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I have recently run into a situation where my fellow GM's will only run scenario's that they have not played. They do this so that they can get their chronicle sheet for a character and not have to run a scenario without getting any credit. While I understand their reasoning for this, it is very frustrating. I am hoping that maybe someone has an idea for getting GM's to rerun scenarios?
We have four GM's including myself. We have a small group but sometimes need people to replay a scenario to make a legal table. Also, two of our GM's play scenario's with another group. When asked to run one of the scenario's they have already played for our group, they say I should run it myself so that they can replay it and get credit, while I would also get credit because I haven't played it yet. I know that they can't replay unless they are needed for a legal table, but it works out that with as few of players that we have, this situation is possible more than I would like it to be.
Any suggestions for getting them to rerun scenarios? Thanks.
Sounds to me like they're confused about the rule.
They can get GM credit for a scenario once. So if they already played it and then run it, they can apply their GM credit to a different character with a different faction from the character/faction with which they originally played the scenario. Having played a scenario doesn't mean you can no longer get credit for GMing it.
I'm also not thrilled to hear, "Oh, well you should GM it so I can replay it since we'd need me to make a legal table." Replay is an option of last resort only. You should try all other options, including switching the GM, first.
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Sounds to me like they're confused about the rule.
They can get GM credit for a scenario once. So if they already played it and then run it, they can apply their GM credit to a different character with a different faction from the character/faction with which they originally played the scenario. Having played a scenario doesn't mean you can no longer get credit for GMing it.
Really? I thought that you only got the GM credit when you eat a scenario.
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 4
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They can get GM credit for a scenario once. So if they already played it and then run it, they can apply their GM credit to a different character with a different faction from the character/faction with which they originally played the scenario. Having played a scenario doesn't mean you can no longer get credit for GMing it.
As of what date is this rule effective?
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If you play at a public venue, convince everyone to chip in a buck or two per game to purchase gift certificates, given to DMs. This encourages the shopkeeper ("They're spending money here! Yippee!") and should ecncourage more people to volunteer as DMs.
Haha, we got lucky, me thinks, because our shopkeeper actually has a raffle every now and then, and DMs get 5 tickets while players only get 1.
150 bucks of RPG stuff? Fairly encouraging :D
It's effective as of 2.2.
The email that notified everyone of the 2.2 changes has a list of everything that changed.
I must admit I thought the rule only applied to eating mods too, but this is much better!
I ran a game on the 11 April (session 1941), but didn't gain the DM benefit for the reason above. Is it possible to edit the session to grant it to character 3, or if not who should I ask to amend it for me, if such a thing is possible?
Thanks
You should still be able to edit the session.
paizo.com/pathfindersociety
Click "My Pathfinder Society"
login
GM tab
Next to the event, click edit.
Find your session.
Adjust.
Rinse. Repeat.
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It's effective as of 2.2.
The email that notified everyone of the 2.2 changes has a list of everything that changed.
O.o OMG!! I didn't get one of these! I would *love* to have one, but I don't even know where to sign up or how to get such a thing!
<raises hand> Ooh! teacher, pick me! Please, please, please!Seriously though, and info that can be passed along on how to get the emails would be marvelous, since I've scoured the site and can't find it.
Thanks.
If you have downloaded the previous version, then you automatically get the update email. If you downloaded 2.1 and did not get the email notification for 2.2, you should check your spam filter to make sure the email was not lost.
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I have recently run into a situation where my fellow GM's will only run scenario's that they have not played. They do this so that they can get their chronicle sheet for a character and not have to run a scenario without getting any credit. While I understand their reasoning for this, it is very frustrating. I am hoping that maybe someone has an idea for getting GM's to rerun scenarios?
I realise GMing takes some effort and responsibility, which some players may find daunting or not worth their trouble. It's certainly easier to play a game than to run one, and each person gains different enjoyment from playing or GMing games.
Having said that, I really think your players are missing some great opportunities in not GMing scenarios they've already played.
- Each time you run a scenario, you become more familiar with it. You develop the personalities of key NPCs, you describe encounters a little more deeply, you anticipate player actions and tactics and are better prepared for them. The game runs smoother, on time, and everyone enjoys the experience more.
- Each group of players will approach scenarios from a different angle. As a GM, I set the stage, and then just sit back and watch the players perform for me. I love to compare how one group struggled with an encounter, to how another group found a tactical or creative way around the same encounter.
- Compare a combat-heavy group with no casters, to a group containing a mix of stealthy rogues and casters, to a roleplay group skilled in knowledge and diplomacy. Each of these could run through the same scenario with vastly different approaches and experiences.
I've run some scenarios four or five times among my home-group friends and at conventions, and I'm always fascinated to see how the next group will entertain me with their approach!
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 4
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Dear [Millerhero],
We have updated the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play PDF to version 2.2.
You may download the updated version for free at http://paizo.com/paizo/account/assets. (If the file shows that it has already been personalized, you'll need to repersonalize it before you can download the new version.)
Change list from version 2.1 to version 2.2 of the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play:
* Added the following line under "Slot and Slot 0" on page 4:
Scenarios are designed to be run in 4 hours (except for double-slot scenarios). Some events choose to use 5-hour slots in order to give the GM and players extra time for introductions and paperwork.
* Added the following text under the "Step 3: Race and Class" header in Chapter 4:
… and Alchemists gain the Dodge feat (regardless of prerequisites) at 1st level instead of Brew Potion.
Oracles who choose the Nature mystery receive animal growth as a bonus spell at 11th level instead of awaken. Witches may never select the cauldron hex.
Additionally, the item creation requirements for the Pathfinder Chronicler prestige class are hand-waved, though any character choosing this prestige class must still spend the 50 gp.* Added the following text under the "Step 5: Feats" header in Chapter 4:
It’s important to note that neither the craft feats nor the item creation section of the magic items chapter in the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook are legal for play.
* Repositioned the "Play Play Play" rule to further emphasize that it is the #1 rule of Pathfinder Society Organized Play.
* Changed most of the text under the "Level Cap" header in Chapter 6 to more clearly state the intent of the level cap and the future retirement of high-level characters.
* Added all-new replay language under "Replaying Scenarios" in Chapter 6. This replaced the previous rule of not allowing any replay at all.
* Changed "Clerics must Select a Deity" header in Chapter 6 to "Selecting a Deity." This section now includes Order of the Star cavaliers and includes rules text for changing your deity.
* Added the following text under the "No Selling/Trading Between Players" header in Chapter 6:You are, however, permitted to spend your character’s gold to help a party member purchase spellcasting services such as raise dead or remove disease.
* Added the following questions and answers under the "Animals and Companions" header in Chapter 6:
How do I determine hit points for my animal companion? Animal companions receive average hit points per hit die. For d8, the average is 4.5. Multiply 4.5 times the number of hit dice your animal companion has and round down. Recalculate hit points for your companion each time it gains additional hit dice. After hit points are calculated, add in appropriate bonuses from Con modifier, feats, etc.
As a paladin, what mount can I have? As a paladin, your divine bond mount must be at least one size category larger than you starting at 1st level. If you’re a Medium PC, your mount must be Large. If you’re a Small PC, your mount must be at least Medium. Your mount must have four legs and be viewed from a common sense perspective as being suitable as a mount.
As a ranger, what list of companions can I select my animal companion from? As a ranger, if you choose an animal companion for your hunter’s bond, you may only select the animals listed on page 66 of the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. There is no expanded companion list for rangers.
* Added the following text under the "Spells that are not Legal for Play" sidebar on page 20:
Oracles with the Nature mystery receive animal growth at 11th level instead of awaken.
* Added a new section called "Special Rules for Alchemists" in Chapter 6.
* Added three new sections to Chapter 6:Retiring Scenarios
Over the next several years the 3.5 scenarios from Pathfinder Society’s playtest season will either be retired or converted to Pathfinder RPG (time permitting). We will always give a four-week warning of an impending retirement meaning you have four weeks to play and report that scenario as official play. Once the scenario is retired, though, it is no longer legal for play and will be removed entirely from the reporting system meaning you can no longer legally apply it to your character. Please check the Pathfinder Society messageboards at paizo.com/pathfindersociety for notification of impending scenario retirements.Purchasing Potions/Scrolls/Wands
All potions, scrolls, wands, and other consumables are made by wizards, clerics, or druids in Pathfinder Society Organized Play. The only exceptions are spells that are not on the wizard, cleric, or druid spell list. For example, a scroll of lesser restoration must be purchased as a 2nd-level scroll off the cleric spell list and may not be purchased as a 1st-level scroll off the paladin spell list.Minimum/Maximum Table Size
The minimum table size for any legal table is four. The maximum table size for any legal table is six. There are a few notable exceptions:
*When using the “Play, Play, Play” rule to make a legal table, a GM may play one pregenerated character to make a legal table. This means he may GM as few as three players to make the table legal by playing a pregen of a level appropriate to the scenario (this is not possible for Tier 12 scenarios, however, as Tier 12 scenarios can only be played by level 12 PCs and there are no level 12 pregens).
*When using the “Play, Play, Play” rule to make a legal table, a GM may allow up to seven players at his table. This is called “the hard ceiling” and may not be crossed, even for the “Play, Play, Play” rule. If you find yourself with eight players and one GM, instead create a table with one GM and four players and a second table with one GM and three players plus the GM playing a pregenerated character.* Removed all references to purchasing items off your current or previous two chronicle sheets since you can now purchase any found items off any chronicle sheet that your character possesses. Specifically added the following text under the "Spoils of War and Buying Equipment" header in Chapter 9:
Every item that you find on a chronicle sheet is considered always available for purchase for you, regardless if it’s on your first chronicle sheet or your 21st chronicle sheet. The exception here is items that have a purchase limit. You may never purchase more of that item throughout the life of your character than what’s listed as the purchase limit.
* Added the following text under the "Always Available Items" header in Chapter 10:
Additionally, all mundane (completely non-magical) weapons, armor, equipment, and alchemical gear found in any legal for play source are also considered always available.
* Added the following text to the "Other Items" header in Chapter 10:
Items must be purchased at full value. This means you cannot buy broken weapons or armor, you cannot buy partially charged wands, rods, or staffs, and you must buy ammunition in full lots (10 or 20 typically for mundane ammunition and 50 for magical ammunition). The exception is that you may purchase these types of items if they appear on a chronicle sheet.
* Changed some of the rules text for Prestige Award in Chapter 11 to match the rules text in the upcoming Pathfinder Chronicles Faction Guide. From now on Prestige Award is three concepts: Prestige Award (both as a concept and as Prestige Award Points), Current Prestige Award (CPA; the current amount of Prestige Award that you have to spend on the items in table 11–1), and Total Prestige Award (TPA; your current maximum total Prestige Award gained over the life of your character and number you use to determine item purchases using table 11–2).
* Added the following text to Table 11–1 with regard to spend PA to purchase items from your faction:Items purchased this way are worth 0 gp and cannot be sold.
* Added the following text in Chapter 11 to the "Spending Prestige" header:
Finally, items purchased with PA may not later be sold to gain additional gold. They are considered to have a value of 0 gp.
* Removed the "Running a Slot 0" section in Chapter 12 as these rules are now all covered under the "Game Master Rewards" section.
* Added a new section in Chapter 12 called "GM Ranking System."
* Changed the entire GM rewards system in Chapter 12 to more fairly reward GMs for running Pathfinder Society scenarios sessions.
* Added the following line under Seekers of Secrets in Chapter 13:Additionally, only normal ioun stones have resonance—flawed ioun stones never do.
* Added many more new legal for play items in Chapter 13. Please review the entire chapter for changes.
* Additionally, many small grammatical changes and explanations were corrected or changed throughout the entire document.For any additional questions or clarifications, please see the new Pathfinder Society Rules v2.2 FAQ thread on the Pathfinder Society messageboards.
Joshua J. Frost
Events Manager
Paizo Publishing®, LLC
I have recently run into a situation where my fellow GM's will only run scenario's that they have not played. They do this so that they can get their chronicle sheet for a character and not have to run a scenario without getting any credit. While I understand their reasoning for this, it is very frustrating. I am hoping that maybe someone has an idea for getting GM's to rerun scenarios? Any suggestions for getting them to rerun scenarios? Thanks.
I've been DMing stuff for 100 years. DM's are motivated by a couple things:
* If THEY'RE having fun (meaning the DM)* If their players bother to thank them once in a while and say that THEY had fun
* ..uhm...yea..that's pretty much it...
When we used to recruit DM's for LG, we tried motivating them with gift certificates, free game slots, slot zero's, and food. It still pretty much comes down to those things listed formerly and no other motivations really count.
The Pathfinder rule saying that a GM can receive credit ONCE for running a scenario is helpful..but it's de-motivational in getting a GM to run it a second time. At conventions, GMs' are typically asked to run the same scenario a couple times. If you can only get GM credit for one character, one time, that cancels out wanting to run it twice unless there is some other motivation :)
..which brings us to the fact: There aren't enough GM's. There are a lot of players who will sponge and freeload, gripe and complain, but never step up to GM. It's like not voting and then complaining about politics ;)
So, be nice to your GM. Encourage him to be a great one..and then volunteer to run a game once in a while for them and tell your GM that HE/SHE was the motivation for YOU wanting to GM.
Jay Hafner
~ having burned out as a GM a few times b/c of ungrateful pricks at conventions
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So does this apply in reverse?
If a GM has run a scenario but has not played as a character, can he play in the game?
My rules-fu has been a bit off lately, but I believe a player can only receive character credit after he/she has GMed if it's a "replay" scenario within the rules. Which means you're needed to make a legal table, you play with a different character and faction, etc. Also, I believe you need to be somewhat a "silent" character, or at least to not ruin the plot and tell players things they shouldn't know.
I hope that's pretty close :D
Here is the actual rule from p.29:
Game Master Rewards
Finally, and most importantly, is the topic of rewarding GMs for volunteering their time to run Pathfinder Society scenarios. Starting with version 2.2 of this document (and not retroactive to any previous scenarios that were run) any Game Master “eating” a scenario gets “full credit” for that scenario applied to his own character one time. “Full credit” means the GM gets the following:
Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play
• +1 XP for the scenario
• 100% of the max gold for the tier most appropriate to the GM’s character (see below)
• Full PA
The GM does not get any special boons bestowed by a chronicle sheet such as free magical treasure, regional boons, or future bonus dice rolls. A GM also does not get a Day Job roll. If the GM previously received partial credit for a scenario (using the old reward system), he must still
take the partial credit
and cannot run the scenario again for full credit.