and then there were 3 [Archive] - Wizards Community

and then there were 3 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MetalGemini
06-27-04, 01:15 PM ok, so I knew one of my players would be leaving for a month for a study abroad, but now it looks like another player will be leaving for a while too. This takes the group from 5 players to 3. I've never DM'd a group this small. I usually range from 5-8. So I would appreciate any tips on how to keep this group going til the others get back. I know I will have to drop the CRs I throw at them a bit, but not sure what else to do beyond that...

If it helps, here is the group composition:
Human Urban Ranger 5
Dwarf Fighter 3
Dwarf Cleric 3/Fighter 1 (future Pious Templar)
Tiefling Ranger 1/Rogue 3 (transitioning from Tiefling to Half-Fiend)
Half-Elf Wizard 2/Druid 3

The Tiefling and Half-elf will be leaving. So that leaves 2 fighters and 1 fighter/healer (doesn't use combat cleric spells).

Any tips?
Lord Crimson
06-27-04, 03:35 PM Since most CRs are based on only a 4-PC party, just keep your encounter CRs in line with your 3-PC party's average ECL (which sounds to be about 4). And avoid anything that absolutely requires access to arcane spells or rogue abilities that the party cannot use (since there will be no arcane casters or rogues after your two friends leave).

A 3-PC party can do most of the same stuff as a 4-PC party, just not as much of it before they need to go rest and recover.
Sparks The untouchable
06-27-04, 04:05 PM put your current campaign on hold untill your prodicle players return, then try and do one with gestalts, For that just subtract one from all your CRs ( cr5 =cr4 for gestalts) and gone from there.
Nick Soapdish
06-27-04, 07:22 PM Actually, dropping the CRs should be about it. You'll have to be a bit careful with some encounters since you don't have an arcane caster, but you didn't have much of one before so it won't be that different. The urban ranger (assuming you're using a 3.5 version) should be able to pick up most of the slack from losing the rogue and all 3 of the characters should be solid in a straight up fight. Just don't hit them with the wizard that's cast Fly and Greater Invisibility.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MetalGemini 06-27-04, 01:15 PM	ok, so I knew one of my players would be leaving for a month for a study abroad, but now it looks like another player will be leaving for a while too. This takes the group from 5 players to 3. I've never DM'd a group this small. I usually range from 5-8. So I would appreciate any tips on how to keep this group going til the others get back. I know I will have to drop the CRs I throw at them a bit, but not sure what else to do beyond that... If it helps, here is the group composition: Human Urban Ranger 5 Dwarf Fighter 3 Dwarf Cleric 3/Fighter 1 (future Pious Templar) Tiefling Ranger 1/Rogue 3 (transitioning from Tiefling to Half-Fiend) Half-Elf Wizard 2/Druid 3 The Tiefling and Half-elf will be leaving. So that leaves 2 fighters and 1 fighter/healer (doesn't use combat cleric spells). Any tips?
Lord Crimson 06-27-04, 03:35 PM	Since most CRs are based on only a 4-PC party, just keep your encounter CRs in line with your 3-PC party's average ECL (which sounds to be about 4). And avoid anything that absolutely requires access to arcane spells or rogue abilities that the party cannot use (since there will be no arcane casters or rogues after your two friends leave). A 3-PC party can do most of the same stuff as a 4-PC party, just not as much of it before they need to go rest and recover.
Sparks The untouchable 06-27-04, 04:05 PM	put your current campaign on hold untill your prodicle players return, then try and do one with gestalts, For that just subtract one from all your CRs ( cr5 =cr4 for gestalts) and gone from there.
Nick Soapdish 06-27-04, 07:22 PM	Actually, dropping the CRs should be about it. You'll have to be a bit careful with some encounters since you don't have an arcane caster, but you didn't have much of one before so it won't be that different. The urban ranger (assuming you're using a 3.5 version) should be able to pick up most of the slack from losing the rogue and all 3 of the characters should be solid in a straight up fight. Just don't hit them with the wizard that's cast Fly and Greater Invisibility.