A few details, my boys are 9 & 12 and have been playing RPGs for about 4 years, and Pathfinder specifically for at least 2 years (the full game actually with me running it). We are attending GenCon this year for the 3rd time and I thought it might be fun to test the waters of organized play with them. I realize there is a Kid's Track with the Beginner's Box (which they actually have no experience with), but they would probably enjoy it more if Dad was playing too.
So, is this allowed? How to proceed? Thanks in advance for your opinions and posts.
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Allowed, yes. Encouraged, yes, by most. I play regularly with a father son duo, and it's a blast.
To get started read the Guide to Organized Play a couple times, there are some PFS "house rules" that can trip up players who are used to Pathfinder, but not used to PFS. For example eliminating Crafting from the game.
see: PlayerResources
The only concern I have with young players is regarding patience level. Expect a scenario to run between 4 and 5 hours. If they have been playing RPGs for 4 years then they are already more experienced than I am. If they can handle sitting for a 5 hour game (sitting still is optional in my book if they are not distracting/interrupting others) then I say the three of you should join in with a regular session.
As long as they are playing with their parent I have not had an issue with kids playing at my table.
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Never had a problem with kids at the tables. I've gone to GenCon for the last 5 years and sat at several tables with father son duos and never had an issue. The kids actually bring a different kind of energy to the game which is welcomed. In addition, it's always nice to see families participate in Pathfinder together. I have played with my son since he was 12 (he is now 22) and I can truly say it brings us closer together that we can share our interest in gaming. So proceed as normal. Buy your tickets and have fun!
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For kid's track specifically-The adventures are shorter (2 hour slots), but they're aimed at teaching the game and are mostly simplified even further than the beginner's box. Advanced kid's track is a bit more involved, for slightly more experienced kids and/or those who have gone through the first set of kid's track adventures. In either case though, parents need to be there but generally don't play. I ran it the past two years and never had an adult play except possibly to make a table. The adults just really aren't the focus.
It sounds like your sons are definitely experienced enough to enjoy regular PFS though! You can either use pregenerated characters, which are available for free at GenCon, or check out the Guide to Organized Play to make your own. The Confirmation is an excellent scenario designed specifically to start new characters, so I'd definitely recommend you check that out. The Horn of Aroden has a young man as a major NPC that they might enjoy interacting with, and Library of the Lion would make a great prelude to the Horn of Aroden if they'd enjoy a combat-light, investigation-heavy scenario. It might be a little slow though, depending on how patient they are. The Stolen Heir is another solid low-level scenario with a bit of everything.
My 9 year old boys did the kids track last year at GenCon. They liked it so much I spent a lot of time returning tickets and getting them tickets for more beginner track events. They did 5 in total. I didn't play in the beginner track events but I did stay there with them and kept them focused and helped them remember to roleplay not play a numbers game. For example, "Say you'll listen for sounds behind the door, not ask if you can make a perception check."
We're signed up for two PFS events now for GenCon 2014 for the three of us. They will need a refresher since they didn't play over the last year, but we're working on that.
Unfortunately I signed us up for a 1-5 adventure (#6-01) and a 3-7 (#6-02). I'm new to PFS and didn't realize that it takes 9 adventures (and no deaths) to get to level 3, so... I have to figure out how to get GenCon to cancel/refund the tickets so I can get another adventure for 1-5 for that second time slot.
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My 9 year old boys did the kids track last year at GenCon. They liked it so much I spent a lot of time returning tickets and getting them tickets for more beginner track events. They did 5 in total. I didn't play in the beginner track events but I did stay there with them and kept them focused and helped them remember to roleplay not play a numbers game. For example, "Say you'll listen for sounds behind the door, not ask if you can make a perception check."
We're signed up for two PFS events now for GenCon 2014 for the three of us. They will need a refresher since they didn't play over the last year, but we're working on that.
Unfortunately I signed us up for a 1-5 adventure (#6-01) and a 3-7 (#6-02). I'm new to PFS and didn't realize that it takes 9 adventures (and no deaths) to get to level 3, so... I have to figure out how to get GenCon to cancel/refund the tickets so I can get another adventure for 1-5 for that second time slot.
You could use the 4th or 7th level pregenerated characters to play in the higher level scenario and thrn either apply that credit when your actial characters reach the level of the pregen you used, or you can apply the credit towards a 1st level character. There's more info on this process in the guide to organized play. If youd still like to switch out though, you can refund a ticket transaction by clicking your name in the top right corner of the gencon registration site and going to the transactions page. It'll refund as gencon credit which you can use to get more tickets, or carry over from year to year.
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Well - it only takes 6 adventures to get to level 3. :P (9 to level 3 times)
Query - does anyone know if there's something similar at Origins? I seem to recall that PFS had an age min of 12. My neice & 2 nephews (ages 14/12/10) play Pathfinder some (I ran a couple sessions for them & their dad - he's taken over for several more)
This year - they're planning on hitting up Origins for a day - and the 2 older ones are going to play a round of PFS with me. My younger nephew (age 10) would probably want to - but I remembered the 12+ limit from previous years and warned their father.
Or is the 12+ just the reccomendation?
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Well - it only takes 6 adventures to get to level 3. :P (9 to level 3 times)
Query - does anyone know if there's something similar at Origins? I seem to recall that PFS had an age min of 12. My neice & 2 nephews (ages 14/12/10) play Pathfinder some (I ran a couple sessions for them & their dad - he's taken over for several more)
This year - they're planning on hitting up Origins for a day - and the 2 older ones are going to play a round of PFS with me. My younger nephew (age 10) would probably want to - but I remembered the 12+ limit from previous years and warned their father.
Or is the 12+ just the reccomendation?
12+ is just a recommendation. Most scenarios are written with an assumption of no worse than PG-13 mentality, so some mature ideas can be brushed on during a scenario. A GM can adjust how prevalent or understated such themes come through during game play though, to a certain extent, to try and match the maturity of the table.
I would mention that to their father, but otherwise, I'm sure children are more than welcome there. Michael McNerney and his group of VO's do a great job putting forth a good show at Origins (at least it was an excellent experience last year).
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The GenCon game list has a few great choices for kids:
The Confirmation is designed as an entry level scenario for brand new players. It has a nice mix of lore, exploration, and combat and goes over the tenets of the Pathfinder Society in the game world.
We Be Goblins! is a hilarious one-shot scenario where the players instead use pre-generated Goblin PCs in an epic quest to secure more fireworks for your tribe! It's silly, unusual, and a lot of fun.
We Be Goblins, Too! is the sequel to the first We Be Goblins that continues the story of the four goblin heroes from before a they try to become the new king or queen of their own tribe! Thing are stepped a notch in this scenario (level 3 instead of level 1) if they want something with a bit more meat to it for action and goblin antics.
Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate it.
They are very much down with the idea of making our own starting three characters. Sounds like The Confirmation is the way to go for us. Is there a session to jump in after that one? Also, what is the process of prepping a PC? I have Hero Lab so making them correctly isn't too difficult, but I'm assuming that we pass them along to a DM? I'm fairly conversant with general PFS character restrictions since we mostly adopt those for our local campaigns.
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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They are very much down with the idea of making our own starting three characters.
Coordinating characters can be super-fun; my wife and I have matching PCs that we only play together, and it's a blast!
Also, what is the process of prepping a PC? I have Hero Lab so making them correctly isn't too difficult, but I'm assuming that we pass them along to a DM? I'm fairly conversant with general PFS character restrictions since we mostly adopt those for our local campaigns.
The only real "requirement" is that the PC is fully legal. It would be wise to have another set of eyes check it for you. :) For that matter, it's wise to review anything you build in HeroLab to make sure you can reproduce all the numbers manually.
Thanks for the advice folks. We've signed up for The Confirmation on Friday and then we'll try Scars of the Third Crusade on Saturday. I picked that one since we're all 3 going to be in the Silver Crusade faction. Sounds like it should be fun.