Recommendations for a GM new to PFS

[YTFenderson]

I started PFS with a group that is looking to do a rolling GM. I have a lot of experience with GMing various systems, including DnD 3e, but I'm very new to PFS (and Pathfinder). We've already run Confirmation and we'll be running Wounded Wisp next. I'm looking for a good scenario for 4-5 players, all level one, that is hopefully good for someone who is new to Pathfinder. I'm also doing this on Roll20 so a few biggish combat encounters is better than a lot of smaller ones, it will let me put more effort into each one in roll20 setup. Any suggestions would be great.

[The Fox]

Welcome to PFS!

You should check out some of the PFS paths in this thread, especially if you are playing with the same players each week, more or less. They will provide a more cohesive storyline than random scenario selections.

Very few of the scenarios are actually difficult to run as long as you have time to prep them, given that you have prior experience GMing in general.

[Qstor]

The Godsmouth Hersey?

[Nohwear]

Qstor wrote:

The Godsmouth Hersey?

If I am not part of this group, then I am in a group in the exact same situation. Assuming that we are in the same group, then I should point out that while the DM gets to chose the scenario, modules require the group's consent.

[EricMcG]

I would recommend First Steps Part 1 as it has 3 combats and a lot of role playing. If you like your NPCs chatty, you can really go to town with this one. It may be difficult keeping within time limits though. Parts 2 and 3 have been retired and are not valid for PFS.

This will level your regular players to 2nd (3XP), then I would recommend City of Strangers Parts 1 & 2 and Rise of the Goblin Guild. They are now level 3 and things open up, if they are clearing the encounters too easily, try season 5 or 6 scenarios, otherwise stay with some of the earlier seasons. When they reach 4th, I would suggest Quest for Perfection 1,2 & 3 followed by Way of the Kirin. By this time everyone has lots of experience with the game system, PFS and each other, so run anything that looks interesting.

PS, crits tend to insta-kill 1st level characters, try not to confirm them, which may be difficult with Roll20.

[outshyn]

Yeah, what EricMcG said.

Regarding crits, stay away from season 0 scenarios that have scythes, picks, or other x4 crit weapons. Those modules are very swingy. A crit in a "normal" module will do double damage, and that is survivable. A x4 crit is not.

Spoiler:

So for example, the module Among the Living is one to avoid until the PCs are higher level. At tier 1-2, all the cultists have military picks, and in the worst case (Quint), a confirmed critical hit will do 4d6+8 damage per hit. That's 22 points on average against a level 1 PC -- anyone around the power level of a rogue or weaker will be insta-dead from that. Stronger classes will be insta-unconscious.

Generally, crits like that are rare, so some of the earlier scenarios have 90% of the players saying "What's the big deal? It was easy." Then the other 10% say, "Holy crap the module is unfair! There were 2 crits and each one instantly killed a PC."

Season 6 is also problematic like this.

Spoiler:

Early modules have robots with DR or hardness of 10. At level 1, most PCs cannot reliably deal 10 points or more of damage, so they will flail against the robot harmlessly, until the robot kills them all.

So follow EricMcG's advice. Stick with earlier seasons, but avoid modules with x4 crit weapons. If you do, the game should be fun & fair!

[Fromper]

Why hasn't anyone recommended Black Waters yet? GREAT season 0 adventure, and the sequel for it was just published this week.

[YTFenderson]

Nohwear wrote:

Qstor wrote:

The Godsmouth Hersey?

If I am not part of this group, then I am in a group in the exact same situation. Assuming that we are in the same group, then I should point out that while the DM gets to chose the scenario, modules require the group's consent.

That pretty much cliches that we are, don't worry I've kept that in mind and I'm going with a scenario.

[DM Beckett]

I highly recommend the following.

Silent Tide It's an interesting little scenario that leaves the party feeling epic, even at level 1, and also introduces you to two important reoccurring NPCs.

Frozen Fingers of Midnight Like Silent Tide, another "epic" feeling adventure that just doesn't happen any more, and a great backstory.

Mists of Mwangi Personally, I wasn't a huge fan of this one, but it is the initial part of likely the most loved "multiparter" and location based series in PFS, the Blakros Museum Series. (see also Voice in the Void, The Penumbral Accords, and the finale, Echoes of the Overwatched. AS A NEW DM, avoid the Silver Mount Collection at all costs!)

Blackwaters Pretty short and simple, but also has a lot of cool RP and investigation options, and a pretty awesome twist.

Voice in the Void Returning to the Blakros Museum, this one is my absolute favorite of the unofficial series, and a great DM can add in a lot of thematic spookiness. Great Halloween game, too.

The Pallid Plague Short and simple.

The Infernal Vault Short and simple, some minor puzzles.

Before the Dawn 1
Before the Dawn 2 While parts 1 and 2 are not too terribly related, still a nice little two parter that have very different feels and play styles. And part 2 has a pretty dang epic BBEG. In multiple sense, actually. Play and find out.

The Penumbral Accords Blakros Museum part 3!!!

The Dalsine Affair At the time it was sort of a milestone scenario for a lot of the old factions, and still fun and interesting for the history. At the time it also had a certain level of brutality to it at some points, but should be better now.

Fun and very different than the norm. I encourage te old Faction Side missions if possible. Hope you can swim...

Echoes of the Overwatched Blakros Museum part 4!!! While this one seems to go in a little bit of a different direction with the horror, it does give a lot more insight into the Museum's history and very fun visuals.

The God's Market Gamble For a long time, this was my second favorite scenario of all time. Still great, with some investigation and RP, and a great final fight.

The Icebound Outpost One of the better Hao Jin Tapestry scenario that's fast and easy, but with potential for RP and fun, too.

Rise of the Goblin Guild Interesting RP from the start. Just go with it. Honestly, the scenario itself wasn't too special, but some of the stuff that happens is amazing.

Night Marches of Kalkamedes This is now my number 1 favorite scenario. Honestly, I think this is the best scenario there is, offering a lot of different types of challenges, a baby-sitting mission that doesn't make the party want to just get it over with, some epic backstory, epic NPCs, epic enemies, an actual "dragon" fight, and a unique Chronicle sheet. Make sure you follow up with Valley of the Veiled Flame later, though.

Destiny of the Sands 1
Destiny of the Sands 2
Destiny of the Sands 3 A nice little 3 parter that helps fill in a lot of secret history and the sins of the Society.

All of these should be pretty fun for a newer DM, and are amongst my favorite scenarios as well.

[Slothsy]

Black Waters at an earlier level, followed by School of Spirits closer to level 5 (so that way you get play time between the in-game time lapse) would be a good pair!

[Fromper]

I like most of DM Beckett's recommendations, but I have to comment on two of them.

I'd skip The Icebound Outpost, for two reasons. First, it ties in to the whole Hao Jin Tapestry thing, and you need to either play a bunch of those scenarios to put it in perspective, or skip them all. And second, I just didn't think it was a very interesting scenario. Kinda generic hack and slash with nothing special about it.

As for The Pallid Plague, I like that one, but don't play it too early. Technically, it can be played at sub-tier 1-2, but it's so skill heavy that many PCs won't have ranks in all the skills they want to train yet. Save it for later levels, when everyone has their skills trained and ready to go.