control more than the player? [Archive] - Wizards Community

control more than the player? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
bentheiii
12-07-07, 03:20 AM Hi, I'm a new DM with one single proplem on my campaign- there's only only one player.I keep trying to find new players but I just can't. I've been thinking about making 3 NPC to make a "team" of 4 characters. I'm just afraid it will spoil the game or somthing. please help!!!
Drohem
12-07-07, 03:37 AM Well, there are several options:

1. Let your player run two characters, and you can have a DMPC or two with the player's characters.

2. Once your player's character reaches 6th level (if he hasn't already) give him the Leadership feat as a special DM bonus. This way, he could create a cohort NPC to adventure with his character and also have followers as well.

Look at your situation like this: you have a great opportunity to focus on your player's character and that character's interactions within your campaign and storyline. Some really great stories and campaigns can be done with just one or two characters.

Adding a DMPC (or couple) will in no way spoil your game. In fact, it can be a really great way to support your one player's character(s), and a great tool for you the DM.

*Disclaimer*
The use of the male pronoun was for clarity and consistency only. ;)
Cantankerous
12-07-07, 03:41 AM First, relax. D&D works fine in a one on one situation if you relax and keep your wits about you and use the CR system well. Also understand that a game with a single person will usually be more RP heavy than dungeon crawly.

I would STRONGLY suggest not adding three NPCs. Just scale the adventures down to single character levels and keep in mind, especially at low levels, that you will need to keep from throwing the average four encounters per day at the PC and you have to explain to the Player that retreat is not only a viable option, but especially solo, sometimes it is the only smart option.

Then, you as DM have to be sure to reason well within a given scenario and scale THEM to fit. A single PC will not be bashing down the door of the Thieves Guild that the City guard is paid off to ignore, storming in and putting everyone to the sword. But if your Player wants to run a Fighter and you want to run just such a scenario then both of you have to be a bit more creative. BOTH of you have to carefully consider how it might be one. Lean strongly on NPCs for this, but don't make them permanent fixtures in your stories...but rather the types that are run in and out regularly.

For that penultimate scene the Fighter could have recruited a mob, a vigilance committee or the like or maybe found another way, like forcing, in one way or another, the City Guard to act in the situation via any number of means. There are always ways, they just need to be found.

These games are also perfect for the more combat/cerebral combination classes to shine in. Bards and Paladins especially are well suited to them, but Sorcerers and anyone who can communicate well can be well used here too.

In short, keep most scenes scaled to single person actions, and when big fights are needed to advance the story provide manners in which they can be had, like that Vigilance Committee already being in existence as the local merchants and others are getting tired of constantly being preyed upon by the Guild and the PC only has to find this out and then mobilize them against the Guild...where he will meet a different kind of resistance.

Isshia
Fireclave
12-07-07, 03:46 AM You can have a stable party with just two characters. Being the only actual PC in a party of NPCs can be very one-sided. But a single cohort-like NPC and adventures scaled down for two two characters could work very well and still give your player plenty of face time. Just make sure that this cohort supports the player instead of dominate the story and play.
Krusk
12-07-07, 12:41 PM consider the http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/gestaltCharacters.htm#buildingAGestaltCh aracter variant. It allows your character to essentially play 2 classes. This usually dosn't increase their power level drastically but it does increase the character's versatility. A game consisting of your player and an npc both gestalted should be about as balanced as a 3 person party. Roughly.

If your player decides to play a wizard and fighter, have you npc play cleric rogue. Fill the roles that your player can't.
mvincent
12-07-07, 01:38 PM Hi, I'm a new DM with one single proplem on my campaign- there's only only one player.I keep trying to find new players but I just can't. I've been thinking about making 3 NPC to make a "team" of 4 characters. I'm just afraid it will spoil the game or somthing. please help!!!Note that this question belongs in "What's a DM to Do?" rather than "DM Rules Counseling". That said, it's probably easiest to run solo adventures for him. Just select adventures that are intended for 4 levels below his actual level (and make sure he can use a wand of Cure light wounds).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bentheiii 12-07-07, 03:20 AM	Hi, I'm a new DM with one single proplem on my campaign- there's only only one player.I keep trying to find new players but I just can't. I've been thinking about making 3 NPC to make a "team" of 4 characters. I'm just afraid it will spoil the game or somthing. please help!!!
Drohem 12-07-07, 03:37 AM	Well, there are several options: 1. Let your player run two characters, and you can have a DMPC or two with the player's characters. 2. Once your player's character reaches 6th level (if he hasn't already) give him the Leadership feat as a special DM bonus. This way, he could create a cohort NPC to adventure with his character and also have followers as well. Look at your situation like this: you have a great opportunity to focus on your player's character and that character's interactions within your campaign and storyline. Some really great stories and campaigns can be done with just one or two characters. Adding a DMPC (or couple) will in no way spoil your game. In fact, it can be a really great way to support your one player's character(s), and a great tool for you the DM. Disclaimer The use of the male pronoun was for clarity and consistency only. ;)
Cantankerous 12-07-07, 03:41 AM	First, relax. D&D works fine in a one on one situation if you relax and keep your wits about you and use the CR system well. Also understand that a game with a single person will usually be more RP heavy than dungeon crawly. I would STRONGLY suggest not adding three NPCs. Just scale the adventures down to single character levels and keep in mind, especially at low levels, that you will need to keep from throwing the average four encounters per day at the PC and you have to explain to the Player that retreat is not only a viable option, but especially solo, sometimes it is the only smart option. Then, you as DM have to be sure to reason well within a given scenario and scale THEM to fit. A single PC will not be bashing down the door of the Thieves Guild that the City guard is paid off to ignore, storming in and putting everyone to the sword. But if your Player wants to run a Fighter and you want to run just such a scenario then both of you have to be a bit more creative. BOTH of you have to carefully consider how it might be one. Lean strongly on NPCs for this, but don't make them permanent fixtures in your stories...but rather the types that are run in and out regularly. For that penultimate scene the Fighter could have recruited a mob, a vigilance committee or the like or maybe found another way, like forcing, in one way or another, the City Guard to act in the situation via any number of means. There are always ways, they just need to be found. These games are also perfect for the more combat/cerebral combination classes to shine in. Bards and Paladins especially are well suited to them, but Sorcerers and anyone who can communicate well can be well used here too. In short, keep most scenes scaled to single person actions, and when big fights are needed to advance the story provide manners in which they can be had, like that Vigilance Committee already being in existence as the local merchants and others are getting tired of constantly being preyed upon by the Guild and the PC only has to find this out and then mobilize them against the Guild...where he will meet a different kind of resistance. Isshia
Fireclave 12-07-07, 03:46 AM	You can have a stable party with just two characters. Being the only actual PC in a party of NPCs can be very one-sided. But a single cohort-like NPC and adventures scaled down for two two characters could work very well and still give your player plenty of face time. Just make sure that this cohort supports the player instead of dominate the story and play.
Krusk 12-07-07, 12:41 PM	consider the http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/gestaltCharacters.htm#buildingAGestaltCh aracter variant. It allows your character to essentially play 2 classes. This usually dosn't increase their power level drastically but it does increase the character's versatility. A game consisting of your player and an npc both gestalted should be about as balanced as a 3 person party. Roughly. If your player decides to play a wizard and fighter, have you npc play cleric rogue. Fill the roles that your player can't.
mvincent 12-07-07, 01:38 PM	Hi, I'm a new DM with one single proplem on my campaign- there's only only one player.I keep trying to find new players but I just can't. I've been thinking about making 3 NPC to make a "team" of 4 characters. I'm just afraid it will spoil the game or somthing. please help!!!Note that this question belongs in "What's a DM to Do?" rather than "DM Rules Counseling". That said, it's probably easiest to run solo adventures for him. Just select adventures that are intended for 4 levels below his actual level (and make sure he can use a wand of Cure light wounds).