[Retrocon][ACG] Cosmic Captive by redeux (Inactive)

Game Master redeux

Please dot in. I'll post more info as we get closer. I'll be looking for official check-ins 1-2 weeks before we start.

Hi all! We are rapidly approaching the start of things! Below is a standardized message I'm repurposing from BR Skizzerz

Game runs from Jan 14 to March 8 .

Some of you are coming from other tables I ran, whereas for some of you this is the first time I'll be running a table with you :)

Some ground expectations:
1. Pay attention to everything that the Overseer GM says. If they announce a condition of some sort, check for my follow-up post to describe what the effects of that condition are. I'll try to get those follow-ups out as soon as possible after the Overseer post.
2. Try to post at least once a day in order to keep things moving. If you are going to be unavailable for an extended period of time, please ensure that your deck handler is linked and available for other players, and provide instructions so that other players can bot your turn. I recommend putting the link in your alias Profile (put it in the Class line, and wrap it in the url tags so it turns into a link -- see "How to format your text" below the reply box for details on how to do that if you aren't sure)
3. Do not wait around for my scenario update posts, just base your turn around the most recent update plus what other players have done since then. I'll get a scenario update out once per day unless there is nothing to update. I'll have other (non-update) posts interspersed throughout the day as needs require.
4. There are no take-backs or retcons, with exception of invalid plays/turns. Use resources wisely, and keep in mind the other perks you get in Organized Play such as accessory re-rolls and die bumps.

Things that make gameplay smoother:
1. If a location is shuffled, you can continue to examine or explore cards in it by rolling a die to see which card you examine/explore. No need to wait on me to post an update first with the shuffled deck.
2. When encountering a card, be very explicit in what card you are encountering. This helps other players at the same location know where you left off so they don't accidentally encounter the same cards that you just got through and have to re-do their turn.
3. Use your Notes section to describe any cards or powers that can be used to assist other players on their turns and that you are willing to use. If you post that certain cards are available for use, state what the card does as well.
4. When something impacts another player (a power that affects all characters at your location, or you're playing one of their cards), bold that thing so that it stands out.

Things that make deck upgrades smoother:
1. Write a list of your 2-5 most desired deck upgrades, in order, and roll 1d1000 for each of them.
2. That will let us look through those lists and see how we can get everyone their #1 preferred upgrade without lots of times lost in back-and-forth. If people are fighting over an upgrade, the d1000 roll is used to determine who gets it (highest roll wins).

Hangouts: I'd like to start a hangouts chat for this campaign if everyone is on board. You don't have to do it if you don't want to, but it typically speeds things up. Please post and let me know if you'd be interested in joining it.

Right now I have the following information, please confirm this information or let me know if there are any changes.
Player (forum name) Character Deck Tier PFS-ID
Redeux, Zadim, Inquisitor/Intrigue, 2, 274929-1010
Greenclaw, Rivani, Occult Adv. + Magic, 3, 74677-1003
Shnik, Nok-Nok, Goblins Fight! + UI, 3, 235366-1002
kuey, Mavaro, OA2, 2, 215076-1001

Also at this time I ask that each of you formally check in (I know a few of you have already dotted the campaign/discussion pages but please post to say Hi)

For Turn order, i find it generally works best if we base it off of availability, so please let me know when you can generally post (include your hours and timezone).

Lastly, during this adventure you'll be given the choice of playing scenarios for advancement or not. I'll need that decision before we start. If playing for advancement please let me know what your current character tier is (example, 2-4th)

Zadim checking in. I'm both the BR and a player in this game. Above info is accurate

I'm open to hangouts if the group agrees to it.

Zadim is not playing for tier advancement.

Rivani checking in.

Happy to join a hangouts chat.

Quick question re: tier advancement. Rivani advanced through Tier 2 during the last Special. What are the pros/cons to advance up tiers for this game? She won't have any access to getting AD3 cards from her deck, will she? Is it just getting the extra feats etc?

Thinking she won't be playing for advancement but not completely sure if that's the right thing to do.

Mavaro checking in.

First, I think I need to let you guys know that I am totally new to this. My experience playing PACG is on my ipad app, followed more recently with some solo play after buying one of the boxed set (which is how I got Mavaro to tier 2). So I've not played in a group before (can't find anyone here to play with), nor on PBP either. So would really appreciate help and tips along the way, both logistics and strategy. And to correct me if I get the rules wrong.

Will get my deck handler and botting instructions up by the weekend.

I'm good with Google Hangouts.

As I'm a full-time student now, I can post everyday unless something unexpected comes up, e.g. surprise trip, too much homework, etc. I'm at GMT+0 and will usually check my PBPs in the morning about 9-10 am, and at night at about 10-11pm.

I think I would be playing for tier advancement.

Quick question re: tier advancement. Rivani advanced through Tier 2 during the last Special. What are the pros/cons to advance up tiers for this game? She won't have any access to getting AD3 cards from her deck, will she? Is it just getting the extra feats etc?

You're correct that this table will have no AD3 cards so it is unlikely that you'll get any tier 3 cards. The only way you could get an AD 3 card is if a scenario reward gave you one from your class deck and I'm not totally sure if that will happen.

In general most people seem to play with a "special only" character that they progress through tiers, but as you have noticed this means you don't get tier 3 or tier 6 cards unless it comes from a reward. I think most people either haven't realized this issue, or don't care.

For me personally, my Zadim is my "special character" but I've decided to play him for progression outside of specials so I can get those AD3/AD6 cards. The only real advantage then of playing with tier progression for the special is that you'd get those skill/power/card feats as we play. But for me this is an OK compromise because I'd rather have full access to my class deck (plus pick up a few bonus feats from rewards on the way). There's no wrong way to do it though. I think your biggest decision would be to determine if you want those AD3 cards in your deck or if you'd rather get the feats as we play.

Mavaro checking in.

First, I think I need to let you guys know that I am totally new to this. My experience playing PACG is on my ipad app, followed more recently with some solo play after buying one of the boxed set (which is how I got Mavaro to tier 2). So I've not played in a group before (can't find anyone here to play with), nor on PBP either. So would really appreciate help and tips along the way, both logistics and strategy. And to correct me if I get the rules wrong.

Excellent! and welcome! I'm one of the Online VO's so I'll be more than happy to help get you on your feet. It sounds like you're already at least somewhat familiar with the deck handler but if you have issues with anything just let me know.

Did you have any questions yet? I'm currently working under a deadline but this weekend I should have some time open up to go over any questions or give tips about how it works. I find sometimes it helps to look at other games to see what is going on, so feel free to check Zadim's last game thread if you want to see how a game looks like when run via pbp.

Hi all! Nok-Nok here!

-The info you have is correct, BR.

-I'll be playing for Tier Advancement. I just upgraded to Tier 3 after my last scenario. I'm aware of the "no Tier 3 cards" thing, but that just means more possible upgrades when I get to a Tier 5 special? Go, positive thinking? :¬P

-I'm fine with using Google Hangouts. I'll send you my address.

-I'm in EST, which is GMT-5. I can usually post in the evenings (7PM+), and once in a while during the day, too.

Can't wait to get this started!

Did you have any questions yet? I'm currently working under a deadline but this weekend I should have some time open up to go over any questions or give tips about how it works. I find sometimes it helps to look at other games to see what is going on, so feel free to check Zadim's last game thread if you want to see how a game looks like when run via pbp.

Thanks! I've got my deck handler up. (Whoever set it up is a genius...) If you could help take a look to see if it's ok?

I do have some questions.

1. I solo played through #3-1, and this question is related to it, so spoilers.

2. From Rivani and Zadim's deck handler, you have acquired more than one skill feat. I thought we only get one skill feat in the 2nd game we play in a adventurer. So that happens because you have played multiple adventures, but chose not to advance in tier?

3. In PBP, if we have some ability, e.g. blessings, to aid someone else, how do we do it, since play is asynchronous? We might not be able to declare beforehand since we won't know what they'll encounter until their turn. Retcon?

I also have some questions about Mavaro's powers but I think best if I ask that the PACG forum.

kuey, here are my answers, redeux and Greenclaw can feel free to correct me if I've got anything wrong.

1) In the Adventure Path sheet of Season 3, there's a box with rules for Traders which mentions this: "You do not visit traders after winning a scenario. Instead, at the start of each scenario in this Adventure Path, before setting out the locations, you may visit 1 trader you have recorded on your Chronicle sheet."

So it's specifically mentioned there that you can only use your acquired Traders for that Adventure Path.

2a) Rivani is listed as Tier 3 in redeux's post, so if anything she's missing a Power feat in her deck handler instead of having an extra Skill feat.

2b) For Zadim, seems like he's cherry-picking scenarios/ adventures to maximise gained feats, while also going through the full Season 1. You can see this in the "Copy of planned progression" tab of his deck handler. Yes, he's already gained 4 extra Skill feats and 2 extra Card feats and he's still Tier 2!

3) This is usually done by either writing what Blessings etc. that others can use from your hand in the Notes section of your deck handler, or with players pausing their turn halfway while asking (either here or in Hangouts) if they can use card X from another player (which can take some time to get an answer, yes).

kuey, here are my answers, redeux and Greenclaw can feel free to correct me if I've got anything wrong.

Thanks! Got it.

Hi all, sorry for the delay. I was under the weather and had a major work deadline. Looks like all the questions were answered (thank you!)

For 3. I generally don't do retcons for blessings unless it's something where failure would've meant someone else gets damaged and that person insists they wouldn't have let the roll go without their blessing. In general, put your blessings available in character notes or have players ask. You can also put something like "BoAbadar available for barriers" which lets players use it for barriers but they'd need to ask for something else.

And yes, for 2, Zadim is cherry picking scenarios in a sort of min-max manner. I promise in this game I won't be min-max focused though, and the plus side is I pretty much have all my upgrades I could want at tier2 so there's more for everyone else. Basically season 1 gives loads of extra feats so I'm doing that, but then instead of tiering up at the end of each adventure I'll be squeezing in extra scenarios for more feats.

----

Lastly, I include all my character card descriptions in my deck handler, but if there's ever a card from someone you don't know what it does then check The ACG wiki.

I think I would be playing for tier advancement.

I'm rethinking this. Mavaro is tier 2 is significantly weaker than the rest of you, so I think I should stay in tier for a while more first, especially to get more skill and card feats. I mean, the last round drained Mavaro down to 4 cards in his deck!

Mavaro - ACG kuey wrote:

I think I would be playing for tier advancement.

I'm rethinking this. Mavaro is tier 2 is significantly weaker than the rest of you, so I think I should stay in tier for a while more first, especially to get more skill and card feats. I mean, the last round drained Mavaro down to 4 cards in his deck!

If you don't play for Tier advancement, you don't get any feats, other than possible Adventure rewards; you'd pretty much only get card upgrades.

Ah ok, I guess I'm a bit confused. So to get the skill feat (1st), power feat (2nd) and card feat (4th), you have to play for Tier advancement?

The other way to get feats is through some adventure rewards? I've only played through the first adventure of seasion 3, for which there were none.

I'm just worried about tiering too high without enough skills and cards. The battle with the lightning elemental drained quite a bit, and it was fortuitous that I had a blessing on top and a spell that could bring it into my hand. (I could have used one of the other players' blessings though.)

Of course, I realised later that Mavaro could have just not explored and focused on temporarily closing the location... :P

Yeah you'd need to play for tier advancement to get those feats.

Generally you only get feats through tiering. You get 1 skill feat, 1 power feat, and 1 card feat at each tier. You also get a bonus power feat when you earn your role card. Outside of that, generally during a typical adventure path you *might* get one bonus skill feat, 1 bonus power feat, and one bonus card feat as rewards at some point. Keep in mind thats over a whole adventure path (~30 scenarios). Don't let Zadim confuse you, I intentionally am going out of my way to get the most feats possible with him which would be quite hard to do normally. If you plan on playing through a whole adventure path though then it's probably best to not play for tier advancement because you could end up progressing too far and not being able to do some scenarios (if they are lower than 1 AD of your current tier. For example if you get to tier 3 then you can't play AD1 anymore). Otherwise a lot of people generally have a "special only" character that they use for specials and they play for tier advancement. Just depends on what you want to do.

As far as deck upgrades go, if you're just starting at tier 2 then yeah you'll have chances for deck upgrades, but in general usually when you are ready to tier up you have a lot of the cards from your current tier, so I wouldn't worry about not having all the cards you want quite yet. You'll get them.

For the lightning elemental, there's always the table that can help. If you think you're going to struggle with combat, just let me know and I'll join up with you. Zadim can add his stealth skill to a local combat check by recharging a weapon. Combat is kind of his specialty like that, much like Mavaro is a master deck manipulator who can get just about any skill needed.

Thanks! That is really helpful. As my first character, I think I'll keep Mavaro for specials then, so will play for tier advancement.

For combat, I can usually reliably get 2d8+1d6+6 (after this skill feat reward), which an average of 18.5. Earlier it was 17.5 vs DC17, which I felt was rather risky, so I pulled out the blessing. I think that's the highest combat DC he's encountered so far. :)

Skill Bonus: Intelligence
Next scenario: Fire (water has 5 successes as of now, but fire only 1)
Bonus deck upgrade: Spell (not really sure what this means)
Deck upgrade (in order of preference): Item 2, Spell 2, Weapon 1
1d1000 ⇒ 154

So, kuey, just a few points...

(water has 5 successes as of now, but fire only 1)

First of all, I'm curious, where can you see the overall successes of all tables?

Bonus deck upgrade: Spell (not really sure what this means)

1d1000

This is actually two parts: first, we all choose weapon or spell, and the BR will draw random cards of the chosen types which will be added to the list of acquired cards from the scenario. Second, everyone will be able to choose two cards from the list to use as deck upgrades, not necessarily being the ones they drew in the first step.

So you could choose "Spell" as bonus draw, but still not pick a Spell as a card upgrade (especially if, for example, all available spells are "B" cards and you're only looking for higher-numbered spells).

Deck upgrade (in order of preference): Item 2, Spell 2, Weapon 1

1d1000

So, usually, people roll a d1000 for each of the updates they want, in order, instead of once for the whole thing.

As for Nok-Nok...

Skill feat: Constitution

Deck upgrade: the only cards I'm still looking for are Item 2 and Blessing 2, so I'll roll for the Item, and if I don't get it, I won't take any upgrade.

Item 2: 1d1000 ⇒ 674

Bonus scenario card: I don't have a preference, so I guess I'll choose Spell, since we already have a few Weapon 1 cards.

Next scenario: once again, I don't really have a preference, but Nok-Nok being a Goblin, I feel obligated to choose Fire anyways.

Also, redeux, do we get to roll for Con boons?

Also, redeux, do we get to roll for Con boons?

Con rolls will work a bit differently here. Since it's a smaller con we have less boon support. We'll get 1 boon roll every 2 scenarios and there is only 1 boon to choose from if you win.

And thanks for answering the other questions!

Zadim is not playing for tier advancement

He will say he prefers ice route but then at best we'll be tied between the two so he's fine with fire if needed.

Zadim chooses spell to help in that front.

Zadim isn't taking any deck upgrades.

So far three spells. rivani picked weapon in hangouts

final deck upgrade list (everyone gets a bonus deck upgrade (so up to two cards from this list, but no one can take the same card as someone else, which is why we generally roll 1d1000)
Burglar (Ally B)
Archer (Ally B)

Magic Leather Armor (Armor B)
Half-Plate (Armor B)
Chain Mail (Armor B)

Blessing of the Gods (Blessing B)

Token of Remembrance (Item B)
Amulet of Fortitude (Item B)
Potion of Energy Resistance (Item B)
Codex (Item B)
Spyglass (Item B)
Chime of Unlocking (Item 2)

Force Missile (Spell B)
Sleep (Spell B)
Scorching Ray (Spell 1)
Lightning Bolt (Spell 2)

Scimitar (Weapon B)
Bastard Sword +1 (Weapon 1)
Dogslicer (Weapon 1)
Short Sword +1 (Weapon 1)
Light Crossbow +1 (Weapon 2)

Rivani is not playing for tier advancement.

Happy with either route. Ice sounds fine.

Rivani chooses weapon.

Weapon 2: 1d1000 ⇒ 24

Ice is fine for me.

8-00A Summary:
Rivani (Greenclaw) - Weapon 2
Mavaro (kuey) - Spell 2, Weapon 1
Nok Nok (Shnik) - Item 2
Zadim (redeux) - N/a

I used mavaro's roll of 154 for his first preference of Item 2. Which lost to Nok Nok's roll. So Rivani and Nok Nok got their first choice. Mavaro got his second and third choices without needing to roll since no one wanted them. Think this also worked out well since everyone got a deck 2 upgrade

The description of Goblin Raider says we "may immediately attempt to close your location" but I noticed neither Nok-Nok nor Zadim doing that. Does that not apply because we did not encounter that and instead was summoned?

The description of Goblin Raider says we "may immediately attempt to close your location" but I noticed neither Nok-Nok nor Zadim doing that. Does that not apply because we did not encounter that and instead was summoned?

MM Pg 14-15 cover this but the three big points to remember with summoned cards:

1. Zadim not recording a card for scenario reward (he has all the cards he wants).
2. n/a
3. he passes on deck upgrades.

-Nok-Nok choosese Blessing of Maat (2) as "saved" upgrade

-Hand size 6 as Power feat

-No "regular" deck upgrade

Just looked at the special rule for the next scenario, that's going to make it extremely random. How many characters in a group are expected to be able to pass a Dex 11 check? Seems like it's going to require luck rather than good play to not encounter too many henchmen in locations we can't close...

Just looked at the special rule for the next scenario, that's going to make it extremely random. How many characters in a group are expected to be able to pass a Dex 11 check? Seems like it's going to require luck rather than good play to not encounter too many henchmen in locations we can't close...

Well, there is a villain i can tell you that much, and the closing requirements aren't too bad. The highest one is a Con 8 check. So hopefully most of these are within reach of everyone with the help of a blessing.

But yeah, we'll be moving around a bunch.

1. Mavaro chooses Shrunken Head (Item 2)
2. Power Feat: Add "You may also add any of that card's traits to your checks"
3. Ally 2, but only if Rivani doesn't want it.

1. Rivani chooses Blessing of the Master of Masters for saved updgrade
2. No tier advancement
3. No, go ahead and take the Ally 2, Mavoro. Rivani will pass.

Ok, thanks!

Replace Kami Medium with Cleric of Nethys (Ally 2), and Fire Ward Gel with Compass.

8-00B1 Summary:
Rivani (Greenclaw) - No Deck upgrade, Chose BotMasterofMasters.
Mavaro (kuey) - Ally2, Powerfeat earned, Chose Shrunken Head
Nok Nok (Shnik) - No deck upgrade, power feat earned, Choose BoMaat
Zadim (redeux) No deck upgrade, N/a chosen.

Also, I forgot we do get a boon roll after every 2 scenarios.

After every two scenarios (not every scenario), have your players roll a d20. On a 1 or 20, they will win a boon. The boon available is Amateur Swashbuckler: You may check an unchecked box that precedes this reward to add or remove the Swashbuckling trait from your check. If your character has the Swashbuckler trait, you may add an additional 1d4. It has 4 checkboxes (uses)

boon roll for BR: 1d20 ⇒ 1 i won. If anyone really wants this boon and doesn't get one by the end of the con, let me know.

boon?: 1d20 ⇒ 11 no boon...

Boon: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Nope!

The Boon: 1d20 ⇒ 20

[dice=The Boon]1d20

Got it reported, though probably won't get it until end of convention

8-00B2
Zadim does not care about which reward we choose from. If the group decides the loot ally then he will exclude himself from the roll-off (because out of fairness he's got plenty of skill feats from Season of Righteous).

Zadim is not taking any deck upgrades.

Blessing of Maat acquired from 8-00B1 Reward.

No deck upgrade.

Reward 1 (Ally which gives a Skill Feat) is my choice.

Blessing Master of Masters acquired from previous scenario upgrade, replacing Sign of the Thrush.

Rivani will pass on deck upgrades as well.

Also happy with Reward 1.

Shrunken Head acquired, replacing Planchette.

No deck upgrade but replacing Mind Thrust with Fan of Flames.

Ok, let's go with Reward. In case, a roll off is needed, 1d1000 ⇒ 205.

Reward: 1d1000 ⇒ 88

Well, that sure ain't mine! :¬P

8-00B2 Summary:
Rivani (Greenclaw) - BotMasterofMasters.
Mavaro (kuey) - Shrunken Head, no feats earned (third scenario in tier)
Nok Nok (Shnik) - BoMaat, no feats earned (third scenario in tier)
Zadim (redeux) - N/A
Next completed scenario is a boon roll.

Just will need rolloff's from NokNok/Rivani to see who gets the loot ally. whoever gets it would need to find it in their deck during a scenario and then use it

Loot: 1d1000 ⇒ 793

So, redeux, do you know how much time is left until the next part of the special?

8-00C1
Zadim does not earn a feat (non-progression)
he passes on scenario reward
he does not want a deck upgrade
boon: 1d20 ⇒ 8 he does not earn a feat

Rivani will take Blessing of Abadar for the deferred scenario reward.
She will pass on a deck upgrade.
Boon: 1d20 ⇒ 2