Doubling the party [Archive] - Wizards Community

Doubling the party [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jonrea
11-18-05, 10:53 PM Ok, a few months ago a group of 4 of us (plus a fifth now and then) starting playing dnd. Each added a 'contribution' (dm and his brother bought the starter and 3 core books, I bought CW, eventually XPH and DMGII(which dm gave me money for though), and a miniatures Deathnell, and the fourth guy bought CA). So all's well and good, we pass around the books so that everyone knows what's in them and everything, meet fairly regularly with 2 different DMs and campaigns (3 players at once, 1 dm).

Now, I'm not complaining or anything, but now three more people are joining, maybe a fourth too, putting us up to 7 or 8 players. Like I just said, I'm not complaining, but this is effectavely doubling our party and I was curious as to what changes we can probably expect. Since no one really wants to host 8 people, that could've been a problem, but a new game store opened up where we can all meet, so that's fine.

Really, the questions I was curious about was, like I said, what changes should we expect with 6 players and 1 dm rather than 3 and 1. That, and some of us 'originals' were thinking about having them make a contribution to join. I'm not saying make them fork over $40, but maybe buy a book or a booster. Boosters only cost $13, not a steep price, and books are only around $25, give or take. As we've all contributed, it seems only fair that they should too.

Now take into account that 3 of the originals are in high school while most of the new ones are in middle school. How does this all sound?
MistWolf
11-18-05, 11:10 PM Sounds like y'all need to grab a couple of lawn mowers & go on a grass cutting spree. Maybe hold up a sign on the street corner that says "WILL MOW FOR BOOKS".

Seriously, the goal of the group should be that every player should at least have their own copy of the PHB. Not today- I remember being a kid & know how hard it can be sometimes- but have a plan to get one. Other books will follow. Also, you can download the SRD from this website. It's not as glamorous as having the actual books, but you can print out the parts you need as you need them and put them in a binder
ehrin
11-18-05, 11:31 PM Changes to expect: the adventure will be slower: combat, if nothing else, will take longer, because there are more people to "get their six seconds" in. Most likely, the DM will need to add BBEG's as well, to give everyone something to fight or battle, so expect larger groups of Orcs, ogres, etc., which will also increase his time each round.

Expect treasure to be tighter, because you are dividing between more people. Even if the DM adjusts a bit, it will likely be thinner than before.

Expect to set some ground rules: no research during your combat, egg timers during melee, six second rules, how the party will make decisions rules, etc.. Also, watch for the party to split: The rogue and ranger will move ahead, and the rest of the party will go left, etc.. So you may end up sitting out part of a game while the other group deals with their rooms, combats, etc..
Kalli
11-18-05, 11:46 PM First of all, adding this many new players and characters will change existing party dynamics. This could be good, bad, or neutral, depending on how things go. It's been pointed out that combat will go more slowly, but the game in general won't keep the same pace as it did. On the plus side, you probably have a more versatile group -- 7 to 8 characters can cover gaps that you wouldn't normally think of in a 4-member party, especially if the new players take existing characters into account -- as well as (seems to me) the opportunity for more complex tactics.

You can probably expect the DM to adjust his encounters for the new group size, but he/she'll probably find a comfortable fit in a few sessions.

As for a contribution to the group, it's not unreasonable to ask for them to get their own Player's Handbook, but depending on their budgets, it might be unreasonable to ask them to do so immediately. If money is tight, sit down with them and come up with ideas (such as aforementioned lawnmowing; babysitting is another middle-schooler option) for how they can earn money. In the meantime, they could provide snacks for the group -- you guys get hungry, don't you?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jonrea 11-18-05, 10:53 PM	Ok, a few months ago a group of 4 of us (plus a fifth now and then) starting playing dnd. Each added a 'contribution' (dm and his brother bought the starter and 3 core books, I bought CW, eventually XPH and DMGII(which dm gave me money for though), and a miniatures Deathnell, and the fourth guy bought CA). So all's well and good, we pass around the books so that everyone knows what's in them and everything, meet fairly regularly with 2 different DMs and campaigns (3 players at once, 1 dm). Now, I'm not complaining or anything, but now three more people are joining, maybe a fourth too, putting us up to 7 or 8 players. Like I just said, I'm not complaining, but this is effectavely doubling our party and I was curious as to what changes we can probably expect. Since no one really wants to host 8 people, that could've been a problem, but a new game store opened up where we can all meet, so that's fine. Really, the questions I was curious about was, like I said, what changes should we expect with 6 players and 1 dm rather than 3 and 1. That, and some of us 'originals' were thinking about having them make a contribution to join. I'm not saying make them fork over $40, but maybe buy a book or a booster. Boosters only cost $13, not a steep price, and books are only around $25, give or take. As we've all contributed, it seems only fair that they should too. Now take into account that 3 of the originals are in high school while most of the new ones are in middle school. How does this all sound?
MistWolf 11-18-05, 11:10 PM	Sounds like y'all need to grab a couple of lawn mowers & go on a grass cutting spree. Maybe hold up a sign on the street corner that says "WILL MOW FOR BOOKS". Seriously, the goal of the group should be that every player should at least have their own copy of the PHB. Not today- I remember being a kid & know how hard it can be sometimes- but have a plan to get one. Other books will follow. Also, you can download the SRD from this website. It's not as glamorous as having the actual books, but you can print out the parts you need as you need them and put them in a binder
ehrin 11-18-05, 11:31 PM	Changes to expect: the adventure will be slower: combat, if nothing else, will take longer, because there are more people to "get their six seconds" in. Most likely, the DM will need to add BBEG's as well, to give everyone something to fight or battle, so expect larger groups of Orcs, ogres, etc., which will also increase his time each round. Expect treasure to be tighter, because you are dividing between more people. Even if the DM adjusts a bit, it will likely be thinner than before. Expect to set some ground rules: no research during your combat, egg timers during melee, six second rules, how the party will make decisions rules, etc.. Also, watch for the party to split: The rogue and ranger will move ahead, and the rest of the party will go left, etc.. So you may end up sitting out part of a game while the other group deals with their rooms, combats, etc..
Kalli 11-18-05, 11:46 PM	First of all, adding this many new players and characters will change existing party dynamics. This could be good, bad, or neutral, depending on how things go. It's been pointed out that combat will go more slowly, but the game in general won't keep the same pace as it did. On the plus side, you probably have a more versatile group -- 7 to 8 characters can cover gaps that you wouldn't normally think of in a 4-member party, especially if the new players take existing characters into account -- as well as (seems to me) the opportunity for more complex tactics. You can probably expect the DM to adjust his encounters for the new group size, but he/she'll probably find a comfortable fit in a few sessions. As for a contribution to the group, it's not unreasonable to ask for them to get their own Player's Handbook, but depending on their budgets, it might be unreasonable to ask them to do so immediately. If money is tight, sit down with them and come up with ideas (such as aforementioned lawnmowing; babysitting is another middle-schooler option) for how they can earn money. In the meantime, they could provide snacks for the group -- you guys get hungry, don't you?