Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Entropicurity 02-06-07, 09:54 PM	Greetings all, I have recently had a fallout of characters towards the end of a campaign that has lasted close to two years now. Went from 6 in the first year, to 4, to 2 with NPC's that act like PCs for "fillers" to now Just one Character, the characters fiance (PC Class Henchman). Normally this wouldn't be an issues as the character has proven to be able to handle quests on her own. Though, so to not OVERWHELM a player with a creature that I was hoping at least four characters had a chance to take on this final boss that would push all of them to level 20, I instead have two level 18's preparing to go up against an epic quest which challenges meant for four players. So any DM's out there know how to "downscale" an encounters CR to fit that of two players rather than 4-6? I can't seem to figure out what to do as I don't want to lose my last player due to lack of new players (which would be really difficult concidering the characters would have to start at level 16 or 17, AND its on another plane due to the fact that the cleric is a planar traveler.) Any help on this matter would be GREATLY appreciated!
Korhal_IV 02-06-07, 10:21 PM	Add/subtract 2 from CR to fit a party. 8 players: CR = level +4 6 players: CR = level +2 4 players: CR = level 2 players: CR = level -2 1 players: CR = level -4 Keep in mind, it's best with smaller or larger parties not to overwhelm them with one huge foe (1 CR 14 for an 8-player group of 10th level), but with groups of foes (1 CR 12, 2 CR 10s for an 8-player group of 10th level). Frankly, I'd worry MUCH less about CR and MUCH more about why players are leaving your campaign! Is it lifestyle issues, or do you need to think seriously about the way you run games? The emphasis you put on not recruiting players because they'd have to start at level 1 is keying me in to the fact that you're not focusing on this game as a social activity - grab other players and just give them high-level characters if you want to run your high-level climax. Plenty of GMs do it. Check at your local game store to find players, or online at the Gamers Classifieds forum or Meetup.com.
Entropicurity 02-06-07, 11:36 PM	Well mostly the problem we had was Real life situation and the fact that all the players took over funds to build an airship and only one of them had the resources to pilot the ship (artificer) and it became a control fit. I eventually introduced a 3rd party NPC but by then the players weren't interested and/or had life catch up to them. That left two players, one I wasn't happy with the other I had no quarrels with cause he didn't care much as long as he got to "research" in a library that was on the ship. Eventually life caught up with the control monger and the game has turned into a SEVERELY heavy RP between NPCs and the main character. We are both open to the idea of getting new characterss, but since his character is so close to the end of the epic campaign I had going we figured it wouldn't be too much fun for other players as they would have NO clue whats going on and just "accepting" new players out of the blue is hard enough. Once I get his character through this rough spot I plan on re-opening an Epic Campaign for any players willing to join. Though I appreciate all your input and I'll have to work accordingly along those guidlines. Just means I can't play with that Elder brain as I was hoping for. We will have to see how this final epic event turns out. :D