I have at least eight players interested in my Pathfinder game. Like to keep it between 4-5. How do I select who gets to play?

What a problem to have! Could you split them into two parties on different nights?

Failing that, I would ascertain which potentials are most like you in gaming style and choose those.

Try using an assistant-DM. Let them track all the "numbers" stuff while you control the table and the narrative. That way you have 7 players, and less for you to do overall.

What a problem to have!

It's a pill. Out here in SoCal, I think players outnumber GMs like, 10 to one. Eek!

Could you split them into two parties on different nights?

Burnout! Argh! :-(

Failing that, I would ascertain which potentials are most like you in gaming style and choose those.

That's what I'm thinking. Prob is they all know each other and gamed extensively with each other. I feel I'm almost splitting families :-(

Thanks, though, Courtfool. I will figure out something. Hmmm. Different nights. If I cut my other games....

Try using an assistant-DM. Let them track all the "numbers" stuff while you control the table and the narrative. That way you have 7 players, and less for you to do overall.

True, true. Let me see if anyone'd be interested in such a task.

Roll a d20, highest 4-5 rolls get to play.

I had 9 on Sat with a bunch of no-shows... even got a new player too.
:sigh:

Roll a d20, highest 4-5 rolls get to play.

I had 9 on Sat with a bunch of no-shows... even got a new player too.
:sigh:

Dude! You've got to say no.

You could consider allowing all 8 initially, but with the disclaimer that you might uninvite 3-4 of them after a few sessions. Some of them will most likely show themselves to be either unreliable (late or tardy to some of the first sessions) or not group-oriented; these will be the obvious choices for people to drop.

A group I DM'ed for for a few months started with 4 people, and then 2 more joined, and then we started having problems where 1-3 people would be tardy on any given week with a core group of 3 who showed up every time. At one point there were 8 players total, but we never had more than 6 present at a single session.

Other than the tardiness it was a very enjoyable and laid back group. I had everybody come up with explanations for their absence that could be worked into the story, with good stories earning a portion of the missed session's XP for their character. Otherwise, we just ran with it and had fun.

I have at least eight players interested in my Pathfinder game. Like to keep it between 4-5. How do I select who gets to play?

You can deselect me right now. I need more study time for school, anyway. I hope that helps!

I have at least eight players interested in my Pathfinder game. Like to keep it between 4-5. How do I select who gets to play?

If they're all mutual friends and you dont want to break things up, or alternatively if you're not sure who's going to stay the distance and who's just tagging along - perhaps you could run two group fortnightly for a while (or double whatever interval you were planning on). In a few months, it might turn out that the numbers dwindle to a manageable size or alternatively someone else might take up the mantle of DMing on odd weeks.

Cast mass suggestion and hope they don't all fail their saves.

I know someone on these boards once suggested this…I can not remember who it was now…

Talk to your players.

Explain the situation to them and see if they have any creative suggestions. If you involve them, I bet it would be less likely that there will be hard feelings. Some may drop of their own volition. Someone may step up to run on an alternate night.

Remember, these are the same people that always surprise you with their ideas in game. Give 'em a chance to do the same out of game.