Caleb Williams 957 |
Hello to everyone that is reading this! I would just like to say first off I have no experience what so ever in PF or any game similar. In fact, I just purchased the core rulebook not too long ago. Although however interested I may be, none of my friends play this game and there aren't any PF gatherings near my location. With that said the information provided in the rulebook looks a bit overwhelming to a newbie like myself when trying to create a new character and learning the ropes. How would a player like myself who doesnt have the resources to meet other PF players like myself get involved with the community and starting a campaign with others? I've heard that roll20 is a decent website to adventure online but I was not sure if there are any other alternatives. Any helpful advice would be appreciated, whether about helping me create a character or finding a tight knit, friendly website as to where I can immerse myself and my character. I'm willing to provide my Skype information to further discuss this matter further off of the forums. Again any and all advice is much appreciated, thank you!
Arksangiel |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hello to everyone that is reading this! I would just like to say first off I have no experience what so ever in PF or any game similar. In fact, I just purchased the core rulebook not too long ago. Although however interested I may be, none of my friends play this game and there aren't any PF gatherings near my location.
You know, I've previously managed to find players and create games in the following places:
Bahrain
Okinawa
Memphis
Seattle* (not as hard as the others)
You *can* find players. And the rules are only as overwhelming as you want them to be...except grapple, that's just complicated.
It's little different from practicing at a video game or studying a class in school--you get better at it over time.
As to creating a character, here's my advice:
1) Start with a character concept. "I want a mighty warrior who slays his enemy with pure strength" is a concept you can build from, or "I want a spellcaster who confuses everyone with magical powers."
2) Find the mechanics to fit the concept
a. High-strength Fighter or Barbarian with a two-handed weapon and power attack.
b. A wizard or sorcerer, with spell focus (enchantment) and a bunch of enchantment spells.
3) Come here, look at the guide to the class guides, and use those ideas to refine your initial construction.
Good luck.
Grolloc |
The core book is pretty dense collection of rules to try to learn from without some experienced help. If you and your friends have never played any pen/paper RPGs before, I would suggest picking up the Beginner Box. That does an excellent job of teaching those dense rules, as well as the basics of roleplaying, gamemastering (running the game for other players,) character building, leveling up, and a lot of other concepts that many more experienced gamers will forget to talk about in an advice forum. The PDF is only 9.95, or see if you can pick up a physical copy at your FLGS (friendly local game store.) There are a bunch of free download add-ons once you have played through the contents of the box.
Also, you can contact your closest Pathfinder Society Organized Play regional coordinator for advice about how to find, or start games in your area. Organized play, while not the only or necessarily best option for play, is a good starting place to learn the rules and meet other more experienced gamers. It also strips out some of the more complicated and world-inappropriate material that might overwhelm new players.
Kazumetsa_Raijin |
Hello to everyone that is reading this! I would just like to say first off I have no experience what so ever in PF or any game similar. In fact, I just purchased the core rulebook not too long ago. Although however interested I may be, none of my friends play this game and there aren't any PF gatherings near my location. With that said the information provided in the rulebook looks a bit overwhelming to a newbie like myself when trying to create a new character and learning the ropes. How would a player like myself who doesnt have the resources to meet other PF players like myself get involved with the community and starting a campaign with others? I've heard that roll20 is a decent website to adventure online but I was not sure if there are any other alternatives. Any helpful advice would be appreciated, whether about helping me create a character or finding a tight knit, friendly website as to where I can immerse myself and my character. I'm willing to provide my Skype information to further discuss this matter further off of the forums. Again any and all advice is much appreciated, thank you!
There is roll20.net, and I do love that place. However, it's just improper to start that way, if you can help it.
I'd recommend going to warhorn.net, and starting in some pathfinder society play. Search for your city, or a gaming store near you. Events should pop up, and you can hopefully join one!
Kydeem de'Morcaine |
As others have said.
The CRB is a fairly tough chunk to digest if you don't have any experienced players to help you. Not impossible, but not simple.
If you and your entire group are beginners, starting with the beginners box is a bit easier.
I think the best way is to find experienced players.
1) Try warhorn.net to find a PFS event you can get to. I have a friend who could only occasionally make it once every couple months to a PFS event since the closest was over an hours drive. But talking to some of the other guys, he found out that a few others were traveling from around the city where he lived to the same long distance PFS event. They made a new group in his town.
2) Put up a post in the closest game shop looking for a group. Kinda old school, but it still works sometimes.
3) There are some other web sites dedicated to finding table top gaming groups. I don't remember the names, but I would bet some of the others will be able to help you out.
4) Virtual gaming by something like roll20.net isn't the ideal learning tool, but it is better than nothing. Most groups on roll20.net seem to assume you already know the system. But if you are clear that you are a beginner and trying to learn, there are probably some that work with new players.
5) Play by Post. It is very slow. Again, I don't think this is such a great way to learn (except that you have plenty of time to look up rules if you want). Some people love it. Some people hate it. It is usually too slow for me.
LazarX |
Caleb welcome to the boards... a few pieces of advice that may save your love of gaming.
1. Take nothing without a grain of salt... including everything I post. Nothing will kill your love of the game faster than taking the extreme gamists in this venue too seriously.
2. Download the Guide to Campaign Play. and read up on joining the Pathfinder Society Network Campaign. In the back of that document, you'll find contact info for local Venture Captains and Lieutenants who will help you get in on the action local in that area.
3. Don't be afraid to make mistakes coming out. You'll never learn faster.
BretI |
If warhorn doesn't have a group near you, check meetup.com as well. There are several Meetup groups for Pathfinder.
If you bought the core rule book at a nearby game shop, check there and see if they know of any groups. Many dedicated game shops host games that you may be able to join.
Welcome and I hope you find a group soon!
Hawktitan |
5) Play by Post. It is very slow. Again, I don't think this is such a great way to learn (except that you have plenty of time to look up rules if you want). Some people love it. Some people hate it. It is usually too slow for me.
Just for the other side of the coin. I've done quite a few play by post games on these boards and it's been fairly consistent experience. Every PFS game I've been in has completed (though I have been in a couple of homebrews that but many of those fizzle). If you find it slow then you can also easily be in more then one game at a time. Currently I'm doing four - 2 PFS scenarios, 1 AP for PFS credit, and 1 homebrew.
I think play by post is a great place for beginners, precisely because they can take their time and not get overwhelmed by events.
Mythic Evil Lincoln |
I join the others recommending the Beginner Box.
If that's not a good option for you, my best advice is not to take on too much. Playing the game and finishing stories is more important than executing every rule in the book correctly.
Literally 80% of the Core Rulebook can be safely ignored, and in the hands of a new group it will probably result in a creatively vibrant, entertaining game.
Use the rules as a vessel for your story, but learn when to ignore them. Hint: Ignore them whenever they say something cool can't happen.
Caleb Williams 957 |
I appreciate the input everyone! I'll definitely be checking out Warhorn and such. I reside in Graham, N.C. with the area code 27253. I was looking at the regional coordinators and if I'm not mistaken the closest is about an hour away but my vehicle can't handle that kind of drive too and back every week or so. Thanks for the ideas ladies and gents
LazarX |
I appreciate the input everyone! I'll definitely be checking out Warhorn and such. I reside in Graham, N.C. with the area code 27253. I was looking at the regional coordinators and if I'm not mistaken the closest is about an hour away but my vehicle can't handle that kind of drive too and back every week or so. Thanks for the ideas ladies and gents
Caleb.. download the guide, and email your local VC and VL.. they're responsible for getting PFS running through your entire region. Chances are they may know of a PFS venue near enough to you.
Kazumetsa_Raijin |
I appreciate the input everyone! I'll definitely be checking out Warhorn and such. I reside in Graham, N.C. with the area code 27253. I was looking at the regional coordinators and if I'm not mistaken the closest is about an hour away but my vehicle can't handle that kind of drive too and back every week or so. Thanks for the ideas ladies and gents
Caleb, if it helps at all, Atomic Empire in Durham NC(roughly 33 minutes from Graham) hosts Pathfinder Society games every Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday. That's where I go! There is also GameTheory in Raleigh NC, but that seems to be roughly an hour from Graham.
revaar |
If you are in an area where your nearest PFS is an hour away, try to go to an event or two anyway. After getting your feet wet, and meeting people, you might be able to play with those people online. Also, chances are you won't be the only one making a drive. You never know if you will meet someone who you could car pool with, or start a local game with.
TheJayde |
Find a local hobby store. They are everywhere. You dont even have to go to one that is dedicated to a particular game style as game groups tend to be... uh... incestuous I guess is a good term.
Games Workshop (Warhammer) stores are good to go to because people tend to be interested in similar types of games. You may not find anyone looking to play Pathfinder there, but the people that play there probably have friends that do play pathfinder or some similar game. If you find a place dedicated to board games, that works too.
Game stores often have spaces that people can come and play at the store. My local place (a place called GMI) runs all sorts of games from Magic The Gatherin, to Warhammer, or Hordes, or Pathfinder, or evne simple boardgames. Whatever people want to play.