Hey,
I was wondering a few things about what materials you have to physically present at the table, and when.
For instance, what about the sources available on the PRD? Do they count as "present and owned", as long as you can provide a device with internet access?
What if I want to play a Cleric of, say, Hanspur. Would I have to provide a copy of Faiths of Balance, even though the Domains he grants are available in the CRB?
Also, is it possible/legal for a table to pool resources, so to speak? Is it sufficient if one player at a table provides a physical copy of, say, the APG, or does everyone have to provide his own?
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PRD does not count as a resource.
If you use ANYTHING that you need an Additional Resource item to fully show what is available (i.e. domains for a non-core 20 deity), then you need to have that Additional Resource at the table in one of the 3 accepted methods.
Accepted methods (from the Guide to Organized Play):
1)Hardcopy (bringing the actual book to the table)
2)Watermarked PDF of the resource (with a way to view at the table)
3)Printed, watermarked pages from the PDF of what you are using from the AR.
Family members/roommates are permitted to share resources, as long as they are playing at the same table. If you are split, you each need to have your own AR.
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Pretty much everything that Sniggevert said.
One of the main reasons we ask that you bring copies of your resources is for quick and easy reference at the table, not necessarily just to prove you own them.
Nobody should have to look something up on their phone, although I'm certainly guilty of doing it myself.
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Family members/roommates are permitted to share resources, as long as they are playing at the same table. If you are split, you each need to have your own AR.
Point for clarification: My wife and I play, 99.9% of the time if she's playing, she is playing at the same table as me, as she is not confident enough with the rules yet.
I own a couple of hardcovers but mostly PDFs, when we come to playing at separate at separate tables I assume she can still use the PDFs that have name watermarked on them, as long as we aren't passing them table to table correct? (ie: she takes a printout, I use my tablet) We buy everything we both need through account so everything gets my name watermarked on it.
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Jatan: Mike Brock confirmed that was OK HERE.
If two members of the same household wish to share a PDF, and find themselves playing at separate tables, one can utilize an electronic version on an iPad or similar item, while the other utilizes a printed watermarked copy.
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Family members/roommates are permitted to share resources, as long as they are playing at the same table. If you are split, you each need to have your own AR.Point for clarification: My wife and I play, 99.9% of the time if she's playing, she is playing at the same table as me, as she is not confident enough with the rules yet.
I own a couple of hardcovers but mostly PDFs, when we come to playing at separate at separate tables I assume she can still use the PDFs that have name watermarked on them, as long as we aren't passing them table to table correct? (ie: she takes a printout, I use my tablet) We buy everything we both need through account so everything gets my name watermarked on it.
As Paz indicated this is OK, and was what I was meaning too. In thus case, both of you have your AR available at your individual tables.
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That said, very few GMs will argue with you if you've got a tablet with an internet connection and just show them something on the prd. But do you really want to take the chance of being at a table with a GM who enforces the letter of the law and won't let you play your character?
Eh, to be fair I think you are misusing the term "letter of the law" here.
If I had bought a book, pdf etc and used it to create a character but then accidentally left that at home and had to make use with the PRD but the GM said no (despite me actually owning the material but just having forgotten it) that would be a GM enforcing the letter of the law, as he is correct about the technicality but the spirit of the law was actually to ensure people owned their own copies of additional resources items, which in this case would be incorrect.
But for a player who wants to use the PRD without owning the actual additional resources and a GM enforced it then that GM would really be upholding the spirit and the letter of the law. (Because we support PFS with our money)
I agree that there are not many GMs (I have seen) that call people out on this too much (unless its a HUGE part of the character), but I think its highly unfair to those who do call people on it, if you are to make out like they are blindly following the letter of the law.
Of course as always that's just my take on it.
Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant
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There's multiple reasons why people are expected to bring the actual books/printouts with them. 1) yeah Paizo wants to make money 2) rules on a webpage have no validation that they are accurate, of course multiple printings of a book can change rules as well, but mostly the rules stay the same or are clarified in the newer printings. (This is the biggest reason why the PRD is not accepted, not because of money)
And sure, paizo's PRD should be completely accurate because its Paizo, but it isn't. They also only have the hard cover books on it. If someone is trying to get away with using d20pfsrd, forget it. There's no way I'd accept anything from that site at a PFS table. Its a great resource for searching for something, but not an accurate resource for rules adjudication.
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Agreed, I like to think of myself as an easy-going and flexible GM.
But, if there's a wonky seemingly pretty powerful rule that I'm not aware of, I almost always want to see the rule in it's entirety along with the "fluff" text that is printed above it in whatever section its in, because often times that text will provide details.
For example, if you simply drill down and look at a magic item from the PRD, it may not explain how it's activated, and thus a player may assume it's a free action to activate. You'd want the entirety of that section (on magic items) to have the paragraph way up at the front that suggests it's a standard action if it's not otherwise mentioned.
For this reason, I simply just always ask the player to pass the book or hand me the PDF and give them "the look" if they say they don't have it and suggest they pick something else to use for that particular scenario. :)
It's good form and sets a good example for other players at the table to not only support Paizo, but hopefully support the local game store that was kind enough to host a bunch of gamers for a day.