Star Recharge mechanic and what bugs me.


Pathfinder Society

1 to 50 of 83 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>
Sovereign Court 5/5 RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

I figured out tonight what it was that bothered me about it.

Needing a boon.

I mean, I can understand a GM sheet like the GM boon we've gotten (I've not even used mine yet, to be honest) noting "Matthew's run 200 games, he gets a star back" (99 after tonight actually) or something like that. But *any* GM can use that and apply his stars towards it.

I don't like the idea of "You have to get a specific Con/Game Day boon to activate this."

Honestly? I'd rather have had the decision be 'no they don't recharge' 'yes they do recharge' or 'yes they do recharge 1 per 50 games' or something instead of 'why yes, you can recharge them, you just have to be in the right place at the right time to do it.'

My two C-bills.

Grand Lodge 4/5

2 people marked this as a favorite.

I understand that the American PFS experience is heavily tied to the big cons and I understand why the boon system is a big driver to these industry events.

I just really hope that campaign management can commit to letting the "Expanded Narrative" boon travel across the seas to all the international PFS communities. There's been loads of Gencon boons that have never been seen beyond America. I just hope that this boon doesn't get added to that pile.

Sovereign Court 5/5

There are plenty of gamers in North America that don't make it to Cons, too.

Benefits only available via convention participation is something of an elitist stance to be taking.

4/5 5/5 *** Venture-Agent, Idaho—Moscow

Some of us were using terms like pay-to-win, after some MMO models. Of course, all of us non convention goers can also play outside pfs, but you can't share those games with more than four or five people :) Ah well, that's the way the game is going...I can deal.

Lantern Lodge 3/5

If the star recharge boon is tied to conventions, it may be meant to encourage the running of more cons for everyone to enjoy.

Some of my local cons are quite small (when compared to many others).
We have maybe 20-30 tables over 2 days, 3 sessions of 3-5 tables per session per day.

They are effectively just a bigger then usual gathering of local and new players. One con is even tied in as a family event for a school.

So why not seek out fellow local GMs, contact paizo and organize a con of your own for your town/city/local area?
They don't have to be huge or have hundreds of players to be fun.

3/5

Yeah, I'm not a fan of this being a con boon either. That said, we have a local con that is completely free. And as at least one other has said, you can organize a game day or mini-con and get boons to support it. I think the number is 15 tables over X amount of days... don't remember what X is. That fact keeps it from being Pay to Win... but yeah, other than GenCon (during which I didn't randomly win the boon), the next Con I'll attend isn't until Feb/March... if it's one refresh a year (measured GenCon to GenCon) based on GMing, I'll likely never be able to use the refreshes even if I do get one at that time.

Sczarni 5/5

There are several online cons that give out con boons. Both for PbP and VTT so everyone has a chance at getting these boons now, if they are willing to put forth the effort.

Silver Crusade 5/5

Talk to your venture officers. I know I'm going to give my extras to my VC to distribute. Alternatively, ask your friends who do go to conventions to acquire one for you; I expect the boon will be given out at every convention this season which earns prize support.

Oh, and semi-related: I wish that con support could be garnered by 10 tables over a single day or 15 tables over multiple days; not all locations are cool with taking over their store for more than a single day.

Lantern Lodge 5/5 * Venture-Lieutenant, South Dakota—Rapid City

Yes, all are good examples. I myself have managed to get 3 slots of 5 tables each planned for next month to get some boons in my local area and give my small slice of home a chance to play Legacy of the Stonelords.

If you really want to organize a mini-con sized event of at least 15 tables, contact your closest VO and work with him/her. It's some work, but in its simplest form, isn't as hard as you'd expect

5/5 5/55/55/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Give them a year with the recharge rules. They're more than a little leery of replays given what they did to previous campaigns and are slowly walking out into that cold water rather than jumping in.

Dark Archive 4/5 *

Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

I think the recharge as it is is a nice balance between unlimited replay and no replay. Boons are not that hard to get, there are loads of small conventions around the US. Sure, GenCon or Origins or PaizoCon might be harder to get to for some folks, but there are always other options.

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

CigarPete wrote:
I think the recharge as it is is a nice balance between unlimited replay and no replay. Boons are not that hard to get, there are loads of small conventions around the US. Sure, GenCon or Origins or PaizoCon might be harder to get to for some folks, but there are always other options.

Ironically, assuming I find a job and stay here, my going to a 'big' con (Origins) isn't an issue for me. I just don't like the 'go to a con and hope for a recharge boon' concept.

As to organizing events, Columbus is blessed now with six stores that host, (Ravenstone, Soldiery, Packrat, Guardtower, Fog of Dusk and Beyond the Board) and we likely now can run games at two of them each weekend. So if the EOs could organize a ten table weekend, I bet we could do it. (My job hunting makes my long term planning impossible, so I can't even organize anymore)

Liberty's Edge 5/5 5/5 *** Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Martinsville

I was hoping they reset each year, but the boon isn't that bad. (I had to roll a crit at Gen Con to get one)

I wonder if this particular boon can be given for reaching another star by the Venture Lietenants/Captains, or if boons can be given when one has more than a set number of tables in a day at a particualar location.

I am blessed to live in Indiana, where Cons spring up like weeds.

Liberty's Edge 4/5 RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

I simply put it this way...
If I want someone to GM specials at both GenCon and our local cons, then they don't get credit without the boon each year. If they recharge stars each year, then it's easier to ask GM's who got experience at GenCon to run again locally. It would at least help if it was an automatic GM boon at cons instead of a random one.

I was told "you could win one at the local con..."

That is too late, although it might help to convince GM's for the following year.

5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Thrawn007 wrote:

I simply put it this way...

If I want someone to GM specials at both GenCon and our local cons, then they don't get credit without the boon each year. If they recharge stars each year, then it's easier to ask GM's who got experience at GenCon to run again locally. It would at least help if it was an automatic GM boon at cons instead of a random one.

I was told "you could win one at the local con..."

That is too late, although it might help to convince GM's for the following year.

Perhaps ... but .. hopefully we can get the boon for BunnyCon in February and you'll come down to Nashville and GM :)

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ***

Matthew Morris wrote:

I figured out tonight what it was that bothered me about it.

Needing a boon.

I mean, I can understand a GM sheet like the GM boon we've gotten (I've not even used mine yet, to be honest) noting "Matthew's run 200 games, he gets a star back" (99 after tonight actually) or something like that. But *any* GM can use that and apply his stars towards it.

I don't like the idea of "You have to get a specific Con/Game Day boon to activate this."

Honestly? I'd rather have had the decision be 'no they don't recharge' 'yes they do recharge' or 'yes they do recharge 1 per 50 games' or something instead of 'why yes, you can recharge them, you just have to be in the right place at the right time to do it.'

My two C-bills.

I'm curious. If you would have been okay with recharging not being an option at all, then why does it matter?

deusvult wrote:
Benefits only available via convention participation is something of an elitist stance to be taking.

That perspective has been made regularly on these boards with regards to anything that is tied to convention play. We have to remember that those of us that post in the forums are a very small minority of the entire player-base. The fact is, based on the overall feedback that leadership receives, the majority of players are supportive of the convention prize model.

Now, that being said, historically, many of the boons issued at GenCon have been re-released to local conventions and store events, assuming they meet the requirements for prize support. I have no reason to think this will not be the case again this year. I tend to think the recharge mechanic will be included on most, if not all, of the GM boons that will be issued for season six.

Additionally, if (when IMO) the recharge boon becomes available, players in very small PFS communities will still have the option to participate in online events where such boons would be available to them.

Grand Lodge 3/5

I kind of assumed they were testing out the mechanic and were going to apply it to everyone once they know it's not causing unforeseen problems.

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

Bob Jonquet wrote:


I'm curious. If you would have been okay with recharging not being an option at all, then why does it matter?

Because it would have been a constant. I don't have to run at conventions to get credit/GM stars, for example. I've no problem running. Hells, between me and a couple fellow GMs here, I've a nice 'Confirmation kit*' I carry when I'm not scheduled to GM, just in case we have newbies stop by. (The FLGS have been very good about letting potential players know when to stop by.)

I just don't like it's... I don't know the right word to describe how it's abrasive to me. The bonus on rerolls, the initial replays, the GM reward chronicle sheet, those are all available to everyone, to take the next logical step and make it arbitrary (Con GMs only) and if the accounts I'm reading are correct, random on top of that, doesn't sit well with me.

*

Spoiler:
Confirmation Kit includes all the maps, pregens I have minis for, the pre-painted iconics, handouts and chronicle sheets. And a nice colour print out of the final map. (Thanks Janice!) I need to make a similar one for First Steps (as long as it's an evergreen) and Master of the Fallen Fortress.

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

I wanted to add. This is different, to me, than Race Boons. Not having a, say fetchling boon (I really want to play a kayal) doesn't prevent me from playing a character. Lack of the con boon keeps me from replaying if I've used my stars. There are some scenarios I'd like to play at a table greater than 4 for example (Paths We Choose is actually a good example. If I play Samiel in an Exchange/Grand Lodge/Silver Crusade run, I'd enjoy playing Shankar in a Soverign Court/Darchive/Liberty's Edge mix.

*shrug* I'm not looking to change anyone's mind. just stating my opinion.

Dark Archive 4/5 *

Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber

Don't know if this is the appropriate place to ask it, but what will happen when someone has multiple GM star recharge boons? Will they be able to recharge each star for each copy of the boon?

5/5

Pete-you can use one per season. Since you have to fill it out sequentially, you'd need to be running more games to recharge.

5/5 5/55/55/5

CigarPete wrote:
I think the recharge as it is is a nice balance between unlimited replay and no replay. Boons are not that hard to get, there are loads of small conventions around the US. Sure, GenCon or Origins or PaizoCon might be harder to get to for some folks, but there are always other options.

Which usually involve some pretty expensive travel and hotel stays that not everyone can swing.

I just don't get the favoritism for con day dming over game day dming.

5/5

Srsly .. can those of us who got one get at least a week to enjoy them before all the moaning starts?

yes it sucks that its cons only .. but boons are handed down to smaller regional cons all the time .. if there is one local go to it and GM .. simple procedure imo

**and a note .. not ALL cons are expensive are hard to get there (yes I know there are exceptions).

Grand Lodge 4/5 5/55/5 ***

2 people marked this as a favorite.
BigNorseWolf wrote:
Which usually involve some pretty expensive travel and hotel stays that not everyone can swing.

...unless you GM an online game for a qualifying event. Just sayin'

Lantern Lodge 5/5

2 people marked this as a favorite.

Paizo is doing something special for a special event.

Just because it's something you would like doesn't mean it shouldn't be available to others.

If everything is open to everybody, what is special? How do you reward the people who make the trip? The GMs who prepare for weeks to make sure that 6 random people they've never met have a great 5 hours deserve things like this. The players who travel to be at the biggest event of the year get a bit of reward for doing so.

This is a good thing.

Keep it up, Paizo.

Sovereign Court 3/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Bob Jonquet wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:
Which usually involve some pretty expensive travel and hotel stays that not everyone can swing.
...unless you GM an online game for a qualifying event. Just sayin'

Or organize a local gameday or con with at least 15 tables. Its easy, done it numerous times.

5/5 5/55/55/5

Wabajck wrote:
Bob Jonquet wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:
Which usually involve some pretty expensive travel and hotel stays that not everyone can swing.
...unless you GM an online game for a qualifying event. Just sayin'
Or organize a local gameday or con with at least 15 tables. Its easy, done it numerous times.

Lots of people can't do it, and its rude, arrogant, and condescending as hell when you insist that your circumstances MUST be their circumstances.

5/5 5/55/55/5

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:

Srsly .. can those of us who got one get at least a week to enjoy them before all the moaning starts?

yes it sucks that its cons only .. but boons are handed down to smaller regional cons all the time .. if there is one local go to it and GM .. simple procedure imo

**and a note .. not ALL cons are expensive are hard to get there (yes I know there are exceptions).

I'm not in the sticks, and even here cons are at least an hour away driving (which means more like 2-3 hours if you're taking public transportation)

5/5

BigNorseWolf wrote:
Wabajck wrote:
Bob Jonquet wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:
Which usually involve some pretty expensive travel and hotel stays that not everyone can swing.
...unless you GM an online game for a qualifying event. Just sayin'
Or organize a local gameday or con with at least 15 tables. Its easy, done it numerous times.
Lots of people can't do it, and its rude, arrogant, and condescending as hell when you insist that your circumstances MUST be their circumstances.

(I'm using going to use general, not specific terms so no taking this personal mmkay)

To be honest .. these complaints are lodged every year .. and every year the same advice and information is given.

It would be nice (from a con-goer side) if those that lodge these complain each year would look at alternatives instead of lodging complaints that they aren't getting something.

If those of use defending the use of boons for cons sound annoyed it's because we go through these conversations EVERY year... repeating ourselves is tiring

Silver Crusade 3/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Sometimes the player base is so small, having the 15 tables is not possible. Here in Finland, that amount is only reachable once a year in the only large RPG convention we get. (And perhaps at this other anime/RPGcon, but there there's no guarantee that the tables actually happen).

And you never know beforehand which boons a particular convention gets. Because the smaller ones never get all of them.

3/5

3 people marked this as a favorite.

Here's the thing - the gamers who attend cons are not drawn from some wealthy, privileged class of people with an ease of leisure to attend conventions: they generally make quite an effort to attend them, saving money, arranging vacation time, and so on. Typically, this planning begins a year in advance, necessary to book a reasonably proximal room.

They are either taking their families along, OR they are vacationing independent of their families - each day of con attendance is one less day to travel elsewhere. GenCon or the beach? Origins or Paris? It's tricky.

In other words, convention attendees make sacrifices to go.

Anyone can do it. When people complain about not being able to attend cons - usually in the form of complaints about convention boons - they're really just saying "I'm unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary for con attendance, but I want the stuff from there."

I, myself, don't attend cons. I spent this past weekend in Paris, attending a wedding there. In consequence, I have no star recharges and no android. That's fine - I don't really deserve them, having not bothered to arrange my situation in favor of GenCon.

Flip this around, and look at things from the con-goer's viewpoint: "Hey, I spent thousands of dollars (a significant chunk of annual income, since gamers tend to be below-median in income) and spent my vacation time coming here, rooming with 4 other guys, not sleeping, to get this rare boon. Yay!... wait, why does that guy have one?"

If you really want boon, attend a convention. Anyone can.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
David Haller wrote:
If you really want boon, attend a convention. Anyone can.

No. Not anyone. Lots of people can, but never everyone.

5/5 5/55/55/5

David: Some people literally do not have thousands of dollars.

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32

1 person marked this as a favorite.

For what it's worth, David, I can say that Paizo goes above and beyond in terms of providing for their GMs at major conventions. For GMming 8 games this year (admittedly, an average of 9 hours per day), I received the following:

A GenCon pass ($70)
A hotel room practically adjacent to the PFS room ($210 per night, 5 nights divided amongst 4 people for a total of $260)
$80 in store credit ($80)
One copy of the Advanced Class Guide ($40)
Up to 4 volunteer T-shirts (Estimated $80)
A free copy of my scenarios to prep ($24)

Total value of items easily assigned a dollar value: $554

In addition, I received the following items which are not as easily valued:

One Samsaran race boon
Three ordinary GenCon boons
The opportunity to run sessions for some really interesting people
The opportunity to meet a lot of people I've chatted with around these forums

To my mind, GenCon GMs get plenty of rewards. For me, it's an extremely, extremely cheap vacation. If you discount my spending in the dealer room, I probably spent about $300 total for the convention, from Wednesday to Monday. That's pretty darn good. We don't need additional motivation to attend GenCon (or other large conventions, such as Origins); there's plenty of motivation already.

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32

(As an aside, PFCBG, you could always come to CharCon! We've got plenty of boons to hand out, and we're much closer!)

Shadow Lodge 4/5

Well shucks, and here I was planning on being at GenCon next year. I guess there's always PaizoCon...

5/5

Has the text of the boon been posted anywhere? It'd be good to know exactly what's being discussed here. Still feels very murky.

5/5

Netopalis wrote:
(As an aside, PFCBG, you could always come to CharCon! We've got plenty of boons to hand out, and we're much closer!)

shoot me the info in email .. with enough notice we can generally plan for most things

4/5

2 people marked this as a favorite.

There are 6 or more online conventions a year that anyone can play or GM at, assuming an internet connection.

There has been more con support than ever before, and they're doing their absolute best to make sure that people have access to conventions and boons.

I don't think this is a condescending attitude, but please send me a PM if you feel it is.

I've been to two non-virtual conventions in the last year. Paizocon and Winterfest (which is a local convention here). In that same period of time I attended VTT day 1,2,3, Aethercon, Virtuacon, and conline. In a few days I'll be attending VTT Day 4.

5/5 5/55/55/5

David: When/what are the online conventions?

4/5

Here is the link to VTT Day 4. I watch the PSOC for information about gamedays and general play online.

Basically they are people getting together to play games online on VTTs. Individual games are basically no different from any other game, but the specials really work well (we use youtube for the overseer GMs and individual google hangouts (usually, other voice clients are used as well), and everyone of them I've been involved with has worked well.

5/5

Expanded Narrative: Some stories are best told a dozen times, and some adventure sites benefit from a second visit. When you GM a Pathfinder Society scenario or other sanctioned adventure, record the adventure’s name and date of completion on one of the lines below. When you fill all of the spaces in a section, you regain the ability to replay an adventure for credit or receive a Chronicle sheet from an adventure you GM—effectively “recharging” one of your free replay opportunities earned by achieving one or more GM stars. Each subsequent section you complete “recharges” another GM star’s replay potential. You can never use GM star replay to earn credit for an adventure more than once.
You can only use one Expanded Narrative boon per season of Pathfinder Society Organized Play, and you can only “recharge” a number of replay opportunities with this boon equal to the number of GM stars you have earned. For example, a 2-star GM could recharge both replay opportunities during a season. If she then earned her third GM star, she could use it to replay a scenario and GM seven more games to recharge the third star.

5/5

Sniggevert wrote:
stuff

Did I miss out on the fact that I played Lost at Bitter End with you on Wednesday?

5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

My never humble opinion: If you have enough time to argue about this on these messageboards, you have enough time to GM for an online convention. If you do that, ask the organizer for this boon specifically. I'm willing to bet a replay that you can obtain it.

1 to 50 of 83 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Organized Play / Pathfinder Society / Star Recharge mechanic and what bugs me. All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.