New to PFS, going to do some events at Gen Con, faction question

[xJoe3x]

So from what I can tell normally you would choose a faction during first steps, 3 parts at gencon was a bit too much so we did not sign up. We did sign up for other pathfinder events, so here is the question... do we just pick a faction that we like when making a pfs character?

[Harley Quinn X]

Hello and welcome to PFS. I hope you enjoy it at Gencon.

Yep. You can choose a faction before playing a game. If you're starting with the First Steps series, you can wait until after the series to choose a faction.

[Mike Mistele]

David Montgomery wrote:

Yep. You can choose a faction before playing a game.

And, another welcome!

Yes, in fact, you *should* pick a faction before your character's first game, if you're not starting out with the First Steps adventures.

In each "regular" PFS adventure (i.e., adventures other than First Steps), each faction will have a secondary task which faction members are tasked with accomplishing. If you don't have a faction, you don't get a secondary mission, which, among other things, would deprive you of an opportunity to earn a Prestige Point from your faction during the adventure.

[BigNorseWolf]

Yes, pick before hand.

Take a look at the faction traits on the free to download guide to society play if you're having trouble deciding thematically.

I'm surprised there's no "what faction are you" personality quiz yet.

[LadyRabbit]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Yes, pick before hand.

Take a look at the faction traits on the free to download guide to society play if you're having trouble deciding thematically.

I'm surprised there's no "what faction are you" personality quiz yet.

Agreed there. My fiance and I aren't going to be playing the First Steps, but just reading through so we can choose beforehand.

For us, there was no faction that really called to us. We'll likely go with the default Lodge.

[Wabajck]

Always glad to see more PFS players. My only suggestion is pick a faction that fits your characters flavor and not just one that is suggested you should go with. Ive picked based on flavor for all my characters and I have felt better for it.

Heck my bard is fueled by Taldan pride. Without it he wouldn't be the boisterous jerk he is.

[Jason S]

If you play a pregen PC, officially your faction is the Pathfinder Lodge.

[Fromper]

I'm surprised nobody's said it yet, but the Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play is a free PDF download here on the Paizo site, and it gives faction descriptions to help you choose. There are also additional traits you can take for your character listed in the Guide.

Each character gets two traits, most of which are listed in the Advanced Players Guide. Only one can be a faction trait.

[Spaarky]

The Pathfinder Society Field Guide is also a good resource on the factions. It also gives rewards you can buy for PP from your faction and gives some background on them as well. I agree with Wabajck that if you pick a faction based on the flavor of your character you might have more fun. My Gnome First Worlder Summoner is Latern Lodge simply because he is from Tian Xia, but my Human Sorcerer is Grand Lodge because she is from Absolam.

[godsDMit]

Fromper wrote:

Each character gets two traits, most of which are listed in the Advanced Players Guide.

Most (if not all) of those may be found here as well.