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So having never been to a con or played PFS, is there any friendly advice people can share? I would love to hear some words of wisdom from the "pros", as it were, before I turn my weekend into a train wreck. :)
1. Have fun! Really this is why you're playing anyway, right?
2. Have your stuff ready. Cons can be hectic, so being prepared helps. Not just with your dice and character sheet, but with how your spells, feats, etc. work. In my experience PFS DMs are a cut above RPGA, but it's polite and more fun if you can run your part smoothly.3. Have a drink and snack on hand. You don't want to be running away in the middle of a session.
4. Be a good sport. Con games aren't like home games, PFS modules suspend our disbelief a little more in the plot and character department by necessicity.
5. I have a sturdy table tent with my real name, character name, race, and faction (I usually play fairly vocal Andorans, so secrecy doesn't matter.)
6. Don't be afraid to run away! I tend to keep enough Prestige (Fame) on hand for a Raise Dead, but that doesn't stop me from being comfortable with retreating.
7. Have fun....again.
I hope you enjoy it. Con play is a great time!
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I am by no means a Con expert, so I hope you get more sage advice than I have to offer, but it's slow at work right now, so here are my 2 copper:
I "prep" 4. My main character, a back up character, and 2 first level characters of wildly different types. The first levels are in case I get killed off and need to play a level one which I think is more rewarding than playing a pre-gen. I do wildly different characters so that no matter what table I end up at, I have a fun fit for the group.
That being said, I find that I have my next level fully planned out for my main and back up character, and that includes my purchase list. I say this because a lot of time the end of a game is a fast and furious moment of paperwork. It's nice being prepared ahead of time for all that.
So having never been to a con or played PFS, is there any friendly advice people can share? I would love to hear some words of wisdom from the "pros", as it were, before I turn my weekend into a train wreck. :)
I might just qualify as a PFS pro...
What scenarios have you signed up to play?
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Can I jump in? :)
I'm signed up for:
Friday
12:00 PM – 05:00 PM The Midnight Mauler
Saturday
08:00 AM – 01:00 PM
Shades of Ice, Part 1: Written in Blood
I've never played PFS ever. From what I've gathered, you have to either bring a PFS character of the correct level range that you have actually leveled legally in actual PFS games OR you have to play one of the official PFS pre gen characters. Is that right?
Assuming so, I'm planning to just pick one of the official PFS pre gens at the start of each game. That's really my only option, right?
Thanks!
Can I jump in? :)
I'm signed up for:
Friday
12:00 PM – 05:00 PM The Midnight MaulerSaturday
08:00 AM – 01:00 PM
Shades of Ice, Part 1: Written in BloodI've never played PFS ever. From what I've gathered, you have to either bring a PFS character of the correct level range that you have actually leveled legally in actual PFS games OR you have to play one of the official PFS pre gen characters. Is that right?
Assuming so, I'm planning to just pick one of the official PFS pre gens at the start of each game. That's really my only option, right?
Thanks!
+1
Also, how do I know what level the event I signed up for is?|
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Also, how do I know what level the event I signed up for is?
I just realized they did not put the level in the events! Woops...
You can look at the store description of the events where they sell the PDFs for them, you will see the level there.
Pathfinder Society Season 2 scenarios
For the other question, if you signed for an event that can be run for a first level characters and you bring your own PC they will make sure they put you at a table that is your level.
I am also hoping to get some advice from Mr. Baird.
I'm in Kings of Absalom and Within the Walls of Bastardhall. I need PFS legal characters of levels 2 and 3 respectively.
What books are legal for me to creat these characters with? Do I have to play a pregen?
Thanks!
For your special circumstance (where you're playing a "pseudo" PFS character), you can follow the creation guidelines here in the organized play guide, and use the Character Wealth by Level Table 12-4 out of the CRB (pg 399). For modules when PFS players have to do this, we're limited to no one item being worth more than 1/2 our wealth, and it would probably be a pretty good guideline to follow for your events.
For legal sources for additional character content, check out the additional resources page.
Can I jump in? :)
I'm signed up for:
Friday
12:00 PM – 05:00 PM The Midnight MaulerSaturday
08:00 AM – 01:00 PM
Shades of Ice, Part 1: Written in BloodI've never played PFS ever. From what I've gathered, you have to either bring a PFS character of the correct level range that you have actually leveled legally in actual PFS games OR you have to play one of the official PFS pre gen characters. Is that right?
Assuming so, I'm planning to just pick one of the official PFS pre gens at the start of each game. That's really my only option, right?
Thanks!
You are correct with your first question. For the second, I would highly recommend you create your own character. There are (literally) a dozen reasons why you should, but most importantly of all, you will have more fun. After your second slot, you'll only be 1 more away from second level! :-)
So bring your shiny brand new character to the table on Friday, tell the GM it's your first time playing PFS and they can answer any of your questions. Playing Midnight Mauler, you're GUARANTEED to have a great time.
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You are correct with your first question. For the second, I would highly recommend you create your own character. There are (literally) a dozen reasons why you should, but most importantly of all, you will have more fun. After your second slot, you'll only be 1 more away from second level! :-)
So bring your shiny brand new character to the table on Friday, tell the GM it's your first time playing PFS and they can answer any of your questions. Playing Midnight Mauler, you're GUARANTEED to have a great time.
Thanks Kyle.
So, I create a new PFS character at level 1. I still don't understand the level range though. Both games I'm signed up for say levels 1-7 (if I remember correctly). What if the other players show up with level 7 characters? I'm going to be pretty out of my depth with a 1st level character.
Also, do you recommend using the same character for both games or bring create two different characters?
Thanks again!
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I am also hoping to get some advice from Mr. Baird.
I'm in Kings of Absalom and Within the Walls of Bastardhall. I need PFS legal characters of levels 2 and 3 respectively.
What books are legal for me to creat these characters with? Do I have to play a pregen?
Thanks!
For your special circumstance (where you're playing a "pseudo" PFS character), you can follow the creation guidelines here in the organized play guide, and use the Character Wealth by Level Table 12-4 out of the CRB (pg 399). For modules when PFS players have to do this, we're limited to no one item being worth more than 1/2 our wealth, and it would probably be a pretty good guideline to follow for your events.
For legal sources for additional character content, check out the additional resources page.
Thanks very much.
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What if the other players show up with level 7 characters? I'm going to be pretty out of my depth with a 1st level character.
Also, do you recommend using the same character for both games or bring create two different characters?
Thanks again!
There will be more then one game going on of the same scenario, Hyrum and Mark will do their best to make sure that you sit will PCs near your level.
Thanks Kyle.
So, I create a new PFS character at level 1. I still don't understand the level range though. Both games I'm signed up for say levels 1-7 (if I remember correctly). What if the other players show up with level 7 characters? I'm going to be pretty out of my depth with a 1st level character.
Also, do you recommend using the same character for both games or bring create two different characters?
Thanks again!
For the Midnight Mauler, there's only one table of it going off. So there is a chance there will be level 6's or 7's that show up. There are several options Hyrum and your GM have at their disposal. This is list is order of *my* preferences:
- Ask if the level 6's and 7's have a lower level character they'd be willing to play
- Decide as a group to play subtier 3-4 with your mix of characters
- Ask Hyrum if there's a different table you could play at with other level 1's.
- You can play a level 4 or 7 pregen.
A level 1-7 scenario comes with three "subtiers." Essentially it's designed around three small level ranges, and in this case it's levels 1-2, 3-4, and 6-7. For Midnight Mauler, if you played 3-4 with your level one, you'd probably be just fine since it's a more roleplaying focused scenario.
For Shades of Ice, it's levels 1-5, so the sub-tiers 1-2, and 4-5. There will be multiple tables of this going off, so you should easily find a 1-2 game, which I highly recommend.
I highly recommend you use the same character for both scenarios.
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If you turn up for your first PFS game and 2 level 7 characters turn up then really the onus is on them to produce a level 1 character to play with. After all you are new they have been around the block a bit and should know that lower level characters take priority.
Put it this way if they wanted to play their level 7 characters they would have signed on for a tier 5-9 adventure. If they sign on for a tier 1-7 expecting everyone to bring level 7 characters then frankly they should know that's unlikely.
In every game I have ever played for PFS, the GM's and fellow players have been accommodating and welcoming. You are more likely to see say a level 3 character than a level 7.
I am carrying 4 characters into a convention this weekend, 1 level 3 and 3 level 1 they are all different but I have one "main" character. However if someone really has an objection to my character then I can change it as necessary. The unwritten rule of PFS is to fit in with the group as much as you can and I think you will find other players will respect that. After all, you are there to have a good time.
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I am also hoping to get some advice from Mr. Baird.
I'm in Kings of Absalom and Within the Walls of Bastardhall. I need PFS legal characters of levels 2 and 3 respectively.
What books are legal for me to creat these characters with? Do I have to play a pregen?
Thanks!
For your special circumstance (where you're playing a "pseudo" PFS character), you can follow the creation guidelines here in the organized play guide, and use the Character Wealth by Level Table 12-4 out of the CRB (pg 399). For modules when PFS players have to do this, we're limited to no one item being worth more than 1/2 our wealth, and it would probably be a pretty good guideline to follow for your events.
For legal sources for additional character content, check out the additional resources page.
Does PFS use traits?
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Should I go through the registration process (join the PFS, register my character, report after the game etc) if I do not plan on playing in PFS games other than at PaizoCon?
Yes you should, if only because you may go to PazoCon next year, also you may decide to play PFS at another con down the road.
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So having never been to a con or played PFS, is there any friendly advice people can share? I would love to hear some words of wisdom from the "pros", as it were, before I turn my weekend into a train wreck. :)
Is it too late to give my 2 coppers? Actually, I don't know that my advice is worth two coppers, but on the off chance that it annoys Dragnmoon, I'll give it anyway:
1) "PFS is like a box of choc'late, you never know what you're going to get."
Unlike a regular home campaign and unless you really have a consistent PFS playgroup, you never know who or what is going to be sitting at the table with you. Because of that, the 'metagame' for PFS play is quite different than your home game.
You cannot count on having a 'balanced' table (nor is it even necessary, but that's another post) so the better characters are ones that have a wide variety of skills in addition to their well-played characters. (Or the characters are prepped with magic/consumables/plans to handle a wide variety of different encounters.)
You need to be responsible for your own healing...which is pretty easy once you get 2 Prestige Points and can quickly get a Wand of Cure Light Wounds.
In short, the person you can really count on to handle any situation is *YOU*. You're never guaranteed to have a healer, a tank, an arcanist or anything...so it's good to have plans to be flexible. Yes, sometimes the Monk *IS* the tank and the Bard does some of the healing. It happens...and you will overcome.
You can read more here: Painlord has Expectations.
2) At it's core, Pathfinder Society play is a social game.
By in large, the good players in PFS aren't the ones with awesome builds or do lots of damage. (In fact, those types of players can be some of the more selfish and annoying players at the table.).
Good players know how to interact and play nicely with others.
Good players can roleplay their characters in a way that includes others in their roleplaying.
Good players know how to work as a team and cooperate to overcome obstacles.
Good players are the ones that are social, nice, and friendly that you'll want at your table again and again.
Like Chris Marsh emphasizes in his post above, PFS is about being friendly, social, and engaging well with others.
Come to PaizoCon to meet people and make connections so that next time you're traveling or at a local convention or at PaizoCon you can relive and renew those friendships.
For PaizoCon, my dream is that my gameplay combined with my social skills will lead to some fun memories that I can enjoy with new and old friends for years to come.
For more detail: Be a better player.
3) "Get found!"
* * *
My sekrit goal is finally meet in person many more the yahoos with whom I interact with on the PFS boards: yahoos like Dragnmoon and Byle Kaird and a slew of the Venture Captains. I hope to get to put faces to names and have a good chat about this and that.
PaizoCon is going to be a blast.
-Pain
So having never been to a con or played PFS, is there any friendly advice people can share? I would love to hear some words of wisdom from the "pros", as it were, before I turn my weekend into a train wreck. :)
I'm not a pro; I don't even play one on TV.
But I'm going to second pretty much everything Chris Marsh said -- can't put it much better. Have fun. Work with your table. Try to be ready for your turn. And realize the dice aren't always with you.
Painlord's list is pretty daunting to a new player, but if you're just new to PFS and not to the game, it's sound advice to consider. That said, if you have a roleplay reason for not being able to handle a particular situation -- let's say your Paladin PC considers ranged combat to be less than chivalrous -- just make sure the table knows that during PC introductions and usually there's no problem.
EDIT to add: Painlord's "Get Found" post is exceptional.
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OK, I joined the Pathfinder Society (I have a PFS number and everything :))
I created and registered a brand new first level character using the official PFS creation rules (a ranger FYI) so I think I'm ready to go!
Quick question about encumbrance and carrying capacity - normally we play a little fast and loose with this. However, since PFS characters seem to be much more by the book in all cases, I figured I would go ahead and record the weights for my weapons, armor and other items.
My question is, how strict is PFS regarding things like carrying capacity? According to the core rules, my character is carrying a medium load which brings with it some penalties to things like base speed etc. Is this enforced or does this get hand waved?
Thanks!!!
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Is this enforced or does this get hand waved?
Thanks!!!
Encumbrance, like most things in PFS, is a matter of honor. There is a default notion (at least where I play) that you will play by the rules. Not every judge will audit you, but there are some that will ask pointed questions about your build and how you are doing things.
So, yes, encumbrance is enforced.
I will ask players with high movement speeds and heavy armor how they are doing such when I judge. I don't worry about coin weight, however, and don't worry about food & water for missions in 'civilized' lands. However, many missions do start with a trek through lands unknown and I might want to see food and water listed on a chronicle. Doug Miles (name drop), a PFS 5-star judge, will check your food supplies if you try to "feed the otyugh some rations so it will let us pass"...then, you'd better have rations on your chronicle.
Does that answer your question?
-Pain