Ratfolk and Catfolk and Race Boons Oh My

Tim Vincent wrote:

Kintrik wrote:

Tim Vincent wrote:

GMs already get enough rewards.

What rewards?

Please refer to Chapter 7 of the PFSGtOP.

So exactly what I said in my original post. The full chronicle. That isn't anything above and beyond what players playing the scenario can get.

So who do you think should be "rewarded" more. The person who pays the $3.99 for the scenario, spends time preparing it, and then running it for 3-7 people. Or the just the character player. One sure does seems to put forth alot more effort than the other, so why shouldn't they be included a race boon lottery from a scenario they bought and ran?

+1

I think we all agree that Tim Vincent's comment was incredibly ignorant.

when they come around the tables to ask us to roll a d20 for boons - I ask to Take 10. Really. I given away most of the boons I've won over time.

That sounds very familiar. :)

I'll relate this tale because I'm now thinking that randomness is even less attractive a solution than I did a couple of days ago.

Over the years I learned to Take 1 (not a typo, essentially choosing to not take part) on dice-offs for treasure or other in-game decisions.

My feeling has always been that "dumb luck" is a very poor way to make decisions. Left or right? Fight or flight? Quit or forge on? Who gets the treasure? Do any of these really work well when randomly determined? Roleplay is a much better way to decide such things in RPGs, but RP isn't for everyone. Fortunately this doesn't come up all that often in PFS, but it still pops up frequently in other flavors of OP and in private games.

I'm not sure there is any way to stop people from adopting a really poor perception of random events. That is simply human nature. We have a really hard time understanding and explaining how "bad things happen to good people", and an even harder time with good things happening to bad people. Some embrace this more than others, but it is present in everyone.

I guess it comes down to a formula that can never be stated in a meaningful way, let alone solved!

Yes, randomness is enjoyed and appreciated by everyone, especially in our community due to the nature of our hobby, but only so long as the outcomes are seen as favorable. That's excitement. Randomness just as easily, and by nature even more often, leaves people feeling empty and/or bitter when the outcomes aren't seen as favorable. That's disappointment. The "value" or "size" of these feelings will always defy measurement. People can't even accurately assess their own impression of these things, so how can we find a way to express them for the generalized person? It is probably safe to say that for most people the individual positive feeling will be greater in magnitude than the individual negative feeling. Just how much greater is impossible to know. How long these feelings last is also hard to predict.

This issue is further complicated by the fact that the negative feeling happens more often than the positive feeling — unless each 'event' has 1 'winner' for every 'loser'. The biggest fly in the ointment is that successive 'wins' likely suffer from diminishing returns, and successive 'losses' likely weigh heavier and heavier as they mount. It is a rare person who won't say that 'winning' for the tenth time is going to be just as thrilling as the 9 times before did (especially the 1st time). Likewise, most people will report that the incremental impact of losing for the 9th time is greater than it was for the losses that came before.

So, we have bad dynamics and no meaningful metrics to determine whether the cumulative positive effects exceed the cumulative negative effects. How do you decide? Anecdotal evidence? Experience? Trial and error? Faith? No one way is better than the other. You do what you think is right regardless of how you arrived at that conclusion.

I think the idea of expanding access is an AWESOME idea. My best guess is that pure random assignment will prove to be a social hornet's nest even in a community who should by its nature appreciate that. At the same time, some element of randomness is probably still a good thing.

I trust Mike and the rest of PFS leadership to implement something that will be workable and empowering for lots of people who currently have nothing. I also trust that if an unforeseen problem arises that they will respond to it and make a change that makes sense given the new data. I'll be OK with whatever is chosen, though I now appear to have a clear bias for self-determination over the excitement/disappointment trade-offs of randomness.

In the end, if some choose to see the change or the specific method chosen as a negative I don't think there's anything that can be done about it. If they have more access than they had before and still choose to be upset, perhaps their peers can in the most warm and friendly way persuade them that their view isn't fair, reasonable or helpful?

GMs already get enough rewards.

How much PFS GMing have you done, Tim?

Under the current system I run and report my sessions. The 'rewards' I get are a chronicle sheet identical to my players' and the fact that we had fun.

A reward system would only encourage me to be more punctual in reporting. As it stands, I jot down notes about who was playing what of which faction and eventually get around to inputting the info.

-

I, personally, feel that there should be some reward for GMs. But, rewards or not, I will continue the GM.

I also dislike playing under GMs only running for Rewards... you can usually tell, as if just seems to be less fun.

Perhaps split the difference on the random boon vs certain boon acquisition and do random boons that also have a conversion value to upgrade to a preferred boon. This could be a bonus to next boon roll or if boons are tiered, a value could be placed on each tier for additive purposes.

But most gamers like the randomness of rolling a d20 in my experience. I just don't think there would be as much excitement over choosing a boon instead of rolling for one. Maybe I'm wrong so I will keep watching this thread.

I find it hard to believe that this is universally true. I know that as someone to whom the chance to attend a convention at all is especially precious, the con would be fun on it's own merits but it would absolutely lessen my experience if I were to trade in my tickets and get diddly-squat. Now I would likely DM as well, since that is half the fun I feel, so it would be unlikely that I actually walked away with no boons, but I am trying to illustrate the other perspective.

Again, I feel that this feedback that you have gotten, likely from regulars at big cons, lacks the perspective of those who don't get to circulate on the big con circuit and all that fun stuff. Another dimension of this is that I strongly agree with Mistress Ashley about the negative v. positive effects of merciless randomness.

a D20 is boring...

I have found making some kind of game or other cool method of randomness is better received then rolling a d20.

There's also the difference between seeing the polyhedral god bounce around in front of you, and electronic ones and zeros "don't look behind the curtain!"

Personally, I'm fine with the proposal (however it'll end up being implemented under) to open up any boons to be expanded beyond what it is currently.

One suggestion against the time-limited nature of reporting (but not against the actual reporting itself) is that a maliciously-minded individual could decide to "delay" doing the online reporting if they don't agree with the idea of expanding the distribution of racial option boons (somehow thinking that such an act will somehow "stem" the tide of "non-standard characters").

That being said, I'm certain that it would just be a very extremely limited subset of individuals who would even do such a thing (something along the lines of PFS GM's who would actually substitute Monstrous humanoid enemies with 3.5 Beholders in any given scenario).

So, we have bad dynamics and no meaningful metrics to determine whether the cumulative positive effects exceed the cumulative negative effects. How do you decide? Anecdotal evidence? Experience? Trial and error? Faith? No one way is better than the other. You do what you think is right regardless of how you arrived at that conclusion.

I think the idea of expanding access is an AWESOME idea. My best guess is that pure random assignment will prove to be a social hornet's nest even in a community who should by its nature appreciate that. At the same time, some element of randomness is probably still a good thing.

I trust Mike and the rest of PFS leadership to implement something that will be workable and empowering for lots of people who currently have nothing. I also trust that if an unforeseen problem arises that they will respond to it and make a change that makes sense given the new data. I'll be OK with whatever is chosen, though I now appear to have a clear bias for self-determination over the excitement/disappointment trade-offs of randomness.

I did read through your spoiler'ed analysis but it is these three paragraphs above that strike notes for me (bolded for emphasis). Thank you Mistress Ashley for stressing these points- I also would prefer a solution which favors self-determination. You know, if I remember correctly (and maybe I don't), the minimum number of tables that have to be mustered in order for "special boons" to be given out is 15... which means usually that only conventions are able to do so. Many regular "game days" at local stores are in the 3-5 table range... and unfortunately they don't qualify under the requirement. If a VC is responsible and can work with Mr. Brock, I don't see why special boons couldn't be given out in some manner for smaller, regular venues (where people who don't go to conventions might go).

Other than race boons, most of the other boons are not even "all that awesome" (imo), and it seems much ado about something that should be thought of as "a nice, optional addition" to the core PFS play. But it sounds more and more as though people are thinking of them as entitlements which bothers me.

a D20 is boring...

I have found making some kind of game or other cool method of randomness is better received then rolling a d20.

I really got a kick out of the easter eggs a few cons ago, and even when I did not recieve a boon, I still got some candy.

Pulling cards out of the harrow deck at a local con was pretty neat too. You basically called out an alignment, and pulled a card for tokens turned in. If any of the cards matched, then you'd get a boon.

Michael Brock wrote:

But most gamers like the randomness of rolling a d20 in my experience. I just don't think there would be as much excitement over choosing a boon instead of rolling for one. Maybe I'm wrong so I will keep watching this thread.

Agreed.

Incorporating that into David's idea it could be that: 2 tokens = 1d20
and that 3(4/5/?) tokens = 2d20 choose one
or that 1 token + one boon = 2d20 choose one

But this thread is about non-con boons. :)

I like this idea. The "2d20 choose one" option would be a cool and interesting way to handle the extra tokens if someone plays an odd number of games. You're still not giving out any *more* boons, but giving the player some choice is a nice bonus!

But most gamers like the randomness of rolling a d20 in my experience. I just don't think there would be as much excitement over choosing a boon instead of rolling for one. Maybe I'm wrong so I will keep watching this thread.

Random is good in many cases. However, there are certain things that many players don't want randomized. Many people simply don't roll random ability scores or hit points anymore. I think that many people who want to play a specific race don't want their chances of getting that race left to random chance.

What ever method is decide on. I hope that we can trade them. For two reasons. I have no real desire to play most of the none core races. Mainly due to the over abundance of Tieflings, and Aasimar. In PFSP right now they are the dominate races in my area. Two I would like to give them to some that will use the boon and not just sit in my folder for ever. The only race boon I'm interested in is the Ratfolk boon. Just to make a oddball character. So people can look at me like what did you make?

Tim Vincent wrote:

Kintrik wrote:

Tim Vincent wrote:

GMs already get enough rewards.

What rewards?

Please refer to Chapter 7 of the PFSGtOP.

I did. Pages 32-38 are all about Game Master Responsibilities.

Page 39 includes a section labeled "Game Master Rewards"...

Ooops. I was in a hurry and just looked at the Table of Contents. Thanks pointing out the correct page.

Wakedown asks above: "Everyone should get a boons in their PFS career. Who wants to be the guy with 100 games played and no boons sitting next to a guy who's excited (rightfully so) sharing that he picked up 2 at his first convention?"

raises hand

when they come around the tables to ask us to roll a d20 for boons - I ask to Take 10. Really. I given away most of the boons I've won over time.

I have played over 100 games... and I very much enjoy "...sitting next to a guy who's excited ...that he picked up 2 at his first convention..."

going back to the peanut gallery again now... just had to chime in a moment

I'm the same way. At just about every convention I've attended I gave away my chances at winning a boon. Usually there is a new player at the table, or I prefer that others have a chance at winning the shiny widget. I have received three boons, total, two of which were the same thing (a kitsune race boon). I gave one away to a player that really wanted a kitsune boon (I still have the other, don't know what I will do with it yet). I will likely end up giving the others away as well.

I also do this with any Pathfinder RPG items being given away at conventions. I tell the table if I win something, it is the table's prize and they can determine who gets it. Again, usually the brand new player at the table goes home with a new Core Rulebook or Inner Sea World Guide.

I would rather see other people smiling, happy, and going home with fond memories of playing Pathfinder.

I think it would be cool to see races like Dhampir and Catfolk be more opened up to the public. I got a bunch of friends who loved playing Vampire: The Masquerade, and to a lesser extent Vampire: The Requiem. I would think if they could play a Dhampir they would have actually a rather fun time playing in Pathfinder Society as I can see opening up other races can cater to larger audiences who would feel more invested in the Pathfinder Society if they had to access to them. Plus its actually very fun to see what Class/Race combination a RP-heavy player is willing to come up with for a more enjoyable roleplaying experience.

Where is the list of accepted races? The PFS player guide says all races and classes from Player's Guide, Advanced PG, and Advanced Race are not available, but this is never clarified. This is the first time I've seen these "special race" boons and I have some players that were planning on rolling a Catfolk and a Changeling. I didn't realize there was a limited list somewhere? The fact that this is not on the PFS player guide seems an oversight.

"Select your character’s class and race from the choices
offered in the Core Rulebook. You may also select aasimar,
tengu, or tiefling as your character’s race with access to
the proper Additional Resources book. Additional class
and race options from resources like the Pathfinder RPG
Advanced Player’s Guide, Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic,
Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat, Pathfinder RPG Advanced
Race Guide, and Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Inner
Sea World Guide are generally available with few or no
alterations, as well."

Select your character’s class and race from the choices offered in the Core Rulebook. You may also select aasimar, tengu, or tiefling as your character’s race with access to the proper Additional Resources book.

This is the list of races available by default.

Additional class and race options from resources like the Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player’s Guide, Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic, Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat, Pathfinder RPG Advanced Race Guide, and Pathfinder Campaign Setting: The Inner Sea World Guide are generally available with few or no alterations, as well.

This is stating that 'race options', e.g. alternative racial abilities, race traits, racial archetypes, feats with race requirements etc. from other books are available to be selected; it's worth seeing the Additional Resources page (referred to on page 5 of the Guide) for more info.

Additional Resources also gives guidance on other races, e.g. these statements in the section on the ARG:

To create an dhampir, fetchling, goblin, ifrit, kitsune, nagaji, oread, sylph, undine, or wayang character, you must have a Chronicle sheet that opens the race as a legal option at character creation.

In Chapter 2, nothing from the catfolk, drow, hobgoblins, kobolds, orcs, and ratfolk entries are currently legal for play.

In Chapter 3, nothing from the changelings, duergar, gillmen, gripplis, merfolk, samsarans, strix, sulis, svirfneblin, vanaras, and vishkanyas entries are currently legal for play.

Amusing aside.

When I had a shot at a GM boon from the weekend, I grabbed the Cinderfell survivor, and didn't even look for any potential race boons.

The idea of Ksenia being able to ignore cold (Winter Witch) and heat with endure elements was too good to pass up.

Majuba wrote:

On topic: Encouraging reporting is great. Spreading the wealth is good. Giving chronicles and trusting people to print just one is iffy. Race Boons are bad.

If a boon is generated from the system have it be personalized with the PFS#-#, and stick it into the reporting system to boot.

That would work. {Requires new code of course}

Galnörag wrote:

Majuba wrote:

On topic: Encouraging reporting is great. Spreading the wealth is good. Giving chronicles and trusting people to print just one is iffy. Race Boons are bad.

If a boon is generated from the system have it be personalized with the PFS#-#, and stick it into the reporting system to boot.

That would work. {Requires new code of course}

Yeah, I guess the feeling that that idea came out of was one that percolates in the MMORPG space, the dichotomy between casual and hard core players. Where the casual folk can't participate enough to get access to the gear that would let them access certain content, so they can in fact not access the whole game. When steps are taking to bridge this gap, the hardcore players get angry that the effort they have expended is devalued. So they enable a system where players could grind away in lesser content at their own pace, and slowly but surely progress towards the better content, where the hard core folks got it earlier and faster and could take there chances with the better random stuff.

So in this idea, participants gain a certainty that no matter how infrequently they play they will eventually gain access to the boons, and the die hard players will get them faster, and get more of them as they have extra prestige from all they play. The casual folks won't get all the shiny toys, but they will get to judicially pick the ones they want, and since boons are often races, and you can't have more than one race, then the casual player who has less characters because of how little they play, making the choice of which boon they take won't be as penalizing.

So in this idea, participants gain a certainty that no matter how infrequently they play they will eventually gain access to the boons, and the die hard players will get them faster, and get more of them as they have extra prestige from all they play. The casual folks won't get all the shiny toys, but they will get to judicially pick the ones they want, and since boons are often races, and you can't have more than one race, then the casual player who has less... So in this idea, participants gain a certainty that no matter how infrequently they play they will eventually gain access to the boons, and the die hard players will get them faster, and get more of them as they have extra prestige from all they play. The casual folks won't get all the shiny toys, but they will get to judicially pick the ones they want, and since boons are often races, and you can't have more than one race, then the casual player who has less characters because of how little they play, making the choice of which boon they take won't be as penalizing.

This idea assumes that the players who can't get to a convention to get a chance to receive a boon actually play less than those that do, which is an unfounded assumption.

I, for one, play or run PFS every Friday night, and run a Runelords game every Saturday, but as I am currently unemployed, I cannot afford either the time or the money to travel to a convention. Thus, I am unable to get a shot at a race boon.

I've only been playing PFS since December of last year, but so far I'm up to five characters, all of which are at least level three, and I've got more concepts I'd like to play around with, should I get the chance; at least one of THOSE (secret-agent kitsune) can't even be done without a race boon that I am simply unable to get.

So, yeah... having a one race boon limit to such a system WOULD be painful to at least one player out there.

Galnörag wrote:

So in this idea, participants gain a certainty that no matter how infrequently they play they will eventually gain access to the boons, and the die hard players will get them faster, and get more of them as they have extra prestige from all they play. The casual folks won't get all the shiny toys, but they will get to judicially pick the ones they want, and since boons are often races, and you can't have more than one race, then the casual player who has less... So in this idea, participants gain a certainty that no matter how infrequently they play they will eventually gain access to the boons, and the die hard players will get them faster, and get more of them as they have extra prestige from all they play. The casual folks won't get all the shiny toys, but they will get to judicially pick the ones they want, and since boons are often races, and you can't have more than one race, then the casual player who has less characters because of how little they play, making the choice of which boon they take won't be as penalizing.

This idea assumes that the players who can't get to a convention to get a chance to receive a boon actually play less than those that do, which is an unfounded assumption.

I, for one, play or run PFS every Friday night, and run a Runelords game every Saturday, but as I am currently unemployed, I cannot afford either the time or the money to travel to a convention. Thus, I am unable to get a shot at a race boon.

I've only been playing PFS since December of last year, but so far I'm up to five characters, all of which are at least level three, and I've got more concepts I'd like to play around with, should I get the chance; at least one of THOSE (secret-agent kitsune) can't even be done without a race boon that I am simply unable to get.

So, yeah... having a one race boon limit to such a system WOULD be painful to at least one player out there.

I wasn't proposing an actual limitation, only implying that a casual player (one who plays maybe once or twice a month) would be limited by their own lack of playing to only having so much of these player prestige points as to afford a single boon. If your gaming once a week your far from casual, and certainly would have the fame and prestige to buy more than one boon.

After playing

what about the option of buying available racial boons with PP/GM PP?

this would provide an outlet for some of your more dedicated players, provide an avenue to encourage people to step up and GM more, as well as give characters the weighed choice of either buying 10 lvl 1 wands or that one specific race boon.

players could only cash their PPs on this website (increase site traffic), and only with PPs that have been officially recorded on their accounts.

this would reduce need for additional admin work for a lottery system, and give the illusion of control back to your players

I think it would be neat to see more playable races. Seems like a good incentive for players who get tired of playing the core races or the T/A/T races.

I have received three boons, total, two of which were the same thing (a kitsune race boon). I gave one away to a player that really wanted a kitsune boon (I still have the other, don't know what I will do with it yet).

Burn it. It's the only humane thing to do to a Kitsune boon.

I gave one away to a player that really wanted a kitsune boon (I still have the other, don't know what I will do with it yet). I will likely end up giving the others away as well.

Have any need for a painted mini?

Gnomes are the only race I really like to play, but I would love to see more rp/trait style boons.

jon dehning wrote:

I have received three boons, total, two of which were the same thing (a kitsune race boon). I gave one away to a player that really wanted a kitsune boon (I still have the other, don't know what I will do with it yet).

Burn it. It's the only humane thing to do to a Kitsune boon.

Hm. Maybe....

I'm sure you can find someone else who would want it.

Hell, I'll take it. I've been sitting on a Kitsune concept for a year.

Of course, I had a triple race boon, but I made a Nagaji instead. #noregrets, as the kids say.

I like the idea of unlocking a 1 time racial boon for gm stars ( ranking)... perhaps more folks will give back to the community and gm?

I like the idea of unlocking a 1 time racial boon for gm stars ( ranking)... perhaps more folks will give back to the community and gm?

While probably true, I feel bad for players sitting at a table run by a GM who's only GMing for the reward of running x number of tables...

I like the idea of unlocking a 1 time racial boon for gm stars ( ranking)... perhaps more folks will give back to the community and gm?

Come for the race boon, stay for the dming? A lot of the problem is getting someone to dm for that first time.

I like the idea of unlocking a 1 time racial boon for gm stars ( ranking)... perhaps more folks will give back to the community and gm?

Have you seen this thread?

I'm going to have to disagree with giving out Racial boons for non-con goers. For me personally, knowing that there was a chance to get a race boon by going to a convention really pumped me up and made me anxious to get to a convention to try and earn/win one. It's the rarity of getting one that really draws on doing what it takes to get one. I do think that the chance to get one at a Con should be slightly increased though.

Keeping racial boons at the Con level will help draw larger crowds out to support the Cons.

Now i'm not saying that there shouldn't be a lottery or player star/points/fame system for boons, but none of them should be racial. Use a system that awards the extended day job rewards, a minor artifact, a magical item with limited charges or even maybe an ability point increase. (I like a lifetime point system that takes more than one charater to earn enough points to afford a nice boon, and will cost enough that it will take a while to EARN another reward instead of being able to do it after 10 games.)

But please leave the racial boons at the Con level, they are definately one of, if not the most desirable boons and should be left at the Cons and reward players for attending/supporting the Con.

*I will have to strongly disagree with another idea given...awarding boons for playing/GMing an entire season before the next season starts. This will result in fighting amongst GMs as to who gets to GM the scenario. If there is a venue that has 4 or 5 people who GM often, there is going to be a rare chance that all 4-5 GMs will get the chance to GM all scenarios of a season. This will result in nothing but fighting for GM slots among the community and do nothing but hurt it.

I'm one of the GMs for my area. I personally am all for any thing that will get us more GMs. As this will let me play more and run less. For the past 4 months or so I have got more GM credits then player credits.

Skyshark, I have to disagree with you completely. Some people just can't make it to conventions. Either they don't live in an area that has any, or they don't have the money to attend, or whatever. Why should they be denied the opportunity to get things that are available convention goers?

I'm surprised they haven't decided to hand out boons like race boons in the same style like they did with the Quest For Perfection. Instead of *omitted* it would have been being able to play a Tengu when you normally couldn't but thanks to the paperwork, you could.

Stuff about cons

As Fromper said, a large and increasing proportion of the PFS cimmunity consists of people who just are unable to go to cons. They don't need a race boon carrot, they would go to a con if they could just for the ability to play alongside the wider community. Frankly I think it is condescending and shows very little faith in the attitude of the PFS community that people would only support the game we love at a con since we can take home exclusive things. Have a little more faith in your fellow gamers.

Additionally, I have said it before and I will say it again. The place that PFS needs to go is continuing to shift its focus away from the big con circuit and towards outreach to far-flung places that are traditionally a metaphoric desert when it comes to gaming. Mike and the current leadership are doing an amazing job of this, just look at the number of new international VO's from the last year as well as all the free materials and boons they provide to help organizers in creating new centers of PFs activity. This kind of thing leverages the advantages of organized play over a real campaign, namely that it is modular and does not require regular attendance in a particular group. The kind of con-focus that you are advocating works directly against this needed direction and inhibits the growth of PFS as a campaign.

For several years I lived a ten hour journey from the nearest place with a VC and thus my PFS playing was exclusively online with at the time when there was minimal official support for online play. Now I live in a city with a small PFS community which only exists because of how great a job the leadership has been doing with their international growth. The reason that I am so convinced of the importance of a focus on outreach over con-exclusivity is that I have seen the positive benefits of the outreach strategy.

Just some perspective to consider that you might not have seen before.

I'm going to have to disagree with giving out Racial boons for non-con goers. For me personally, knowing that there was a chance to get a race boon by going to a convention really pumped me up and made me anxious to get to a convention to try and earn/win one. It's the rarity of getting one that really draws on doing what it takes to get one.

As long as you reserve certain races strictly for convention rewards you'll still be able to maintain the "specialness" of that boon while rewarding hard working GMs for a job well done. As others have already stated the measure of success of an organized play system is a vibrant and active playing community; the foundation of which is built by those in the trenches who are organizing weekly or monthly games at their FLGS and/or small, local conventions.

An idea I had for distributing boons to players.

GM's get stars for GMing a lot of games. This now has the mechanical impact on the game with the rerolls.

Why not reward players who play x amount of games with a lesser boon. Maybe make the boons better as they participate in more and more games. The amount of games required could be set at whatever level is preferred to control how quickly they flow out.

The biggest problem I see immediately with my suggestion is that players who have been around for a while will suddenly have an influx of boons. Unless the boons are not applied retroactively.

I agree with the folks who are talking about GM boons for certain amount of games GM'ed. The racial boons, I had always thought, was an incentive for people to get out and go to the cons, boost numbers. Well, at least in my area, we are having difficulty getting people to get up and GM. We are running tables of 6, multiples every time, sometimes even 7. We just cant get people enticed to GM. I think GM boons would be a great incentive to do just that, similar to the con boons. I do believe race unlocks should be a pretty high tier of stars though, probably start at 3 or 4 stars.

An idea I had for distributing boons to players.

GM's get stars for GMing a lot of games. This now has the mechanical impact on the game with the rerolls.

Why not reward players who play x amount of games with a lesser boon. Maybe make the boons better as they participate in more and more games. The amount of games required could be set at whatever level is preferred to control how quickly they flow out.

The biggest problem I see immediately with my suggestion is that players who have been around for a while will suddenly have an influx of boons. Unless the boons are not applied retroactively.

It looks like this is exactly what they're doing with the Year-End Boons they just handed out (and said to expect for next year).

The new guide already lists new bonuses for GMing. The replays and bonuses to rerolls are an awesome reward.

Skyshark, I have to disagree with you completely. Some people just can't make it to conventions. Either they don't live in an area that has any, or they don't have the money to attend, or whatever. Why should they be denied the opportunity to get things that are available convention goers?

I never said that you shouldn't get any boons period if you can't attend a Con, you just don't get a chance at a racial boon. By keeping racial boons at the Con level, you keep the rarity and specialness of racial boons.

If you can't make it to a Con, too bad. There are people who save up all year so they have the ability to go to Con when it comes up. It's a reward for those people who attend and support the Cons.

I would love to go to Blizz Con and get some of the swag they offer for Con goers, but it's exteremly difficult to get tickets. Do I complain on their forums that i'm "entitled" to have a chance at something because I can't get a ticket to attend their Con, no, I suck it up and drive on.

People need to stop feeling that they are entitled to something or entitled at having a chance at something because they can't attend a Con. If you can't make it, that sucks, i'm sorry, but it's something you have to deal with.