Pathfinder 1E Buying Adventure Paths one at a time?

[plancktum]

Hi,

I'm thinking of using Pathfinder APs (or parts of them) for my 13th Age Group.
I've recently started Rise of the Runelords and I found it so well written that I thought I could use Carrion Crown for my other group (see my other thread here: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showth...ion-Crown-within-my-Campaign&prefixid=13thage ).

So... But in contrast to ROTRL Carrion Crown (and all the other APs) come in 6 single Books. Now I do not want to buy all of them at one time. Do you think it is completely possible to buy the first one and as this one reaches the end buy the second one and so on?
Or do I need all of them at the Beginning to run the campaign properly?

best regards

P.s.: Would be nice if you could check out my other thread and give me some advice if carrion crown is the right choice for my plans

 

[delericho]

So... But in contrast to ROTRL Carrion Crown (and all the other APs) come in 6 single Books. Now I do not want to buy all of them at one time. Do you think it is completely possible to buy the first one and as this one reaches the end buy the second one and so on?

No reason that shouldn't work - after all, lots of people start up their campaigns when the first volume comes out, and the others are thus not available at all.

I would recommend trying to get the next volume a session or two in advance of your group finishing the previous one, though - just to have that bit more time to prepare/foreshadow.

Or do I need all of them at the Beginning to run the campaign properly?

Having said the above, I should note that it is my own preference to get all the volumes before I start - my experience with "Shackled City" was that later episodes lacked a little something because I couldn't see how they were going from the start. (Of course, the modern APs always have a full-campaign summary in the first chapter, so that might well negate that concern.)

 

[Morrus]

Totally workable. Most aren't so complex that you have to know every detail way in advance, though having a broad overview from another source is probably a really good idea.

 

[Lindeloef]

It really depends on the Adventure Path though.

For example in Kingmaker the BBEG doesn't show up till the last(?) Book or so and there are little hints for the party to actually know that the BBEG is behind all this.
There it really helps to have read the whole AP so that you as the DM work the Boss more into the game.

Someone told me that you should do the same for the Jade Regent AP.

 

[Wicht]

As has been said, I think it depends on the AP. Most of them will do well enough if you don't have the full picture, but at the same time, you may find, as a GM, when you get to the 4th or 5th module that it takes a turn you hadn't anticipated properly and your enthusiasm will wane. You, as a GM, want to be invested in the whole storyline (I found, after starting Legacy of Fire and loving the first two adventures, that I thawed a lot on reading the fifth adventure and realizing it was going to be, for me, a slog, and the campaign faltered). My suggestion would be to make sure, even if you haven't thoroughly read the whole AP, you have glanced through each one to know what the future holds.

I would also suggest making sure you are at least 2 books ahead in your purchasing so that you can better prep and foreshadow. That is, have at least the 3rd bought when you begin the 1st.

 

[Kinak]

Do you think it is completely possible to buy the first one and as this one reaches the end buy the second one and so on?
Or do I need all of them at the Beginning to run the campaign properly?

Your experience with RotR should help you make this decision. How much did you actually change the plot or foreshadow future events?

If you ended up changing a lot, I'd lean towards staying an issue or two ahead. If you didn't change much or anything, plotwise, stick with getting the next issue as the PCs approach it (just be sure to give time for shipping!)

Even if you weren't making changes because of future events, having an issue or two in advance helps to make sure you don't break connections to the future issues.

If you're still unsure, I'd say split the difference and grab the first two issues to start. You can adjust your lead up or down from there.

P.s.: Would be nice if you could check out my other thread and give me some advice if carrion crown is the right choice for my plans

Heading over

Cheers!
Kinak