When to refresh fellowship pool?

[Deadmanwalking]

Simple solutions are fine, when they work; for me, they don't in this case. In general I take issue with any game mechanic, of any game, that ties itself to an out-of-game-world device (ie, the end of a session) in order to drive/set an in-game resource (replenishment of fellowship pool). It's a pet hate.

Oh, totally. I just always feel the need to point them out when people come asking about a very specific problem.

Specific problems can often have other underlying root causes; often best to look deeper and discuss the specific issue in more detail to make sure.

I don't disagree, you were just already doing that one, so I felt someone should point out the other.

I play once a week for 3 hours. We fulfill most ToW or DoM adventures in 2/3 sessions.
Most of the time, I only allow for FP refreshment once (every 1.5 session, so to say), and only if there's a suitable moment for it: they manage to escape some enemies and find a refuge where they can rest and recover, something magical occurs (they find elves that offer their protection for one or two days in the road), a great Evil has been defeated and the world seem better for the time being, etc.

Well, as noted, if you're doing it less than three times per adventure or so, you're throwing off the balance from the designers intent. That's cool, and works, but creates a slightly different game dynamic (a slightly lower powered/more desperate one, I'd imagine). Just noting that for the record.

[Falenthal]

I play once a week for 3 hours. We fulfill most ToW or DoM adventures in 2/3 sessions.
Most of the time, I only allow for FP refreshment once (every 1.5 session, so to say), and only if there's a suitable moment for it: they manage to escape some enemies and find a refuge where they can rest and recover, something magical occurs (they find elves that offer their protection for one or two days in the road), a great Evil has been defeated and the world seem better for the time being, etc.

Well, as noted, if you're doing it less than three times per adventure or so, you're throwing off the balance from the designers intent. That's cool, and works, but creates a slightly different game dynamic (a slightly lower powered/more desperate one, I'd imagine). Just noting that for the record.

The fact is that, after 6 full adventures, no hero is even near a Bout of Madness. I don't think they should, as we haven't arrived to 2951, where everything becomes darker and harder, but their personal Hope is diminishing rather slowly. Some of the heroes are even full in their Hope. I think it does not only relate to the time of the session, but also to how difficult the LM makes the TNs and how many times per adventure the companions must face Corruption tests. It's not the same to have a series of adventures where they must travel along safe Anduin Vales and face a human threat (Kinstrife, for instance), than to cross the Mirkwood along the forgotten Old Forest Road and fight against the Werewolf and some wights from ancient tombs.

The ratio you point out is the proposed by the game, but I think it's also important that every group finds his own ratio to keep the game interesting: not too desperate, but not too easy.

[Glorelendil]

I think it also depends on the player(s), Falenthal. I hardly ever spend Hope (my usual test is "are we gonna TPK if I don't?") but I've played with other people who spend it like there's no tomorrow.

[zedturtle]

I've always been told I'm a pushover when it come to Shadow points, but we've got (at almost the end of Tales) one hero that just had a Bout of Madness, one undergoing one presently and one more character that is Miserable.

I almost think that the transition from high to low has been more dramatic because it has been so stark.

And yes, I can confirm that Glorelendil is Miserly with his Hope Points.

[Deadmanwalking]

The fact is that, after 6 full adventures, no hero is even near a Bout of Madness. I don't think they should, as we haven't arrived to 2951, where everything becomes darker and harder, but their personal Hope is diminishing rather slowly. Some of the heroes are even full in their Hope. I think it does not only relate to the time of the session, but also to how difficult the LM makes the TNs and how many times per adventure the companions must face Corruption tests. It's not the same to have a series of adventures where they must travel along safe Anduin Vales and face a human threat (Kinstrife, for instance), than to cross the Mirkwood along the forgotten Old Forest Road and fight against the Werewolf and some wights from ancient tombs.

Yeah, I was thinking of that a bit too black and white when I wrote that post specifically. Mea culpa, I usually know better. It definitely depends on specific circumstances quite a bit.

The ratio you point out is the proposed by the game, but I think it's also important that every group finds his own ratio to keep the game interesting: not too desperate, but not too easy.

I'll agree with that.