Balancing Encounters for VERY LARGE parties

[Cacophonik]

So. If you've got a 10-character party (don't ask...), would it be feasible to simply double the recommended critters/encounter, since the party is double-sized?

From what I can tell from the DMG advice, this should work as far as balance goes. Anyone have any practical experience with such a ghastly scenario?

[Rev Rosey]

I'd be interested in any advice myself. For complex reasons, I've committed myself to running a short game for 8 paragon level pcs. At the moment I'm still trying to devise maps that will be interesting enough to add to the game and still allow everyone to move a bit.

For the critters - not sure the simply doubling up is the way to go. In theory, yes, but if this isn't a party that's worked together before (and mine won't be, despite being experienced gamers), if I just up the critters, I could still be looking at a TPK by the end of round 3.

[Kruelaid]

With that many people you can afford to break a few eggs. MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Rev Rosey]

Kruelaid wrote:

With that many people you can afford to break a few eggs. MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

Not when I'm married to one egg and the mother of another.

[Logos]

I ran 6/8 just following the normal xp guidelines.

Only thing is I may suggest maybe not going over their level with your monsters. With less people you can't really load up on the lol leve +3 monsters but with more you can. Everything still works it just tends to make the game drag i find.

L

[Matthew Koelbl]

They have guidelines for adjusting the xp in each encounter to fit bigger parties - and these do come out to essentially just doubling it for a party of 10, for example. However, I'd recommend against actually doubling the number of monsters, since things will already be slowed down by the number of PCs. Instead, I'd say include a good number of Elites and such, ending up with an appropriate encounter, but not one that is unmanageable for a DM.

[arkady_v]

Yeah, double up the XP value of the monsters, but don't double up the actual number of monsters. Although, if you want to have a bunch of enemies to make the feel really epic, make most of the numbers minions.

For 10 characters, in an epic battle, I'd probably include as opponents (assuming all foes are the same level as the party):

1 solo OR 2 elite and a regular monster
1 elite
3 regular monsters (1 lurker, 2 soldiers or maybe some artillery)
16 minions