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So I've been trying to find more ways to get into PF2 games since the release. Obviously in the past months it's been really challenging to find any new game groups and while I have one, I'm the DM and have yet to get to play more than a level of any of my PbP characters so far.
I've heard more than a few people suggest Pathfinder Society as a way to get my fix, but haven't figured out how to really get started on it. Could somebody help me out with info, or at least a link to info that'll get me going with a step-by-step?
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To start off, let me make sure your expectations are reasonable.
PFS is organized play, meaning that flexibility for character creation as well as GM discretion are limited. There are additional in-game rules about access to Uncommon items, etc. There are also additional out-of-game rules about reporting games, requirements that you own materials that your characters draw from, and an Achievement Point (AcP) mechanic that you can use to "buy" boons.
I'll be frank, I'm not a fan of all the rules. But it's the price to pay for the ability to play with people across the country / across the world. That's the real payoff: that you can show up to a hobby shop in Idaho, and they're playing by the same rules as the massive convention you attended in Amsterdam, and they're playing by the same rules as a PbP game you play in your underwear.
If that tradeoff sounds reasonable, then PFS should work out.
All those additional rules can be found at http://www.organizedplayfoundation.org/
The site is ... sprawling. :\
For PFS2, the exact page for the Guide is
http://www.organizedplayfoundation.org/encyclopedia/pfs2guide/
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The first thing you'll need is a PFS number. It's a number used to track all the games you've played. Go to My Account -> My Profile, and there should be a box midway down the left column where you can register for a number. It should be a 7-digit number (mine is 2358909).
Your characters are identified with your PFS number plus the character number. My first PFS (1st edition) character is 2358909-1, my first PFS (2nd edition) character is 2358909-2001, my second PFS2 character is 2358909-2002, etc.
You can create a character by going to My Account -> Organized Play -> Register a New Pathfinder Society (second edition) Character. If it's for PbP, you'll need to fill stuff in, but if it's for F2F/VTT play, you don't.
Then you'll need to look for a game.
a. For face-to-face (F2F) games, your best bet is to reach out to a leader in your geographic region.
http://www.organizedplayfoundation.org/paizo/organized-play-regions/
b. For virtual tabletop (VTT) games, many (but not all) games are organized on Warhorn (https://warhorn.net/). VTT play has really grown during the pandemic, but it also means things are a little fragmented. I think a lot of games are also announced on Discord, but I don't know Discord well enough to help someone navigate. The games are run using Discord or Zoom for audio, plus Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds for visual.
c. For PbP, you can check the Cottonseed Lodge recruitment page:
https://paizo.com/campaigns/CottonseedPFSPbP2EPlaytest/recruiting&page= last
GM numbat1 has put together this guide for new PbP players. I think it's changed significantly since I last read it, but that just means it's even better than I remember. :)
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1o6rq-I_km2yJVjcqzlPJ1FyLAaX-hdzqI3j O5cKMw9I/edit#slide=id.g826999ab1c_8_0
There's a PbP convention going on right now (September 1 - mid November), so there aren't going to be very many games recruiting (most standard scenarios run 6-8 weeks, quests run 1.5-2 weeks).
Personal note: I'm happy to reserve you a spot in my next PbP game, but it may not be for several weeks (I'm GMing three games in the convention right now, one is moving very quickly and may be done by late September). Send me a PM if you're interested. This goes for anyone else who's reading this, as well - when I do fire up a game, I'll PM people on the list first, and then open recruitment to the unwashed masses afterwards.
All those additional rules can be found at Additional Rules
For PFS2, the exact page for the Guide is PFS2 Guide
a. For face-to-face (F2F) games, your best bet is to reach out to a leader in your geographic region Regions
c. For PbP, you can check the Cottonseed Lodge recruitment page: Cottonseed Lodge
GM numbat1 has put together this guide for new PbP players. I think it's changed significantly since I last read it, but that just means it's even better than I remember. :)
New PbP Players Guide
Linkified
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The main organized play discord server is at pfschat.com
If you go there you'll get LOTS and LOTS of advice. And there are games being advertised every day.
Alternatively, go to warhorn and search for games. Right now MOST of those games are online but you need to confirm that.
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The main organized play discord server is at pfschat.com
Wow, I didn't know that!
This is all very useful information! Thanks!