Fairly new to GM'ing

[yax51]

Hello, I'm fairly new to GMing and have some questions. I've been a player in a few sessions, and have successfully GM'd the beginners box adventure a couple of times and would like to branch out into some of the adventure modules and paths. I'm looking over "The Citadel of Flame" (upon recommendation) path and it says nothing about XP. In the beginners box GM guide it had an XP amount based on the encounters (combat or otherwise) listed, but the adventure paths/modules I've looked at don't. I like the idea of XP, and so do my players. Reading the forums about XP the general opinion is, "do what works for you". Now in the case of "The citadel of flame" do I award XP based on the CR of the encounter? Or is there another method I'm not aware of? I understand the "The Citadel of Flame" is a Pathfinder Society adventure, and as such XP is not generally counted, unless I'm badly mistaken. I'm not sure if it being a PFS adventure it played differently then your typical adventure or not. Also are there any "conversions", if you will, I need to take into account when adapting this adventure for home play?

[evil homer]

It is my understanding that Society play utilizes a flat advancement. Every three sessions your character gains a level. You could probably run the AP that way if you wanted to.

However, you can just award XP based on CR and then whatever bonus XP the adventure calls for.

I actually started running a Society 'Home Game' for a while. I based my party in Absalom and simply selected the PFS adventures I wanted to run and utilized the PFS advancement system as well. It worked out surprisingly well. Especially if you take the time to make the important Absalom based PFS personalities (I'm look at you Paracountess) come alive. Getting the played invested in their factions helps too.

[Pan]

The adventure paths list the XP for any particular encouter. They also list an advancement track so you can get rid of XP. Not sure about how citadel of flame is set up.

[J-Gal]

Pathfinder Society modules don't use XP, but any regular module or adventure path does. You can just reverse engineer the XP from the CR value but if I was to give a personal recommendation, I find the Adventure Paths to be far more intriguing and thematic than PFS. They also provide a complete adventure that goes up to level 16 or so, so they provide months upon months of entertainment.
But, some people are into PFS. To each his own.

[yax51]

Gotcha, thats what I thought. Now what about Tiers? In the adventure, it shows 2 different encounters to choose from Tiers 1-2, and Tiers 4-5. Tiers 4-5 have a higher CR and stronger monsters. I've look into various posts about Tiers and they all seem to point to the type of classes involved, regardless of current level. It seems to me that with characters starting at level 1, Tier 1-2 would be the best to use, then progressing to Tiers 4-5 as they leveled up accordingly. Would this be a feasible conversion of the Tiers? Or should I just scrap the PFS adventure and look at another adventure path? one designed for new players who have no idea what they are doing? I'm not dead set on this paticular adventure, but looking for something that will help my new players be able to learn how the game is played, and (most importantly) have fun.

BTW, I was recommened Citadel of Flame as a good starting point that focused on game mechanics. With mostly completely new players, (all but one, and then still very beginner) it seems to me like a good idea.

[Pan]

PFS scenarios are set up to level you every three sessions you complete. The Tiers are there to let you know how to challenge the party. There is a formula that helps you decide if the average party level should be Tier 1-2 or Tier 4-5.

If the PFS scenarios are confusing for your home game you might want to look into the PF module products. They will be set up for a longer term adventure and include experience point break downs. I reccomend the modules because they are good stepping stone on your way to an adventure path.

[Deadmanwalking]

yax51 wrote:

Gotcha, thats what I thought. Now what about Tiers? In the adventure, it shows 2 different encounters to choose from Tiers 1-2, and Tiers 4-5. Tiers 4-5 have a higher CR and stronger monsters. I've look into various posts about Tiers and they all seem to point to the type of classes involved, regardless of current level.

The 'class tiers' is purely fan jargon, having nothing to do with any official material, including PFS scenarios. PFS scenarios use Tiers in an entirely different manner to refer to the average party level.