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Okay, going to attempt to get down what I think I know, and probably have wrong myself, as someone who plays pregens a bit.
1) Is there some official notation the GM is supposed to make on the chronicle sheet about how it is being applied, particularly in regards to applying a higher level chronicle to a new 1st level character?
I haven't seen it notated by GMs, but I have made the note on the character sheets I have held to 'x' level so I don't use them by mistake before their 'active time'?
2) What exactly does the "newly created" part of "a newly created, 1st-level character" mean? Can these chronicles sheets only be applied to a character that hasn't played any scenarios yet? (Ie, it must be Scenario Chronicle #1 for that character?) Or can it be applied to a level 1 character that has already played a scenario or two?
This is a very good question and am looking forward to hearing the answer on it. Because if the first route, it's very punishing and damaging to the community trying to build up a solid player base.
3) Is there a limit to how many pregen chronicles can be applied to a newly created character? Can it only be one chronicle (because it wouldn't be "new character" after that)? Can it only be 3 xp worth (because it wouldn't be a 1st level character after that?) Or can you apply as many as you want, possibly starting a new character at 3rd level or higher due to pregen credit?
Another good question, waiting to see the response on it.
4) Can you apply pregen credit from a Special to a new character? There was some confusion about that when I played a special with a pregen, because the rule says "from a higher-level sanctioned module or Adventure Path", and a special supposed is none of these?
This one I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, you can apply pregen credit from a Special to a new character.
5) Are you only allowed to play a pregen if you don't have a character of the appropriate level? I had one guy swearing up and down that you weren't allowed to play pregens unless you didn't have a high enough level character. I couldn't find this rule written anywhere? Anyone know what he may have been talking about?
At one point in the past, the rule on pregens was 'you should play your character THEN play a pregen if you don't have a choice'.
If you have a character in the range, you should be playing it, instead of a pregen.
6)If you play the first chronicle in a multi-part scenario with a pregen, and you wish to later play the other part(s) (for example Champion's Chalice Part 1 and Champion's Chalice Part 2), do the later parts have to be played with the same pregen? A different pregen? The character that the pregen's credit was applied to? Etc.
I have never seen a requirement to play *the same pregen* or a *different pregen*? The only consideration that I've seen is that if someone is familiar with one pregen, they may have a preference for playing that one over others?
And the credit for both parts would be applied to the character in question when they attain the level of the pregen played, so unless the 'held' 1st chronicle is leveled to before the subsequent installment in the chain, it'd still be pregens, I think?
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I can answer a couple of these. Note that pregens are supplied by the event organiser, who can decide which pregens to provide.
5) Are you only allowed to play a pregen if you don't have a character of the appropriate level? I had one guy swearing up and down that you weren't allowed to play pregens unless you didn't have a high enough level character. I couldn't find this rule written anywhere? Anyone know what he may have been talking about?
This hasn't been a rule. You can play a pregen whenever you choose to. You can only apply credit for a pregen to a character that is of lower level or (recently) a first level pregen chronicle to a first level character.
6)If you play the first chronicle in a multi-part scenario with a pregen, and you wish to later play the other part(s) (for example Champion's Chalice Part 1 and Champion's Chalice Part 2), do the later parts have to be played with the same pregen? A different pregen? The character that the pregen's credit was applied to? Etc.
You benefit from boons requiring playing the series with the same character, if and when the chronicles are all applied to the same actual character number. It doesn't matter which chronicles were earned with a pregen or what pregen you used.
Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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5) Are you only allowed to play a pregen if you don't have a character of the appropriate level? I had one guy swearing up and down that you weren't allowed to play pregens unless you didn't have a high enough level character. I couldn't find this rule written anywhere? Anyone know what he may have been talking about?
There used to be a badly formulated rule that made people think so, but that rule was removed. (The semantics were complicated. Now they're irrelevant.)
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5) Are you only allowed to play a pregen if you don't have a character of the appropriate level? I had one guy swearing up and down that you weren't allowed to play pregens unless you didn't have a high enough level character. I couldn't find this rule written anywhere? Anyone know what he may have been talking about?There used to be a badly formulated rule that made people think so, but that rule was removed. (The semantics were complicated. Now they're irrelevant.)
^ I can confirm this.
The player who was "swearing up and down" is going off of outdated (and contested at the time) information.
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2) What exactly does the "newly created" part of "a newly created, 1st-level character" mean? Can these chronicles sheets only be applied to a character that hasn't played any scenarios yet? (Ie, it must be Scenario Chronicle #1 for that character?) Or can it be applied to a level 1 character that has already played a scenario or two?
That was old language that was removed in previous versions of the guide. It somehow returned in the updating of the latest guide. Expect it to vanish again. You can apply a pregen credit to any 1st level character at the reduced gold listed. It does not have to be their first chronicle.
3) Is there a limit to how many pregen chronicles can be applied to a newly created character? Can it only be one chronicle (because it wouldn't be "new character" after that)? Can it only be 3 xp worth (because it wouldn't be a 1st level character after that?) Or can you apply as many as you want, possibly starting a new character at 3rd level or higher due to pregen credit?
Last I heard, you cannot apply a pregen credit to a character that is higher level than the pregen played. So you cannot apply a 1st level pregen credit to a 2nd level character.
In fact, I found the text mandating that.
Credit from a 1st-level pregenerated character can be applied only to a 1st-level character. Credit for playing higher- level pregenerated characters must be applied to a Roleplaying Guild character of a lower level than the
pregenerated character or to a newly created character.
4) Can you apply pregen credit from a Special to a new character? There was some confusion about that when I played a special with a pregen, because the rule says "from a higher-level sanctioned module or Adventure Path", and a special supposed is none of these?
Yes, you can. I expect the text will be updated to use the definitions listed in the glossary of the guide to dispel that confusion.
6)If you play the first chronicle in a multi-part scenario with a pregen, and you wish to later play the other part(s) (for example Champion's Chalice Part 1 and Champion's Chalice Part 2), do the later parts have to be played with the same pregen? A different pregen? The character that the pregen's credit was applied to? Etc.
There is no requirement to play any scenario with the same character, save in one or two very specific series. Playing the same character can have greater rewards, but in most cases it only matters who the credit is applied to. What pregen is played does not matter.
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1) Is there some official notation the GM is supposed to make on the chronicle sheet about how it is being applied, particularly in regards to applying a higher level chronicle to a new 1st level character?
No. A dm might want to make a note of it and put 500gp earned in the chronicle sheet but there's nothing they have to do.
2) What exactly does the "newly created" part of "a newly created, 1st-level character" mean? Can these chronicles sheets only be applied to a character that hasn't played any scenarios yet? (Ie, it must be Scenario Chronicle #1 for that character?) Or can it be applied to a level 1 character that has already played a scenario or two?
A "newly created" character is one that is still a ball of protoplasm: they have not been played at a level 1 and solidified.
A first level character is one with 2 experience points or less.
All first level characters are newly created but not all newly created characters are first level. A DM credit baby can come into existance at second, third, or even higher levels.
3) Is there a limit to how many pregen chronicles can be applied to a newly created character? Can it only be one chronicle (because it wouldn't be "new character" after that)? Can it only be 3 xp worth (because it wouldn't be a 1st level character after that?) Or can you apply as many as you want, possibly starting a new character at 3rd level or higher due to pregen credit?
3xp. Which could be six adventures
4) Can you apply pregen credit from a Special to a new character? There was some confusion about that when I played a special with a pregen, because the rule says "from a higher-level sanctioned module or Adventure Path", and a special supposed is none of these?
Yeah, that counts. A special is still a scenario.
5) Are you only allowed to play a pregen if you don't have a character of the appropriate level? I had one guy swearing up and down that you weren't allowed to play pregens unless you didn't have a high enough level character. I couldn't find this rule written anywhere? Anyone know what he may have been talking about?
Its discouraged but you can do it.
6)If you play the first chronicle in a multi-part scenario with a pregen, and you wish to later play the other part(s) (for example Champion's Chalice Part 1 and Champion's Chalice Part 2), do the later parts have to be played with the same pregen? A different pregen? The character that the pregen's credit was applied to? Etc.
The PFS number is the real you (you are your number citizen) as long as it goes with the number you're good.
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That is correct. No need to restrict it to newly created, 1st level characters.I haven't seen anyone mention this yet, so I will:
They cleared up the wording on pregen credit, allowing you to apply higher level pregen chronicles that are reduced down to 500gp to ANY first level character, not just newly-created ones.
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If you had three held chronicles from playing 4th or 7th level characters, when you finally hit 4th or 7th level, all three chronicles would immediately apply and raise the character to 5th or 7th.
(The "must be lower level than the pregen" clause is meant to be checked at the time of play, not application. You cannot apply a 7th level pregen credit to an 8th level character.)
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What about if you had four held chronicles from playing a 4th (or 7th) level pre-gen characters, then when your actual PC finally hit 4th (or 7th) level, the first three chronicles would immediately apply and raise the character to 5th (or 8th) and ... what would happen to the fourth chronicle? Your PC is not of the level ABOVE the Pre-gen you ran...
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The "must be lower level than the pregen" clause is meant to be checked at the time of play, not application.
At the time of play, your character was not 8th level. To avoid conflicts, do not play a pregen in a 3-7 and assign credit to someone already holding three chronicles.
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The "must be lower level than the pregen" clause is meant to be checked at the time of play, not application.At the time of play, your character was not 8th level. To avoid conflicts, do not play a pregen in a 3-7 and assign credit to someone already holding three chronicles.
LOL! oh, I would never have this problem. I just never assign the credit to anyone that has another chronicle. Mostly I would just shift it to a 1st level PC anyway...
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But that' only raising a character one level. Why the multiple levels clause if it's verboten?
2 levels, actually. 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th, 6th to 7th and 7th to 8th.
But consider that a 3rd level character could have 6 held chronicles in the 3-7 range. That would raise them from 3rd to 6th when they earned their next chronicle.
Again, you check the level of the character at the time you play the pregen, not when you apply the chronicle. Hence why you need to be aware of how many held chronicles you have in order to not level out of the tier on those held chronicles.
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Again, you check the level of the character at the time you play the pregen, not when you apply the chronicle. Hence why you need to be aware of how many held chronicles you have in order to not level out of the tier on those held chronicles.
Actually, my reading of the current rules is exactly the opposite of this - you check the level when applying the chronicles, not when actually playing. However, I do agree that you need to be careful when choosing the character number to whom chronicles will be applied to make sure that the chronicle will be legal when it comes time to apply it. For example, if you are playing a 4th level pregen in a level 1-5 scenario, make sure that the character to whom it is assigned has no more than five pending chronicles that will be applied upon reaching level 4, or it will level to 6 and the new chronicle cannot be applied legally.
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Then you would never be able to hold more than one chronicle. Or any, actually. Since you would be the same level as the pregen played, which is not allowed according to the "must be lower level than the pregen played" statement.
Okay - I think I misunderstood the reference to checking level at play time. Yes, the character to which credit is assigned must be lower level than the pregen character level at play time as well. So the character level is checked both at play time and when the chronicle is applied. For example, a player with a character who is level 1-3 may use a 4th level pregen for a scenario written for levels 1-5. When the character reaches 4th level, all pending chronicles are applied, even if the character reaches level 5, so long as it does not go to level 6 before it is time to apply the chronicle earned for the 1-5 scenario.
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Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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So if I understand it correctly, you
Can
Have more than 3 held chronicles, and you apply all of them when your PC levels up high enough to receive them. For example, a level 3 character becomes level 4 and applies six chronicles earned with level 4 pregens.
Can't
Apply a held chronicle to a character for an adventure whose maximum level is lower than the character's current level. For example, if you had 7 held chronicles from 1-5 adventures, and you're applying them to a PC that just become level 4. The first six chronicles would take him up to level 6, and at that point you can no longer apply the last chronicle for the 1-5 adventure.
Preventing the second case from occurring is the player's responsibility: you should keep an eye on who you're applying chronicles to. If you do something weird (like play a module when you're 1 XP away from level 4) you might screw yourself out of some held credit.
In other words: if you're going to play an unlikely amount of pregens, you need to do some planning.
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In other words: if you're going to play an unlikely amount of pregens, you need to do some planning.
It's NOT that 'unlikely' for folks who don't have a lot of characters in the mid to higher levels, when a lot of L1 evergreens are being run.
I had over two levels of credit on my -10 and had to really finagle and squeeze 'just so' to make sure that certain scenarios in story threads were still playable before I out-bracketed them.
No ego, I know I'm not the only one who has had this experience.