3 PCs rather than 4 [Archive] - Wizards Community

3 PCs rather than 4 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
jortax
06-28-06, 10:22 PM I'm about to start DMing a campaign with a group of three PCs.
This will be (pretty much) my first go at DMing.

The DMG gives good info about the theory of Challenge Ratings and Encounter levels but it all seems to tie back to being relative to a party of 4 PCs.

I was wondering if some one could give me a heads up as to how Challenge Ratings and Encounter Levels Match up against parties of three PCs rather than 4.

A specific question is if an adventure module is suitable for 4 level X PCs, whats the best level for the PCs if theres 3 of them.
Tusz
06-28-06, 11:20 PM I would say to use monsters with a CR one less than the average party level.
Steel Cobra
06-28-06, 11:35 PM It all depends on your party set up. I often play with only a 3 person party, and it works out really well. As a matter of fact I kinda perfer it only to be 3. The battles are smoother and what not.

But on to your question. I see no problem giving them equal challenges to their level, but as a 3 person party they will always have at least 1 major weakness, just watch out for that and you'll be fine.
DwarvinJedi
06-28-06, 11:50 PM Just give them slightly better stats, and make sure you have a cleric, you can skip out on either a fighter or a wizard, or if you are nice just don't include mean traps and they should be able to live without a rogue.
Fangthane
06-28-06, 11:56 PM or you can add an NPC to assist the party or allow them to hire one.
babysamurai
06-29-06, 04:59 AM or you can add an NPC to assist the party or allow them to hire one.

That's what I often do.

And I would suggest making the NPC a not too complex character (druid, psion etc).

Let the characters really shine, not your NPC.

Not that the NPC should be ineffectual, but he should never steal/save the show.
GoldLeader13
06-29-06, 06:29 PM Let the characters really shine, not your NPC.

Not that the NPC should be ineffectual, but he should never steal/save the show.
I, too, have added an NPC to boost the party's strength from 3 to 4. He's a cleric, simple to use and necessary for the party.

Unfortunately, he has outshined the party once, but at least that was only once. He annihilated a Drider Fighter in one round. Not what I planned, but two crits in the same round (combined with his Strike of Retribution power) was just totally unexpected.
Archmage Atrus
06-29-06, 06:34 PM Generally speaking, the CR rules work pretty well for parties of 3 characters as well as 4. (As they do for 5, maybe even 6 member parties.) Don't be afraid to throw CR 4 monsters at a group of 3 4th level guys. Just be aware that there are less party members, so they have less resources in general.

(They should end up getting more XP in the end, as the number of people you'll be dividing the XP by is 3 instead of 4. So they'll end up becoming stronger faster than a 4 member party. If this is a big deal to you, then I suggest you use lesser CR monsters, but not by more than 1.)

Adding an NPC is also a great solution, and if RPed properly you can have a great time interacting with the other players, participating in "PC discussions" such as tactics and the like.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
jortax 06-28-06, 10:22 PM	I'm about to start DMing a campaign with a group of three PCs. This will be (pretty much) my first go at DMing. The DMG gives good info about the theory of Challenge Ratings and Encounter levels but it all seems to tie back to being relative to a party of 4 PCs. I was wondering if some one could give me a heads up as to how Challenge Ratings and Encounter Levels Match up against parties of three PCs rather than 4. A specific question is if an adventure module is suitable for 4 level X PCs, whats the best level for the PCs if theres 3 of them.
Tusz 06-28-06, 11:20 PM	I would say to use monsters with a CR one less than the average party level.
Steel Cobra 06-28-06, 11:35 PM	It all depends on your party set up. I often play with only a 3 person party, and it works out really well. As a matter of fact I kinda perfer it only to be 3. The battles are smoother and what not. But on to your question. I see no problem giving them equal challenges to their level, but as a 3 person party they will always have at least 1 major weakness, just watch out for that and you'll be fine.
DwarvinJedi 06-28-06, 11:50 PM	Just give them slightly better stats, and make sure you have a cleric, you can skip out on either a fighter or a wizard, or if you are nice just don't include mean traps and they should be able to live without a rogue.
Fangthane 06-28-06, 11:56 PM	or you can add an NPC to assist the party or allow them to hire one.
babysamurai 06-29-06, 04:59 AM	or you can add an NPC to assist the party or allow them to hire one. That's what I often do. And I would suggest making the NPC a not too complex character (druid, psion etc). Let the characters really shine, not your NPC. Not that the NPC should be ineffectual, but he should never steal/save the show.
GoldLeader13 06-29-06, 06:29 PM	Let the characters really shine, not your NPC. Not that the NPC should be ineffectual, but he should never steal/save the show. I, too, have added an NPC to boost the party's strength from 3 to 4. He's a cleric, simple to use and necessary for the party. Unfortunately, he has outshined the party once, but at least that was only once. He annihilated a Drider Fighter in one round. Not what I planned, but two crits in the same round (combined with his Strike of Retribution power) was just totally unexpected.
Archmage Atrus 06-29-06, 06:34 PM	Generally speaking, the CR rules work pretty well for parties of 3 characters as well as 4. (As they do for 5, maybe even 6 member parties.) Don't be afraid to throw CR 4 monsters at a group of 3 4th level guys. Just be aware that there are less party members, so they have less resources in general. (They should end up getting more XP in the end, as the number of people you'll be dividing the XP by is 3 instead of 4. So they'll end up becoming stronger faster than a 4 member party. If this is a big deal to you, then I suggest you use lesser CR monsters, but not by more than 1.) Adding an NPC is also a great solution, and if RPed properly you can have a great time interacting with the other players, participating in "PC discussions" such as tactics and the like.