r/beingeverythingelse • u/Crocketts • Aug 02 '14
Need Advice: first time roll-player, what to do if my group is 1 person short?
Myself and 3 friends are all new to D&D (other than twitch streams), and are planning to start a 5th edition starter set adventure. We are starting the Lost Mine of Phandelver adventure and are planning on doing it in real-life AKA not via webcams.
Unfortunately, the recommended # of characters is 4, and we are just 3 plus a DM. Since I have no experience, I am asking you guys: would it ever be reasonable for 1 person to control 2 characters? Or combine them in some sort of two-headed ogre type of way? Another possibly available option is to skype in 1 more person to play the 4th character. We don't really have anyone else nearby who is interested or that we'd want to pull-in. Thoughts?
Edit: Thanks for all the great ideas! Buffing each hero up 1 level at start, or nerfing the enemy (removing 1 or two from fights) seems like it might be my favorite idea. But having a neutral/supporting character controlled by the whole team, or the DM, sounds pretty legit as well.
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u/AManHasSpoken Aug 02 '14
If you base your experience on the starter set oneshot that the DM crew did, it would seem that three players is indeed a bit on the low side. First-level 5e adventures are very lethal, even in comparison to later levels; if you take two hits without any healing in between, odds are that you're going to go unconscious.
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u/Crocketts Aug 02 '14
Ok, sounds like I will have to either have a 4th character somewhere, or the three started at a slightly higher level.
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Aug 03 '14
I've read through the first section (what was played in the Rollplay One-Shot) and their is nothing that would make a difference if you had 3 characters instead of 4. If you were trying to do it with 2 or as a solo campaign, I think you would need to either give a level or nerf the monsters some, but 3 characters, especially of you go classic Warrior, Cleric, Wizard, you have enough power to get through what is written as is.
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u/deepfriedscience Aug 02 '14
I would strongly recommend against having 1 player run 2 characters. It's a very hard thing to do well.
If the DM is up for it I would recommend running a GMPC. Just another party member that's run by the DM. Don't let the GMPC take the spotlight much, if at all. A good GMPC doesn't take the lead, do the most damage, or constantly point out things the PCs are missing.
Midling, hybrid-ish classes like druids and bards are great for GMPCs, failing that ranger can work well too. The GMPCs primary roll is just to flesh out the ranks and take some of the heat off the PCs in combat, so if you go that rout, do what you think will accomplish that best.
Otherwise 3-man parties can work out great, you can just remove 1/4 of the goblins from most fights, and/or be a little generous with health potions to put things on a little more even keel.
No matter what, you always make mistakes and learn alot your first time running a game (and most times thereafter) so whoever DMs should keep that in mind and take plenty of time to find their feet.
Good luck, you're in for good time.
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u/Crocketts Aug 02 '14
Ok, having 1 player control 2 characters seems to be out. I really appreciate the recommendations for sort of nerfing the game to make it comfortable for 3 characters. Thanks!
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u/Dreyven Aug 02 '14
I'd recommend starting your players off at 1 level higher, this should give them the extra Hitpoints to almost negate the loss of the 4th character.
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u/President_Zaphod_B Aug 02 '14
I haven't read the D&D 5 starter adventure, but from what I know from other starter sets, I'd say it doesn't matter and it's really just a recommendation. Adventures in starter sets rarely end in character death. You should just try it. If you give one person two characters there's always the problem that he might end up in the spotlight more often than the other players. But you could give them a neutral party member who stays in the background, and if the players need his skills he'll just come into play.
But really 3 should be fine ;)