Many suggestions and comments have been given, some are very good (Zylphryx and Mergy). A lot of people are favoring doubling XP and Gold for playing up. In the long run if most people try to bend the system in favor of constantly playing up they’ll hit a Prestige Cap and won’t be able to buy high ticket items. I’m not sure if the true intent of the new rules are…was it to really stop gearing up power gamers or establishing a more balanced environment for everyone. Perhaps it’s to limit pressure that you always had to play up to be effective in PFS. I believe that the intent of a new system was that players shouldn’t feel the need to play up or be bullied to do so by other players.
I’ve never been in favor of the dreaded arms race. It does exist somewhat and I do believe that season four scenarios were designed not to be a walk in the park and provided adequate challenges. Those characters that were not geared adequately and were way lower level in their required tier: did poorly, got carried, or died. If things change and players are being penalized in playing outside their tier trying to make tables legal if the new rules go in effect may become a little more problematic if many folks are not pleased with the changes. I can understand why people may feel apprehensive like they are going to lose out on potential gear and gold if they group with lower level characters. Hopefully that won’t be the case.
I wholeheartedly agree with Tristan Windseeker that changing the play up/down rule was not a major problem that needed to be fixed. Then again I am speaking from my region and the coordinators here have done excellent job in grouping people together for games and have kept excellent checks and balance on players. I honestly believe that the VO’s and coordinators are the key in providing a fair and pleasant gaming experience for PFS. I haven’t seen much complaining locally here at my neck of the woods or an army of over geared characters for their level wondering about.
It’s my opinion characters that level faster than usual but will hit that Prestige cap to purchase gear other than what’s available on chronicles, and how effective will a character be at high tier when they’re playing their level 10 Character with 24 Prestige? Excellent players with sound tactics are not enough if you do not have the proper gear to be effective. So that in itself is a safety which may mitigate any possible abuse and players will want their full prestige. Anyways, I’m in favor a system that doesn’t get abused within the first two months it’s implemented and keeps in the spirit of good cooperative play.
