Pathfinder society starting gold

[Sagas]

Hi,

Is the fixed starting gold of 150 correct? I realize the rule is very explicit, but it seems drastically out of line with the randomized starting gold for classes. It puts a damper on gear based melee classes, reducing their lvl 1 power and excluding chainmail as starting item. For others (monks especially) it is 5 times increase on their average starting gold.

What's the rationale for this combo nerf/buff? I haven't seen any discussion of this topic. Something like 'All classes get their average starting gold' seems better both thematically for the classes and in line with fixing start conditions for Society play.

Thanks,
-Sagas

[Mergy]

It's to make things simpler. As for martial classes, you get a ton of gold in Society play, so I wouldn't sweat not having chain mail at first level.

Actually, fighters and barbarians that I make save as much as possible, or use most of it to buy potions. Grab some hide armour, a club, a longspear and a sling, and you're probably good for your first mission, on top of being able to afford a potion of cure light wounds.

[Drow Sorceror]

Think about using the trait, Rich Parents, to start out with 900 gold. It helps you through the first mission or two.

[SlimGauge]

Check that that trait is PFS legal. I seem to recall that it wasn't at one point.

[Robert A Matthews]

Rich parents is not legal unfortunately. You can rebuild your character unlimited times while you are level 1 before playing as a level 2 character. When you rebuild, you can use any chronicle sheets you possess for the rebuild, therefore it is possible to rebuild a character that has 3 chronicle sheets as if they started out with full plate mail.

[emeral dragon]

How much gold should a 3rd or 4th level Society character have?

[Talonhawke]

flagging for wrong forum

[Zarius]

Can you still do stuff like take a Crafting skill in society to make your own stuff at 1/3 the price? o.o

[Val'bryn2]

No, crafting isn't allowed in PFS. As for how much gold you have by 3rd level, it varies based on what scenarios you play and at what tier, but I think a fairly average estimate would be roughly 3000 gp by 3rd level. Could be a bit higher.

[Drakaar]

If you are playing PFS, you can always run a pre-gen to fill in a gap in the PFS party composition, then use the credit to start your character at ~650 gp.

[Firebug]

Val'bryn2 wrote:

No, crafting isn't allowed in PFS. As for how much gold you have by 3rd level, it varies based on what scenarios you play and at what tier, but I think a fairly average estimate would be roughly 3000 gp by 3rd level. Could be a bit higher.

Some crafting is legal actually.

Per the (current) Guild Guide:

Guild Guide page 26 wrote:

Ranks assigned to Craft skills are used only to perform Day Job checks, not to craft mundane items, with the following exceptions.

• Alchemists can use Craft (alchemy).
• Gunslingers can use Craft (gunsmithing).
• Investigators can use Craft (alchemy).

[Nefreet]

^ and that's actually a persistent typo that's been brought up multiple times.

PCs with a rank in Craft (alchemy) and the Gunsmithing feat may purchase ammunition at the crafted price (1/10th for bullets and powder, 1/2 for alchemical ammunition).

[TwilightKnight]

Many of these questions are answered in the Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide. Please read it, even before building a character. You really need to if you intend to play in the campaign. Its as important as reading the Pathfinder Core Rulebook

[Pax Miles]

Sagas wrote:

Hi,

Is the fixed starting gold of 150 correct? I realize the rule is very explicit, but it seems drastically out of line with the randomized starting gold for classes. It puts a damper on gear based melee classes, reducing their lvl 1 power and excluding chainmail as starting item. For others (monks especially) it is 5 times increase on their average starting gold.

What's the rationale for this combo nerf/buff? I haven't seen any discussion of this topic. Something like 'All classes get their average starting gold' seems better both thematically for the classes and in line with fixing start conditions for Society play.

Thanks,
-Sagas

Technically, it's 150gp AND one outfit valued at 10gp or less. The free outfit is explained in the CRB on page 161, under the title "Clothing." Haven't read anything in the PFS guide that suggests we don't get clothing.

I don't think you can sell the free outfit, but it does mean that new players don't need to worry about Cold Weather Outfits taxing their new characters if the their first mission is a cold climate.

Regarding Starting Gold, definitely easier to have a fixed value. Easier to balance things. I defintely prefer 150 starting gold over rolling randomly. A fighter can start with only 50gp if they roll very badly (Yahtzee!).

As for starting gear, 150gp is usually plenty for a 1st level character. If the fighter wants amazing AC, they can take a tower shield and Scale mail for an impressive +9 to their AC. That's an 21 AC with just a 14 dex on a medium creature. Only costs 80 gp, leaving them plenty for adequate gear.

And, as an aside, in PFS, rope probably comes up more than actual armor. Don't spend everything on AC or in weapons, save some money for adventuring gear. It really helps.

[What it says on the Cover]

Hey, uh, check out the date of the original post.

[Pax Miles]

Ugh. Not another Necro thread. This site really makes it easy to not notice...

Sorry about that.