Buying into the game


Pathfinder Adventure Card Society


What are some recommendations for starting into this game? Usually, I'm one of those players who wants to buy all of the expansions of a game once they've been out, but I don't know if my wallet will allow me to buy into all of the expansions of both Rise of the Runelords and Skulls & Shackles. I'm interested in getting some Adventure Card Guild events happening in my area, as we have a decent amount of board and card gamers, as well as a fair number of people playing Pathfinder Society Role Play. Thanks in advance!

1/5 *

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Certainly, the most budget-oriented way to start the game is to buy one Class Deck and play Adventure Card Guild events happening at a retailer that carries Paizo products in your area, since those stores can get a free copy of the Skull and Shackles Base Set. If there is an ACG Venture-Lieutenant in your area on this list, he or she would be a good person to contact to find out if events were going on near your area.

If your wallet will allow you to spring for one box but not both, I'd say it's a matter of what theme you prefer: more standard fantasy adventure (Rise of the Runelords) or pirate-themed adventure (Skull and Shackles). Don't worry about getting both right away; even though you can mix the cards or run characters from one game in the other, I wouldn't do that for a first play-through; there is plenty of variety in characters for replayability in one box.

If you are still on the fence as to which box you'd rather start with: Skull and Shackles is considered to be somewhat harder than Rise of the Runelords was, as general consensus felt that Rise of the Runelords was somewhat easy until the very end. Skull and Shackles also contains two more scenarios in the box than Rise of the Runelords did, so that's about another two hours of playtime. Another thing that may guide your preference is the classes found in each box; if you are familar with the RPG you will likely have a sense of what each class is good at.

Since the game is episodic in nature; you really only need to buy further adventure decks as you progress through the story, so don't worry about getting them all at once. If you decided to go the Rise of the Runelords route, I would suggest to look for the 2nd Printing versions of adventure decks (Printed in the USA, not China).

Hope that helps!

Shadow Lodge 4/5 *** Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant

If you're wanting to use your own set to help get PFSACG going in your area, you should get Skull & Shackles. RotR isn't a part of the organized play.

Scarab Sages 5/5 5/5 *** Venture-Captain, Washington—Spokane

Jason,

If you are just playing with a group that is running ACG game days, then a class deck is all you would need to get started. On the other hand if you are getting games started outside an FLGS, one class deck for yourself and the Skull and Shackles base set will get you through Adventure 1 (5 scenarios). You really do not need to get the Rise of the Runelords set as it is not party of organized play. The rest of the Skull and Shackles decks you can get as you get closer to the completion of each adventure in Season 0. Hope it helps.


Thanks for the information! Looks like I'll buy a copy of Skulls & Shackles and some expansions for now. We don't really have a FLGS yet, though one is scheduled to open March 15th and he's interested in picking up the ACG after I shared this information. We don't really have a card guild where I'm from, though I am the VL of the role play side (PFS), so I've got good contacts as far as that goes to get things started.

One other question, is there convention support for the ACG like there is for the RPG? We have people in the area who have played the card game in the past and like it, and I think there is one gamer who actually owns it, if he can ever get time off work, lol. I'm sure if I owned the game and got others to play/buy into it, they would gladly run it at conventions, seems like there is good crossover between the RPG and ACG.

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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Jason Rosauer wrote:
One other question, is there convention support for the ACG like there is for the RPG? We have people in the area who have played the card game in the past and like it, and I think there is one gamer who actually owns it, if he can ever get time off work, lol. I'm sure if I owned the game and got others to play/buy into it, they would gladly run it at conventions, seems like there is good crossover between the RPG and ACG.

My understanding is that if the convention qualifies for support (gets boons/books/whatever else from Paizo) if the organizer mentions that the ACG will be played, Mike Brock might throw in some Class Decks into the support box.

Also, I am sending you a PM.

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