TOPIC: Handing out VTD consumable tokens - Discuss amongst yourselves

I had asked about this on the thread about the new VTD dates, and someone recommended that it could be moved to its own thread.

I was thinking about how to pass on tokens I consume during VD runs. There has been a small amount of healing, but as a wizard with a MEC there could be more. There are many dusts (to boost spell damage). I was just wondering about the best way to distribute them. Mine will be mostly useful for spellcasters.

I don't want to add responsibilities to anyone, but some of the options I thought of were:
make a supply for coaches to hand out, since they will know who the new players are
a box for new players to pull from when they sign in and get their 10-token pack
hanging around TD and approaching people to offer them tokens
mail to volunteers at non-GC events (once the world returns to a more normal state) - they would have far more new players, I would think

What do you think? What might you do?

I don’t like the idea of potentially a lot of us giving the coaches thousands of tokens to hand out. They have enough work anyway. Sure 1 person may only have a few tokens but between everyone playing it is potentially a lot of tokens.

I play in a fair number of pug runs during when physical TD happens. That is where my plan to distribute them comes. I know not everyone does that so it will not work for everyone. Younger players playing TD might not be newer players but they are those that are most likely to get the biggest thrill of getting something so that is also a decent option (with their guardian’s permission). I also think swinging by where the big traders are set might find you newer players more easily. If they are trading Monster Trophies for gear they could probably use a few more tokens, imo.

I usually do about 3 random runs at Gen Con every year. My plan has been to make additional packs for each consumable I use with the consumable and some other decent tokens to hand out before the adventure.

jedibcg wrote: I don’t like the idea of potentially a lot of us giving the coaches thousands of tokens to hand out. They have enough work anyway. Sure 1 person may only have a few tokens but between everyone playing it is potentially a lot of tokens.

I play in a fair number of pug runs during when physical TD happens. That is where my plan to distribute them comes. I know not everyone does that so it will not work for everyone. Younger players playing TD might not be newer players but they are those that are most likely to get the biggest thrill of getting something so that is also a decent option (with their guardian’s permission). I also think swinging by where the big traders are set might find you newer players more easily. If they are trading Monster Trophies for gear they could probably use a few more tokens, imo.

I definitely agree the coaches don't need anything else to do!

jedibcg wrote: I don’t like the idea of potentially a lot of us giving the coaches thousands of tokens to hand out. They have enough work anyway. Sure 1 person may only have a few tokens but between everyone playing it is potentially a lot of tokens.

I play in a fair number of pug runs during when physical TD happens. That is where my plan to distribute them comes. I know not everyone does that so it will not work for everyone. Younger players playing TD might not be newer players but they are those that are most likely to get the biggest thrill of getting something so that is also a decent option (with their guardian’s permission). I also think swinging by where the big traders are set might find you newer players more easily. If they are trading Monster Trophies for gear they could probably use a few more tokens, imo.

Jedi - I love that idea of doing pug runs and just giving out extra tokens to people. I will definitely plan to do that next year!

What would be ideal would be to find people doing their second run ever. First run people might not return and the effort is lost. Second run shows they like it and want to do it more.

Fred

I was thinking I could offer to send new players/PUGs some of my tokens, but of course if they are new players they are not very likely to be here on the forums.

What about translating the value of the consumables that you have used and substituting it with a really good overall item (or a class item). I am going to have at least $200-$300 in consumables before next August used (with additional runs announced, maybe double that). I was thinking of doing an envelope with a semi-lich skull and 2-3 teeth to represent $250. Alternately, treating gold nuggets as $125 and doing 2 of them. I'd also include a couple random consumables like healing and a damage scroll. This way, the player gets something they'd want long term. The downside is only a small number of people would get them.

Thoughts?

Fred

Something you might be able to do is split your consumables into several bags depending how many you used. Then at the next con just walk up and down the coaching room every so often and drop off a bag at each table that doesn't already have them. Be sure to leave a note so people know what it is(we could make a default note that is laminated and left at the table), and that they are free to take them if they think they need them. This way coaches and trainers do not have to worry about the appearance of picking favorites or having awkward conversations. The groups coming through would be on the honor system just like us. The coaches can be told of the situation to encourage beginners to take them, but I don't think they can really be involved in who gets them and what not.

Fred K wrote:
What would be ideal would be to find people doing their second run ever. First run people might not return and the effort is lost. Second run shows they like it and want to do it more.

Fred

Very valid point, or after their first run, they may know if they want to return. "Was this your first run?" "Yes." "Want to do it again?" "Yes." "Here have some tokens to help you out."

Fred K wrote: What about translating the value of the consumables that you have used and substituting it with a really good overall item (or a class item). I am going to have at least $200-$300 in consumables before next August used (with additional runs announced, maybe double that). I was thinking of doing an envelope with a semi-lich skull and 2-3 teeth to represent $250. Alternately, treating gold nuggets as $125 and doing 2 of them. I'd also include a couple random consumables like healing and a damage scroll. This way, the player gets something they'd want long term. The downside is only a small number of people would get them.

Thoughts?

Fred

TBTP have expressed that consumables should be either:

a. Destroyed.
b. Given to new players with the statement 'Jeff told me to give this to you.'

Anyone contemplating doing something else needs to secure approval from TPTB before doing something other than what was stated.

Personally, I think giving individual random strangers hundreds of dollars worth of stuff is likely to be awkward and lead to problems even though it's well intentioned.

I also suspect giving a few tokens worth a lot of money to one person has much less beneficial community building effects than giving a larger number of tokens to a larger number of people.

Coaches are usually quite busy so I recommend that IF you're going to distribute them yourselves, try and find rooms the coach hasn't entered yet. That way the new players can marvel over their good fortune and read the tokens thereby causing fewer questions for the coach when they eventually do enter the room.

My Personal feelings: As a coach, I wouldn't mind people dropping envelopes or small ziploc bags clearly labeled by class which I could distribute appropriately.

Stu will occasionally drop in and give away tokens to newbies and they absolutely LOVE it. Especially the younger ones.

Matthew Hayward wrote:

Fred K wrote: What about translating the value of the consumables that you have used and substituting it with a really good overall item (or a class item). I am going to have at least $200-$300 in consumables before next August used (with additional runs announced, maybe double that). I was thinking of doing an envelope with a semi-lich skull and 2-3 teeth to represent $250. Alternately, treating gold nuggets as $125 and doing 2 of them. I'd also include a couple random consumables like healing and a damage scroll. This way, the player gets something they'd want long term. The downside is only a small number of people would get them.

Thoughts?

Fred

TBTP have expressed that consumables should be either:

a. Destroyed.
b. Given to new players with the statement 'Jeff told me to give this to you.'

Anyone contemplating doing something else needs to secure approval from TPTB before doing something other than what was stated.

Personally, I think giving individual random strangers hundreds of dollars worth of stuff is likely to be awkward and lead to problems even though it's well intentioned.

I also suspect giving a few tokens worth a lot of money to one person has much less beneficial community building effects than giving a larger number of tokens to a larger number of people.

You do have a point about more valuable tokens potentially being troublesome if someone in a group gets it but others don't, etc..