Goblins, Promo Cards, and the Adventure Card Guild

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Short blog this week as preparation for Gen Con intensifies! Starting next week, all promo characters will be legal for play in the Pathfinder Society Adventure Card Guild organized play program. This means Ranzak, Ekkie, and Tup will be able to join in the fun at your local game store, convention, or even home play of the various Adventure Card Guild seasons.

Ranzak, the Skull & Shackles promo character, must be played with the Goblins Fight! Deck. Here's a suggested starting deck list for him:

Blowgun
Dagger
Dart
Hand Crossbow
Confusion
Doghide Armor
Alchemist's Fire
Beehive
Caltrops
Thieves' Tools
Reformarium Servant
Blessing of the Gobs x4


Ekkie, the Wrath of the Righteous promo character, also must be played with the Goblins Fight! Deck. Here's her suggested starting deck list:

Dogslicer
Sickle
Torch
Stalking Armor
Alchemist's Fire
Beehive
Caltrops
Potion of Striding
Frog
Spider
Vulture
Blessing of the Gobs x4


Finally, we've got the terrible Tup, the Rise of the Runelords promo character. He must be played with the Goblins Burn! Deck. Here's a suggested starting deck list for Tup:

Dogslicer
Bloodscent*
Burning Snot
Detect Magic
Immolate
Oozikinesis*
Buckler
Alchemist's Fire
Conch Shell
Potion of Beast Skin
Frilled Lizard
Turtle
Blessing of the Gobs x3

* Indicates a non-Basic card with the B set indicator

I look forward to seeing tables of Ekkie, Ranzak, and Tup destroying scenarios at Gen Con next week! Remember that you need physical character cards to play, not just a printed character sheet.

Until next time, Pathfinders!

Tanis O'Connor
Adventure Card Game Designer

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Adventure Card Guild Pathfinder Society

I'm curious which one will be the most played. Tup has the advantage of being available at GenCon. Ekkie has that skull. But then again, Ranzak has that awesome bird. So it is really a toss up.

Any chance of the various goblin characters being allowed a single promo boon that has the goblin trait?


I'm curious as to how you were supposed to use these promo cards before the goblin decks were a thing.


They where not available for guild play only box before these two decks


Glad I decided to go with two of each goblin class deck. Now we just need another goblin that uses the Burn! Deck as part of Free RPG Day 2017 to even it out

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Huh. I was expecting a preview of the characters for this year's Open Tournament, like we had last year. Guess it'll be a surprise when we get there.

Grand Lodge

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There's still another Tuesday before GenCon, ryric.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

I tend to forget about that one because by Tuesday I'm already in Indianapolis and dealing with spotty hotel Wi-Fi. The Internet barely exists for me from about noon on Tuesday until I get home late Sunday. I do Trade Day (I work in education) so Gen Con starts for me early Wednesday morning.


rexx2264 wrote:

They where not available for guild play only box before these two decks

I understood that they couldn't be used for guild play before now, I meant how were they used in non guild play before this (I should explain that I've never played the game myself) They don't have standard classes so how did one use them? (Or is this something I would understand if I had the game?)

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Eviljames wrote:
I understood that they couldn't be used for guild play before now, I meant how were they used in non guild play before this (I should explain that I've never played the game myself) They don't have standard classes so how did one use them? (Or is this something I would understand if I had the game?)

Characters in the card game don't need standard classes like RPG characters do - all the pertinent game stats are on the card itself. So you can plop any character from any set into a normal game and they will work fine mechanically. The class deck boxes do contain cards that are useful to their own character type, and in some cases would be almost necessary to play certain characters through certain sets. You could have a very tough time with an alchemist in Rise of the Runelords, for example, unless you mix in some alchemical attack items from either other sets or the class deck.

As another example, right now there is no Cavalier class deck, but Alain the cavalier from Wrath can be played just fine in any base set. The card game doesn't have separate "cavalier" class rules, they are all printed on the Alain card.


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I see. Thanks, I should probably demo the game at gencon this year and see how it plays. Is it expensive?

Adventure Card Game Designer

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ryric wrote:
Huh. I was expecting a preview of the characters for this year's Open Tournament, like we had last year. Guess it'll be a surprise when we get there.

Next week's blog.

Silver Crusade

Eviljames wrote:
I see. Thanks, I should probably demo the game at gencon this year and see how it plays. Is it expensive?

If you want to buy all the base sets and adventure decks so you can play at home, yes. (Though I think it's money well spent!!)

If you want to play in Organized Play at a game store, no. All you need is a class deck, which retail for $20 (but you can often find them for cheaper).


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Eviljames wrote:
I see. Thanks, I should probably demo the game at gencon this year and see how it plays. Is it expensive?

I don't think so, but that's a subjective question.

Here's the Base Set. It's only $10 more than the hardcover RPG CRB. Of course, if you end up liking it, you'll want the Adventure Decks: these are akin to Adventure Path volumes: they continue the story and retail for $20 each. (The box comes with Deck 1, in addition to the intro 'B' scenarios).

If that's more than you want to spend, and you have a relatively recent iPad or android tablet, there's also the Pathfinder Adventures app.


Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Lost Omens, PF Special Edition, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
First World Bard wrote:
Eviljames wrote:
I see. Thanks, I should probably demo the game at gencon this year and see how it plays. Is it expensive?

I don't think so, but that's a subjective question.

Here's the Base Set. It's only $10 more than the hardcover RPG CRB. Of course, if you end up liking it, you'll want the Adventure Decks: these are akin to Adventure Path volumes: they continue the story and retail for $20 each. (The box comes with Deck 1, in addition to the intro 'B' scenarios).

If that's more than you want to spend, and you have a relatively recent iPad or android tablet, there's also the Pathfinder Adventures app.

They're also on sale right now over at CoolStuffInc ($40 for the base set and $13 for adventure decks and class decks -- brings a total AP down from around $180 to around $120 including the character add-on deck). Amazon also has it discounted, but prices are more variable there and on average seem to be higher than CSI.


There might well be full (used) sets in the Gen Con Auction Store this year; there were a couple of complete Rise of the Runelords sets in the auction at a local con I went to over Memorial Day whose buyout price was $40. Poke around and you might find them pretty cheap. :)

Grand Lodge

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Chris Lambertz, would it be out of the question to request the Goblin Burn and Fight character and deck sheets for next week?

Community & Digital Content Director

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Theryon Stormrune wrote:
Chris Lambertz, would it be out of the question to request the Goblin Burn and Fight character and deck sheets for next week?

They'll be available from paizo.com on the street date, August 4. I can poke around and see if there are plans to have printed copies of the character sheets at the show, though.

Grand Lodge

That's what I'm thinking about mainly. People are going to have their Goblin decks to play and sheets would be great.

Thanks, Chris!


Woo sheets!

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

With the delay in finishing up Season of the Runelords, should we expect to see any Season of the Goblin at Gen Con?

Grand Lodge

My decks arrived last night. SWEET! I still haven't spent enough time pawing them (spent all my time sleeving them, passed out), but what I've read looks like GOBS (see what I did there?) of fun.

Though in a mixed game, they seem sort of a mixed blessing. They seem to do a lot of stuff at the expense of other characters.

Grand Lodge

James McKendrew wrote:


Though in a mixed game, they seem sort of a mixed blessing. They seem to do a lot of stuff at the expense of other characters.

They're Goblins.

To quote a wise man:

Stan Lee wrote:
'Nuff said

Grand Lodge

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ryric wrote:
With the delay in finishing up Season of the Runelords, should we expect to see any Season of the Goblin at Gen Con?

I expect they're working their butts off to get Season of the Goblins and Runelords ready for next week.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Theryon Stormrune wrote:
ryric wrote:
With the delay in finishing up Season of the Runelords, should we expect to see any Season of the Goblin at Gen Con?
I expect they're working their butts off to get Season of the Goblins and Runelords ready for next week.

I figure as much, I just hadn't heard any updates about SotG in a while. Since it sounds like they are barely going to have Runelords 5 and 6 ready, I thought maybe Goblins had slid off the schedule.

Pathfinder ACG Developer

Theryon is a wise man.

Grand Lodge

Theryon Stormrune wrote:

They're Goblins.

To quote a wise man:

Stan Lee wrote:
'Nuff said

Yes, thematically awesome. But in, say, a PFS game, they could easily become the trolls' decks. It's awesome if everyone has fun. However, there are now (more) mechanics to have fun at other players' expense.

I love the "Don't be a jerk" rule of PFSACG, and I'd hate to see people circumventing that.

Sovereign Court

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Question for those of us GMing the Cosmic Captive ACG special at Gen Con on Saturday night- should we print out the cards ahead of time, or will supplies such as cards be provided?

Thanks!!

Silver Crusade

James McKendrew wrote:
Theryon Stormrune wrote:

They're Goblins.

To quote a wise man:

Stan Lee wrote:
'Nuff said

Yes, thematically awesome. But in, say, a PFS game, they could easily become the trolls' decks. It's awesome if everyone has fun. However, there are now (more) mechanics to have fun at other players' expense.

I love the "Don't be a jerk" rule of PFSACG, and I'd hate to see people circumventing that.

I also have concerns along these lines. Goblins are a particular style of play that a lot of people enjoy. But putting people in a situation where they have to play with it is disappointing.


Agreed you may have somethng to control in guild/open play. But for guys like us who only play between old RPG friends, playing goblins is awesome. Actually we are writing our own goblin adventure, starting by creating the adventure box by adding up the most goblin-like cards from previous sets and class decks (plus obviously nearly all promo cards up to now). We lack high level goblin cards... Kof kof.... High level... Kof kof.... Goblins anyone?

Gaming Coordinator - Alien Worlds

Will there be loaner Goblin decks available in the ballroom for us to use until the line in the Dealer hall dies down? I want to hit the ground running with Ranzak 8am Thursday


Theryon Stormrune wrote:
James McKendrew wrote:


Though in a mixed game, they seem sort of a mixed blessing. They seem to do a lot of stuff at the expense of other characters.

They're Goblins.

How? I looked them over and thought they looked great...of course I am not a jerk player. I can tell you other characters in the game that can be as bad, or worse, in the wrong player's hands.

I played the first goblin - Ranzak running with Oloch - and I handed all banes to him, unless I was required to fight. I love exploring and my daughter loves fighting, so it turned out to be the most fun I had playing this game - and the same for her! She saw a lot more combat than she would have alone, and the ships made traveling together easy. So next I commited to Eekie before I even saw her, and I don't see how she was any different/worse than other characters. Now I plan to continue with Goblins, since it has just become my thing I guess. I looked over all the new goblins and I don't see them as playing at the expense of others. I think they did a great job on them and I really had a hard time deciding which one to play. I went with Reta only because I will be the only real weapons character in out group of 5 - and we need that in the group, plus she explores after defeating a monster. I guess there are a few things - especially in the burn deck - that can cause damage to "other characters at your location"...so just be alone and problem solved.

If one player is hurting other players unnecessarily in a co-op game, they shouldn't be playing. Just IMHO. Don't penalize everyone because there are jerk players, because I really enjoy the Goblins, and want to try them all. I would rather Paizo ban from organized play, the characters that are an issue, goblins or not, than not make such characters. This game is also played by non-organized play groups, and these different characters add interest to the game. Thanks to Paizo for making them!


I don't think anyone wants these characters/classes gone. But they seem to be the first characters that are allowed in OP that deal damage to other characters.

It's not hard to imagine that people CAN abuse this in certain situations. Easy example:
Play tup in 2-1D and you can more or less spam 1d4 fire damage on everyone for each round where another player explores. It easily becomes either a guaranteed kill of everyone else or a deadlock where no one takes turns and the game is lost.

Not saying someones gonna play like this. But it's possible now, so being sceptical is justified.

The only other character that deals damage to other characters that I can think of is Crowe, and he does not have a class deck so can't be played in OP.

I'd be interested in the other characters that are as bad or worse though, independent from whether they can be played in OP or not.


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The guide covers this:

Pathfinder Society Adventure Card Guild Guide v3.0 p4 wrote:
Don’t take actions that may harm another player’s character without that player’s consent.

If you want to play one of these characters, the character you are hampering (if any) is your own. You won't be able to use one of these powers unless those that might take damage from it consents.

My suggestion would be to state ahead of time which character you are looking to play and explain they have this power that might damage other characters. If everyone is cool with it, great, play together. If not, switch characters or switch tables.

I know if you played with me I'd be ok taking some damage from time to time so you could use your powers, so long as it (A) didn't kill my character and (B) didn't wreck my turn (unless I was cool with you wrecking my turn because what you were going to do was worth it).


What Hawkmoon269 said, it is the player whose turn it is that gets to have final say on who, when, where, and to what extent another player can help.

I have ran a game with Tup just to try him out, and I really rather enjoyed having the option to take a couple of damage (maybe) to get that boost.

So, I do agree if you sit at a table and the other players are not interested in your type of character (not necessarily just pertaining to Gobs), be a team player and either choose a beneficial character for the group or find a new table. It's just being courteous.


Exactly what Hawkmoon says. I would play TUP! It says "may" add 4 and the fire trait, and then everyone else at your location is dealt 1d4 damage..later -1 and finally -4 damage = none. If the other player has heavy armor, not a big deal anyway and they may need that help! Plus other spell characters would get buffed earlier as Tup uses spells and then gets one from the box. If not used, those can go later to other characters. So that could be a big bonus. If the one playing any character "must" use all powers to their full potential, with no consideration for other characters in the game, they should play another character or not play at all. I just don't want to limit abilities because someone might abuse it. If OP has issues, just ban said characters.

There is a character_ Druid I think - that can go take combat from someone at another location; there is a character that can look at the top card of another location and then explore and get it thus removing boons from other locations and leaving them very monster heavy. These are just 2 characters that can make the game less fun for those involved. So I am just saying...play responsibly. Let prohibition only apply to OP if that is what is required due to too many jerk players. Let the rest of us enjoy.


I see, I didn't know that the guide covers this. While I agree that this solves the problem of being a jerk, the courtesy approach does not seem unproblematic to me either.
Taking that to the extreme, it would mean that when you are in an area where there is only one table available, that could mean you paid for a class deck that you are never going to be able to use in OP when people vote against your character.

I guess it's not an issue in reality since you either already know the people you want to play with or they wouldn't point you to such a class deck when you are a new player and they don't like it, but it feels strange to me that some characters can be freely played while others are potentially hampered by their style of play.

It's clearly better this way than being able to be a jerk, but it would be nicer if there was a better alternative.

Shadow Lodge

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber

The guide doesn't say you can't use that character deck you just bought - it says that you can't play a character from that deck in such a way as to harm another player's character against the wishes of the player. It's not a problem with the character (and it's not restricted to the goblin decks) - it's a problem with the player.

In reality, players who choose to do that just aren't going to be invited to sit down and play, anyway; this is expected to be a cooperative game, and people who don't cooperate (such as, say, by never offering to play a blessing to help somebody else out on a check) are soon going to outlast their welcome.

Grand Lodge

I'm not sure why this is becoming an issue.

If people are going to play maliciously, they'll be asked to leave. These characters are Goblins. They're not meant to be nice all the time. That means that others will take some damage along the way. There's no reason to be worried beforehand. This is like tossing a fireball at the enemy while your party is engaged with them.

Play the Goblin decks. See how they work and interact. If there are complaints, deal with them. Don't start asking for bans beforehand.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Yasumoto wrote:
Question for those of us GMing the Cosmic Captive ACG special at Gen Con on Saturday night- should we print out the cards ahead of time, or will supplies such as cards be provided?

We should have cards for you.

Grand Lodge

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Theryon Stormrune wrote:
Play the Goblin decks. See how they work and interact. If there are complaints, deal with them. Don't start asking for bans beforehand.

Not asking for bans. Just voicing concern. I believe that's actually one of the purposes of a forum, yes?

Grand Lodge

James McKendrew wrote:
Theryon Stormrune wrote:
Play the Goblin decks. See how they work and interact. If there are complaints, deal with them. Don't start asking for bans beforehand.
Not asking for bans. Just voicing concern. I believe that's actually one of the purposes of a forum, yes?

No.


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You are allowed to voice concerns only if they are the same concerns as Theryon has cause we all know Theryon is a wise man. And only if Hawk has the answer to your concerns which will be the case 99% of the time. And only if posted in the right forum even if the title is misleading. And is not already addressed in the FAQ. But not in the FAQ forum itself because that would be trolling Vic. And respects all the nice policies that you can find in 22 different conveniently linked pages. And only if written in plain Elvish and in the form of a not-this-Mike approved riddle with goblin-like rimes. And not offensive to anyone including the Brielle character who is very easily offended as she is a male-challenged tall-challenged strength-challenged barbarian.

Note for self: never post in a forum while in vacations... Which is pretty much all the time in France :-)

Scarab Sages

I am pretty sure we have tweaked the HAWK.moon AI to be much more accommodating than you're portraying, Frencois. The current version, 2.69, will answer questions even if in the wrong forum, and speaks English as well as Elvish, among other things.


Hehe. Wish you all a great GENCON. Wishing I was there but I admit vacations in Provence playing PACG under the sun in the middle of olive trees ain't that bad.


Chris Lambertz wrote:
Theryon Stormrune wrote:
Chris Lambertz, would it be out of the question to request the Goblin Burn and Fight character and deck sheets for next week?
They'll be available from paizo.com on the street date, August 4. I can poke around and see if there are plans to have printed copies of the character sheets at the show, though.

Since GenCon is over and they don't seem to be available, any chance of them becoming available this week?

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Having played Mogmurch in two scenarios of Season of the Goblins at Gen Con, I can say that the starting deck was perhaps the most pathetic collection of random junk I've yet put together to play PFACG...and yet somehow it all works and is a ton of fun.

I mean, Mogmurch is a d4 Str d10 Dex character, and the only Basic weapons in Goblins Burn! are melee - including one that is Str or Melee +1.

Not +d4.

+1. Yep. (it has another power that's reasonably nice)

One player in my second scenario played an inquisitor - which is legal and possible - and it was his character that had the most problems, not the goblins.


I don't know what you're talking about, Poog can use that weapon just fine :P

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32

Mogmurch's ability to chuck a potion into combat checks helped me the one time I had to use that weapon. 2d6+d4+1 is not terrible for an early combat check. I took a weapon B upgrade after the first scenario so as to actually have a ranged option.

Luckily there is not much fighting in that first scenario I played.

Pathfinder ACG Developer

The goblins are designed to be a little less picky about what happens to be in their hand. Whether it's a Beehive, Pickle, or Alchemist's Fire, they'll find some way to kill their enemies :)

Grand Lodge

I somehow managed to get through the entire convention without actually playing a single session of SotGob. And I wasn't even dodging!!! It's just that the tables I watched over had 5 or 6 players already.

My fiancee, on the other hand, played the first three scenarios at least 3 times each before she finally managed to sneak into a session or two of the fourth one.

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