PFS players trading items?


Pathfinder Society

Grand Lodge 3/5

I GM home PFS games with some friends and play on occasion, never missing playing as a PC at Gen Con.

Recently, a player asked me if he wanted me to buy anything for my gunslinger. I can say I've never had a player ask me that as a GM or as a player. Essentially, he wanted to buy a bunch of scrolls of mending in case my gun broke.

In many games as a player, my cleric has been given Wands of Cure x during gameplay in which to use on others. The GM never blinked an eye. But then I thought of something else.

Sure, my ally PC could buy a bunch of scrolls of mending and use on me, but what if he wanted to buy a magical item that would clearly only benefit my gunslinger?

Would that be bending the rules a bit? As a GM, that type of thing makes me a bit uncomfortable so I am asking on those grounds.

Are players allowed to "give" other PCs at the table any magical items they have for use in the game (of course, items must be given back after scenario is complete)? Does this then allow the bypassing of the rules for purchase limits? For instance, if a higher level fellow purchased an item the lower level fellow would not be able to, then lets the lower level fellow use it in scenario.

Comments welcome.

4/5 *

Everyone buys their own stuff. You can lend it to others during a scenario, but it comes back to you at the end of the scenario. It is a bit cheesy if a character is obviously only there to provide items to another player, though.

Scarab Sages

Well as you said you are allowed to 'loan' items to other pc's during play.. (wands of cure X) as you mentioned.. Would tend to be on the GM at the table but I guess if they wanted to spend their cash on an item that they know cant be used unless you show up with that character I really cant see why not.
As long as they track it on their sheet as should be and it is given back.. ie you dont try to say you have it if they are not there I dont feel its any different that the fighter giving the cleric or bard his wand of cure to heal him with when needed.

Silver Crusade 3/5

I have a high level gunslinger/paladin who has a +1 double-barreled musket that she doesn't use. She chambers one barrel with an adamantine bullet and the other with a cold-iron bullet.

At the beginning of every scenario she hands that off to someone at the table (you would be surprised how many high-level melee types still don't carry a ranged weapon just in case they are unable to close with their enemies).

I remind them that they will take a –4 penalty for not being proficient with firearms, but they are still targeting touch AC, so it is still probably better than a crossbow.

It has only needed to be fired once so far, but it was useful.

I have seen an alchemist hand out alchemical items to everyone at the table at the beginning of the scenario. That was certainly appreciated.

Oh, I bought a small lot of +1 holy arrows off of a chronicle. That character hasn't given them away yet, but they are there for when he adventures with an archer who wants them.

I have a master-of-disguise character that will probably pick up some extra hats of disguise for her fellow party members.


I also do this fairly often with decent level characters. Pick up stuff I dont/cant use just to make others better.

5/5 5/55/55/5

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It goes back to you at the end of the session.

If you keep playing together he can keep handing it to you.

There's nothing wrong with handing people items. One of my druids has a collar of obedience that she routinely puts on fighters to up their will saves. Usually the shifting nature of parties keeps this from being abusable.

As a standard operating procedure for a group that works together its .. a bit of a loophole but legal.

Scarab Sages 5/5 5/5 *** Venture-Captain, Washington—Spokane

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I have a Winter Witch that I have started loaning out cleats for other players. My witch has the tendency to ice things up a lot and does not want to impede the rest of the party.

Liberty's Edge 5/5

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Starfinder Superscriber

I think my gnome is going to start buying brightly colored ribbions to give to everybody else at the beginning of an adventure. :)

Grand Lodge 4/5

Thefurmonger wrote:
I also do this fairly often with decent level characters. Pick up stuff I dont/cant use just to make others better.

I know this was a very common practice in LG, back in the day. Anyone who got access tried to buy 6 Belts of Healing, so everyone in the party could borrow one if they didn't have access themselves.

IMO, as long as they aren't crippling their PC, it isn't usually a big deal. You might have access a few games before you normally would, but it cuts into the other PC's "consumables" fund. At some point, once you can afford it (Fame & gp-wise) yourself, you should probably pick it up, and let them sell back theirs to get some of their money back for their own PC.

Dark Archive 5/5

5 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Maps Subscriber

My hexcrafter magus with Butterfly's Sting carries a hooked lance to hand to a beatstick PC to have x4 2H weapon to hand crits off to.

It's called "building for teamwork", and it's not cheesy at all.

Silver Crusade 5/5 5/5 **

TetsujinOni wrote:

My hexcrafter magus with Butterfly's Sting carries a hooked lance to hand to a beatstick PC to have x4 2H weapon to hand crits off to.

It's called "building for teamwork", and it's not cheesy at all.

Rather depends on ones definition of "cheesy".

Scarab Sages 5/5

8 people marked this as a favorite.
The Fox wrote:

....I have seen an alchemist hand out alchemical items to everyone at the table at the beginning of the scenario. That was certainly appreciated.

...

Have you adventured with me then?

I (with several of my alchemist PCs) hand out business cards with a list of items on them, with spots to check off the items as they are used. Players that game with me have started calling them "party favors". Players give me them back at games end and I have a list of what got used.

Just before starting a "crawl", I'll instruct everyone to pull the med pack (not the grenade pack, the other card) and "drink the first three, and smear the last two over your body." This leads to the expected comments about "lube" and "oiling up" etc.

But every now and again, it means I get to point out "hay T.S., did you count the +5 alchemical bonus on that save?"... Sometimes it saves lives...

And I get to call everyone by the same first name..."T.S., for Test Subject"

;-)

Silver Crusade 5/5 5/55/5 **** Venture-Captain, Germany—Bavaria

I like an encourage the practice, it is quite usual when it comes to alchemist to share. It think is a good idea.

Silver Crusade 3/5

I heard another player complaining that his rogue never gets to play in a stealthy party. There's always some lummox in heavy armor. I suggested he invest in a wand of invisibility to use on other PCs. It will take the full-plate fighter's Stealth modifier from –5 to +15.

4/5 5/55/55/5 *** Venture-Lieutenant, Minnesota—Minneapolis

Fairly common with wands. I actually recommend that Monks get a wand of Mage Armor to hand off to someone who doesn't need to UMD it. You aren't going to do this with big items, but it can work well -- especially when you've built to do something special.

Silver Crusade 5/5 5/55/5 **** Venture-Captain, Germany—Bavaria

The Fox wrote:

I heard another player complaining that his rogue never gets to play in a stealthy party. There's always some lummox in heavy armor. I suggested he invest in a wand of invisibility to use on other PCs. It will take the full-plate fighter's Stealth modifier from –5 to +15. [/QUOTE

Providing the armored guy with mage armor helps, personally I am usually not married to my armor, but the rogue player actually has to suggest the tactic.
That said, even with the buff you mentioned, some monsters will always detect anyone without a great stealth modifier.

Liberty's Edge 4/5

Got a wand of greater invisibility, just in case sumbody's a smidgen squemish.

Eh, makes me slice plenty good to boot. Aid's aid.

Liberty's Edge 4/5 *

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My wife and I each have several characters who have multiple cracked magenta prism and cracked vibrant purple prism ioun stones that we pass out pretty freely. "Here, let me retune this and give you a +2 competence bonus on that skill." "Let me cast Shield into this stone, then you can cast it onto yourself when you need it."

My halfling Liberty's Edge cleric keeps a hat of disguise in his pack to help get people in or out of places unnoticed.

So yeah, I see nothing wrong with buying things with the intent that other people use them.

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden

I like the T.S. bussiness card, I'm gonna copy that for my alchemist. Very convenient.

I've had some success with my alchemist pulling remedies against sundry things, but improving the process is always nice.

Shadow Lodge 5/5

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I have a life Oracle that bought a swarmbane clasp just to loan out ... tired of dealing with swarms

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden

I've brought scrolls of Silence to loan out to divine casters, but the 1-round casting time combined with a move action to draw means they don't see much use.

2/5

My wizard had an incident where a pregen gunslinger refused to shoot at the bad guy because there was a 50% miss chance and he didn't want ot waste bullets. After that I always carried a pouch of bullets just in case someone was worried their bullets were worth more than my life.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
Tindalen wrote:
My wizard had an incident where a pregen gunslinger refused to shoot at the bad guy because there was a 50% miss chance and he didn't want ot waste bullets. After that I always carried a pouch of bullets just in case someone was worried their bullets were worth more than my life.

It is the gun powder that is the real expense at 10gp or for the gunslinger 1gp and then 1sp for the bullet. Why you would care about a prege's gold is beyond me.

Silver Crusade 5/5 5/55/5 **** Venture-Captain, Germany—Bavaria

Pregen or not, gunpowder or bullet, that behavior is pretty sub optimal in any case.

Sovereign Court 4/5 5/5 ** Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden

Maybe the player was used to lower treasure amounts, and therefore more need to be thrifty?

2/5

With a pregen, it wouldn't matter with regards to treasure, the consumables are tied to the pregen. Maybe he was afraid of running out?

Grand Lodge 2/5

My wife and I each made a character a month or so ago and I had about 5g shy of the gear I wanted. My wife was just like "I've got like 100 left over so I'll just buy it and hand it to you".

The stuff I wanted was mostly essential.. I think it was armor, shield, weapon, military saddle, training harness, and lance. Sure I could have dropped something (like the training harness), but why? Especially when there were more than enough resources to accommodate it (as in my wife's character had spare resources).

Silver Crusade 3/5

It is especially nice if you and your wife were at 1st level. After the scenario she could sell back the items she bought for you to use and get a full refund, and you could buy your own. :)

Grand Lodge 2/5

The Fox wrote:
It is especially nice if you and your wife were at 1st level. After the scenario she could sell back the items she bought for you to use and get a full refund, and you could buy your own. :)

Yeah, I don't even track gear costs until lvl 2 (outside of making sure I've enough to purchase everything).

Grand Lodge 4/5 **** Venture-Captain, California—Sacramento

Atragon wrote:
With a pregen, it wouldn't matter with regards to treasure, the consumables are tied to the pregen. Maybe he was afraid of running out?

If it was the level one pregen, they only have 15 shots. Of which only 5 can be loaded as a move action.

Actually the other levels aren't much better. Level 7, 2 iteratives, 25 rounds. 15 of which are cartridges.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
The Fox wrote:
I heard another player complaining that his rogue never gets to play in a stealthy party. There's always some lummox in heavy armor. I suggested he invest in a wand of invisibility to use on other PCs. It will take the full-plate fighter's Stealth modifier from –5 to +15.

Or he can learn to do his scouting a decent distance ahead of the noisemakers.

Silver Crusade 3/5

LazarX wrote:
The Fox wrote:
I heard another player complaining that his rogue never gets to play in a stealthy party. There's always some lummox in heavy armor. I suggested he invest in a wand of invisibility to use on other PCs. It will take the full-plate fighter's Stealth modifier from –5 to +15.
Or he can learn to do his scouting a decent distance ahead of the noisemakers.

Why is this choice binary?

5/5 5/55/55/5

LazarX wrote:
The Fox wrote:
I heard another player complaining that his rogue never gets to play in a stealthy party. There's always some lummox in heavy armor. I suggested he invest in a wand of invisibility to use on other PCs. It will take the full-plate fighter's Stealth modifier from –5 to +15.
Or he can learn to do his scouting a decent distance ahead of the noisemakers.

Thats a good way to die

4/5

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We have a wizard in our area who carries around a spell-storing amulet of mighty fists. After the briefing, he hands it the unarmed striker and/or animal companion and asks what spell they want him to put in it.

We often have potions, elixirs, antiplagues, antitoxins, etc. get passed to other people in the scenario. Lots of characters carry scrolls of Breath of Life and pass them off to someone who can cast it every scenario, with instructions to use that on whomever needs it first. I don't see how this is any different, as long as the player who made the purchase keeps track of the item and whether it gets used up.

Silver Crusade 3/5

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Explore! Report! Cooperate!

*

claudekennilol wrote:
The stuff I wanted was mostly essential.. I think it was armor, shield, weapon, military saddle, training harness, and lance. Sure I could have dropped something (like the training harness), but why? Especially when there were more than enough resources to accommodate it (as in my wife's character had spare resources).

I didn't purchase armor for my pali/sorcerer until I could afford mithral plate. I could cast shield in the first combat then requisition that opponent's armor. Mostly GM blob though, not sure how it would play out.

My entangle cleric has a haversack of bows.

My master jeweler hands out emerald rings. If someone wants to keep it, they can get a Galdur exclusive* emerald ring for just 5 gp!

*Masterwork ring (with my +30 roll for that ring :)

To the OP, as long as character A isn't being asked to spend their money outfitting character B, 'tis fine.

Grand Lodge 2/5

Curaigh wrote:
claudekennilol wrote:
The stuff I wanted was mostly essential.. I think it was armor, shield, weapon, military saddle, training harness, and lance. Sure I could have dropped something (like the training harness), but why? Especially when there were more than enough resources to accommodate it (as in my wife's character had spare resources).

I didn't purchase armor for my pali/sorcerer until I could afford mithral plate. I could cast shield in the first combat then requisition that opponent's armor. Mostly GM blob though, not sure how it would play out.

My entangle cleric has a haversack of bows.

My master jeweler hands out emerald rings. If someone wants to keep it, they can get a Galdur exclusive* emerald ring for just 5 gp!

*Masterwork ring (with my +30 roll for that ring :)

To the OP, as long as character A isn't being asked to spend their money outfitting character B, 'tis fine.

I fail to see how your sorceress that cast AC buffs not buying armor til later is the same as a cavalier not buying armor.

*

You mentioned you didn't purchase armor. My paladin didn't either, instead finding a different resource for it. Defeating armored enemies in the first or second fight was the resource. Yes at level six I could cast shield, but for the few times I played him prior to that, armor found in the scenario was enough.

4/5

The Toaster wrote:
The Fox wrote:

....I have seen an alchemist hand out alchemical items to everyone at the table at the beginning of the scenario. That was certainly appreciated.

...

Have you adventured with me then?

I (with several of my alchemist PCs) hand out business cards with a list of items on them, with spots to check off the items as they are used. Players that game with me have started calling them "party favors". Players give me them back at games end and I have a list of what got used.

Just before starting a "crawl", I'll instruct everyone to pull the med pack (not the grenade pack, the other card) and "drink the first three, and smear the last two over your body." This leads to the expected comments about "lube" and "oiling up" etc.

But every now and again, it means I get to point out "hay T.S., did you count the +5 alchemical bonus on that save?"... Sometimes it saves lives...

And I get to call everyone by the same first name..."T.S., for Test Subject"

;-)

I am blatantly ripping this off for my Empiricist. However, he's going to assign everyone a tracking # and refer to them by that. I'll keep a log of what characters are what # and be consistent. "Oh! Subject 37092. Nice to see you again. Here is your kit."

Would you mind sharing your thoughts on what to include in these kits? I'm starting with an Alchemist Fire and Tanglefoot Bag. I'm about to start wandering through his inventory and the PRD for more ideas.

Dark Archive 4/5

The Fox wrote:

I have a high level gunslinger/paladin who has a +1 double-barreled musket that she doesn't use. She chambers one barrel with an adamantine bullet and the other with a cold-iron bullet.

At the beginning of every scenario she hands that off to someone at the table (you would be surprised how many high-level melee types still don't carry a ranged weapon just in case they are unable to close with their enemies).

I remind them that they will take a –4 penalty for not being proficient with firearms, but they are still targeting touch AC, so it is still probably better than a crossbow.

It has only needed to be fired once so far, but it was useful.

I have seen an alchemist hand out alchemical items to everyone at the table at the beginning of the scenario. That was certainly appreciated.

Oh, I bought a small lot of +1 holy arrows off of a chronicle. That character hasn't given them away yet, but they are there for when he adventures with an archer who wants them.

I have a master-of-disguise character that will probably pick up some extra hats of disguise for her fellow party members.

pretty sure you're unable to let someone who isn't a gunslinger use a gun at all.

Silver Crusade 3/5

Sin of Asmodeus wrote:
pretty sure you're unable to let someone who isn't a gunslinger use a gun at all.

That is not true.

Here is an enumeration of the limits on firearms:
1. No character may buy a firearm without the Gunsmithing feat.
2. Firearms are not always available.
3. No character may buy a firearm without sufficient fame unless it is found on a chronicle or granted by a class feature.
4. Large firearms are never available.
5. The culverin, double hackbut, and advanced firearms are never available.

So, not only is there not a "gunslinger only" restriction on using a firearm, there is not even a "gunslinger only" restriction on buying a firearm. Any character with the Gunsmithing feat and sufficient fame can purchase a firearm. You don't even need to have Exotic Weapon Proficiency (firearms).

More info here: Additional Resources.

Ctrl+F wrote:
firearm

4/5

The Fox wrote:
[a bunch of stuff about guns in PFS]

If I'm parsing all that right, I can build me a gun-toting Fighter as long as I take a couple feats? Specifically, Gunsmithing and Exotic Proficiency.

Is that right?

Well, and a fame limitation that could be overcome with a GM-baby.

Silver Crusade 3/5

That is right.

But it is better to take a single level of gunslinger instead. You get both of those feats for free, the same hp as a fighter, better saves than a fighter, better skills than a fighter, plus grit and deeds. On top of all that, you get a starting firearm for free.

4/5

nogoodscallywag wrote:
stuff...

so as you've seen there isn't any "trading" or buying for others in PFS, everyone has to buy their own stuff. There are a few exceptions such as where someone dies and people may pool cash to pay for a Raise Dead/Resurrect and usually there is a boon (paperwork) involved. In the case of Spellcasting services (like raise dead, scrolls, wands...) somebody pays for it though the spell target may be another.

What you do see is lending of items WITHIN a scenario (game). At the end it goes back to the guy that bought it.
Part of this is due to the buy at FULL and sell at HALF. This encourages people to hang onto stuff and loan it out or keep it as a backup item.
Sundering is relatively rare in the game. The spell Break made breaking things very easy. A Fortifying Stone might be something you want to invest in if you're paranoid about losing a weapon.

FYI it's more cost effective to buy a Wand of Mending rather than scrolls, or adventure with a wizard that has the spell (have him cast it for free).

Again, it is normal in gameplay to loan a caster who can use a wand without a UMD roll than to attempt UMD unless it's an easy roll. At the end of the scenario the wands go back to the owners (less charges used).

PCs are free to buy items that are usable by others as most magic items can be used by anyone. They might be a bit foolish buying items that they can't use... it's legal but then that character has spent resources that he can't use. For Hit Points (since everybody uses them) it makes sense. Breath of Life scroll is another (with Spring Loaded Wrist sheath).

In a hypothetical, PC A and PC B always play together. Lets say PC A spends all his money to buy stuff for PC B, so PC B has twice as much stuff. PC A dies as his AC/Saves/etc are low since he's not protected. PC A can sell his stuff (at half), use Prestige, or just not come back and die permanently. His stuff goes with him and there is no way (in PFS) for PC B to inherit it or keep it. So PC B is back to regular equipment that he owns.
Should PC A and PC B not play together, then they each have their own stuff. PC A will have to do as best he can with the stuff he bought. PC B is on his own with his stuff.

reference the Guide to Organized Play, PFS FAQs, boon trading thread, and Faction Journal Cards...

Shadow Lodge 4/5 Venture-Lieutenant, Florida—Jacksonville

My Gunslinger/Alchemist, Alchemist, And Guntank/Inquisitor/Sheildmarshall all do that.

Because there is nothing as priceless as handing the Rogue a mono whip, infusion of bestow weapon prof and a potion of enlarge person before a fight.

On the other hand, I hand out alchemical remedies like candy, and carry around a scroll of suppress charms and compulsions on two PCs. ("If I get charmed, break seal and use because odds are I'll try to kill you..). Not that it gets much use after Iron Will, CoR +3 and a wrist item but ...

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