I've gotten mixed messages on who can play Master of the Fallen Fortress. Some judges say any PCs of 1st level (O to 2 XP), others say only PCs with 0 XP.
.
and my search-fu has failed me when I try to sort it out from all the posts on it.

So my question is, can a PC that has played First Steps Part 1, then play MotFF?

Thanks for the help!

It was originally intended for fresh new characters with 0 xp only.

However, times have changed, and currently it is treated as a level 1 module, that gives out 1 xp and 1 pp for playing. You can replay it as many times as you want with level 1 characters and only a single time with a level 2 character.

I think the confusion comes from how it has changed its playability since release way back when. That and the fact that rules for playing modules in general has changed a time or two since then as well.

Thanks Sniggvert - can I get you to post the same response over ...
here ?

My wife and I are thinking of playing this at a CON in a little over a week - she's got a Wiz with 2 XP and while I can run a newbie, she's figuring she has enough PCs to do her for a while.

And thanks!

Sniggevert, I'd like some clarification on these, if possible:

However, times have changed, and currently it is treated as a level 1 module, that gives out 1 xp and 1 pp for playing.

Why 1 pp? I can't find anything in the module to say how many pp you get, but it seems a bit punishing to only get half the usual pp for it.

You can replay it as many times as you want with level 1 characters and only a single time with a level 2 character.

As I understand it, you can only play Tier 1 Scenarios/Modules with a level 1 character. Level 2 characters have to play Tier 1-5. Can you point me to the source of the exception you stated?

I am not Sniggevert, but I think I can help...

Chapter 6, Page 30 of the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organised Play states the following regarding modules:

Free RPG Day Modules

The 16-page, Free RPG Day modules are shorter than a normal 32-page module and are more in line with a normal Pathfinder Society Scenario. Currently, these include Master of the Fallen Fortress, We Be Goblins!, and Dawn of the Scarlet Sun. To bring the Free RPG Day modules more in line with the rest of Pathfinder Society Organized Play, all current and future sanctioned Free RPG Day modules will award 1 XP, 1 PP and the gp amount listed on the Chronicle sheet if using normal advancement. If using slow advancement, they award 0.5 XP, 0.5 PP and half the gp listed on the Chronicle sheet. These apply only on successful completion of the adventure.

In addition, further up the page:

As always, each player may receive credit for each module once as a player and once as a GM, in either order. Players must accept a Chronicle sheet for their character the first time they play a module. A player may replay a module at the GM’s discretion, but the player may not receive more than one player Chronicle sheet per module. The only exception is tier 1–2 modules. A player may only play a tier 1–2 module for credit once with a level 2 character, but may use additional level 1 characters to replay the same module for credit.

I hope that that helps :-)

it seems a bit punishing to only get half the usual pp for it.

It's not that bad; it used to give 0 PP! Bear in mind that there are no faction missions in the module; on some PFS scenarios it's possible to get 0 PP.

Thanks Luke. Yeah, those blurbs on pg 30 in the Guide were where I was getting my info.

As Paz points out, it used to be worse. You still used to get 1 XP but there was no PP, so you were already behind the curve while they were introducing you to the game.

Thanks for the clarification!

But...

A Tier 1 scenario is not a Tier 1-5 scenario. Level 1 characters may play a Tier 1 scenario or a Tier 1-5 scenario. Level 2+ characters may not play Tier 1 scenarios.
Thus, I'd think a "Tier 1-2 module" is a module specifically labelled as such, and may be played by level 1 and level 2 characters. Master of the Fallen Fortress is labelled as a Tier 1 module, though.

Scenarios have the hard coded tiers (i.e. 1, 1-5, 1-7, 3-7, etc.) with subtiers inside, except the Tier 1 scenarios: (respectively 1-2 & 4-5, 1-2 3-4 & 6-7, 3-4 & 6-7, etc.). For scenarios your character MUST fall inside the overall Tier, though it may fall outside the actual subtier being run at the table. So, a level 4 can play in a tier 1-5 scenario, even if the table is being run at subtier 1-2.

Now with modules, they originally were not intended for PFS play. They have come up the rules to permit PFS play to give players more options overall. All modules available for PFS play can be played with characters within 1 level of the level of the module. So, a level 1 module can be played with level 1-2 characters, a level 3 module by level 2-4 characters, level 5 by 4-6, etc. The only difference for level 1's is that they can be replayed if played with a 1st level character.

They have different rules for determining what is legal to play through them with.

Thanks for the clarification!

But...

A Tier 1 scenario is not a Tier 1-5 scenario. Level 1 characters may play a Tier 1 scenario or a Tier 1-5 scenario. Level 2+ characters may not play Tier 1 scenarios.
Thus, I'd think a "Tier 1-2 module" is a module specifically labelled as such, and may be played by level 1 and level 2 characters. Master of the Fallen Fortress is labelled as a Tier 1 module, though.

Modules have the rule that legal characters must be within 1 level of the module's cover level. Thus a the chronicle of a module for Tier 1 may be assigned to a 1st or 2nd level PC. (worded as such to include the We Be Goblins uniqueness).

I think I can see where there is a spot of confusion, here.

The only Tier 1 module, to the best of my knowledge, is:

'Master of the Fallen Fortress'

There are also three Tier 1 Scenarios:

'First Steps' (Part I-III)

As per the GtPFSOP (Chapter 7, Page 32):

If a PC’s level does not fall within the level range of a scenario’s tier, that character can not legally play in that scenario.

So, only 1st level characters can play these scenarios/modules.

This is different to 'Tier 1-2', for which there are the following modules:

'Crypt of the Everflame'
'Godsmouth Heresy'
'Murder's Mark'
'We Be Goblins!'

As noted above, these modules can each be played (or credited to, in the case of We Be Goblins!) *once* with a second level character, and replayed ad nauseum (well, hopefully not quite that much!) with first level characters.

----

So, as far as I understand it, to answer your original question, Marcus, only first level PCs can participate in Master of the Fallen Fortress.

(Which kind of makes sense, as the module is meant to be, narrative-wise, a precursor to joining the Pathfinder Society.)

I think I can see where there is a spot of confusion, here.

The only Tier 1 module, to the best of my knowledge, is:

'Master of the Fallen Fortress'

There are also three Tier 1 Scenarios:

'First Steps' (Part I-III)

As per the GtPFSOP (Chapter 7, Page 32):

GtPFSOP wrote:

If a PC’s level does not fall within the level range of a scenario’s tier, that character can not legally play in that scenario.

So, only 1st level characters can play these scenarios/modules.

This is different to 'Tier 1-2', for which there are the following modules:

'Crypt of the Everflame'
'Godsmouth Heresy'
'Murder's Mark'
'We Be Goblins!'

As noted above, these modules can each be played (or credited to, in the case of We Be Goblins!) *once* with a second level character, and replayed ad nauseum (well, hopefully not quite that much!) with first level characters.

----

So, as far as I understand it, to answer your original question, Marcus, only first level PCs can participate in Master of the Fallen Fortress.

(Which kind of makes sense, as the module is meant to be, narrative-wise, a precursor to joining the Pathfinder Society.)

Actually, the confusion IMO is due to the evolving rules for module play. As of 4.2 there is no longer a "Tier 1" module. The only restriction for playing is that you be within 1 level of the level of the module. So, MoFF is now in line with all of the other level 1 modules, and can be played by level 1-2 characters.

MoFF used to require squeeky new characters too, and that restriction was lifted in the previous season I believe. If not, it definitely was removed with this iteration of the guide.

I took the text I quoted above directly from:

Version 4.2 (August 16, 2012)

I assure you, on p.32, there is still definitely a 'Tier 1' listed.

If I am looking at the wrong document, please let me know - I just downloaded it again, to make sure :-/

EDIT:

I can see where you are coming from - 'Tier 1' is specifically mentioned with respect to scenarios, not modules.

Regarding modules, the Guide has the following to say:

all players must use an existing Pathfinder Society character (without modification) within 1 level of the module’s starting level.

In which case, you *can* play Master of the Fallen Fortress with a second level PC, once!

The only problem that I can see is that the Chronicle Sheet still refers to it as being 'Tier 1', which could be a source of confusion for GMs :-/

Ah, great, thanks! Now, I still can't play MotFF and follow it with all three First Steps, which I think is a horrible shame, but at least I can run that adventure (which I've prepared in the past, already) for level 2s should I ever run out of options. :)

Sorry for being so shaky on the guide. I swear I've read it several times already but it's a lot to get into your head if you're just starting with PFS. :)

Sorry for being so shaky on the guide. I swear I've read it several times already but it's a lot to get into your head

Heh. Well, if the above discussion is any indication, that makes at least two of us ;-) At least we managed to reach the right answer in the end!

The important thing (and the thing which these boards is definitely good for), is that we are able to work-out problems like these, so that we *all* understand the rules properly :-)