Trying to wrap my head around PFS coming from DND AL

[BrammyH]

Hi all,

I really only play RPGs twice a year at the two local cons to me (TotalCon, and Rising Phoenix in Mass). Seeing the overall popularity of PFS at the cons has me interested, and wow, did I buy rules. At any rate this isn't one of those "DND Player trying to 'convert' to PFS", but rather looking at the logistics of organized play. I can sort the rules out on my own. I am going to look at some of the Western MA online games as well.

1: For my first game I am likely going to go with an iconic Pregen. Can I change the vanity bits like name and gender?
2: Do I need to register that character on Piezo's site before my first game? I take it I just feed in the stats and bit? It has a field for character name with is already filled out with "BrammyH 143". Do I change that to the character name, or is it using my Forum handle name as the primary key field for my characters, and I'd just get another "BrammyH XXX"
3: I take it I would give the GM that info along with my main Pathfinder ID number?
4: Coming from D&D with DND Beyond, is https://pathbuilder2e.com where I could create and manage my character while playing?
5: If I like my pregen, I take I can just keep playing them?

[Super Zero]

1. I don't believe there's a stated policy, but I think it would be an unusual case for a GM to object.

2. Technically no, if you're playing a pregen, but since you've already registered an account it's easier if you do. You should change the name to match the name you're using for the character, since the GM or other reporter will see that and verify against what you gave them. Same for their faction, if applicable.
You don't need to fill in anything else.

3. Account number, character number, and the faction you want Reputation with (unless it's Starfinder 2e).

4. There is no required character sheet format. Pathbuilder isn't official, but it is popular.

5. You can play pregens as much as you want. They only exist at levels 1, 3, and 5, though. You could certainly copy one of the level 1 pregen character sheets exactly and build from there, if that's what you mean.

[Castilliano]

Note that the pregens are deliberately built average, with hiccups in their build or equipment choices. You may wish to tweak yours deeper than surface level (though do note that PF2 is very forgiving so average operates fine, hardly lags behind optimal). If so, mechanical tweaks kinda count as a new PC, so then double-check their wealth (which you'll have to do anyway if you start purchasing items or once you advance the pregen to 2nd).

And some have typos (more so with a higher level one copy-pasting an ability that should've advanced, like a Cantrip's damage), but I've seen I believe a Save that was off by one.

[BrammyH]

Thanks. This helps.

Looking at the character builders starting from scratch doesn't seem hard.

[Driftbourne]

Also, keep in mind that before you reach the 2nd level, you can rebuild your character, so if something you pick doesn't work the way you thought, or you find something better, you can change it. I love this, it really helps get rid of the fear of getting things right, especially when you are new.