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You need to download the free Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play HERE. In addition to what you are looking for, it has most of the information a player/GM needs to participate in PFS.
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Hello, I am new to PFS. Someone said as a healer I should spend my first 2 PP points on a wand of cure light wounds. I was wondering if there was a publication or an online page that has listed what prestige points can buy. I have the PFS handbook, and field guide, and the only listing i saw was for spending PP on faction Boons.
Thanks for any help!
Welcome to PFS! In the Guide to Organized Play (not to be confused with the too-similarly-named PFS Field Guide) there's a table listing things you can get with prestige points. One of the options listed is that you can spend 2PP to acquire any single item worth 750gp or less. Incidentally, a wand of a first-level spell costs 750gp, so yes, you can spend 2PP to acquire a wand of cure light wounds (or infernal healing, if you prefer it and have the book it's in) to handle all your out-of-combat healing needs.
Hope that helps!
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Additionally, just because you are a healer, doesn’t mean “YOU” should buy a wand of cure light wounds.
Every character should be responsible for their own healing. Every character should have their own wand. Then they give their wand to the healer before the session starts, with permission to use it as necessary on them.
Those who refuse to buy their own wand, tell them they don’t get charges off yours, but you’ll use your allotment of spells and channels as necessary until they run out.
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Those who refuse to buy their own wand, tell them they don’t get charges off yours, but you’ll use your allotment of spells and channels as necessary until they run out.
I don't even give them that. If they don't provide their own healing wand, they get my stabilize cantrip. If I do a group-hug channel after the fight, I'll be courteous enough to include them in the radius. But that's it.
Obviously newbies or anyone who doesn't know better gets a pass. :)
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RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Ahhh....Thats great to know....
In homebrew I am always spending my resources to keep the party up, and have done so without thinking any different. I would have done the same for PFS, but I can see the room for abuse there.
Thanks for that input!
Of course, you still can play a dedicated healer if you like. Some people get immense pleasure from being able to make their party invincible. Just don't let anyone force you into it just because of what class is written on your character sheet. :)
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Spending your first 2 PP on a healing wand is a great idea for any character, even if they can't use the wand on their own. After that, I always save my next 16 PP to pay for a Raise Dead spell if it becomes necessary. Luckily, I've never needed it for any of my PCs. I've had deaths, but only at higher levels when other party members were present who could cast the spell.
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Additionally, just because you are a healer, doesn’t mean “YOU” should buy a wand of cure light wounds.
Every character should be responsible for their own healing. Every character should have their own wand. Then they give their wand to the healer before the session starts, with permission to use it as necessary on them.
Those who refuse to buy their own wand, tell them they don’t get charges off yours, but you’ll use your allotment of spells and channels as necessary until they run out.
This is by no means standard practice, nor even the unwritten rule (no matter how sensible.
(The truth of it is, at low levels, there aren't that many heals needed as long as someone's got a wand)
Actually it is standard practice in more regions that you think.
And don't tell that to my battle oracle who blew through 16 charges in Mists of Mwangi at 1st level.
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It really depends on the party make-up (and player ability!) versus the scenario's "requirements".
A well-balanced party whose players know what their PC is able to do well will blow through a lot less charges than an unbalanced party where no one knows how to use their PC's strengths.
Running a party of 5 Tengu Bards might be fun, in the right scenario, but is probably going to be close to a TPK, if it doesn't TPK, in a module like Dawn of the Scarlet Sun.
You are also more likely to use more charges if you are "playing up", even if legally allowed, since the enemies are going to be, overall, stronger, than if you played down.
Even having a Perception monkey can help, since that can minimize or negate some surprise rounds. Having a Diplomacy monkey can also neutralize certain combat encounters, since they can be turned into negotiations, instead.
A party of 4 fighters and a cleric is going to use a lot more healing, overall, than a party including PCs who can fill the classic roles.
Venture-Lieutenant, Washington—Pullman
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Hello. My first PFS character was a cleric. I was nice and purchased the first 3 CLW wands before saying enough was enough at level 4. 11 characters later, first 2PP spent on CLW wands on every character and now it is standard practice that everyone in our area gets a CLW wand before second level or they don't get healing.
In addition, the person who brings forth the argument that they wont tank or deal damage because a person wont cure them, don't, just because a person is a divine caster doesn't mean they should spend their gold on others and fall behind the equipment curve because you are too stingy to pay 750g or 2PP.
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Re: Battle Oracles... well, if you aren't going to play a proper healer ;-)My Battle Oracle is a great healer. It's one of his many specialties.
26,000gp for the armor alone - nice!
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*sniffs* I buy healing stuff as a Cleric with the purpose of using it on other PC's free of charge. I mean - the fighters kill monsters and don't tell me to get in the front lines.
But my Third game I did have someone slip me a wand of cure light, to use it on him - with expressed permission that I could use it on other PC's if things got hairy. (which they did)
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I can't remember if it cost 4 or 5 pp but if you are a healer you may want to pick up the "temple" from the field guide. You mentioned earlier that you had this book so you can look it up to be sure but I think it cost 4.
The Temple allows you to use your heal skill to make day job checks. I like these type of buys that allow you make your day job with a trait you actually want to beef up anyway. I take these type of PP buys for all my characters.
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Zakur I don't want you to get the wrong idea from Thomas. His opinion leads to the rogue refusing to disarm the traps for the rest of the party, the fighter refusing to protect the cleric, and a lot of other disharmony in the party.
If the rogue is a scout and the fighter is an archer, then those are legitimate refusals. That's kind of the point: rogues aren't always trapsmiths, fighters aren't always tanks, and clerics aren't always healers.
A scout who refuses to disarm traps and an archer who refuses to disarm traps aren't doing anything wrong, even if one of them has the word "rogue" written on his sheet.
A scout who refuses to tank and an archer who refuses to tank are still not doing anything wrong, even if one of them has the word "fighter" written on his sheet.
And a melee monster, a tank, a diplomat, a blaster-caster and a battlefield controller who all refuse to spend their resources healing are also not doing anything wrong, even if one or all of them have the word "cleric" written on their sheet.
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*sniffs* I buy healing stuff as a Cleric with the purpose of using it on other PC's free of charge. I mean - the fighters kill monsters and don't tell me to get in the front lines.
But my Third game I did have someone slip me a wand of cure light, to use it on him - with expressed permission that I could use it on other PC's if things got hairy. (which they did)
Fighters don't have to spend 12.5gp everytime they swing their sword.
If a Cleric is supposed to buy all the healing for their group, they will quickly run out of cash for their weapons, armor and other gear, and will quickly fall behind on the wealth by level curve.
I sort of take the middle ground on this issue. I play both a 4th-level cleric of Sarenrae and a 3rd-level cleric of Zon-Kuthon. My cleric of Sarenrae heals all party members without complaint (though I as a player love it when the other characters can provide wands for their own healing; and I am secretly bummed when I sit down at a table, and not a single player offers me said wand). My cleric of Zon-Kuthon adventures only with a close set of friends, and they all know to provide wands.
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Where is it even implied they should do this? Purchasing wands via PP has no impact on their levels of otherwise obtained glod.
If a Cleric is supposed to buy all the healing for their group, they will quickly run out of cash for their weapons, armor and other gear, and will quickly fall behind on the wealth by level curve.
Are you suggesting that clerics should spend all their PP on CLW wands and only Fighters should be able to save up for an Island? </snark>
PP is another bit of wealth that can be spent on things. Do not expect somebody else to babysit you just because their character sheet says cleric.
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there are some nice ioun stones you can get as well that are listed in the seekers of secrets pathfinders chronicles book.
for instance for 2 prestige points you could get:
dark blue cracked: +2 to perception and sense motive checks
dusty rose cracked: +1 to initiative
also, a bunch that add to other skills...
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I will point out that refusing to heal your allies does border on gross violation of a couple of the god(desse)s' edicts and codes of conduct.
Depends heavily on the god - Callistria is much happier if I'm using spells for vengeance and trickery, than for healing.
Having said that, my first PP purchase was still a cleric in a stick.
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This does not mean that the healer MUST expend their wealth to be able to provide additional healing. I agree that players should help the healer out, but they should net be REQUIRED to expend their wealth to have the healer heal.
Just as long as you don't think "cleric" = "healer", then we don't disagree. Everyone should foot the bill for their own chosen role. Just don't tell me what my role is.
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One other thing, and Ive seen it occur a lot is when people accidentally or mistakenly deduct the pp from their fame total also.I think its more evident on the record sheets that dont list a seperate fame score. I actually did this myself the first time.
In regards to the Wand of Cure me Please, dont overlook the used ones that are occasionaly found in modules. If you are saving those PP for a rainy day, it makes much more sense lashing out for a wand with say 15 charges left.
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My wizzy, being a wise one, spent his 1st two PP on a wand of infernal healing. He tells those who can use magic devices where to find it on his body, but unless a healer-type is unconscious, doesn't share well with others (true neutral; it fits his style).
Therefore, he does not others to share well with him.
I can't remember if it cost 4 or 5 pp but if you are a healer you may want to pick up the "temple" from the field guide. You mentioned earlier that you had this book so you can look it up to be sure but I think it cost 4.
I'm very sure it's 4, since my monk is purchasing that.
The Temple allows you to use your heal skill to make day job checks. I like these type of buys that allow you make your day job with a trait you actually want to beef up anyway. I take these type of PP buys for all my characters.
Here's the text from the Pathfinder Society Field Guide
Temple (4 PP): Regardless of your class, you are an active member of your local temple or place of worship. Your commitment to seeing your faith prosper and grow has ingratiated you with the local clergy, and you may even hold a spot among them when not out adventuring. You can use Heal to make Day Job rolls. Once per game session, if you have access to an operating temple of your faith, you can have a cleric cast either cure moderate wounds or lesser restoration on yourself or one of your allies, free of charge. You must visit the temple to receive this attention.
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Where do you get the impression he's being a "D%ck" about anything. He's not playing a healer, he's playing a tank. Expecting him to heal you is like expecting the gunslinger to drop their pistols and go charging in with a greatsword! And what if he wasn't even at the table? Who would you expect to do the healing then? With the variability of organized play, you might sit down one day to find you are the best Healer at the table. What are you going to do then? Just roll over and die?
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Was going to play PFS for the first time next Monday. By all of the posts alluding to it, it seems like a pretty douche filled environment. I may switch my plans and play a cleric just to see all of the mouths drop because I will actually play my role.
Great to see another new face joining the ranks, but please don't judge us harshly before you play.
The key to the discussion is that you should not expect others to pay your way in PFS. OP is a little different than a home game, in that your group cannot set aside a share of the treasure as "party treasure", nor can you always craft the ideal party. It is actually quite unfair (in the minds of many) that someone assumes that another person will pay for their healing, in the form of spells or items.
I have played with several healbot clerics in PFS, which is always nice to have, but also in games where the only "healer" was a rogue using UMD to activate a happy stick (wand of CLW). Almost every character I have run across will have a wand of CLW or Infernal Healing once they can afford it. In reality, I have rarely seen people deny healing. Just remember that your fun should not be contingent on someone else being required to keep your character healthy with their limited resources.
But, if you would like to play a healbot cleric to show people how your think it should be done, by all means do so! I guarantee that character will be welcome at almost any table
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Was going to play PFS for the first time next Monday. By all of the posts alluding to it, it seems like a pretty douche filled environment. I may switch my plans and play a cleric just to see all of the mouths drop because I will actually play my role.
The majority of PFS players never post on here. So don't judge by these boards.
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Ahhh....Thats great to know....
In homebrew I am always spending my resources to keep the party up, and have done so without thinking any different. I would have done the same for PFS, but I can see the room for abuse there.
Thanks for that input!
It is OK to use your own resources to heal others in the party, if you're cool with that.
Some folks get angry when everybody will assume that the healer will spend his or her resources to keep everybody else healed up, which is why there's the general advice to have your own CLW wand. But, some folks also play healers who view that as their role, and don't mind spending their own resources. Just don't assume that any healer you have in your party will be one of those who doesn't mind spending their own resources.
I think an argument can be made both ways. Yes, if everybody assumes the healer is going to spend all of her own resources healing everybody else, the healer falls behind in wealth. And, this can easily be abused. However, the healer is also relying on the tanks and strikers to handle the front-line combat, and is relying on them spending most of their wealth on the best weapons and armor and so forth. So, personally, I think it's reasonable for the healer to spend some of their own resources on healing of others, as long as it doesn't get out of hand. It's a bit touchy.
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Those who refuse to buy their own wand, tell them they don’t get charges off yours, but you’ll use your allotment of spells and channels as necessary until they run out.
I don't even give them that. If they don't provide their own healing wand, they get my stabilize cantrip. If I do a group-hug channel after the fight, I'll be courteous enough to include them in the radius. But that's it.
Obviously newbies or anyone who doesn't know better gets a pass. :)
So... you won't cast healing spells on somebody who doesn't give you a wand.
What would you say to a fighter who refused to attack the monster that was attacking your character? What if the fighter says "You didn't buy me a magic sword, so you don't deserve to have that monster attacked!"
I can understand and respect the argument that the healer shouldn't have to spend charges from his own wand to heal other people, even if that's not the approach I take with my own characters. But refusing to cast spells to support the party's mission? That's going way too far.
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So... you won't cast healing spells on somebody who doesn't give you a wand.Those who refuse to buy their own wand, tell them they don’t get charges off yours, but you’ll use your allotment of spells and channels as necessary until they run out.
I don't even give them that. If they don't provide their own healing wand, they get my stabilize cantrip. If I do a group-hug channel after the fight, I'll be courteous enough to include them in the radius. But that's it.
Obviously newbies or anyone who doesn't know better gets a pass. :)
I didn't say that. I said I wouldn't run myself dry to cover for someone's refusal to pay for their own wand.
In combat (just about the only time someone with a cleric's wisdom would consider using spells instead of wands), if a well-placed healing spell seems to be the best tactical option at the moment, that's what I'll do, no matter who it is.
After combat, when we're patching up, I won't "substitute" my spells/channels for their lack of a wand. (As an aside, if someone's only healing wand is infernal healing but I'm the only one who can activate it, I will actually voluntarily use my own wand on them instead.)
What would you say to a fighter who refused to attack the monster that was attacking your character? What if the fighter says "You didn't buy me a magic sword, so you don't deserve to have that monster attacked!"
I'd probably say something like "Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of me killing the monsters."
Just because I'm a cleric doesn't mean I'm a healer. "Healer" is not my role. I'm a tank. And a spellcaster. And a diplomat. And a scholar of more than one topic. But I'm no more a "healer" than Valeros, Ezren, or Lem.
I can understand and respect the argument that the healer shouldn't have to spend charges from his own wand to heal other people, even if that's not the approach I take with my own characters. But refusing to cast spells to support the party's mission? That's going way too far.
Couple of things here:
First, if you think "won't spend all my spells on healing" equals "won't cast spells to support the party's mission", you've apparently never opened up the "spell lists" section of your Core Rulebook. Which spells should I be sacrificing for cures? The invisibility purge? Your healing could cause a TPK if we meet the wrong baddie in the next fight. Maybe communal resist energy? Because 3d8+11 on just you is better than 20 per person per round, right? Nobody was complaining when I dismissed one of the three dancing vrocks, or when I was carrying around a silence in the middle of a harpy attack, or when I stone shape'd a hole through a stone wall that was trapping a single party member with a monster he couldn't handle on his own. The list goes on. Outside of certain critical emergencies, most cleric spells are far more useful to support the party's mission than are the cures they could be swapped for.Second, again, I didn't say I would never cast cure spells. I said I wouldn't use them all up to make up for someone not bringing a wand. That's a pretty big difference.
Hope that clears things up for you.
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Second, again, I didn't say I would never cast cure spells. I said I wouldn't use them all up to make up for someone not bringing a wand. That's a pretty big difference.
That is a pretty big difference, and that is also very different from:
I don't even give them that. If they don't provide their own healing wand, they get my stabilize cantrip. If I do a group-hug channel after the fight, I'll be courteous enough to include them in the radius. But that's it.
which is what I was responding to. In fact, you did say you would never cast cure spells.
"Stabilize cantrip, participate in party channel healing, but that's it" does not at all say the same thing as "not use up all my spells to make up for lack of a wand."
The latter can be justified. The former is inexcusable. I still stand by my objection to the former, which is, in fact, what you posted the first time. If your true behavior is what you posted in the later post, I don't really have any objections to that.
(For the most part I don't have objections. I still think that good team members are going to do whatever will help their team the most when it's really needed. Refusing to cast a given type of spell in the middle of combat, or take any other particular action, because it's not directly in line with your character concept, even though your character is able and ready to cast that spell or take that action, is not being a good team member in my view. This doesn't have to be healing, it can be anything else. Yes, your character concept and nature governs their general behavior, but should not be a straightjacket. Real people don't work that way. If the situation calls for it, you do something a little different from how you might normally do things. I'm not talking about paladins doing evil things, but I am talking about paladins hanging back from the front line and providing rearguard support if that's what is necessary, even if it's a paladin who really really wants to be on the front lines. And, sometimes, that's going to mean that the tank cleric will cast a healing spell, because he can and it's needed, even though that's not the cleric's primary schtick.)