Owner - D20 Hobbies
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So just a request to Hyrum and the boyz (who are doing a great job). Ease off on the 7-11's and give us some 5-9's to run. If you can please.
Everyone needs a different set.
I need more 7-11's to level my main (I have only three I can play right now and it's hard to get others that haven't played them.)
My Wed night PFS group needs more 1-7 to play ANYTHING since they have played every one and have 7th level and 4th level players so they can't play the 5-9
I really think the 5-9 should have been 3-9 really, but hey.
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So just a request to Hyrum and the boyz (who are doing a great job). Ease off on the 7-11's and give us some 5-9's to run. If you can please.Everyone needs a different set.
I need more 7-11's to level my main (I have only three I can play right now and it's hard to get others that haven't played them.)
My Wed night PFS group needs more 1-7 to play ANYTHING since they have played every one and have 7th level and 4th level players so they can't play the 5-9
I really think the 5-9 should have been 3-9 really, but hey.
They have played all Tier 1-7 and Tier 1-5? there is zero that they can play to help the level 4 catch up?
If they have played all Tier 1-7 but have some tier 1-5 avaiable, the level 7s can make some level 1s to play with the level 4s until they get level 5, then you can run Tier 5-9.
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So just a request to Hyrum and the boyz (who are doing a great job). Ease off on the 7-11's and give us some 5-9's to run. If you can please.Everyone needs a different set.
I need more 7-11's to level my main (I have only three I can play right now and it's hard to get others that haven't played them.)
My Wed night PFS group needs more 1-7 to play ANYTHING since they have played every one and have 7th level and 4th level players so they can't play the 5-9
I really think the 5-9 should have been 3-9 really, but hey.
They have played all Tier 1-7 and Tier 1-5? there is zero that they can play to help the level 4 catch up?
If they have played all Tier 1-7 but have some tier 1-5 avaiable, the level 7s can make some level 1s to play with the level 4s until they get level 5, then you can run Tier 5-9.
Assuming there wasnt any deaths that led to this scenario, the 7s could replay the mods that the 4s missed for no credit just to get them to 5 for the 5-9s as well.
Director of Brand Strategy
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With only two scenarios released a month, there's no easy way to quickly get more of any single tier out into the wild. We're working on a few solutions, however.
First, Hyrum's already said on the boards that we'll be sanctioning The Godsmouth Heresy for PFS play, and being a module, it will take at least two if not three slots for a party to complete. Credit will work similar to GM credit, in that players can apply credit to higher level PCs than the module itself allows (it's a 1st-level adventure). This may be one way for people on the cusp of a new tier to catch up with fellow players and open up a new set of scenarios they can legally play.
We've also got a third scenario releasing in January, available to Venture-Captains and 4-star GMs. It'll be Tier 1-7, and will thus cover the largest swath of levels. At first it may be rare in some regions, but eventually we'll open it up to be run by anyone.
I've said before that we plan to release a lew-tier scenario every month except in extreme cases where releasing only higher tier material one month is unavoidable. That does mean that higher level PCs may have to be put on the back burner while new lower level PCs get a chance to grow, but the hope is that this release schedule will promote growth of the Society as a whole, as it will provide ample opportunities for people to get in on a level 1 game.
Of course, we're open to feedback on what gaps people are experiencing and love suggestions on how to best fill those holes.
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... So just a request to Hyrum and the boyz (who are doing a great job). Ease off on the 7-11's and give us some 5-9's to run. If you can please.
Considering that Tier 7-11 accomodates a span of 5 levels and that it is the only available tier for level 10-11 characters, I can see how it is necesary to have so many of them.
With that said most games I have been involved with where for low level characters, so I for one would like to see more Tier 1-7 scenarios. But I am excited about Modules becoming available for PFS and am eager to see how they work out.
I suggested in another thread adding tier 3-9 scenarios, but with the spread the way it seems to be for many players maybe it would also be better to stop doing tier 7-11 scenarios and replace them with tier 5-11 ones.
It could end up being:
tier 1 or 1-2 (new intro scenarios mentioned by Mark and Hyrum)
tier 1-7
tier 3-9
tier 5-11
tier 12
Even though tier 1-7 is the hardest to write for since it has to cover 3 sub-tiers, I think this would give the widest coverage and the most flexibility for scenario choice.
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I suggested in another thread adding tier 3-9 scenarios, but with the spread the way it seems to be for many players maybe it would also be better to stop doing tier 7-11 scenarios and replace them with tier 5-11 ones.
It could end up being:
tier 1 or 1-2 (new intro scenarios mentioned by Mark and Hyrum)
tier 1-7
tier 3-9
tier 5-11
tier 12Even though tier 1-7 is the hardest to write for since it has to cover 3 sub-tiers, I think this would give the widest coverage and the most flexibility for scenario choice.
The problem here is that a 7 level mod range just isn't ideal. The 1-7s are only there to help the low characters. The 1-7s are the ones with the most disparity and it seems the more issues with balancing them for each sub-tier.
This is really a solution looking for a problem at this point considering we are seeing new low level mods every month from here on out.
I suggested in another thread adding tier 3-9 scenarios, but with the spread the way it seems to be for many players maybe it would also be better to stop doing tier 7-11 scenarios and replace them with tier 5-11 ones.
It could end up being:
tier 1 or 1-2 (new intro scenarios mentioned by Mark and Hyrum)
tier 1-7
tier 3-9
tier 5-11
tier 12Even though tier 1-7 is the hardest to write for since it has to cover 3 sub-tiers, I think this would give the widest coverage and the most flexibility for scenario choice.
The problem here is that a 7 level mod range just isn't ideal. The 1-7s are only there to help the low characters. The 1-7s are the ones with the most disparity and it seems the more issues with balancing them for each sub-tier.
This is really a solution looking for a problem at this point considering we are seeing new low level mods every month from here on out.
Yeah, I had a slight boo boo when I listed those. I meant to change the 1-7 to 2-7. That way each tier covers 6 levels and three sub-tiers and you would not have inexperienced 1st level characters playing with higher level characters. Of course, this would only work once there was a significant number of the new intro scenarios available. I could basically see this starting with Season 3.
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Owner - D20 Hobbies
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They have played all Tier 1-7 and Tier 1-5? there is zero that they can play to help the level 4 catch up?
There are zero (0) as in no available 1-7 they can play left. I ran #10 on Weds and that was already retired so I can't even give them credit but people were itching to play and I didn't know what else to do.
I'm not sure if any 1-5 are left, there may be a few, but none of the 7th level want to build a new character. So that is unlikely to happen.
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Director of Brand Strategy
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I'm not sure if any 1-5 are left, there may be a few, but none of the 7th level want to build a new character. So that is unlikely to happen.
All the low-level scenarios scheduled to be released between now and May are 1-5, so those 7th-level players may find themselves missing a lot of games if they're waiting for something they can play in with lower-level PCs. When they reach 8th-level do they plan to make new PCs, or are they going to wait until they've played a full 4-part level-12 arc before they start up with someone new? (I'm genuinely curious, as understanding player motivations is the hardest part of determining at what speed and regularity scenarios of different tiers should be released.)
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All the low-level scenarios scheduled to be released between now and May are 1-5, so those 7th-level players may find themselves missing a lot of games if they're waiting for something they can play in with lower-level PCs. When they reach 8th-level do they plan to make new PCs, or are they going to wait until they've played a full 4-part level-12 arc before they start up with someone new? (I'm genuinely curious, as understanding player motivations is the hardest part of determining at what speed and regularity scenarios of different tiers should be released.)
It's really hard to convince some hard-core players to create new characters, because they see those level 12 specials on the release schedule, and feel that lower level play is distracting them from that goal.
I faced this same problem scheduling PaizoConOz 2010 Brisbane, a small group of players insisting that I schedule Eyes of the Ten for the event, even though they didn't have a full table. There was no-one else in Australia at that level last September, and I'd be surprised if there is now. I said they'll have to wait for the rest of the nation to catch up to them! In fact, I had to replace some tier 5-9 games, because the vast majority of sign-ups were low-level characters.
I've seen it here on the boards too. A player looking at two cons (Atlanta and elsewhere), neither of which were offering tiers high enough for his character to play.
I think it's going to be a temporary situation though. Some players have played hard, and are waiting for the rest of the community to catch up. Once there has been a full cycle, we should see a steady stream of characters at all levels.
There'll probably always be a pyramid effect, more low-to-mid level characters than high due to a) supporting new players; and b) drop-off rate at higher levels, but once a few have reached level 12, there's a hoard more players advancing behind them.
Cheers,
DarkWhite
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First, Hyrum's already said on the boards that we'll be sanctioning The Godsmouth Heresy for PFS play, and being a module, it will take at least two if not three slots for a party to complete. Credit will work similar to GM credit, in that players can apply credit to higher level PCs than the module itself allows (it's a 1st-level adventure). This may be one way for people on the cusp of a new tier to catch up with fellow players and open up a new set of scenarios they can legally play.
I didn't catch this before, this is great. I think a lot of small groups like ours have trouble playing their higher level stuff so having an option where you can still advance is nice.
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Owner - D20 Hobbies
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When they reach 8th-level do they plan to make new PCs, or are they going to wait until they've played a full 4-part level-12 arc before they start up with someone new?
All they talk about is leveling and getting to as high a level as possible. They definitely want to play the 12th level arc. So the main 3 high level (Ranger, Cleric, Paladin) are the ones pushing for sticking with the mains. I've recommended playing a pregen (no credit) or playing a 1st level and they made a 1st level for one game. But they didn't want to play them a second game and are now pushing for "just their main" to play.
Unfortunately, I'm of a similar mindset. So forcing them to not play their main is hard for me, because I'd mostly rather not play than play for no credit or for credit to a low level.
I've got a suggestion I'm going to go with and tell the group we are alternating 1-5 and 5-9 games. It might even improve attendance, since they can say "I only need to be there every other week" and the people that don't always show may be more likely to show for their night (1-5)
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I've seen it here on the boards too. A player looking at two cons (Atlanta and elsewhere), neither of which were offering tiers high enough for his character to play.Well, to be fair we did have one table of 10-11s that played once. The problem was that our 10-11 players were also DMs...
Same here, but with 7-10(?) level characters. The problem with running a convention is to offer a high level table, you're taking all your GMs out of circulation for that session.
I think GM characters and those of their friends are often higher level due to GM credit and the need to slot-zero new releases to keep one step ahead of the convention-playing public.
I'm not criticising anyone for not running high level scenarios at conventions, we all try, but the reality is that in many areas the community at large have yet to reach that level.
A little patience, and and those levels should be available at the next convention or two. Meanwhile, secondary characters can help fill the gap.
Cheers,
DarkWhite
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I've got a suggestion I'm going to go with and tell the group we are alternating 1-5 and 5-9 games. It might even improve attendance, since they can say "I only need to be there every other week" and the people that don't always show may be more likely to show for their night (1-5)
This sounds like a good idea.
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The problem with running a convention is to offer a high level table, you're taking all your GMs out of circulation for that session.
We have that problem from time to time as well. We often try to schedule special sessions for a lot of the high-level stuff so that we aren't pulling from our GM pool when we offer it at a game day or local convention.
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It's really hard to convince some hard-core players to create new characters
IMHO, this is the main issue that seems to be causing hard feelings. There are enough players out there that seem to refuse to compromise even when it will help them in the future. If you are all about the rewards, then you will miss some gaming opportunities because you are too rigid to accept a new PC, or a pregen. Don't get me wrong, I have my favorite toon (to steal a computer game term), but I can play any of my PC's and once my lowest reached level 3, I create another new level one just in case. For me, the entertainment, whether playing or GM'ing, is the fun part. If that means I need to play an alternate PC that what I intended, then so be it. Players just need to be prepared for the ramifications of their decisions. The more rigid you are, the less chance you will have to play at every opportunity.
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IMHO, this is the main issue that seems to be causing hard feelings. There are enough players out there that seem to refuse to compromise even when it will help them in the future. If you are all about the rewards, then you will miss some gaming opportunities because you are too rigid to accept a new PC, or a pregen. Don't get me wrong, I have my favorite toon (to steal a computer game term), but I can play any of my PC's and once my lowest reached level 3, I create another new level one just in case. For me, the entertainment, whether playing or GM'ing, is the fun part. If that means I need to play an alternate PC that what I intended, then so be it. Players just need to be prepared for the ramifications of their decisions. The more rigid you are, the less chance you will have to play at every opportunity.
QFT. The phrase PFS uses is Play, Play, Play, which is a very open idea. To have a close-minded player like that is just not going to work in the end.
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Director of Brand Strategy
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It's really hard to convince some hard-core players to create new characters, because they see those level 12 specials on the release schedule, and feel that lower level play is distracting them from that goal.
That doesn't make a lot of sense. They're not going to be able to play a Tier 1-5 scenario with their 10th-level-going-on-12th PC anyway. If they make a lower level PC, at least they could play more often with something, using their low level for scenarios that wouldn't benefit their high level PCs anyway, and vice-versa.
Then again, I've been a player longer than a developer or event coordinator, so I certainly grant that there are things that one gets set in his head that can't be shaken by any amount of logic.
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This has probably been covered and I am late to the party again, but I see another minor concern.
Through May of 2011 we have a glob of Tier 1-5 Scenario's and a glob of 7-11. There is only one Tier 1-7. This leaves a minor gap for level 6 characters. A few Tier 5-9's will be needed.
The lack of low level Tier scenario's is being solved, but we have to save a few 5-9's or 1-7's to get players to the 7th level mark.
Maybe the addition of Modules will help this out too.
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Venture-Captain, Missouri—Cape Girardeau
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In addition, most of the ones retired are tier 5-9, further increasing the gap. I don't see how else to fix this except to adjust the schedule again... and I hope not to see that happen. Increasing the number of Tier 1-5 helps bring in new players and provides growth for the PFS community. No balance will please everyone, I'm afraid.