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I've had this come up a couple times now, especially as these later scenarios are fairly full of difficult-to-obtain treasure bundles where in some it's near impossible to get all ten - for example, in 1-19 there's a bundle that's tied to having someone at the table get a critical success on a Society check - this will be a missed bundle over 50% of the time.
However, what troubles me is the Grand Archive Meticulous Appraisal Service Boon where a GA player can spend 2 Fame to get an extra TB if some were missed. I've had it come up twice now, and it's almost impossible for the GA player to refuse this to everybody else at the table without feeling bad, but it's also the case that, especially at low levels, a single TB is hardly worth 2 Fame.
I feel like this is intended to create situations where the GA player gets to feel great that they're saving the day for the party, but that hasn't happened yet. In practice the cost of this Service often isn't worth it, and both times the player kinda begrudgingly spent the Fame. Everybody at the table can say "No hard feelings if you choose not to" but in reality nobody likes to feel like they're being the bad guy.
I don't like this - it either shouldn't have a cost or should work like a slottable Faction boon - the GA player could choose to slot this at the start of the session and the extra TB will be gained at the end if needed. That, I think, would have the intended effect - if you slotted this boon you are a hero at the end of the scenario if it was necessary, and if you didn't slot it, there's no pressure.
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There's still the open issue of 'do you need to have an open/unused slot to use a service boon'. So its equally wasted either way under some interpretations.
So far at the tables where I've played/GMd its always been the GA player(s) to offer, rather than anyone asking "Any GA player", but I can see with increased awareness of the boon, that might change.
Venture-Captain, Nebraska—Bellevue
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... but it's also the case that, especially at low levels, a single TB is hardly worth 2 Fame ...
I'll happily concede the point that no one should feel compelled to to spend Fame (or other resources) because other players expect it. But, I wanted to come back to the value of that 2 fame expenditure.
There's an all factions boon, available at tier 0 (ie, as soon as you have any fame) that kind of sets the bar for gp value for boons. The Wayfinder all factions boon. For 2 Fame, you can own a level 2 magic item worth 28 gold. You'd have to be 8th level before a single treasure bundle gets to 30gp.
Meticulous Appraisal is a Tier 2 boon for Grand Archive members. Which means you need to have a 30 reputation (which means you earned 30 fame) and are probably half way through 3rd level. Assuming you spent a few fame on other things AND you are banking 25 fame for that emergency Raise Dead -- That means you'll likely be 4th level before you want to consider using Meticulous Appraisal. Your treasure bundles there are worth 10 gp each. So maybe not as valuable as the Wayfinder boon, but if you multiply that by 6 players, you've given 60gp back to the table. Which is pretty useful.
If you compare that to the other boon I see a lot of people using, Storied Talent (Horizon Hunters, Tier 2). That costs you 4 Fame. Granted, you only have to buy it once and slot it. A normal third level character could earn 1.6 gp per session (trained success, lvl 1 task) and the Storied talent player can earn 4 gp per session (trained success, lvl 3 task). Net 2.4 gp per session difference. Jumps to a 3.2gp per session difference at 4th level.
So Storied Talent is looking at roughly 10 sessions to match the 30gp of the wayfinder boon. But since he paid 4 fame, they really need 20 sessions to break even against that mark -- assuming they always get a success. Takes longer if you fail a few dice rolls.
Compare it to Meticulous Appraisal. The HH Storied Talent player will take roughly four sessions to make up the 10 gold he lost from one treasure bundle at fourth level (again, depending on dice rolls). The GA Meticulous Appraisal player gets to keep that treasure bundle AND still make an Earn Income check.
Agreed, no one should feel pressured to spend their resources because the table didn't get a treasure bundle. But I don't think Meticulous Appraisal is a losing trade by any stretch. Even as low as fourth level.
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While I very much appreciate the sentiment of the OP, I think the problem lies with the players, not the system.
Healers can sometimes be put into similar situations. Whom to heal and how, and if?
In the end, players that put pressure on other players purely for their own gain should be talked to by an event organizer. It is not cool and not what the OPF and game stands for.
