Clarissa Lightwind |
So a friend and I have started PFS and we have noticed a trend in our first three games we have played. We get angry looks and annoyed comments because we bring level one characters to the table. Do people expect new players to play 4th level pregens so they can play up with their characters? Are there certain unspoken rules about what you should sign up for and run when you are new?
Just wanted to see what the "norm" is so we can find out if this is something we need to adjust or not.
Abyssian |
No. Players and GMs should expect players to play any characters allowed by the tier/subtier (in the case of wide-range scenarios). If the other folks at your table are unhappy with your brand-new characters, they are probably being selfish and/or immature.
All characters start at 1st level (ok, well, except for GM characters). Everybody should understand and expect that.
Nebten |
I am sorry to hear about your experiences. Most PFS players are very warming to new players.
How are you signing up for games? If it is on Warhorn, typically players list the character class and level they plan on playing.
A suggestion would be to ask who is setting up the game if they have a low level table running so you can be with others at the same level as you.
Abyssian |
Yes, btw, Warhorn lets you read the party makeup as you sign up and also gives other players and the GM a heads-up to your level 1-edness. That said, if a table is legal (that is, there is a GM and at least 3 but no greater than 7 players with appropriately leveled characters or pre-gens) than the GM and the other players are obligated to let you play. (The exception would be that a 7th player isn't under any "obligation" for allowance to play)
If your GM or your co-players are not especially receptive to your playing, bring it up with a Venture Officer. If they don't respond, you can take it up (directly!) with the Paizo Pathfinder Society representatives, Mike Brock, Mark Moreland, or James Sutter. I don't want you to have to go directly to top leadership, but if your local PFS leadership can't handle it, I'm sure that they will.
PFS is supposed to be inclusive. If your character is legal and there is room for you to play, you should be playing. If it's the players giving you trouble, the GM should assuage that. If your GM is giving you grief, your Venture Officers should take care of that with a quick reminder as to the purpose of organized play.
Malag |
The "norm" is to help new players. Usually it's expected from a player to help out the others if the level range is different by grabing a pregen, but nobody will force you on this. In fact, if anyone should do this, it's the experienced ones if you ask me.
There are no unspoken rules I believe, but there are expectations from players. Try to learn rules (at least in regard for your character), read the PFS Guide (which fairly few players do in my area) and communicate, report and cooperate between each other.
Happy gaming!
Adam
henwy |
Just earlier today I logged in to play a game online and there were three other players. I had a 4th and there was a 3rd, a 5th, and a 1st. The 1st clearly wanted to play their char rather than a pregen so I dropped rather than play down. It's usually hard to get the high tier to go off in online games I find. If it's at a LGS, you pretty much know who's likely to show up and what characters they have and at what levels. Some extra communication beforehand allows the GM to pick a scenario that fits everyone. Playing out of tier often feels to me like I'm wasting a scenario. Either it's a romp or I'm stuck in the back trying my best to hide and not die. Since you only get to play each once, I find dropping to be the better solution.
Abyssian |
Just earlier today I logged in to play a game online and there were three other players. I had a 4th and there was a 3rd, a 5th, and a 1st. The 1st clearly wanted to play their char rather than a pregen so I dropped rather than play down. It's usually hard to get the high tier to go off in online games I find. If it's at a LGS, you pretty much know who's likely to show up and what characters they have and at what levels. Some extra communication beforehand allows the GM to pick a scenario that fits everyone. Playing out of tier often feels to me like I'm wasting a scenario. Either it's a romp or I'm stuck in the back trying my best to hide and not die. Since you only get to play each once, I find dropping to be the better solution.
What is "dropped?" Do you mean playing down? If you do, the current rules set has specifics for when you play up or down. I don't mean to antagonize, I'm just not sure what you mean.
The Fox |
henwy wrote:Just earlier today I logged in to play a game online and there were three other players. I had a 4th and there was a 3rd, a 5th, and a 1st. The 1st clearly wanted to play their char rather than a pregen so I dropped rather than play down. It's usually hard to get the high tier to go off in online games I find. If it's at a LGS, you pretty much know who's likely to show up and what characters they have and at what levels. Some extra communication beforehand allows the GM to pick a scenario that fits everyone. Playing out of tier often feels to me like I'm wasting a scenario. Either it's a romp or I'm stuck in the back trying my best to hide and not die. Since you only get to play each once, I find dropping to be the better solution.What is "dropped?" Do you mean playing down? If you do, the current rules set has specifics for when you play up or down. I don't mean to antagonize, I'm just not sure what you mean.
I think he might mean that he walked away from the game. I hope I'm wrong, though, because that would be LAME. He could have, himself, played a pregen level 1 character instead of leaving three other players and a GM high and dry, if he did not want to play his level 4 in the Subtier 1-2.
henwy |
Yep. Just decided not to play. The table was still legal without me and IMO, not playing is better than going through a mismatch. The response from many people has been to complaints about tiers that you don't have to play and can choose not to. That's a far better outcome than playing what you don't want to.
BigNorseWolf |
Before going Core rulebook to the head! (which is the correct response if they're actually annoyed that new people are.. well.. new...)
First I'd see if they're not kidding. Charisma isn't just a dump stat for a lot of our characters, its a way of life. I know I've made jests like "babysitting mission" and "Oh good, someone brought bait" without meaning anything behind it.
Are they keeping you alive with shield other, buffs, playing meat shield for you, spending wand charges to top you off, and covering expenses because its pocket change at 5th?
Baronjett |
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I ask my players to have a back up 1st or 2nd level character ready so new players are always welcome in our area. In addition we do sign ups and dedicated high level games to keep the "old timers" happy. As a GM I always have 3 replayable sessions ready to pull out like Murder's Mark, First Steps or Thornkeep level 1-2. Of course the modules do end up taking longer with new players. I also like to sit new players with experienced players that like to help newbies get up to speed if possible. If you have the time, 5 or 6 hours the modules are a nice way to go. Everyone gets a whole level if they are successful and your newbies are already on their way!
Now with that being said some times a game has been organized for a while at a higher tier. I like the new rule that allows 500 gold and 1 experience to be assigned to 1st level character when playing a Pregen. That has really helped when we have a spot at a higher level table and a new player happens to stop by.
Michael Meunier |
From an organizer perspective, I think my approach would make a difference if this was a one or multiple table location. I personally like to have a level 1 table available at all my multi-table events (I also usually try to run it). If it's a single table event and all the players are 4th-5th, they might be showing some resentment since they might be forced to "play down" and get less money. I hope this isn't the case and it's more like BNW suggested as new players being comfortable is important to the game continuing to thrive.
If it ever gets to be an issue, get your local VC/L involved. If they don't respond, let me know :).