TOPIC: Suggestion for volunteer training in 2016

I wanted to post this here to get feedback well in advance for GenCon 2016. As a new volunteer I felt the training was kind of crazy and not comprehensive. I do want to acknowledge that organizing and training all of these volunteers at all is impressive, and for returning volunteers it was probably just fine. But I had a few ideas I wanted to share.

The big idea is around the Golden Ticket runs which are also used for training. I wanted feedback on this because it may be a pretty unpopular suggestion, but I at least wanted to hear thoughts on it. I feel like the GT runs are not great training for the coaches and DMs because we have pre-printed party cards, complicated builds, are running on nightmare, etc.

What if Golden Ticket runs were greedy sealed-pack runs, so you actually get a 10-pack each AND you can use your goodie bag, plus treasure-enhancers you bring with you. It could be run on Normal, Hardcore, or Nightmare as players prefer. This would be a better training experience for coaches and new DMs, in my opinion.

Now in order to make up for the extra risk for the players, the GT runs could guarantee experience points as if you made it to the last room, or perhaps each player gets one free virtual Savior Stone for that run, and/or the party gets all treasure stamps automatically.

It is just a thought that might help out trainees. Some other thoughts I had would involve a pre-training for first-time volunteers, for example:

3-3:30PM: Intro to volunteering only for new volunteers
3:30-4: Volunteer kick-off (all volunteers)
4-4:30: Rule/token changes, clarifications, etc for DMs and coaches
4:30-5: Prepare for GT run
5-7: GT run/training

The likelihood of me getting on a golden ticket run is slim to none but that sort of run does sound like a lot of fun, particularly with the golden ticket bag of URs

It's an interesting idea... Not sure what I think or how well it would go over with the big GT players.

I think the GT runs are great for the GMs. The more complicated party cards are the better. My group has extremely complicated party cards and gear, I rather have the training provide realistic view of possible gear and party cards early than walking in the first time and bam surprise the DM.

I rather have a DM get a Nightmare on the GT run to work out issues before TD starts. This year had issues in room 6 for normal and nightmare groups, better chance of figuring this out before TD starts.

GT extra risk is they have a chance at special loot or gear that other runs don't get. Don't really think the GT run needs anything else. Also this run is not paid for as the other TD runs.

I personally think its a bad idea to give extra items or experience to a GT run, they already get some really nice beanies.

Kaledor wrote: I think the GT runs are great for the GMs. The more complicated party cards are the better. My group has extremely complicated party cards and gear, I rather have the training provide realistic view of possible gear and party cards early than walking in the first time and bam surprise the DM.

I rather have a DM get a Nightmare on the GT run to work out issues before TD starts. This year had issues in room 6 for normal and nightmare groups, better chance of figuring this out before TD starts.

GT extra risk is they have a chance at special loot or gear that other runs don't get. Don't really think the GT run needs anything else. Also this run is not paid for as the other TD runs.

I personally think its a bad idea to give extra items or experience to a GT run, they already get some really nice beanies.

I do agree that no bonus xp should be given.

you are mainly talking coaches here...so what could be done..is for new(er) coaches..is maybe coordinators make up token bags with medium builds and have experience coaches sit down...then the newer could go through them like they are players and fill out cards

Mention to combat DMs that players don't need to use a weapon to attack. I don't even remember how many times I had to argue about that.
Also clearly define "target." We can heal monsters if we want to.

There seems to be great demand for the golden ticket runs as they are currently set up. Perhaps consider a 2nd set of silver runs following 12 minutes behind the golden ticket that are either just the sealed packs or each participant is provided a 'reasonable' red and lower token set for a class. I would think the goodie bag for that type of run could manage to be just 1-2 purples and still attract people (maybe a PYP so the big sellers would be able to get $100 for reselling).

If it's logistically difficult to set that up as a silver ticket provided to people, maybe have some of the more experienced volunteers run as a party giving the less experienced volunteers a chance to practice. (Maybe this happens already, but I haven't seen it mentioned)

I think this would also help figure out if the combats are balanced. I think at least the last 2 years a DM has said they had to nerf a room a lot because of too many deaths. With the gear level of the people shelling out $1000+ for entry to the golden ticket run, there's no way it's going to give a good idea of room balance for entry/intermediate level players.

There are just too many limitations on time to do much more than we did this year. Many volunteers don't arrive in time for training, and we have to be out of the hall by a certain time (8:00?). Extra meetings and runs are just a luxury we haven't been able to fit in.

Would it be possible to have practice boards....or pictures of slid tokens on a board for new combat DMs to work out the tokens that hit and practice calculating damage. This would allow for practice before the con and would lead to faster calculations of damage.

For coaches at least, they could practice on the GT run. They already have a filled-out card, so grab a blank one and see if the trainees can come up with the correct solution.

Lode

Lodestone (KH) wrote: For coaches at least, they could practice on the GT run. They already have a filled-out card, so grab a blank one and see if the trainees can come up with the correct solution.

Lode

Not a bad idea. Give each trainee one or two GT runners and see if they can match the preprinted party card.