How do I fit a new player into a home game?

[brreitz]

I've been running a PFS home game for a few months now, and it's been going swimmingly. I've run into a bit of a problem.

One of our players is moving out of town and can no longer play. However, a friend of mine from out-of-state is moving into town, and would like to play! Perfect timing, or so I would think.

The trouble is, the majority of the gaming group is level 5-6. How can I add a new player if they have to start with a level 1 PFS character? Unless the current party dies and makes new characters, they'll be so far behind that they'll be ineligible to play in any of the current scenarios.

I don't want to make the new player play a premade character the whole time (seems unfair to the new player that they shouldn't get to customize/advance their character), and I don't want to demand the previous players start anew (they've put a lot of time and harrowing effort into their characters), but I'm at a loss at what to do.

Anyone run into a similiar problem before? Any thoughts?

[Pygon]

You can oonly play up or down 1 tier with your PC, so having the higher level PCs escorting the level 1 through a Tier 1-6 (assuming those exist) is probably out, since the tiers would be 1-2, 3-4 amd 5-6, forcing the level 1 to play two tiers up. Unless you played the 3-4 tier, which causes the upper levels to play 1 tier down.

Otherwise I would have suggested the higher levels playing on the slow advancement rate for a while until the new player catches up (actually, that wouldn't happen until they reach around level 11, slowly).

Another option might be to take the new player though sanctioned modules (We Be Goblins, etc.) and let the players apply the XP to any PC they want as long as their levels fall within the supported tiers on the chronicle sheets. But again, that would make the higher levels advance while the lower level is trying to catch up.

I don't see a lot of options here other than the higher level players starting new PCs.

Another option - the new player plays a lot of PFS outside the group then joins when his PC is high enough.

[Vinyc Kettlebek]

See if he can find a local game near his current address and begin playing. This way he can start building a character before he moves into town. Some areas have more opportunities to play and he might be able to get a jump start to leveling.

If that isn’t possible try to run everyone through the new level 1 modules, this will get the new guy to level 2 and all the other players will have a secondary character. If he is comfortable enough with the rules he could DM, and uses the credit to build a higher level character. If you have been DM the entire time you can use your credit to build a suitable character for your group.

If your local game store offers a weekly game he could attend that in addition to your home game. With two sources of modules versus your home groups one source he might be able to catch up in a few months. At least this method would also get him close enough to play up while the rest of the group uses the slow advancement till he catches them.

[sieylianna]

Your best bet is to run him through the three module intro series, we be goblins and I think there are a couple more sanctioned modules with the other players. This lets the others work on a backup character and you should be able to get the new player at least to 3rd, which improves his survivability.

He is going to need to run some modules or play outside the group so he isn't left behind when you hit modules with hard level limits.

[Scribbling Rambler]

I would ask the other players to start a new character. While they have invested in their current characters, it never hurts to have a back-up.

I would also consider making a character yourself, and encouraging your "veterans" to take turns GMing for a while. That way your character could advance with the newbie's, and it would give some variety to your veterans.

EDIT: Once your newbie gets close (say 3rd/4th), your other PC's could switch to slow track xp to allow him to catch up more, so you are really only looking at a few sessions.

[Jason S]

Like everyone else said, the old players should make new characters and play stuff like "First Steps" and maybe a module. Get your friend up to level 3. To augment this process your friend might want to play with other groups.

Once at level 3, your group can play their old characters again and play scenario in the subtier 6-7 range. The old characters can play slow progression and your friend can play the standard progression. Once your friend gets to level 5, your old players should still be level 6-7, and you can play stuff in the subtier 5-6 range, etc. The only problem is knowing if there are enough scenarios in that tier range to support your group.

Besides having the old characters make new characters (to stop their advancement), there's no way to introduce him.