I'm playing an AP with two groups of 6 PCs who aren't particularly optimized. I've nearly wiped them out by adding extra opponents due to the extra PCs, so now I'm just maxing the hps of the opponents already mentioned in the AP. My question is, should I increase the CR of the hp-maxed opponents (for XP purposes)? Should I just rule that they get the same amount of XP each as they would have as a party of 4? Or is there a better solution I haven't thought of?
I'd rather not have to run too many side quests to keep them where they ought to be XP-wise in the AP, as I'm pretty wobbly on designing appropriate foes.
Same here, running my first AP with 6 PC's, I have nearly wiped them out too so unless things get too easy I'm leaving things as they are, I'm basicaly going to look at it each session as I play and miodify as and when to begin with.
As for XP my group don't seem to care too much about getting XP so long as they level, I find it easier if they level up at the same time though. The AP's do mention when PC's shpuld reach certain levels so I'm using that as a bench mark but to be honest it works OK as far as I can see if you use the fast advancemant track for XP instead of the medium that the AP is based on
For now I would give them the same number of monsters and XP as if it was a 4 man group. If they improved slowly add monsters.
Personally I do not like to toughen up monsters because there are more PCs by default, after a while it stretches the credibility of the monsters, does every single one have to be tougher than the average specimen ?
I rather put in more monsters, change the environment to make it harder for the pcs or make the creatures obviously different from the average, adding a fiendish template or PC/NPC levels, adding a minor limited use item can help, a potion (or wand) to buff them up most commonly.
Dependent on the encounter you can add a pet, a cohort or a few servants of comparatively low CR, even a low level caster can make a huge difference forcing the party to expend an overkill of attention to the lesser threats.
Okay, thanks for the advice.