Scenarios with particularly fun / interesting / unique items on the Chronice Sheet? [SPOILERS]


GM Discussion

Dark Archive 5/5

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What do you think are some of the most interesting items available in PFS? I'd like to "reward" some of my regulars who are great RP-ers and otherwise contribute a lot to making the games fun for everyone.

For example:

Spoiler:

Sanos Abduction: faerie dragon
Quest for Perfection: axebeak

The players I'm thinking of in particular are Samurai, Witch, Paladin, and Gunslinger.

EDIT: I hadn't heard of or thought about "cherry picking" before I posted this thread, and I apologize if this strays too far into that orchard. I just want to make my games even more fun for the players who help make the games fun. Thanks!

Scarab Sages 4/5

The newer classes haven't seen a whole lot of love in this department. But some of the old season zero scenarios have + stat items that occupy different slots than the current Pathfinder gear.

Things like a Cloak of Cha +2 or Periapt of Wisdom +2. Something like this may open up gearing options that can't be procured any other way.

3/5

Andrew Berger wrote:

The newer classes haven't seen a whole lot of love in this department. But some of the old season zero scenarios have + stat items that occupy different slots than the current Pathfinder gear.

Things like a Cloak of Cha +2 or Periapt of Wisdom +2. Something like this may open up gearing options that can't be procured any other way.

From what I recall the devs said that all that gear changes to the current belt or headband of whatever it is.

5/5

Hey guys ... I understand that this is the GM section of the boards, however, we all know GMs aren't the only ones that read these threads...

In that vein please remember that it has been frowned upon (and in some instances had that nasty "ch" word applied to it) to cherry pick scenarios based on items available on the chronicle .. I've also asked for spoiler tags to be added so people can avoid the spoilers if they wish

The Exchange 4/5

I'm afraid it is though. Many of us having played LFR or witnessed it have found that was one thing we did not want to bring into PFS. And I will say that , yes I did download the data sheet to all there Mods and where I could find things. But do not want to see a same data sheet for PFS. I know that things get out cause hey "Joe has this cool faerie dragon he got playing so and so" We know this will happen, but I would not like to see a published list. That leaves looking at the chronicles your self. I know this is not what you want to here, and sorry cant help. Yours would not be the first thread to start on this and get shut down. Probably 10 posts already while i slowly type this.


I'm going to be that person and say you should include spoiler tags in either the title or in the post itself.

Look to 7-11s for come cool boons. That's when they really start earning what's on the cert, anyway...


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Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
In that vein please remember that it has been frowned upon (and in some instances had that nasty "ch" word applied to it) to cherry pick scenarios based on items available on the chronicle ...

A little off-topic: I don't see how what he's doing as any different from GMs who say: I want this boon on a specific character, so I'm going to run the scenario that gives me the boon and then apply it to said character. Good for others if they benefit from it.

How many players cheat or game the system by playing Snows of Summer for the cert? How about The Confirmation?

5/5

downerbeautiful wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
In that vein please remember that it has been frowned upon (and in some instances had that nasty "ch" word applied to it) to cherry pick scenarios based on items available on the chronicle ...

A little off-topic: I don't see how what he's doing as any different from GMs who say: I want this boon on a specific character, so I'm going to run the scenario that gives me the boon and then apply it to said character. Good for others if they benefit from it.

How many players cheat or game the system by playing Snows of Summer for the cert? How about The Confirmation?

Gms should be doing it either to be honest ... but what they do and then don't tell us about we can't police ... what is said on the boards is policable by the community.

cherry picking scenarios for what is on the chronicle is frown upon.. close to if not "nasty ch word here"... don't do it... or at least don't post on the boards about it ...

Shadow Lodge 4/5

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There's this really great boon on the chronicle sheet for The Frostfur Captives. Check the spoiler.

Spoiler:
It's called Had A Really Great Time. Oddly enough, it's on a LOT of chronicles for some reason...

3/5

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Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
downerbeautiful wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
In that vein please remember that it has been frowned upon (and in some instances had that nasty "ch" word applied to it) to cherry pick scenarios based on items available on the chronicle ...

A little off-topic: I don't see how what he's doing as any different from GMs who say: I want this boon on a specific character, so I'm going to run the scenario that gives me the boon and then apply it to said character. Good for others if they benefit from it.

How many players cheat or game the system by playing Snows of Summer for the cert? How about The Confirmation?

Gms should be doing it either to be honest ... but what they do and then don't tell us about we can't police ... what is said on the boards is policable by the community.

cherry picking scenarios for what is on the chronicle is frown upon.. close to if not "nasty ch word here"... don't do it... or at least don't post on the boards about it ...

But cherry-picking boons as a DM is the solution that everyone parrots for the problem of unwittingly wasting a boon on a character that cannot use it. Remember the s!&&storm when Quest for Perfection came out? And the one surrounding Rats of Round Mountain? We can't hold it up as some kind of solution and then turn around and demonize it when people actually take that advice.

This is a completely valid question for a DM to ask, especially when it is asked to help make PFS more fun for his specific palyers. That is something that organized play needs more of, so good job OP. Although the answers should probably stay spoilered even in a DM thread.

5/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Captain, Germany—Hamburg

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There are a few chronicles that have an intelligent item on them, which is quite a nice piece of loot if your players like that kind of special item.

Also, many chronicles for sanctioned Adventure Paths have unique items on them.

You should also look into scenarios from the Lissala storyline from season 4. Some of them have nice unique items as well.

I won't name any specific scenarios, both because I don't want to encourage cherry-picking and because I'm too lazy to look them all up now :P

Shadow Lodge 3/5

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Just my opinion - I'm generally fine with either GMs or players cherry picking boons, though I like to keep a level of secrecy about it. The exception to that secrecy is if someone really wants to know and really wants to cherry pick.

Boons on characters can give them an added dimension, are a high point of PFS, and work better for some character than others (especially ones like QFP). It's extremely rare to find a table full of one class or faction. I think it happened mostly during Way of the Kirin and Rivalry's End, but that was understandable (and basically purpose-built).

Everyone seems to understand (even though some don't approve), and it balances itself out because most people simply just aren't curious enough to push it and find out.

It goes double with GMing. I have no problem with GMs getting more rewards for GMing.

I just don't think it's really an issue, even if it were to go beyond my tolerance for it and got abused. If that's how players like to maximise their fun, whether it's because they don't have much time to get a wide load of boons, or they don't like the randomness, or whatever their reasons, I feel like it adds to the campaign more than it takes away.

3/5

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Andreas Forster wrote:
Also, many chronicles for sanctioned Adventure Paths have unique items on them.

Well anyone can download the chronicles for Modules and APs and look at them if they want, the OP was asking about Scenarios.

The question is should DM's be allowed to ask for inside information and encouraged to tailor their play to the characters in their player-base, and I cannot see any compelling reason why the answer to that question should be not.

Lantern Lodge 5/5

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Spoiler:
You Only Die Twice, Dawn of the Scarlet Sun, and Before the Dawn 1: The Bloodcove Disguise
all have very unique boons.

1/5 Venture-Captain, Germany–Hannover

I think this thread should be closed.

Scarab Sages 4/5

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I actually disagree that this thread should be closed. The person was asking what scenarios would provide flavor items for his characters. Most of the ones that have been mentioned (QfP for example) are part of a series which you must complete all parts on in order to get the coveted item. This isn't about cherry picking, it's about just advising. It's no different than recommending one archetype over another: It's information. If some inscrupulious GMs want to use the information posted to "cherry pick" scenarios that is their fault and loss. Often any boon is a balance. My players like scenarios with items that are outside of their Fame allowance as it gives them the opportunity to try out items.

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Jayson MF Kip wrote:

** spoiler omitted ** all have very unique boons.

Don't forget scenario #50! Great roleplaying aid to boot.

Liberty's Edge 4/5

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:


cherry picking scenarios for what is on the chronicle is frown upon.. close to if not "nasty ch word here"... don't do it... or at least don't post on the boards about it ...

I used to hate that in Living Greyhawk, when people would say "OH X scenario has Y in it...that's great!" It spoils it for others.

Mike

Grand Lodge 4/5

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Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

At the same time, being able to tell a player 'you should play this scenario/series, your character will love/benefit from it' is an incredibly valuable tool for growing the community.

In the same vein that we have scenarios specifically written for factions, we should encourage people to play their ifrits in scenarios with ifrit/efreeti NPCs, and play their monks or cavaliers in scenarios with flavorful items for those classes.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Steven Schopmeyer wrote:

At the same time, being able to tell a player 'you should play this scenario/series, your character will love/benefit from it' is an incredibly valuable tool for growing the community.

In the same vein that we have scenarios specifically written for factions, we should encourage people to play their ifrits in scenarios with ifrit/efreeti NPCs, and play their monks or cavaliers in scenarios with flavorful items for those classes.

Someday, maybe if I run or play it in Core, I would love to see an Iroran Monk played in <redacted>

redacted:
The Dragon's Demand


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On the one hand, I understand the complaint about cherry-picking rewards. I do sorta understand how that bothers some people.
But only sorta. How does it really hurt Jim if Bob plays through scenario X only because it has Y? He obviously intends to succeed or he wouldn't get Y. So why does it bother you if he is playing for an additional reason?

-------------------------------------------------------

On the other hand, it does get kinda deflating when there are all these wonderful rewards, boons, story lines, people to interact with, situations, etc... that you never have the right character to use with them.

I have a nagaji druid up to 5th level. He has yet to encounter a serpent or reptile of any kind. The most recent scenario is the only one with anything even slightly nature-ish. It was great. I had a bunch of fun with him doing his nature thing. Every other scenario he has been in was sewers, cities, towers, court, libraries, etc...
There are a bunch of scenarios that are nature-ish, but they were the ones where I happened to bring some other character.

A friend has an undead blasting life oracle at I think 6th level. He has encountered undead exactly once. In the confirmation. There were several that sounded like they would have undead. They may have had a couple of necromancers or outsiders, but no undead. Undead are actually fairly common in scenarios, but not the ones where he has been at the table.

I have a disarming/tripping build. Most of the scenarios he has been in, have been very few opponents to trip or disarm. Several times the description sounded like we would be up against humanoids with weapons. Nope, mostly snake bodies or flying with claws and spells, an ooze, traps, things like that.

I know another guy that was trying to make a long range crossbow sniper. There aren't a lot of them, but there are some scenarios that potentially have encounters at long distances. He hasn't made it into one of those yet with this character. The PC isn't useless, but I think he's going to drop it because he hasn't been able to do his specialty. Ever.

I have 7 characters of various levels. The only character who has been able to make use of his 'thing' on a regular basis is a magus that learned a bunch of weird languages just for the heck of it. Oddly enough he has just happened to sit a table to make use of every wierd language more than once.

Don't get me wrong, we have had fun with every character in almost every scenario and all of them are well enough constructed and played that they always contribute. But almost every time, by about halfway through the scenario I find myself saying, "dang this would have been perfect for that other character instead of this one."

-------------------------------------------------------

Like I said, I sorta see why you don't like someone picking a scenario for the chronicle sheet. But maybe you would be willing to give advice on picking a scenario for the challenge, story, or opponents?

Are you willing to say "Hey, this would be great for a worshiper of Torag. That really needs a diplomancer. Those 2 really make use of knowledge skills. The other really is great for those that hate Aspis. There are some great RP opportunities in that one for a Kitsune. Etc..." instead of who will like what rewards?

Liberty's Edge

I completely agree with ElterAgo. It shows a major difference between a custom homebrew campaign and doing a "random" scenario every week or two. In a custom homebrew campaign, the DM builds encounters based on the PCs ability and backstory. PFS scenarios without any forethough end up random to the point of basic level grinding.

I don't know why Boon reviewing is horrible and unspeakable in PFS. There is SO MUCH min-max munching with PCs already. I've seen level 1-3 PCs who have items, abilities, and/or class features from a dozen or more books. In my opinion, allowing DMs and PCs to make educated decisions about what scenario to play seems like a great way to improve player and DM enjoyment and investment.

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Melbourne

The only PC I have that has been selectively playing mods based on their rewards is the Investigator I designed for Season 6. I wanted him to be, "Mr. Technology," so I am specifically playing him in (or giving him GM credit from) every mod that has technological items on the AC. Of course, I have only seen 3 of those so far (from the beginning of the season), so if anyone knows of any others, please let me know because I am seeing a lot less of those than I expected, so I don't want to miss any of them.

3/5

By Way of Bloodcove contains a little technology, not much, but does have a tech item on the chronicle sheet.

Sovereign Court 5/5 RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

On Sharrowsmith's trail has a flavorful item.

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Melbourne

Ring_of_Gyges wrote:
By Way of Bloodcove contains a little technology, not much, but does have a tech item on the chronicle sheet.

Cool! I am already signed up to play that in a few weeks. Thank you very much.

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ***

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
trollbill wrote:
The only PC I have that has been selectively playing mods based on their rewards is the Investigator I designed for Season 6. I wanted him to be, "Mr. Technology," so I am specifically playing him in (or giving him GM credit from) every mod that has technological items on the AC. Of course, I have only seen 3 of those so far (from the beginning of the season), so if anyone knows of any others, please let me know because I am seeing a lot less of those than I expected, so I don't want to miss any of them.

Fires of Karamoss is the sequel to Trial by Machine. That might have some technology in it.

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