Organized Play Coordinator
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To be clear, does this include introducing a 4-player adjustment, e.g. in a case of a table dropping from 5 to 4 players (but all PCs being the same level, so the APL of the table remains the same)?Related — Losing a Player at a Table
Sometimes circumstances prevent a player from completing a scenario. Reasons include—but are not limited to—personal emergencies, device battery issues, venue problems, and bad timing. To mitigate the impact on the table, GMs may exercise their discretion by adjusting the scenario’s subtier to accommodate the table’s new APL, bring in the pregenerated character that most closely resembles the lost PC, or postpone the game until all players are able to complete the scenario.
Yes.
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Do I understand this correctly?I would allow access to the prestige in this extreme case.
Tonyas post says nothing about chronicle sheets, so unless I've missed something, those would still need to be paper, unless the game is online. And with the sheets being paper, there should never be any reason to disallow a player from using their prestige, regardless of where the character record is. Trying to do so seems more like a 'gotcha' than anything else.
And at one point, Mike more or less said that if your pregen died, you could change the tracker sheet to pick another character to apply the chronicle to. But I'll probably need TOZ to find the link for me again cause I'm sure I'm mis-stating it again and the next twenty posters will show up to tell me I'm wrong.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32
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And at one point, Mike more or less said that if your pregen died, you could change the tracker sheet to pick another character to apply the chronicle to. But I'll probably need TOZ to find the link for me again cause I'm sure I'm mis-stating it again and the next twenty posters will show up to tell me I'm wrong.
Mike also required players to have a physical character sheet. If a player is only using a digital device to play their character, and it fails. Forcing them to use a pregen to finish the adventure. If bad stuff then happens to that pregen later in the game, The chronicle should be locked on the real character that the player began the game with.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Tonya's post says nothing about chronicle sheets, so unless I've missed something, those would still need to be paper, unless the game is online. And with the sheets being paper, there should never be any reason to disallow a player from using their prestige, regardless of where the character record is. Trying to do so seems more like a 'gotcha' than anything else.
That makes sense.
And at one point, Mike more or less said that if your pregen died, you could change the tracker sheet to pick another character to apply the chronicle to. But I'll probably need TOZ to find the link for me again cause I'm sure I'm mis-stating it again and the next twenty posters will show up to tell me I'm wrong.
This is a different situation. A particular PC has already been selected, and is scheduled to receive the Chronicle. (I'm sure you're not suggesting that I could play with PC #54321-03 until my laptop dies, then finish up with a pre-gen and give the rewards and Chronicle to PC # 54321-05.)
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Venture-Captain, California—Sacramento
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Tonya's post says nothing about chronicle sheets, so unless I've missed something, those would still need to be paper, unless the game is online. And with the sheets being paper, there should never be any reason to disallow a player from using their prestige, regardless of where the character record is. Trying to do so seems more like a 'gotcha' than anything else.
That makes sense.
And at one point, Mike more or less said that if your pregen died, you could change the tracker sheet to pick another character to apply the chronicle to. But I'll probably need TOZ to find the link for me again cause I'm sure I'm mis-stating it again and the next twenty posters will show up to tell me I'm wrong.This is a different situation. A particular PC has already been selected, and is scheduled to receive the Chronicle. (I'm sure you're not suggesting that I could play with PC #54321-03 until my laptop dies, then finish up with a pre-gen and give the rewards and Chronicle to PC # 54321-05.)
At very least we probably don't want to incentivize people to crash their PCs when a TPK looks immanent.
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And at one point, Mike more or less said that if your pregen died, you could change the tracker sheet to pick another character to apply the chronicle to. But I'll probably need TOZ to find the link for me again cause I'm sure I'm mis-stating it again and the next twenty posters will show up to tell me I'm wrong.Mike also required players to have a physical character sheet. If a player is only using a digital device to play their character, and it fails. Forcing them to use a pregen to finish the adventure. If bad stuff then happens to that pregen later in the game, The chronicle should be locked on the real character that the player began the game with.
Nope, the requirement is to have a character sheet in a format you're comfortable handing the GM. That's why I'll bring my tablet if I can't get a print out (due to no ink left). My tablet's a couple years old, and wasn't that expensive. I'm far more comfortable handing that to the GM to audit my char sheet or prove book ownership then my $300 laptop.
I prefer having a physical as my backup. But for the convention I'll probably bring 2 electronic backups too.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32
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Nope, the requirement is to have a character sheet in a format you're comfortable handing the GM. That's why I'll bring my tablet if I can't get a print out (due to no ink left). My tablet's a couple years old, and wasn't that expensive. I'm far more comfortable handing that to the GM to audit my char sheet or prove book ownership then my $300 laptop.
I prefer having a physical as my backup. But for the convention I'll probably bring 2 electronic backups too.
I was referring to Mike Brock's original ruling on the topic, hence why I said Mike required players to have a physical character sheet.
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Current ruling is just "have a character sheet you don't mind handing to the GM if requested". Which was made JUST as my printer ran out of ink. So yay? I do like having a physical backup copy anyway. Because I might need my laptop to look up info on my gear or a rules issue I'm unfamiliar with. Or my laptop may be getting low on power, so I have to save and shut it down.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32
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Current ruling is just "have a character sheet you don't mind handing to the GM if requested". Which was made JUST as my printer ran out of ink. So yay? I do like having a physical backup copy anyway. Because I might need my laptop to look up info on my gear or a rules issue I'm unfamiliar with. Or my laptop may be getting low on power, so I have to save and shut it down.
Hence why I said Mike's original ruling on the topic. Describing it as the original ruling means that it's been replaced with a newer ruling.
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Why does it have to be entirely the player's choice? We can "have a character sheet you don't mind handing to the GM if requested," but what about "a character sheet the GM doesn't mind handing?" Due to the [albeit very limited] chance of damage, I am not comfortable handling someone's device and standing behind them trying to get them to click where you want to look next is not ideal. It will likely slow an already arduous task, especially if I only want to do a quick scan looking for anything that should peak my interest.
A printed character sheet is more accommodating and is virtually indestructible from handling. A GM's job is already an extremely involved one that starts well before the game session and often after it ends. I don't understand the [insistent] need to make it harder than it needs to be. Just print a copy of your PC. Its just a few pieces of paper and minimal amounts of ink. It hurts no one to be a tad more prepared. If you fear for the environment, we can recycle the paper. No worries. Not to mention, there is always the chance the digital device fails, not just from battery life, but a random crash. No one wants to be "forced" to play a pregen to complete their session. A printed character sheet solves the problem with a minimal of effort. No solution will be 100% fool-proof, but having a printed sheet to backup your device covers the widest possible conditions with the fewest potential problems.
Explore! Report! Cooperate!
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To be even more clear. PFS GMs have the right to refuse digital character sheets and can require physical ones. This is, however, a choice on the part of the GM and few exercise this right. But I recommend you prepare for this possibility, especially if you are planning on playing with groups/GMs you are not familiar with.
This is absolutely the case. In fact, as a GM, I am more inclined to want a printed copy of a character sheet in games with players I don't know vs. those who attend local events quite often. Simple rule- you can never go wrong with printing out a character sheet.
Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha
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Mike also required players to have a physical character sheet. If a player is only using a digital device to play their character, and it fails. Forcing them to use a pregen to finish the adventure. If bad stuff then happens to that pregen later in the game, The chronicle should be locked on the real character that the player began the game with.
This would be true if GMs are following the Guide and handing out unsign chronicle sheets before the game for the player to fill out the top information. But alas, it appears that most GMs don't follow the guide with regards to chronicle sheets.
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Mike also required players to have a physical character sheet. If a player is only using a digital device to play their character, and it fails. Forcing them to use a pregen to finish the adventure. If bad stuff then happens to that pregen later in the game, The chronicle should be locked on the real character that the player began the game with.This would be true if GMs are following the Guide and handing out unsign chronicle sheets before the game for the player to fill out the top information. But alas, it appears that most GMs don't follow the guide with regards to chronicle sheets.
When you fill out the sign-in sheet* at a PFS table you have to give a character number, which once the game starts locks you into that character under most circumstances.
*Provided the GM uses a sign-in sheet. Which I don't unless I'm GM'ing a con. When I go around the table asking for PFS numbers and factions I am taking sign-ins, and just putting it as a note on my Ipad, where I know I won't lose it.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32
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Mike also required players to have a physical character sheet. If a player is only using a digital device to play their character, and it fails. Forcing them to use a pregen to finish the adventure. If bad stuff then happens to that pregen later in the game, The chronicle should be locked on the real character that the player began the game with.This would be true if GMs are following the Guide and handing out unsign chronicle sheets before the game for the player to fill out the top information. But alas, it appears that most GMs don't follow the guide with regards to chronicle sheets.
At the start of a slot all GMs should have passed around a reporting/sign-in sheet. The basic downloaded sheet collects character name, character number and faction. At the end of the game the GM still needs to fill in success conditions A,B,C,D as well as prestige earned.
What I was talking about the ruling that if you're using a pregen during a game and bad stuff happens. You can reassign the chronicle to a different character number. Pregen credit was originally intended for character -3. It dies, you can't afford to raise it, so you reassign the game to character -99. Allowing you to keep -3 safe. The problem is that ruling was made during a period that required players to have a physical copy of a character sheet. The current ruling allows players to not have a physical character sheet.
The current rule of no physical sheet required can now lead to players needing to swap to a pregen in the middle of a game. All I was saying was if a player needed to swap during a game. They shouldn't be able to re-assign the chronicle if bad stuff happens to the pregen, and it should be locked on the character the player began the session with. Because they should not be rewarded for not being properly prepared.
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This is a different situation. A particular PC has already been selected, and is scheduled to receive the Chronicle. (I'm sure you're not suggesting that I could play with PC #54321-03 until my laptop dies, then finish up with a pre-gen and give the rewards and Chronicle to PC # 54321-05.)And at one point, Mike more or less said that if your pregen died, you could change the tracker sheet to pick another character to apply the chronicle to. But I'll probably need TOZ to find the link for me again cause I'm sure I'm mis-stating it again and the next twenty posters will show up to tell me I'm wrong.
You're correct. I hadn't fully that out before posting it beforehand. If someone is playing the pregen cause their device died, then yes, it should be stuck to the character they started with.
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To be even more clear. PFS GMs have the right to refuse digital character sheets and can require physical ones. This is, however, a choice on the part of the GM and few exercise this right. But I recommend you prepare for this possibility, especially if you are planning on playing with groups/GMs you are not familiar with.This is absolutely the case. In fact, as a GM, I am more inclined to want a printed copy of a character sheet in games with players I don't know vs. those who attend local events quite often. Simple rule- you can never go wrong with printing out a character sheet.
I feel like you are jumping in on this thread well after it's actual conclusion. Have you read Tonya's decisions a couple pages back? Cause according to her posts, you cant just declare that because its someone you don't know that they must use a paper sheet.
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handing out unsign chronicle sheets before the game for the player to fill out the top information
I'm not sure if you are advocating this or not but IMO it is generally a bad idea. There are often spoilers on a chronicle sheet that I do not want the players to know before we start. I do have them complete the reporting sheet so the character is locked in, but the chronicle stays hidden until the end of the session.
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Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Omaha
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handing out unsign chronicle sheets before the game for the player to fill out the top informationI'm not sure if you are advocating this or not but IMO it is generally a bad idea. There are often spoilers on a chronicle sheet that I do not want the players to know before we start. I do have them complete the reporting sheet so the character is locked in, but the chronicle stays hidden until the end of the session.
This is the procedure currently set out in the Guide. I agree, it would provide spoilers. So the use of a Sign-in sheet as Undead Mitch commented on, is a better solution.
My reading Brian's post was there may be a concern that if a player had their device die and had to use a pre-gen and then if the pre-gen died than the player may assign the chronicle to different number instead of the number for the character that started the session (boy that was a long sentence). How can GMs know what character number the player is using if they have not been told yet?
So the use of a sign-in sheet really is a prudent decision.
Or have a hardcopy of the character sheet and avoid the whole problem.
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This is the procedure currently set out in the Guide. I agree, it would provide spoilers. So the use of a Sign-in sheet as Undead Mitch commented on, is a better solution.
I don't see it in the guide anywhere.
When the scenario ends (or you run out of time), your Game Master will give you that scenario’s Chronicle sheet.
Following is a 10-step walkthrough of how to fill out a Chronicle sheet at the end of a scenario.
Where do you see that it says to hand out chronicles at the start?
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Top 10 most likely reasons you'll need a paper back up
1) Your device can loose power
2) Device gets stolen (although I will note that a geek convention is one place where a 200 dollar tablet is perfectly safe, but you need an armed security guard for 20 dollar metalic dice)
3) Device loses power
4) Device breaks being used as an impromptu coaster
5) Device loses power
6) Device broken by the foam sword of a rampaging larper
7) EMP feedback from the tesla coil musican instrument fries your machine
9) Device loses power
10 Luddite DM will not handle tablet
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handing out unsign chronicle sheets before the game for the player to fill out the top informationI'm not sure if you are advocating this or not but IMO it is generally a bad idea. There are often spoilers on a chronicle sheet that I do not want the players to know before we start. I do have them complete the reporting sheet so the character is locked in, but the chronicle stays hidden until the end of the session.This is the procedure currently set out in the Guide. I agree, it would provide spoilers. So the use of a Sign-in sheet as Undead Mitch commented on, is a better solution.
My reading Brian's post was there may be a concern that if a player had their device die and had to use a pre-gen and then if the pre-gen died than the player may assign the chronicle to different number instead of the number for the character that started the session (boy that was a long sentence). How can GMs know what character number the player is using if they have not been told yet?
So the use of a sign-in sheet really is a prudent decision.
Or have a hardcopy of the character sheet and avoid the whole problem.
Gary, signing in is mandatory. You have to sign in before the scenario starts. The GM knows what character number is being used because that player has signed in. Once again, signing in is not optional.
Gary, that is why when you play at my tables, I go around the table and have everyone tell me their PFS number, character number, and faction.
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Gary, that is why when you play at my tables, I go around the table and have everyone tell me their PFS number, character number, and faction.
You know what, that is a much better idea that expecting my players to be able to fill out the sheet legibly. I'm going to adopt that in the hopes that I will catch more new players who don't know you need to put a dash number after your PFS number as well.
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Gary, that is why when you play at my tables, I go around the table and have everyone tell me their PFS number, character number, and faction.You know what, that is a much better idea that expecting my players to be able to fill out the sheet legibly. I'm going to adopt that in the hopes that I will catch more new players who don't know you need to put a dash number after your PFS number as well.
I pass the reporting sheet around at the start, and at the end, I fill out the PC info on the chronicle. That way I can make sure the reporting sheet is complete and legible
Top 10 most likely reasons you'll need a paper back up
1) Your device can loose power
2) Device gets stolen (although I will note that a geek convention is one place where a 200 dollar tablet is perfectly safe, but you need an armed security guard for 20 dollar metalic dice)
3) Device loses power
4) Device breaks being used as an impromptu coaster
5) Device loses power
6) Device broken by the foam sword of a rampaging larper
7) EMP feedback from the tesla coil musican instrument fries your machine
9) Device loses power
10 Luddite DM will not handle tablet
I will note that there are backup batteries that you can purchase for less than 5$ that don't have much juice, but enough to charge you a bit. For $20 you can get a portable charger/battery that can completely recharge your device, some more than once.
It pays to be prepared. If you use an electronic device, carry some back up power to get you through the time you are out, and charge things up when you don't need them. There is no excuse.
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Venture-Captain, North Carolina—Asheville
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Dm aware of ham fists was ranked at 12 and did not make the top ten list.10 Luddite DM will not handle tabletNot wanting to inadvertently damage someone's often expensive device than may contain irreplaceable data does not make one a Luddite.
Was 'inexplicable hard drive failure' number eleven?
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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[I will note that there are backup batteries that you can purchase for less than 5$ that don't have much juice, but enough to charge you a bit. For $20 you can get a portable charger/battery that can completely recharge your device, some more than once.
For a smartphone, maybe. Something that can power a laptop for several hours could set you back a fair bit more than that. Even my small (13") notebook with an SSD can't reliably last for two 4-hour tables, let alone three.
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Where do you see that it says to hand out chronicles at the start?After looking again I see I was inserting into my head that it was done at the start of the adventure. So my mistake.
<Puts on fire suit before too many fireballs start coming my way.>
*casts lightning bolt*
[I will note that there are backup batteries that you can purchase for less than 5$ that don't have much juice, but enough to charge you a bit. For $20 you can get a portable charger/battery that can completely recharge your device, some more than once.For a smartphone, maybe. Something that can power a laptop for several hours could set you back a fair bit more than that. Even my small (13") notebook with an SSD can't reliably last for two 4-hour tables, let alone three.
Perhaps not. But we're not talking about running a laptop at full power for 8 hours, we're speaking of making sure that you're character sheet is available whenever you are asked for it. A small tablet or a cell phone can perform this operation without much problem and can be recharged multiple times if need be. If you aren't playing Candy Crush or surfing the net or whatever and only using it to check your sheet and prove it to the GM, then you shouldn't have issues.
It's a matter of being prepared in case, for whatever reason, you've run down your device that you are counting on to show your sheet and you don't want to/won't bring a physical copy, there are relatively inexpensive ways to fix the problem. Or more expensive ones if you need more power. But the options are there, and saying "I guess my device is out of power so I can't show this to you" shouldn't be an excuse in 2016 if you plan to go the electronic route.
How can you play an RPG without having your character sheet available at all times?
Well, I imagine there are swaths of time that you don't need to stare at it and can save power on your device by closing the screen down. I'm not sure I'm following the counter-argument being presented here?
If you are concerned about power, get an extra supply or print out the sheet or both. If the counter is you absolutely must have the device on at all times for the entirety of the time that you are at an event, I suggest that paper might be a better choice for your needs then. For people without that restriction, there are ways to conserve and sustain your device.
For that matter, tablets that you could use just for displaying your sheet and not worrying that someone will drop and utterly destroy are pretty cheap. I'm not talking about some $700 dollar multi-function machine, but a cheap tablet for RPG gaming purposes can be had for $50 or less and work fairly well. A back up copy of your sheet on your phone and you have two devices that I'd hope could survive long enough to be recharged. :)
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If a player intends to be fully electronic, then they would need to be responsible for having enough power to run the device, just like if they forgot or lost their character sheets.
In either instance they'd end up with a pregen.
It is the same matter of personal responsibility either way.
People can argue all day about machine specs and battery life, but in the end the player is responsible for their stuff. The only way this should matter is if Statistically not Theoretically or Anecdotally tablets/laptops become a problem.
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10 Luddite DM will not handle tabletNot wanting to inadvertently damage someone's often expensive device than may contain irreplaceable data does not make one a Luddite.
My tablet was $30. It's serviceable, but not that big of an investment. It's my $300 laptop I might be hesitant just handing to an unknown person. Which is why I bring my pdfs on my tablet. That way I have something I am okay handing to the GM.
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As I understand it, you still have to bring your physical Chronicle Sheets with your character (although I'd understand if Tonya's ruling allowed scanned versions).
If physical Chronicles are still required, just quickly jot down your stats on the back of your most recent sheet before your battery dies.
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How can you play an RPG without having your character sheet available at all times?
Well, I imagine there are swaths of time that you don't need to stare at it and can save power on your device by closing the screen down. I'm not sure I'm following the counter-argument being presented here?
If you are concerned about power, get an extra supply or print out the sheet or both. If the counter is you absolutely must have the device on at all times for the entirety of the time that you are at an event, I suggest that paper might be a better choice for your needs then. For people without that restriction, there are ways to conserve and sustain your device.
For that matter, tablets that you could use just for displaying your sheet and not worrying that someone will drop and utterly destroy are pretty cheap. I'm not talking about some $700 dollar multi-function machine, but a cheap tablet for RPG gaming purposes can be had for $50 or less and work fairly well. A back up copy of your sheet on your phone and you have two devices that I'd hope could survive long enough to be recharged. :)
I'm typically using Hero Lab to track conditions, damage, and buffs. Makes all that fiddly math a lot easier to do on the fly. Sure I can close the laptop to conserve power, but during combat I'm probably having to update my status regularly. And some sessions end up being 5 hours of non-stop combat after a poor decision triggers all the fights at once :)
That said, I do have my power saver settings arranged so my laptop can go for about 6 hours of constant use before it needs to be shut down. If the table is near a working outlet, I may be able to plug it in too.
Even so, I do like having a physical sheet as backup.
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Why does it have to be entirely the player's choice? We can "have a character sheet you don't mind handing to the GM if requested," but what about "a character sheet the GM doesn't mind handing?" Due to the [albeit very limited] chance of damage, I am not comfortable handling someone's device and standing behind them trying to get them to click where you want to look next is not ideal. It will likely slow an already arduous task, especially if I only want to do a quick scan looking for anything that should peak my interest.
A printed character sheet is more accommodating and is virtually indestructible from handling. A GM's job is already an extremely involved one that starts well before the game session and often after it ends. I don't understand the [insistent] need to make it harder than it needs to be. Just print a copy of your PC. Its just a few pieces of paper and minimal amounts of ink. It hurts no one to be a tad more prepared. If you fear for the environment, we can recycle the paper. No worries. Not to mention, there is always the chance the digital device fails, not just from battery life, but a random crash. No one wants to be "forced" to play a pregen to complete their session. A printed character sheet solves the problem with a minimal of effort. No solution will be 100% fool-proof, but having a printed sheet to backup your device covers the widest possible conditions with the fewest potential problems.
Explore! Report! Cooperate!
Just for a counterpoint:
Multi-day convention, away form home. Playing the same PC through a series.Not easy to print out a "current" version of the same PC for 6-9 slots, with 1 or 2 level-ups happening.
Another exampel: I use a laser printer, and the toner cartridge, while it is good for about 2,500 pages, still runs out without warning, and sometimes I don't have enough disposable money available to buy a new toner right away.
Also, to those concerned about forcing the player to keep the pregen credit on the same PC who started the game, consider the opposite side of the coin. It is very possible that you start the game with a PC at, for example, 5th level in a teir 1-5 scenario. For some reason, your device dies/someone spills molasses on your character sheet, what-have-you, forcing you to play a pregen instead of your real PC. However, because of the situation, the pregen is not only not as optimized/focused as your real PC, it is lower level, increasing the risk factor. Is that fair, especially if it isn't your fault you have to switch to a pregen?