Dex for the Win).
** spoiler omitted **
The double hackbutt is not PFS legal.
Venture-Captain, California—Sacramento
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The double hackbutt is not PFS legal.season 0 has a reputation for being undead heavy, so if you have someone who can channel energy, many of the fights drop quickly
Nope, the fact that I get three shots with a double hackbut pretty negates anything in Tier 1-5 in Season 0. As long as I didn't roll a 1-3, I hit (amazing Dex for the Win).
** spoiler omitted **
A lot of that post wasn't legal. It was also 2 years ago.
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I've run Penumbral Accords once in under two hours and once in under an hour. Of course, the first time was because the party TPK'ed in the second encounter, and the second time was because the party TPK'ed in the first encounter.
That's probably not the sort of short scenario that you're looking for, though. :)
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Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Martinsville
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If your up to some prep time and can adjust the Undead to PF standard (using the Beastiary for all but one creature), Black Waters is a fun romp. Just remember, your going into a crypt. It isn't to far out of line to suggest items that would help against undead to the characters by everyone's favorite Ventue Captain, Drendle Drange.
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S04-19 Night March of Kalkamedes runs short. Even with an unavoidable table disruption and including the optional encounter the table I ran was done in around 3 hours.
Interesting... when I played it and when I GMed it this was the longest scenario both nights. I am not sure what the other scenarios being run those evenings were, but I was under the impression that this one was long. (both times it was played at 1-2, the skill challenges might go a lot faster in the 4-5 tier)
Scenarios that seemed to run quickest have been:
5-04 The Stolen Heir
5-19 The Horn of Aroden (depending on the disposition of the party involved)
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I would second 3-23 The Goblinblood Dead. I have never seen it run over three hours.
I also think that a lot of the more combat-heavy tier 1-5 scenarios from season 0 are considerably faster now than they used to be.
My personal speed record is held by In Service to Lore, at 29:55, but I think every person in that table had played or run it at least twice before.
