Can GM's play a character in the game they're GMing?

[UnitedWeStand]

So I know back in the old days when my group of gamers was fluctuating a bit I (as the GM) would run a PC of my own to help round out the party whenever it was needed. It was fun but also...difficult at times especially when I ended up killing my own character but hey that's simply being fair.

So my question is this, in PFS is there a rule preventing GMs from running their own characters through a game? I'm assuming there is but I was unable to find any direct reference to this in the manual (wouldn't be the first time I missed something though). Obviously there would be an issue of playing fair but whenever that comes into question I tend to use dice to roll to decide who my monsters attack instead of me personally picking them.

[joe kirner]

no. the gm cannot run his own character. He gets to use the chronicle sheet to apply it to any of his own characters that fit the appropriate levels. IE running a 1-5 scenario he gets to apply the chronicle sheet to any of his characters that are currently between lvl 1-5. Or apply it to a future character of his/hers once they reach one of those levels.

[LazarX]

You're asking the wrong question. PFS isn't about what's forbidden, it's about what's allowed.. Nothing is allowed unless the rules specifically say you can. Since there isn't a rule that a person can GM and play at the same time. (and it's really bad idea anyway) I'm going go with this response.

There is no rule that allows you to play and GM at the same table.

[TriOmegaZero]

Guide to Organized Play pg 20 wrote:

One Character at a Time

You may only play one character during a specific scenario session. You may have more than one active character in Pathfinder Society Organized Play, but playing more than one during a specific session is considered cheating. GMs are allowed to play one pregenerated character during a session, but only to make a legal table.

[BigNorseWolf]

No, you have to use the pre gen, and you can only do THAT to make a legal table size.

[UnitedWeStand]

TriOmegaZero wrote:

Guide to Organized Play pg 20 wrote:

One Character at a Time

You may only play one character during a specific scenario session. You may have more than one active character in Pathfinder Society Organized Play, but playing more than one during a specific session is considered cheating. GMs are allowed to play one pregenerated character during a session, but only to make a legal table.

Ahha! I am officially blind. Thank you, kind sir. That works out well enough for me.

[Andrew Riebe]

I don't think that there are any rules that say you can't (at least none that I have found), but worrying about your character in the heat of battle, while you are trying to stop the party from succeeding at their missions could get a bit hairy.

I know that, if the party isn't large enough to run the minimum (4 players) then you are encouraged to NPC one of the pregen characters.

You can find that information in the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play, Chapter 7 (page 31), Section: Legal Table Size.

[SteelDraco]

Yep, it's only legal if there are three players and a GM. The GM can run a pregen to make a table of four PCs.

[joe kirner]

Andrew Riebe wrote:

I don't think that there are any rules that say you can't (at least none that I have found), but worrying about your character in the heat of battle, while you are trying to stop the party from succeeding at their missions could get a bit hairy.

I know that, if the party isn't large enough to run the minimum (4 players) then you are encouraged to NPC one of the pregen characters.

You can find that information in the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play, Chapter 7
(page 31), Section: Legal Table Size.

Remember. Your job as a gm is not trying to stop the pcs from succeeding at their missions. Presenting the pcs with a fun challenging adventure is the goal.

[Don Walker]

Also note:

When you only have 3 players and you, as the GM, are required to run a level appropriate pregen as the 4th PC, you don't report that pregen on Paizo.com. If you are taking GM credit for that adventure you put your PC's number in the field at the top of the form.

So you can end up with tables with only 3 players reported.

And actually, if you have any players replaying the adventure, who don't get credit for the game, you could end up with less than 3 players being reported.

[Shinobikazuma]

I sometimes roleplay my characters into the scenarios for fun. My Magus can often be seen roaming the libraries of the Pathfinder lodge, assisting newer pathfinders with information for the appropriate Knowledge checks.

If there's a bar in Absalom my Gunslinger will be hanging out drinking.

That's about the only way I can play my characters when I'm GMING :P.

[TriOmegaZero]

My bard was the NPC Pathfinder that joined my Siege of the Diamond City table and ran messages to them during the battle. My rogue was often the one to deliver faction mission letters to the party.

[Iammars]

Local players whose PCs have earned the title of Venture Captain give out the briefings for modules.

[Drake McCliffer]

My sorcerer left his signature on the wall of Amara Lee's lighthouse in way of the kirin and when i run the game characters with very high perception check can spot it, which leads to some funny "wtf" moments with some pcs who has met him in other adventures.

had one inquisitor say "he's everywhere..." with a look of horror.

[Draven Torakhan]

If I'm GMing with my 'base group', I really don't see the harm in running my own PC/NPC with them if they need to flesh it out. Even with a pre-gen, I make it clear there's some choices that -they- have to make, because as a GM, I don't have a 'vote'. (The decisions the PCs had to make in Glass River Rescue, for instance).

But, the rules do say this isn't allowed, so I go by the rules. I just don't really see why, is all.

[Lanith]

In answer to your question, OP, yes it can be done. As TOZ stated, only to make 4 characters at a table, in Society play. (Home games, go crazy)

I had to play a pregen tonight to finish out a table. Please, I beg of you, don't make me do that again. Having to run the scenario and then switch to a helpful NPC was difficult, as I didn't want to spoil anything, but still be helpful. (I honestly think I was a horrible addition to the party.)

[kinevon]

Lanith wrote:

In answer to your question, OP, yes it can be done. As TOZ stated, only to make 4 characters at a table, in Society play. (Home games, go crazy)

I had to play a pregen tonight to finish out a table. Please, I beg of you, don't make me do that again. Having to run the scenario and then switch to a helpful NPC was difficult, as I didn't want to spoil anything, but still be helpful. (I honestly think I was a horrible addition to the party.)

Actually, Lanith, the answer to the OP's question is actually no. If the party has only three members, the GM can play one of the PFS pregens, not one of his own PCs.

Also note, many times, in PFS, the GM will put the general onus of running the iconic on one of the players at the table, since that avoids several potential issues, including the GM using GM knowledge for NPC actions, and reducing the difficulty of running the module and a party member.

[Don Walker]

The Guide specifically states that the GM is responsible for running the pregen in 3 player/4 PC groups. Though, I don't think anyone would complain if the GM decided to hand that responsibility off to the players.

[RainyDayNinja]

Don Walker wrote:

The Guide specifically states that the GM is responsible for running the pregen in 3 player/4 PC groups. Though, I don't think anyone would complain if the GM decided to hand that responsibility off to the players.

Just make sure that the guy playing the pregen Kyra isn't hogging all the healing for himself.