Understanding Tiers


Pathfinder Society


Hi all,

Thank you in advance for posting. Also, yes I have read the guide to PFS play, I'm just confused and hoping for some clarification.

It's my understanding that all Tier 1 and Tier 1-2 scenarios can be replayed for credit, and once at level 2. What I don't understand is what Tier 1-2 scenarios count. Maybe there is a list somewhere?

If a scenario has multiple tiers, and one is tier 1-2 does that count?

Also, could someone explain to me what it means that you can only run it once at second level?

Again, thank you for all of your guidance.

Shadow Lodge

Scenarios only have one "tier", but it may have multiple "subtiers". For example, a Tier 1-5 scenario is broken up into Subtier 1-2 and Subtier 4-5.

For the purposes of whether a scenario can be replayed, what matters is the overall "tier", not the "subtier". So S06-10 The Wounded Wisp is a Tier 1-2, which is broken up into Subtier 1 and Subtier 2. Since the overall tier is Tier 1-2, it is a replayable scenario.

On the other hand, S06-08 The Segang Expedition is a Tier 1-5, broken up into Subtier 1-2 and Subtier 4-5. Since the overall tier is Tier 1-5, it is not a replayable scenario.


Thank you so much for posting this. It explains a lot.

What about the running it at level 2, how does that work?

Grand Lodge 4/5

Aosrax wrote:
What about the running it at level 2, how does that work?

The Tier 1-2 scenarios that can be run with the player's own character include adjustments if the average party level rounds up to 2 and for similar situations involving a lot of experienced players on the table.

Evergreens that use 1st level pre-generated characters run as usual and the player can choose to apply credit to a character that's 2nd level, once.

Tier 1 scenarios that don't have adjustments for APL 2 were not written or intended for 2nd level characters to play. Currently, the interpretation is that they can and the GM may not make any changes to compensate. I hope we can have confirmation or otherwise if this was intended.

Grand Lodge 4/5 **** Developer

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Tier 1 scenarios are not playable with level 2 characters. A character's level must always be in-tier for the adventure she is playing.

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

Linda Zayas-Palmer wrote:
Tier 1 scenarios are not playable with level 2 characters. A character's level must always be in-tier for the adventure she is playing.

Thank you for the clarification.

It was much needed.


Linda Zayas-Palmer wrote:
Tier 1 scenarios are not playable with level 2 characters. A character's level must always be in-tier for the adventure she is playing.

I asked this yesterday concerning first steps, which is listed as just tier 1.

All Tier 1 and 1-2 adventures can be replayed an unlimited number of times with a 1st-level character for credit. The Tier 1 and 1–2 adventures can also be played with a 2nd-level character once for credit in each campaign mode

from page 18 of the guild guide.

Grand Lodge 5/5

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dwimmerling wrote:
Linda Zayas-Palmer wrote:
Tier 1 scenarios are not playable with level 2 characters. A character's level must always be in-tier for the adventure she is playing.

I asked this yesterday concerning first steps, which is listed as just tier 1.

All Tier 1 and 1-2 adventures can be replayed an unlimited number of times with a 1st-level character for credit. The Tier 1 and 1–2 adventures can also be played with a 2nd-level character once for credit in each campaign mode

from page 18 of the guild guide.

I'd suggest going with the developer on this one.

The Exchange 5/5 *** Venture-Captain, Ireland—Belfast

My instincts are saying to wait on an official response that addresses tier one adventures rather than just scenarios: maybe modules will have different rules. I am sure that this will get resolved soon.


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It gets clarified in the comment section of todays blog. You can't play a level 2 in a tier 1 scenario. It will be corrected in the next revision of the guide.


However, the chronicle sheet for Murder's Mark lists the adventure as Tier 1-2...

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

There are many Chronicles that are Tier 1-2.

It's Tier 1 Chronicles that all the hubbub has been about this last week.

Those are the ones that may only be credited to a Level 1 character, since only a Level 1 character is in Tier.

5/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Captain, Germany—Hamburg

Aosrax wrote:
However, the chronicle sheet for Murder's Mark lists the adventure as Tier 1-2...

With sanctioned modules, there's a little difference between the character level the module was intended for and its PFS tier.

The intended level is always a single number, while the PFS tier is that number -1 to +1 (so, for a module written for level 5, for example, that would be tier 4-6). Since characters can't be level 0 (so tier 0-2 wouldn't make sense), the PFS tier for a level 1 module (meaning a module written for 1st level characters) is 1-2.

To be sure about a module's PFS tier, ask the GM who's offering to run a module. Since modules aren't originally designed for PFS, the GM has to download the chronicle from the Paizo site and can therefore tell you the tier that's listed on the chronicle.

In short, if you come across a non-PFS sanctioned module that says something like "a module designed for 1st level characters", it will most likely be tier 1-2 for PFS, meaning you can get credit for as many level 1 characters as you can build (and run through it) and for one 2nd level character.

Are there any tier-1-only products other than First Steps and Master of the Fallen Fortress, anyway?

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

Just those two.

Quests aren't "Tiered".

4/5 ****

Nefreet wrote:

Just those two.

Quests aren't "Tiered".

Ambush in Absalom and the Urge to Evolve beg to differ.

Sczarni 5/5 5/55/5 ***

The assumption in my statement was "things currently legal for PFS".

4/5 ****

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As far as I know those are still legal to play. Did something change?

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