RotRL with 3 PCs only?!


Rise of the Runelords

Liberty's Edge

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I would like to ask any DM who already has DMed the AP (or currently DMing DMs) if this might work, as I have only three players.

Fighter
Cleric (Saranrae)
Sorcerer

I allowed them to have 1 x-tra Feat at first Level, otherwise I plan on going as is. Gestalt is not an option, as this doesn't really help (my xperience only, as it seems).
Any idea, insight or considerations are welcome!


Dryder wrote:

I would like to ask any DM who already has DMed the AP (or currently DMing DMs) if this might work, as I have only three players.

Fighter
Cleric (Saranrae)
Sorcerer

I allowed them to have 1 x-tra Feat at first Level, otherwise I plan on going as is. Gestalt is not an option, as this doesn't really help (my xperience only, as it seems).
Any idea, insight or considerations are welcome!

I DM for a group of three. I haven't changed anything in the adventures and we're half-way through Fortress of the Stone Giants. We had a near-tpk in Burn't offerings (with BBEG), but after that they've been just fine.

We do have a bit strange group, I allowed them to take the base class outside the core, but everything else is mostly core. We went with 32-point-buy.

Group is:
Duskblade
Ninja/ranger/fighter/dervish/swashbuckler/shadowdancer
Dragon disciple

The problem with our group is that they don't have a full spellcaster. They have two meleefighters and one flamethrower, but with a wizard or some other spellcaster things would have been lot easier. Are you using only core? Have you considered playtesting Beta-rules? PC's are a bit stronger in that one. But I think you have a good group there.

Here are some encounters that might be dangerous:

Spoiler:
-the one with Nualia in Burnt Offerings. She's tough. I made a mistake and gave her few extra healing potions, so they couldn't kill her easily. The trap in the hallway is dangerous, because it can effectively make the players face Nualia with just two pc's...
-Lamia in Skinsaw murders is very deadly. With only three PC's you're propably facing a TPK, so watch out for that one


I'm DMing for a group of 3 PCs. We're near the end of Hook Mnt. They have been getting more XP due to fewer PCs, so they are a bit higher than the module calls for. But it seems to be balanced out.

As mentioned earlier;

Spoiler:
The lamia at the end of Skinsaw can be a TPK. I really foreshadowed that there was a big baddie waiting, so my group took adequate precautions. Even then, it was a close fight. Others have mentioned swapping Xanesha out for the lamia in Hook Mountain.

Otherwise, we only ran into a problem with the Shadows at Thisteltop, but that was because the group really overextended themselves. That was also before we converted to the Alpha rules.

My group consists of a
Cleric
Ranger
Rogue

I also decided not to give out XP as normal for the AP. I just calculated all the encounter values and have a sheet that tells me what level the PCs should be after certain events in the AP.

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

DM an Iconic. ;)

Liberty's Edge

Thanx, Salama, Gray and SirUzra!
I am bit relieved now.

I don't calculate XPs, I just give out a new level when I think its time, looking only at the challenges ahead in a given module.

As my Cleric PC is a cleric Of Sarenrea, with the variant class feature Holy Warrior (Ex) from the CS (p.43), I think they are balanced enough. Two pcs who can engage into melee (with the cleric being able to cast spells and turn undead) and one sorcerer they might fare just well enough through the AP from what I've heard here.
I will give Xaneesha a deeper look in the coming days, but I heard it from a lot of sources now, that she's pretty tough.
And yes, playing Merisiel might do the trick. I think I will have her at the Swallowtail festival as a member of the Pathfinder lodge in Magnimar. I already prepared Eando's Chronicle (from PF2) to hand it out to the players. Merisiel will give it to them, if they ask what this Pathfinder thing is all about!

Gray wrote:
I also decided not to give out XP as normal for the AP. I just calculated all the encounter values and have a sheet that tells me what level the PCs should be after certain events in the AP.

Exactly what I will do as well. I am a lazy DM - calculating XPs takes too much time. ;)

Dark Archive

They should be alright, provided their cleric is nice and optimized-not twinked or cheesed, but well-built.

I would consider ensuring Shalelu's continued presence. Make her a major NPC in Hook Mountain and beyond; my players figureatively fell in love with her, and she's going to stick around as long as I can justify it- probably not to xin-shalast, but certainly throughout Jorgenfist and maybe even Runeforge. Level her up nice and useful- not enough to steal the show, but to provide effective ranged support and so forth.

If they dont like Shalelu, come up with another cohort or DMPC to give the party, of maybe like 2 levels lower than APL


Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
Dryder wrote:

Fighter

Cleric (Saranrae)
Sorcerer

Your two biggest problems are going to be lack of Trapfinding and poor Reflex saves. Neither is insurmountable, but make sure you and the players are aware of it.


Remove some of the nastier traps, and tone down the lamia at the end of skinsaw and you should be golden.

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