Davor Firetusk's page

Perhaps trying to help them locate other in person games or conventions near them? People can sometimes assume there are no games close by for any number of reasons.

Not sure where you are located, but there are some locations in the Wisconsin/ Illinois are with active PF1e in person events, and a number of conventions through the MN, WI, IL area that often have PF1e events.

Unusual environments can also be a good way to burn some resources. Underwater for instance would use up a bunch of spells for Water Breathing and Freedom of Movement. Through in a dispel magic type trap for some fun...

Picking up the last couple of volumes of Tyrant's Grasp or Return of the Runelords might help give you some ideas on how to set-up challenges for players who may have higher levels of system mastery.

For anyone who has started to run this, do the adventures each still typically run about the same length as a scenario. i.e. 4-5 hours?

Yes

Starfinder Enhanced adds an ability called Inspiring Combo for the ENvoy at second level that lets them both attack and use an improvisations as a full action. Not all the time, but at least once per combat. It opens up some extra value in some of the improvisations beyond the Get'em ones. Nethys hasn't added those versions yet, probably because of the major bandwidth needed to try and get Remaster added. There are a few other abilities added like signature support which basically just adds another improvisation for the envoys. Nothing really balance altering, but it increases the diversity of builds that are fun.

I haven't used them yet, but the options are good enough that it was easy to just purchase the boon for all my characters, so I can practice more with the options and just make it easier to remember.

If they are interested in playing Witchwarpers or Envoys the Enhanced versions are definitely the way to go. In general if you keep upgrading your weapons and armor every few levels the system is very forgiving in terms of balance. For a large party you might consider not having an operative. They are not as over powering as some might suggest, but they do cover a lot of areas very well so opening up space for the different characters to feel like the have their niche might be a consideration. Every character should have ranged and melee options but pure ranged fights can definitely be a thing in Starfinder way more often.

I enjoyed a Panther Style Monk, not the best DPR at low levels but it made for very different strategy and play style in combats at higher level.

I definitely like adding in the competitor's, I added some Aspis agents in a few times when I GMed it. I used the strike team stats from Serpent's Rise and Serpent's Ire to run some encounters. I think 7-03 Bronze House Reprisal might be adaptable as well. Having both Aspis and Lissalan's going after generates more tension. Maybe even keeps them guessing, I found it helpful even before adding those scenarios to trim encounters out of some of the dungeons to keep things moving along.

I think the primary reason there isn't a thread for issues with GMs is that typically after trying to deal with it directly you would escalate it to the appropriate venture officer. I've only had to do it once, and it was very frustrating. I opted not to bother the other time it was an issue because it was clearly someone who had signed up to GM at Gencon for rewards, but who had no experience with how organized play was supposed to work and didn't seem remotely interested in putting effort to learn. Since then Paizo has selected its GMs a bit more carefully.

Re: pace of release. I think my personal optimal release schedule is the AP every other month, and 2 scenario like things per month plus a few modules throughout the year and quarterly hardbacks. In other words Starfinder has been the closest to a good rhythm for me. If you have so much time/money you can buy and play through more than that it's OK if you cheat on Paizo with other games or develop other non-gaming hobbies.

It does not. I do have plans for that, but those plans have been pushed into the more distant future as a result of the schedule-shuffling ripple-effects of the OGL event earlier this year.

Just planting the seed for later, but kicking off PF3E with a world shaking AP set in Druma featuring a power hungry publishing house co written/ developed by John and Thursty could be fun.

I did try and craft my scenario list for 1E scenarios at Gamehole Con this year with GM input we've got, so Mike if your looking at helping with a bigger convention in the future let me know, we've still got room if you want to join us in Madison and play.

Yes but it has not been released as true scenario that can be purchased.

I would prefer that the starship, vehicles rules, and mech rules all work together. Add in the vehicle chase rules and 4 different mini games is not something that would make me want to jump editions.

Some areas use Meet-up. As an in person player, once you figure out what the local community uses it's often pretty straightforward. However trying to figure out the local scene is actually quite difficult given the number of options. More experienced players might be willing to try and navigate the maze if they move (I had one do so a few months ago), but for a newer player it is definitely a reason people might leave the campaign.

I think a concert is too easy, that last scenario should be equally difficult as the last special. I suggest planning a school fundraiser.

I'll push back on that, edition changes alter enough rules that it doesn't really count as engineering type refinement towards an ever more superior product. It just changes what the problems are and from known problems to initially unknown problems. Stamina is a good example either it will be implemented in some way and undoubtedly create some unexpected interactions with the rest of the 2E engine, or it won't either way some people will be unhappy about it.

They are absolutely still available to run, I know a couple of upcoming midwest conventions have them on the schedule SkalCon and Gamehole Con. There are at least a few in person options generally in the Wisconsin/ Minnesota area as well. Otherwise online through warhorn has options. If you happen to be in those areas I can get you some links if you would like.

I definitely think finding people now makes sense as well. Any chance your in the midwest?

1-98 was originally only playable if Thursty ran it (so at a small number of conventions), same with 2-98. 1-98 is now available to be run by a 4 or 5 Nova GM

There is a 2-98 as well, but I guess that one is still restricted on who can run it.

A third Perplexity Scenario would be a nice treat for 1e...

I'm mostly planning to ride my current tide of products all the way to 3rd edition before investing again. So far I've still been able to find new players in person, even for PF1e. I still see people signing up to play both systems at conventions. I worry more that people will just turtle up into online only rather then seeing who is out there in their local community to keep playing with.

SROs are a boon race from a particular scenario.

Duck hunt and Super Mario are both compatible with the NES, that word is a lot more flexible then some seem to be thinking.

Davor Firetusk wrote:

In no way should they contribute to psuedoscientific nonsense spewed about quantum mechanics and many worlds interpretations by associating Witchwarpers with 'Occult'. One example of this is the old movie "what the Bleep do We Know?"

Huh?

Well I would specifically name the chief promoter, but the Paizo moderation policies seem to frown on that type of clarity. But as googling the movie title would show they have enough clout to get a movie made with at least 2 relatively famous actors. Like most pseudoscience the goal is to sell something in this case rationalizing informal language descriptions of the Uncertainty Principle to justify all manner of new Age hocus pocus. As we have seen with other types of pseudoscience they fester for years.

In no way should they contribute to psuedoscientific nonsense spewed about quantum mechanics and many worlds interpretations by associating Witchwarpers with 'Occult'. One example of this is the old movie "what the Bleep do We Know?"

Reducing our dislike of the system change to 'don't like change' is just being dismissive to be convenient. The last time a mechanics changes increased my enjoyment of the game was Skills and Powers for 2E DND. Most setting materials published since then have been worse in quality though some of the 3.X settings were solid. So all the work and money to learn new systems has not produced additional happiness. The existing Starfinder setting is one of the exceptions where it has been a truly new and fun setting, but why would I be excited to pay money to get the same type of options I already have to build characters.

We'd love to help you try again. I attended Gamehole Con in Madison for the first time last year, and joined the Dire Badger Lodge.
https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/3985
Were you can find the link to join our discord server.

Since the con we've grown to 3 locations (Reedsburg, Fitchburg, Stoughton) offering combinations of 1e, 2e, and Starfinder and have someone getting ready to start a location in Stevens Point. We are also tripling the number of tables this year compared to last year at Gamehole Con, so joining us in person if you can is a great way to try and build a little network of interested players.

It is used in 1 PF2E scenario so far.

Drift Crisis though isn't setting-shattering. It's more than a normal AP for changes, but hit's a different sort of middle ground.

The number of fun AP level ideas with Golarion World is just staggering.

I'll go less ambitious, but adding a version of the Mystic gunner boon to the ACP list would be nice

Google 'boat conformation hexane' to help with picturing. I believe the original text may have accidentally referenced the 'chair' conformation by mistake.

Need nooooooooooow. :)

I suggest building a precog in the meantime and hoping for the best...

Just a ping now that season 6 has officially started and the first 6 scenarios are announced along with bounties up to 9, plus Drift Crisis Case Files

Coming at it a different way the intent of the rule is to prevent PCs from bringing a bag of space rats around and then 'fighting' the space rats to be able to use certain class features without a meaningful threat. The envoy's ability to recover stamina would be a prime example of this. The 4 level difference is more of a guide to when the power dynamic starts to get to that point. If there was a reason such a lopsided fight broke out running initiative is fine, but if you think the initiative is necessary and you can't just handle the scene as a narrative then all class features should work. It sounds more like you and your GM hadn't encountered this type of rule before.

I think Training Montages should be role played at the table, preferably with appropriate costuming and theme music.

Perhaps change it in an AP called Third Darkness..

I ran a party of 5, with some solid optimizers in the group and book 6 of Return of the Runelords held up pretty well in my estimation. Most encounters were not challenging, but the challenges were diverse enough that they had a way of sooner or later finding some party weak points for some of them. I even nearly had a TPK without having to do much modification, certainly not any of the give everything the advanced template or max HP. I don't mind that pace for high level play where the highly competent PCs can chew through a bunch of stuff cause they are prepared and then find a challenge when they least expect it.

You can play any scenario you like (almost*) first. Any scenario that includes level 1 in the range will work without any issues. You can participate in higher level scenarios with a pregenerated character as well, but then you have to choose whether to reduce the credits down to a level 1 scenario amount, or hold the chronicle until your character is the same level you played at. So short version find a place and sign-up they'll be happy to have you. In general I think new players enjoy playing a pregenerated character at first anyway to learn how the system operates and what scenarios feel like before starting to build something.

*Starfinder has a few scenarios that are high enough level that pregens are not available. It is unlikely that this would prevent you from playing something at that location.

Is Cable a Precog/ Soldier???

Melee can definitely throw out more DPR, but there is a significant tradeoff in giving up specializing more on Dex defensively. With the way monsters tilt towards higher attack bonuses the melee tank already needs to go the heavy armor route to stay competitive on AC, and they are going to get hit in return a fair bit. For classes getting pulled in other directions with stats or not getting heavy armor or the melee proficiencies that tradeoff is often not worth it. Which I think means the balance is about right, you can do those things but there are tradeoffs to go melee which helps give those choices meaning.

Glad you seem to have found the spark again. I've gamed more in the last 10 years then my first 20 years put together and I think in directly that has been part of my secret. I spent so many years wanting more that I've been able to have it and enjoy it with the occasional short break (think skipping a session or 2). Getting a mix of GMing and playing in helps too. I do a mix of homegames and Org play and that's also given me some perspective on how to contribute to a positive community without over doing it and burning out for good which has happened to a fair number of Org play folks over the years.

A new edition does not solve any of my problems. Demographically I suspect more and more people will fit into the "I have more stuff than I need for the rest of my life in the coming years". Compared to the serial game hoppers who go for the new shiny. 3 years out might be long enough I feel differently at the time, but I haven't felt compelled to spend more then 30 bucks on 2E yet, so probably not.

1E and Starfinder for me, so many fun adventures to play yet in both

Based on recovered notes, Golarion goblins were described as "funny creatures". Welcome to our Golarion nightclub were all the comics are goblins!