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Dredwulf60 Line Captain
Joined: 07 Jan 2016 Posts: 911
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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 10:26 pm Post subject: What's your optimal PC group size? |
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For me it depends on the feel of the campaign.
I find a pair of players allows for some storytelling that isn't as suitable for a group.
I have found that ideally a group of 4 walks the line between fun factor and group complexity.
Pros and cons of large and small groups?
Anyone prefer single PC games? |
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garhkal Sovereign Protector
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14213 Location: Reynoldsburg, Columbus, Ohio.
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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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4-6 with 5 being a sweet spot for me. 3 or less and the loss of ONE can seriously put a hurting on them.. 7 or more and you can have issues with some being too much out of the limelight (or even just gaining some attention) as others monopolize time, or things take too long to get back to them. _________________ Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk! |
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Whill Dark Lord of the Jedi (Owner/Admin)
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 10435 Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA, Earth, The Solar System, The Milky Way Galaxy
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Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 1:38 am Post subject: 5 |
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I've ran a couple entire campaigns with only 1 or 2 regular players (sequels to group campaigns with more advanced PCs). I've also ran two 12-13 player adventures.
3-5 players is my preferred range, with 5 players being ideal, then 4, then 3, then 2, then 1 player. 5 PCs can adequately cover the basic PC group skill set and are not too many characters that everyone can still have something to do operating a light freighter. With a 5-player group, game night can often still be salvaged with a modified or alternate adventure when 1 or maybe even 2 players have to cancel. More than 5 players tends to become unwieldy, but I'm ok with a campaign having 5 regulars and a couple additional occasional players. _________________ *
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Last edited by Whill on Mon Dec 09, 2024 12:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
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MrNexx Rear Admiral
Joined: 25 Mar 2016 Posts: 2248 Location: San Antonio
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Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:38 am Post subject: |
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3-5 is ideal; 6 is doable if the group is good, and I've had up to 8. _________________ "I've Seen Your Daily Routine. You Are Not Busy!"
“We're going to win this war, not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love.”
http://rpgcrank.blogspot.com/ |
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garhkal Sovereign Protector
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14213 Location: Reynoldsburg, Columbus, Ohio.
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Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2016 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: 5 |
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Whill wrote: | I've ran a couple entire campaigns with only 1 or 2 regular players (sequels to group campaigns with more advanced PCs). I've also ran two 12-13 player adventures.
3-5 players is my preferred range, with 5 players being ideal, then 4, then 3, then 2, then 1 player. 5 PCs can adequately cover the basic PC group skill set and are not too many characters that everyone can still have something to do operating a light freighter. With a 5-player group, game night can often still be salvaged with a modified or alternate adventure when 1 or maybe even 2 players have to cancel. More than 5 players tends to become unwieldy, but I'm ok with a campaign having 5 regulars and a couple additional occasional players. |
I have found over the years, that when you have 3 or less players consistently ONE missing the game can spell the other 2 not playing, unless the dm does some serious shifts of baddies and other challenges to allow the 2 remaining pcs to cope... _________________ Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk! |
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atgxtg Rear Admiral
Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 2460
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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I find 3-4 to be about the ideal for most games.
Fewer players can work just fine, if the players are the type to roleplay a lot, and the GM prepares things for handling a smaller group. It's kinda like working without a safety net, though. If something goes wrong the players chances of covering for it tends to diminish with the size of the group, since each PC factors in for a larger percentage of the group's skills and combat abilities.
Larger groups can be a bit more rugged, but can limit the amount of roleplaying an interaction the players get. Also, large groups can loose focus and are more likely to miss things and/or have something go wrong. Partly because more people are rolling, and partly because there is a bit of "weakest link in the chain" thing going on. Players also tend to get more cocky and arrogant when they have a big group to back them up. But if the players are good and the type to stay motivated, a large group can be devastating. It's like they start multi-tasking and can overload a GM. |
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shootingwomprats Rear Admiral
Joined: 11 Sep 2013 Posts: 2690 Location: Online
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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I find 4-6 with the sweet spot being 5. I can typically run with three even if the rest do not show. _________________ Don Diestler
Host, Shooting Womp Rats
The D6 Podcast
http://d6holocron.com/shootingwomprats
@swd6podcast, Twitter |
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Raven Redstar Rear Admiral
Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 2648 Location: Salem, OR
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Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2016 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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I prefer single PC games.
I generally like 1-3 players, 3 max. But, my favorite games have almost always been 1 on 1. _________________ RR
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Cap'nCodskale Ensign
Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 39 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:53 pm Post subject: Playing the numbers |
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I'm not sure what my sweet spot may be. Three players is my average, though, and works well. Current group is seven players, with as few as two and as many as five showing for a single session. I will be very surprised if ever all seven players show for a single session. |
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Dredwulf60 Line Captain
Joined: 07 Jan 2016 Posts: 911
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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BONUS FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:
How do you guys handle the situation when players can't make a session?
In my group we typically arrange it so that the characters just kind of lurk in the background, taking just enough action to keep the group together and keep the character alive.
When it's unavoidable that they need to take action, each player typically has appointed one other player they trust to 'control' their character.
In any case, anything that happens to that character is binding. So despite the best efforts, it's possible for characters to lose credits, get injured or even killed when the player is not present. |
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Whill Dark Lord of the Jedi (Owner/Admin)
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 10435 Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA, Earth, The Solar System, The Milky Way Galaxy
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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If the player can't make the start of a new adventure, then I try to write the PC out of the story adventure, and if possible leave it open for the PC to join up with the group during the next session. If in the middle of an adventure, myself or another player (preferably another player) will take the PC over, but if possible we will still try to write the PC out of the story (like the droid calls them from the ship stating someone is trying to break in, or the PC has to split off for a side mission related to the current one). "Offscreen" events away from the PC group can be hand-waived. While the PC of the missing player is still with the group, negative changes to the PC are binding, but I try to minimize that from happening as much as possible. _________________ *
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atgxtg Rear Admiral
Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 2460
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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For me it depends on group size, game being played, and what the effect of the player not being there will have. Results have ranged from:
1) Just assume the character got sidetracked; played adventure without him.
2) Player have someone else run character that night. Usually in terms of GM controlling the character and other player rolls dice for him.
3) Postponed game session.
4) have missing PC show up and die heroically rescuing the other characters (was an unusual/extreme situation). |
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garhkal Sovereign Protector
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14213 Location: Reynoldsburg, Columbus, Ohio.
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 12:00 am Post subject: |
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Dredwulf60 wrote: | BONUS FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:
How do you guys handle the situation when players can't make a session?
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We have had 2 threads in the past in the gamemaster section that touched on that..
http://www.rancorpit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1344
This one dealt more with what do you do if they have to GO, and the situation is such you can't just write them out (ie in the middle of a battle, etc)
http://www.rancorpit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3435
This one is more if the player is leaving the group (say temporarily) but is going to be returning...
One of the bigger qs i have seen some other players raise with that sort of situation, is IF they are being ran by another person/The dm, do they still earn Full CP? _________________ Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk! |
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Whill Dark Lord of the Jedi (Owner/Admin)
Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 10435 Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA, Earth, The Solar System, The Milky Way Galaxy
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 9:23 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting those other threads here.
garhkal wrote: | One of the bigger qs i have seen some other players raise with that sort of situation, is IF they are being ran by another person/The dm, do they still earn Full CP? |
I tend to have the PC still earn CPs while still with the group and being controlled by another player or myself, but not when "offscreen". _________________ *
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garhkal Sovereign Protector
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14213 Location: Reynoldsburg, Columbus, Ohio.
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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Glad to help Whill.. _________________ Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk! |
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