GenCon playing?

[Craig Mercer]

I hope this is in the right forum...
I'm interested in trying Pathfinder Society at GenCon, but have never attended or played PFS.
So I would be starting with 1st level characters.
But most of the games I see listed are higher level.
Are there starting games that are run, or would I have to play pregens for anything I was interested in?

[Zandari]

Welcome, sir!

There will be piles of low level tables available. There are also what tables being run using the Beginner Box, which is a sort of pared-down set of the full rules. These provide an excellent introduction to the game.

Are you familiar with RPGs in general? More specifically, are you familiar with Dungeons and Dragons v3.5? If so, you are probably going to be 90% good to go. There are some delightful differences between the two systems, but they share a LOT of blood.

Actually, I guess if you are posting on these forums, there is a huge chance you have played Pathfinder, so that's even better. There are a few changes between what most folks play at home and what takes place in PFS, but they are mostly easy to wrap one's head around. This document is the best place to start figuring that out.

There are pregenerated characters available, or, if you want to create your own first level character, that is perfectly cromulent, as well.

The nice thing about the pregens is, if you are comfortable with the system in general, you can jump in with a level 4 or level 7 character and try that out.

We try to be friendly, even if the boards don't always look that way, so come on down to the Sagamore Ballroom and get some!

[Lab_Rat]

There are plenty of scenarios for lvl 1 characters. Look for Tier 1-5 and Tier 1-7 scenarios. If you do not see any with open seats, try showing up with generics. Some of the Tier 7-11 scenarios will not make table and those GMs will run 1-5 scenarios. In addition, some players wont show up (especially for the 8am slots) and you can take their place. If there are no Tier 1-5 slots, you can play a pregen in a Tier 3-7 (lvl 4 or 7) or 7-11 (lvl 7). I would try to find a Tier 1-5 slot though.

I would also recommend that you read over the new Guide to Organized play (found in the player section of the PFS page).

[Michael Brock]

You can also spend one to five hours playing in Gen Con Goblin Attack since it is for level 1s. It's not listed because it is available anytime there are four players that walk up and are ready to go.

[Craig Mercer]

I am familiar with Pathfinder, and have gamed with it several years.
I do own (in Hardbound and PDF) many of the books.
But I am new to PFS itself (just starting to try an online game of it on these boards).
It was just that looking over the GenCon listing of games, I did not see many 1st level tier games at all. (If that is the correct way to say it). And so I was wondering if there is any at GenCon and I missed seeing them, or if all the games were higher level.

[Bbauzh ap Aghauzh]

Craig,

First Steps would have been the only ones, but Part II and III are being retired since two factions are going away. Part I is still around for awhile, and I don't think being offered at Gen Con.

However, any Tier 1-5 scenarios have a sub-tier 1-2 that your new character could play through.

[Michael Brock]

Craig Mercer wrote:

I am familiar with Pathfinder, and have gamed with it several years.

I do own (in Hardbound and PDF) many of the books.
But I am new to PFS itself (just starting to try an online game of it on these boards).
It was just that looking over the GenCon listing of games, I did not see many 1st level tier games at all. (If that is the correct way to say it). And so I was wondering if there is any at GenCon and I missed seeing them, or if all the games were higher level.

We have 63 different scenarios this year. 14-16 of those are Tier 1-5. Uncheck the "Hide Sold Out Events" box and you will see a ton.

[Craig Mercer]

Thanks.

[Netopalis]

Craig: If you want to get a great start in your PFS career, I'd recommend one of the following 1-5s which are being ran at the con:

The Night March of Kalkamedes
The Gods' Market Gamble
Silent Tide
Severing Ties (Be warned, this one's tough)

There is also a new 1-5 that is being offered, The Glass River Rescue. It looks interesting, but I don't know much about it.

If you need help building a character or have any questions, please feel free to PM. There are almost always a few pickup games for level 1s, so feel free to show up with generics if you have a free slot and want to give it a shot. Pre-registering is generally better, though.

[Fromper]

Netopalis wrote:

Craig: If you want to get a great start in your PFS career, I'd recommend one of the following 1-5s which are being ran at the con:

The Night March of Kalkamedes
The Gods' Market Gamble
Silent Tide
Severing Ties (Be warned, this one's tough)

There is also a new 1-5 that is being offered, The Glass River Rescue. It looks interesting, but I don't know much about it.

If you need help building a character or have any questions, please feel free to PM. There are almost always a few pickup games for level 1s, so feel free to show up with generics if you have a free slot and want to give it a shot. Pre-registering is generally better, though.

I'd actually avoid Severing Ties at level 1. As you said, it's tough. Can't comment on God's Market Gamble, as I've never played it.

Assault on the Kingdom of the Impossible is another 1-5 adventure that's great for newbies that I know is running at GenCon, since I'll be GMing it there.

[SlimGauge]

Andrew Christian wrote:

Craig,

First Steps would have been the only ones, but Part II and III are being retired since two factions are going away. Part I is still around for awhile, and I don't think being offered at Gen Con.

However, any Tier 1-5 scenarios have a sub-tier 1-2 that your new character could play through.

The problem for me is that those Tier 1-5 scenarios aren't infinitely replayable the way First Steps were.

[Lab_Rat]

There will be NEW Tier 1 re-playable scenarios to replace first steps. If I remember correctly, we will get a new Tier 1 scenario every season.

[Craig Mercer]

So what is the Tier 1 scenario this season?
And is it offered at GenCon?

[Mike Lindner]

The new tier 1 scenario is not available yet. If you have generics there is a good likelihood that you can be fit into a level 1-5 scenario. Especially if you aren't too picky about which one. Speaking for myself as a Gen Con GM, I will have a low level scenario with me and ready to go for anytime my higher level scenarios don't run. Other GMs may be doing the same.