Minimum number of players

Exoviper · Sub-Lieutenant Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 64

Hello! I'm new to these forums so please forgive my newbishness.

Would anybody happen to have any wisdom regarding a minimum number of players for a successful session? Is it possible to have only one PC and a GM and still have a good time? If so, is there any advice on applying this from the perspective of a GM?
Thank you very much. I've been watching this forum and everyone here is really courteous. =)
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Gry Sarth · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:42 pm Post subject:

In my experience the minimum number of players is 2. And you can have a jolly perfect adventure with only 2 players, that's mostly how I've been playing for the last couple of years. Now, only a single player and a GM is really too little for a proper adventure. It can work for an introduction or just to forward a certain plot thread. But for an actual campaign, it's far too limited. There's just not enough variants to make the adventure interesting.

As for the perfect number of players, I'd say it's GM plus 3-4. Enough variables but still enough focus and control.

Again, that's my experience. I'm sure others will have different opinions.
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Chabit Rane · Commander Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 460

I have found that 3 to 4 players are best IMO. Less and you have to little ideas, more and it can get confusing for the GM to keep track of players actions.

Jamfke · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject:

Sometimes, the greatest adventures can be had with only one player.
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Exoviper · Sub-Lieutenant Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 64

Well thanks Gry! I've been itching to get back into RP'ing for a while now but available players are limited...

You know what would be cool....a single-player RPG! Wait, I've alredy got some of those for my computer. Oh yeah....
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Exoviper · Sub-Lieutenant Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 64

"Sometimes, the greatest adventures can be had with only one player"

Really? Would someone GM any differently with only one PC?
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Jamfke · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject:

I think it's easier to commit your entire creative faculties to a single character. You can develop an Epic story about the character, all others being NPC'd extras. I look to Beowulf as an example, that story was completely about him, the others were merely "NPCs".

If the player is a Jedi, then it's that much better. It fully embodies the whole Star Wars idea. I'm not knocking a large group, mind you, but again, single player campaigns can be fun.
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Exoviper · Sub-Lieutenant Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 64

Gry Sarth · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject:

I find single player adventures to be too controlled. You end up lacking that spark of unexpectedness that comes from two players interacting with the situation, and bouncing it off each other. The inner conflicts, the sidetrackings, that kind of thing. I believe single player adventures can only really work if you have a truly endeavoring player, who'll easily embody the adventure fully and be alwasy coming up with stuff on his own. A passive player will make such an adventure extremely dull.
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Exoviper · Sub-Lieutenant Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 64

Jamfke · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:09 pm Post subject:

Exoviper · Sub-Lieutenant Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 64

That's it exactly, I did say they can be great. It is a blessing to find someone whose willing to envelop themselves fully in their character enough to bring out the best in a game. Without it, it is dull. But hey, if you're simply wanting to game to keep the fire smoldering, anybody'll do!

Hey, Exoviper, If you'd like to try your hand at Play by Post gaming, you can try to get into a game here, or come on over to my boards. Link's in my sig.[/quote]

Yeah? That would be awesome! Thank you very much! I've been browsing the PbP boards but I'm slightly confuzzed as to how the process functions,... but I'm a quick learner (with enough coffee in my system). I gladly accept you invitiation. 8)
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Jamfke · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:16 pm Post subject:

Great, come on over!
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garhkal · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:44 am Post subject:

For me, three players is the bare minimum...
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Hanfan29 · Cadet Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Arkansas

i think it depends on the people playing and the group dynamic i GM a group of four close friends and the wity banter is straight out of star wars. I like to GM with one player too but if u have a large group it can be fun

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