TOPIC: Number of backup class builds for in-person PUGs?

How many backup class builds do people bring to in-person PUG runs?

I ask because I am trying to decide if I should pull some tokens out of the mulch pile I'm saving towards an Ashenne's transmute and apply them to a spell-focused Cleric build. I currently have builds for Elf, Wizard, Bard, and Druid, and since switching to Elf primary I've always been able to run it -- but I just keep imagining some newbie at GenCon dreaming of running Frieren so I want to have backup GenCon/Origins builds.

This seemingly simple question can become far more complicated. Due to several negative experiences I have a rule that I do not loan tokens. Unless I know you well it is unlikely I will hand you any tokens. If I do it is because I am willing to assume I will not be getting it back. I do however have extra things like Rings of Heroism that I "Loan" without them leaving my possession. I just have the adventurer leave the slot empty and I tell the room coach who is borrowing what. It seems to work fine.

Now to be more specific to your question. I maintain 4 builds. Mine and my sons are easily the best. Both contain enough tokens to play any class though the resulting builds may not be equal in quality. I do have 2 loaner builds that get the leftovers and are of decent quality. Though even here I tend to keep them with Rare Weapons as weapons are most likely to be misplaced or damaged. We have a few friends and family members that sometimes will do a run with us. I trust them enough with my tokens.

I have a s small collection of tokens I keep for various reasons. Everything else goes in the transmute pile or to be used as trade bait.

As most pickup games are run on normal, I tend to keep a "build" ready for each class, so newer players can choose first and I have something.

Often it is just using a legendary weapon and little to nothing else, or perhaps defensive items only.

Remember, normal is meant to be played with just a 10 pack, and you'll be given one of those.

And of course all my TEs. Can't forget those.

When I do a PUG, I try to act as a unofficial ambassador for TD. Talking the game up, congratulating others, etc.

If people want to "borrow" tokens (without borrowing, agree that anything you loan you should never expect back) I'm happy to do that as well.

Are you asking about builds for yourself in case other players really want your preferred classes, or builds that you could loan to folks? If it's for you, Elf, Wizard, Bard and Druid already gives you a lot of flexibility. Since they're all spell casters, it wouldn't take much to flip to Cleric as well. (And rarely is anyone mad about having a strong support class like Bard, Cleric, or Druid in the party.) As others have mentioned, since PUGs often play on Normal, honestly, it seems like having ~5 Cleric-specific tokens (heavy armor, shield, helm, cleric weapon and a cleric neck) would be plenty to give you a decent build in conjunction with whatever you had on hand for the others (rings, shirt, feet, ioun stones, charms, etc.).

ETA: At Normal, rare Cleric-specific tokens would probably do it. So no need to dig too deep into the mulch pile.

ETA Thought 2: The other option, depending on what tokens you have, is to create a "few token build," where you only use a few of whatever higher level tokens you have, plus a Cleric-specific weapon. So if you normally use the Kilt of Dungeonbane, Boots of Four Winds and/or Skull of Cavadar to get +1 level, leave that on, grab a Cleric weapon, and there you go. Maybe keep a nice cloak on to boost saves. You're a 5th level Cleric running normal. Or if your usual builds run toward URs, keep your Ring of Heroism/Totem of Wonder (or Charming Set, Arcane Set, or what have you), grab a Cleric weapon, and you're good.

ETA Thought 3: Having Lenses of Divine Sight or the Kilt of Divine Healing would also make you a very attractive Cleric in any PUG. So I guess there's ~6 tokens, but maybe you already have one or both for when you play Druid?

Thanks for the great advice!

My backup builds are for myself in case the new folks want to play my primary class. To help new folks, I give each one some any-class-usable rares as a “Welcome to TD!” gift. That way they get something that’s a “wow” for them and I don’t have to worry about getting anything back.

Also, great point that because in-person PUGs run at a lower level I don’t need many tokens for a usable build! A cleric build it is!

Andy Strassmann wrote: Also, great point that because in-person PUGs run at a lower level I don’t need many tokens for a usable build! A cleric build it is!

Just to prove I'm not totally overthinking it (I am), the other thing that comes to mind is that a Cleric can wear almost anything a Druid can wear. In a PUG situation, you might even be fine using your Druid build as a Cleric, as long as you have a Cleric weapon and maybe a Cleric-specific neck. Sure, the Cleric can wear heavy armor, but you don't have to. Try putting your usual Druid PUG build into one of the character generators as a Cleric, and see how it looks--I bet with just a handful of inexpensive tokens, it would be totally fine on Normal, maybe even HC.

In the pre-covid days when I got several PUG runs, I brought a dex based build (I usually play Elf) and a Strength based build. Shared armor, most tokens shared, a couple spare weapons. It was fun to see how to build the classes with as few tokens as possible. Last two years however, I was only able to get sealed pack runs, so I brought only one token. My Badge of Nobility. Weird to carry only one token to a con.

I learned my lesson this year when I couldn't Bard and had to drum up a character on the fly. After years of playing I have enough tokens to maintain Normal-ready builds for all 12 classes. It's trivial to just print the sheets and keep them in a binder. Trick is to find the balance point of not steamrolling things on Normal.