Pathfinder Specials suggestion for year 3+

[Chris Kenney]

First of all, I know it's probably too late to implement this idea for "Year of the Shadow Lodge" but that doesn't mean it's not worth asking about.

First of all, I noticed that the Special is closed to Level 12 characters, and to be honest they're the ones who are most able to help with such an epic scenario. It kind of puzzled me for a bit, but then I realized that it's probably at least partially because the scenario is worth XP. Which brought up the little controversy about how Josh was torn between having the Special grant XP and not.

Which makes me wonder if it wouldn't be possible to allow the player to choose whether it's worth XP or not.

This would allow Level 12 characters to participate without throwing off the calculations for XP too much, and would let people pick whether they wanted the XP or the ability to play in more scenarios.

Thoughts?

[Cpt_kirstov]

Chris Kenney wrote:

Which makes me wonder if it wouldn't be possible to allow the player to choose whether it's worth XP or not.

This would allow Level 12 characters to participate without throwing off the calculations for XP too much, and would let people pick whether they wanted the XP or the ability to play in more scenarios.

Thoughts?

But if people say no to XP, then that would have to mean they can't get loot of gold from the scenario either, as that would mess up the wealth valueization

[Chris Kenney]

Cpt_kirstov wrote:

Chris Kenney wrote:

Which makes me wonder if it wouldn't be possible to allow the player to choose whether it's worth XP or not.

This would allow Level 12 characters to participate without throwing off the calculations for XP too much, and would let people pick whether they wanted the XP or the ability to play in more scenarios.

Thoughts?

But if people say no to XP, then that would have to mean they can't get loot of gold from the scenario either, as that would mess up the wealth valueization

Originally, Specials intentionally gave no XP and full Wealth and Prestige, to allow them to function as a bonus for the players who ran them. People complained about not getting the XP point, saying they felt penalized, but that wasn't the intention. This method would allow it to function either way, depending on the player's preference.

[Harkaelian]

Why would anyone feel penalized for not getting the exp point? It means you get a small wealth bump for your character and extra play chances. Considering the fact at 3 adventures to a level you are already severely restricted on play for your character I would vote for MORE zero exp mods, not less or none. After all how many interactives are actually played each year? Paizocon and Gencon?

[Chris Kenney]

Harkaelian wrote:

Why would anyone feel penalized for not getting the exp point? It means you get a small wealth bump for your character and extra play chances. Considering the fact at 3 adventures to a level you are already severely restricted on play for your character I would vote for MORE zero exp mods, not less or none. After all how many interactives are actually played each year? Paizocon and Gencon?

That's not entirely clear to me either, but it happened, and that's why it seems to me the best option is to offer it as a choice.

Next year, the Special will probably be run at Paizocon, Origins, GenCon, DragonCon, and probably Paizocon UK and Paizocon OZ. Don't hold me to that, of course, I'm not on the events team. There might be enough tables and GMs at some other major events, but not many. It's something that people will really have to go out of their way to play in.

[Joshua J. Frost]

I don't see a time where the Tier 12 PCs will be included in Tier 1-11 Specials. I *do* see a time where we'll have special retired character events.

[Arnim Thayer]

So are the Special PFS events unavailable for other conventions? I ask because I am in the process of planning PF events for our local convention, but rarely have the time or resources (i.e. money) to attend any of the bigger conventions, such as GenCon. As a con-organizer, the ability to have an event like this is a definite "pull" for attendees.

[Chris Kenney]

Joshua's said elsewhere that the Special is hypothetically available to anyone who can guarantee that they can run enough tables. I pretty much listed just the ones that WILL have that many people.

For reference, PaizoCon ran six tables, with 5-6 players sitting at each table. Along with an event organizer and two-three helpers, that's going to be a minimum of about 40 people guaranteed to be in the seats before you can start.

Most smaller conventions, even ones that run the RPGA's battle-interactives, don't have six tables set aside for PFS yet. If you can manage it, more power to you.

EDIT: Edited because I realized that you hadn't specified the size of YOUR convention.

[Joshua J. Frost]

Once the development is done, I'll likely set a table minimum at three tables--so three Table GMs, one Overseer GM, and a minimum of 12 players.

After Gen Con, this Special will be available to any game stores and conventions that can run it within the table restrictions noted above. Hopefully 16 participants is an achievable goal for most events.

[Arnim Thayer]

Fantastic! Last year we seated about 30 people for Pathfinder in its introduction year. And some of those were so new to the game, they bought their Core book at the Con just so they could play!

[Arnim Thayer]

Since the Original Topic of this thread is potential ideas for Season 2, I thought I would throw some out.

1) More "spiritual sequels" - The smaller, two-part story arcs allow for a great afternoon at the FLGS... and gives us organizers the ability to fill two tables easier, usually the same players twice!

2) More 5-9 tier scenarios - Looking at Season 1, in comparison to Season 0, there were WAY more 7-11 than 5-9. With the rate of attrition on PCs, the need for more 5-9 scenarios is a most; so that players have a chance to reach those higher level tiers. Add in the retirement of Season 0 scenarios, and even the 1-5 and 1-7 tier scenarios start looking thin.

That's what I have for now... feel free to add your own thoughts. Since i know Joshua Frost DOES pay attention to the boards, maybe he can give us his feedback as well.