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I switched from Homebrew, for some reason a PFS Char feels more .... Earned? to me. Kinda like digging up the boon I need feels more earned than just writing it down. I played season 0 GMed, got burnt out and just recently came back. Aside from the lack of real roleplaying sometimes (hence my desire for the boon) I enjoy it. Just gotta get caught back up on everything. Like why my Avatar isn't showing up lol. *edit* Guess that answers the Avatar thing.
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I see kitsune boons getting handed out like candy at <insert any given corporate driven holiday>.What's that sound like anyway? Anything like it is in my head? "Hey, you look foxxy! Have a kitsune boon!"
Heh, something like that.
Playing in a homegame is the best way to get what you want sometimes, not the worst suggestion so long as you don't force it and say it like it excuses anything in PFS ever.
I really, really, hope my suggestion didn't come off sounding that way, and if it did, I apologize.
On the other hand, saying you'd like to play a character that's completely in the spirit of the game aside for one little thing like the race you want, for example, I think that you should be allowed to come to the boards and explain just why you want to be allowed to play the race and have your voice heard. If you make your case in a civil, well thought out, post that explains the ins and outs of why you want to play said race, then maybe campaign staff will see and consider your plea.
However, if you come onto the boards whining and b+~#%ing about how life's so unfair and you demand they release the race you want right naow!1!!! most of the posters on the boards aren't going to give you the time of day, and I doubt campaign staff will see it as much more than a childish tantrum.
As I've stated before, I'm fairly indifferent about allowing different races as boons or as an open opportunity for everyone to play. While my personal preference is to limit unusual races to special boons given as rewards to con attendees, gm's and volunteers that help make PFSOP possible, and the occasional prize for just doing something cool, etc, I also recognize that the desire for having access to those things is a pretty widespread thing. I would also like to note that just because I prefer to see race boons limited does not mean that I feel my opinion is any more or less valid than the opinions of those that want their favorite options opened up.
If you can make a cool character based off of more than just an oddball race, I would absolutely love to see you at a table while you make the PFSOP experience a better place by making things fun for everyone.
I understand that many people are unable to attend cons, which is where the most race boons are made available. That really stinks, and I know how much of a bummer it is to not be able to go to a con due to funding/health/life/etc reasons. I also feel that boons (of any kind) really shouldn't be the only reason someone should have for attending a con. On the other hand, boons are a great incentive to draw people in by granting them something cool and special that they can't get anywhere else, aside from the general experience of playing with the awesome people at a con.
No matter what it is that's offered at a convention (race boons, unique items, special access to classes, etc), someone, somewhere, is going to complain that they can't have it because they can't go to a convention. It's no more fair to deny the people that can't attend access to cool boons than it is to take away that special element of getting something cool and unique to the people that do attend the cons. It's a very sharp edge that Paizo has to try to balance on with this.
As of a somewhat recent-ish blog post, it's obvious that campaign staff recognizes that their fanbase wants access to race boons and is considering testing out a new system to distribute them to a wider selection of people, and not just those that can attend big events.
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Well Said Jack.
I am in full agreement with you in most areas. I do NOT want to see all those races just opened up, I personally enjoy the idea of some races being more rare than others. I just wish they would make a method outside of cons to do so. Even if its a tough one, heck even a Chronicle that can only be run on one day of the year by the VC.
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At this point I would just be happy with more races available for play in PFS. Though if I had to pick two it would be Kitsunes and Androids.
EDIT: I forgot to state it due to mobile posting but thanks for the well thought out posts Jack. Love to see the more people like you with an open frame of mind on more diverse selections.
Also didn't see that blog post. Here is hoping there are more ways to open up race selections rather than attending cons we can't make due to all the reasons stated in other posts.
Wait, you can have homegames where you can play any race you want without having to gm it yourself?Well, not officially sanctioned PFS "home games", but yeah.
You could take the PFS scenarios and run a home campaign, using less restrictions (such as allowing whatever races you want, and allowing banned archetypes like the vivisecionist or synthesist), but you couldn't report the games, and all the characters involved wouldn't be PFS legal, even if the character in question isn't using anything restricted.
Basically, you can play PFS scenarios without it being part of the PFS organized play campaign.
AP's follow different rules don't they?
That said, you can always have a homegame where you play a certain race. Just have to find the right GM!
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At this point I would just be happy with more races available for play in PFS. Though if I had to pick two it would be Kitsunes and Androids.
EDIT: I forgot to state it due to mobile posting but thanks for the well thought out posts Jack. Love to see the more people like you with an open frame of mind on more diverse selections.
Also didn't see that blog post. Here is hoping there are more ways to open up race selections rather than attending cons we can't make due to all the reasons stated in other posts.
Just because my personal preference is to more strictly adhere to the campaign setting lore for game immersion reasons doesn't mean a more casual gamer who wants to play an exotic race because it's nifty and they're having fun because of it... Who am I to deny them their enjoyment?
I can be more of a setting "Nazi" in homegames. PFS needs to be as open and accepting as possible.
At the same time, I think that Race Boons are a great compromise. It lets the occasional player have something nifty and unique, while keeping the vast majority of characters well within the setting.
That said, I do agree that there should be opportunities to get race boons outside of spending money to go to a convention. I'm of the mind that the races offered at conventions and as prize support for events should stay as such, but that other, different, races should be released in a manner that there's more opportunity for others to get them.
That way, folks that can't attend cons and events still get their special characters while those that do attend the cons still get something unique that can't be gotten any other way. That way the boons are still special and a good draw for folks to go to the cons.
That said, I do agree that there should be opportunities to get race boons outside of spending money to go to a convention. I'm of the mind that the races offered at conventions and as prize support for events should stay as such, but that other, different, races should be released in a manner that there's more opportunity for others to get them.
Don't suppose anyone has any ideas for other ways to hand out boons or reward players for their service.
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There are tons of ways it could be done. However I question the actual fact that people go to cons to get those boons. My personal thoughts are that cons are a place to get NEW players.
I often get a bit jealous when a brand new player walks in with one of those con boon sheets when I've been buying, and playing and supporting Pathfinder and PFS since day one.
Maybe thats a bit childish, but without those of us that are at the games every week, playing and gming, I dont care how many cons you have, there would not be much of a PFS.
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Don't suppose anyone has any ideas for other ways to hand out boons or reward players for their service.
Well, I'm in favor of seeing how the ideas put forth by campaign staff in the blog post I linked earlier will pan out.
I've also seen other options, such as granting a different race boon at each GM star earned, though I'm a little wary of such an option simply because I think that someone should be GMing because they want to make PFS awesome, not because they want shiny races. I'm not saying it wouldn't work and that it shouldn't be implemented, just that I'm not sure how well it'd work.
I've seen an option proposed that maybe a player could earn a race boon for getting a character to a certain level (generally 12+), which would allow players who aren't comfortable GMing to get one that way. Again, not sure how I feel about that either, as it could encourage players to focus too heavily on leveling a character to the point of demanding they only play their highest level, rather than playing other characters. Not saying this'd be a widespread problem, but I can see it potentially happening. That, however, would fall to said players GM's/coordinator/VO's to work out, not necessarily PFS on the whole.
Maybe thats a bit childish, but without those of us that are at the games every week, playing and gming, I dont care how many cons you have, there would not be much of a PFS.
Its a little childish but pretty understandable I think. Weird that you can come and play every week at the local store, but its that guy that started playing last week who gets a race boon you really wanted. I mean, I want everyone to be happy, but its a little off.
I've also seen other options, such as granting a different race boon at each GM star earned, though I'm a little wary of such an option simply because I think that someone should be GMing because they want to make PFS awesome, not because they want shiny races. I'm not saying it wouldn't work and that it shouldn't be implemented, just that I'm not sure how well it'd work.
Well there's already a level of preferring GMs for boons. My friend got a racial boon a while ago for GMing a single game at a con where I played at all tables I could. He got a nifty boon for tian races. I... got a few things but nothing I really wanted and certainly no race boons or anything that was game changing.
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Maybe thats a bit childish, but without those of us that are at the games every week, playing and gming, I dont care how many cons you have, there would not be much of a PFS.Its a little childish but pretty understandable I think. Weird that you can come and play every week at the local store, but its that guy that started playing last week who gets a race boon you really wanted. I mean, I want everyone to be happy, but its a little off.
I do fully understand that frustration, and I do agree that rewarding the loyal masses that make this game and organization possible is important. However, it's been my experience that just broadly opening up a race as accessible to everyone is never viewed as a "reward" and is nearly always viewed with a sense of entitlement.
Well there's already a level of preferring GMs for boons. My friend got a racial boon a while ago for GMing a single game at a con where I played at all tables I could. He got a nifty boon for tian races. I... got a few things but nothing I really wanted and certainly no race boons or anything that was game changing.
I mean absolutely no offense in saying this, but there's good reason for giving a bit more of an incentive to GMs. I've met countless players that absolutely refuse to GM for one reason or another. While I understand not forcing players out of their comfort zone, I as a GM would, ya know... Occasionally like to play. I GM far, far, more than I tend to get to play because there's been a severe shortage of GMs in my area until the last few months. Convincing some of our regular players to consider GMing is something akin to pulling teeth with a few blessed exceptions.
Offering more GM incentives tends to make enticing more experienced folks to step behind the screen a little easier, which is something I'm very much in support of.
EDIT: Fixed a grammar hiccup.
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Well there's already a level of preferring GMs for boons. My friend got a racial boon a while ago for GMing a single game at a con where I played at all tables I could. He got a nifty boon for tian races. I... got a few things but nothing I really wanted and certainly no race boons or anything that was game changing.
Also, a minor comment on this...
As you noted, your friend GM'd one slot and got a boon, while you played all of them. Consider the fact that if you had also run a slot, you too would have gotten that boon if that was the setup of the con.
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I know people who would punch a dolphin in the nose for a Grippli boon.
So, you know, there's that.
Yeah but im not looking for something like that. I am looking for a boon that gets passed out by the pound sometimes at certain cons. The longer i dwell on it, the more disappointed I get.
I mean I simply want to play as a race for roleplay value, not to uber play or something. There are TONS of those sheets floating around but as of so far I have not been able to get one, Even though Ive been a hardcore supporter for a very long time.
While someone who happens to have more money than me, and trashes the game in front of others a couple times a week has a few hes just saving up. That just feels wrong to me.
On that note I realized I never actually asked. If anyone has the Wayang Boon that they would be willing to part with I would be very greatful, I do not have much to trade other than being willing to pay the postage, or given time to save the money, or if you would be willing to pay postage, even trade a a copy of Castle Ravenloft a Board game that seems to be popular but I do not play nor have ever. Assuming that is not against any rules.
As you noted, your friend GM'd one slot and got a boon, while you played all of them. Consider the fact that if you had also run a slot, you too would have gotten that boon if that was the setup of the con.
I realize that, I volunteered to run a game. Not for the boon, but just to add one more GM. I ended up not running a table, my friend did. Consider the fact I was in several games and he showed up for one and I got boons I gave away and wouldn't make or break a character concept. Be thankful you have a GM, but you shouldn't be forced to do something if you don't want to. That's what I think anyway.
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I'm all for GMing and would love to start soon as I love getting people into the adventures and seeing them have a blast. Incentives are nice, but as others have stated here and on the blog post we don't want people GMing just because they know they have some "epic rewards" coming their way if they stick with it.
The main reason I do not GM at the moment is a simple one but no so easily overcome; at least for me at the current time.
I don't have the cash to support it. I would still need to get a copy of the bestiary, quite a few miniatures for other PFS players who do not have one along with the miniatures for the monsters that are encountered, purchase copies of all the scenarios, etc. as I am sure I am missing more. I just don't have that kind of cash flow on me right now. I was barely able to start with purchasing PDF versions the core rulebook, PSGtOP, and my bag of dice.
If there were....a GM beginner package or something I could use to help myself out I would be more than willing to give GMing a try as it sounds very enjoyable and I am a very social person who loves group gaming.
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I greatly enjoy GMing, and greatly love Cons, Its a matter of the cost of getting from North Va all the way to Gencon or Dragoncon. Add up the cost of travel,a place to stay, cost of admission, food while out,etc. and It gets really high really fast.
Assume in my case about 75 dollars for a hotel room, 250 round trip for Gas (that's being conservative) 50 bucks to get in,20 dollars to eat then minus the money made for missing work and I just spent enough to buy a nice new tablet pc! or an entire Season of PDF Scenarios! (this is excluding the extra costs for my disability I won't get into)
I would say that puts getting that boon via a con pretty far out of my hands even though I would be more than happy to GM tables all day long.
I had an interesting thought. The point of this is all really to bring in new players. Well, How about giving those boons out for... say Signing up x number of new PFS players. You would have to require that they play at least 3 scenarios, or have your VC or VL sign off to prove its a new player that is playing or something like that to prevent abuse,or simply limit the max times of getting a given boon to twice. However I am sure it would be workable.
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IW: To start GMing, beyond what you already have, would only need a PDF of the Bestiary, and you can get 3 scenarios and several Free RPG Day modules as free PDFs. As mentioned, starbursts or similar candy can be used to provide "minis". And, really, since the Bestiary is part of the PRD, as long as you hgave access to the PRD where you GM, or just print out the relevant monster pages, you can save money. All you really need printed, if you have a tablet/laptop or something to read PDFs with at the table, are printouts of the faction missions and the chronicles.
StarcryX: Mike, Mark and John are working on non-Con based boon acquisition, I believe it was mentioned (and discussed) in one of the blog posts in the past few months.
Also, as mentioned, if your local group can put together a "lost weekend", where they only need to get 15 tables of PFS going over a three-day span, and ask 6 weeks in advance, they can get con support for that.
On this, there ius even going ot be an online con going shortly that has gotten con support from Paizo and Online VC Joe Caubo. And another mini-con was mentioned that is actually spread between two stores in one area.
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Kinevon Thank you, Thats very good information. I will speak with my VC about that. 15 tables over 3 days could very well be doable. I would also like to note that I no longer need the Boon sheet I was looking for.
My Local VC Offered up one to me after reading posts here. I look forward to gming again soon, and to playing my new Wayang :) However I till love the idea of trying to put together a little mini con. I am part of the DC Metro/NoVa PFS group so It seems very possible, and would allow many people a chance to get some boons.
I even hear rumor of Orleands (sp) being offered at Gencon....
I owe me renewed intrest in PFS to a Really great GM, and a very good VC.
Thanks Joe and Dan :)
Does anyone have a Link to this online Con? That sounds like an amazing idea.