Official Pathfinder Society Guide: How to Join, Play, and Report

1. Why this resource matters

Pathfinder Society organized play is the official, community-driven way to play Pathfinder scenarios with consistent rules and rewards. These official pages are the canonical starting point—they tell you how to make Society-legal characters, how reporting and Achievement Points work, and how to find or run events so you’re playing on the same page as everyone else.

2. Getting started: the essential first steps

Start by creating a Paizo account, which is required to register characters and participate in Organized Play; this account is your gateway to Warhorn, event listings, and Chronicle tracking. Next, register your character in the Organized Play system so you have a legal identity for reporting and rewards. Finally, find events through Paizo’s event listings, Warhorn signups, or local gaming groups and conventions—these are the primary places tables form and campaigns run.

3. Character options and legal-source rules

Pathfinder Society enforces which books and options are legal in play; consult the Character Options listings to confirm what you can use when building characters. Legal-source rules also include errata and clarifications, so before a session double-check those pages to avoid surprises at the table. Staying current on legality keeps your character eligible for organized rewards and avoids corrective bookkeeping later.

4. Proof of ownership and licensed content

For licensed Organized Play, proof-of-ownership rules can apply—this ensures that players using third-party or licensed products meet the program’s expectations. If you want to include material from a non-core source, verify the Organized Play policy on proof of ownership and have any needed proof ready for coordinators. This protects you and the table from disputes and preserves the integrity of Society-legal play.

5. Using pregenerated characters and quickstarts

If you’re new or introducing someone, use Paizo’s pregenerated characters and quickstart scenario materials to get into the flow quickly without a long build session. Pregens are excellent for learning scenario pacing, rules interactions, and table roles before investing in a full build. Veterans can also use pregens to run pickup sessions or to help new GMs learn scenario structure.

7. Tracking rewards: Achievement Points and boons

Achievement Points (AP) and boons are the rewards you earn through organized play; they represent in-game progress and unlocks overseen by the Society rules. Regularly check your character’s record after reporting to confirm AP were applied correctly and boons were granted as described by event outcomes. If discrepancies appear, contact your event coordinator or consult the Organized Play pages to resolve them.

8. Coordinator and GM guidance: creating events and reporting sessions

If you want to run events, use the event creation tools on Paizo/Warhorn and follow the official event guidelines so players know scenario level, hook, and table limits. After running a scenario, report sessions accurately—which includes submitting Chronicle Sheets and any required coordinator notes—so players receive their proper credit. Coordinators should also lean on official scenario resources and community tools to ensure consistent expectations and fair adjudication.

9. Resources and habit checks every player should use

Make a habit of consulting the Character Options and Errata pages before sessions, and bookmark the Paizo Pathfinder Society FAQ and Organized Play pages as your authoritative references. Back up all records—Chronicle Sheets, registration confirmations, and correspondence—and teach new players to do the same to avoid administrative headaches. Use community tools like Warhorn for signups and local Discords or meetup groups to keep your table full and informed.

10. Final tips and practical wisdom

Play a few low-level scenarios and move at a pace that helps you learn both rules and table etiquette; experience is the best teacher for handling Society bookkeeping and in-game choices. Keep your paperwork tidy, report promptly, and communicate with coordinators—those small admin habits keep the game fun for everyone. Above all, treat sessions as shared stories: the more you contribute to smooth play and honest reporting, the more the community rewards you with good tables, boons, and memorable sessions.