Help - should I play up or down?

[Entropi]

My PFS home game starts in 3-4 hours. I expect six players at an average level of 6.5, and I'm gonna run #2-03 - The Rebel's Ransom. I'm pretty sure if I run it at sub-tier 5-6, my players will be bored and unchallenged. If I run it at sub-tier 8-9, I'm afraid it might end up with a TPK. I don't have a tier 3-7 scenario ready, and I can't run a tier 7-11, as some characters are lvl 6. What should I do?

[Doug Miles]

Ask your players what they want. It's their characters after all. This topic has been previously discussed.

[Whiskey Jack]

My advise is to immediately download and prep a different module. I know 3-4 hours doesn't seem like a lot of time, but it would be what I would do if I faced the same situation. Voice in the Void is a nice season 1 scenario which could be played 6-7 and should provide good challenge.

[deusvult]

Well if the APL of the characters falls in between the subtiers, let the players decide. I wouldn't give them too much information, basically "Well you guys can go for the bigger challenges and bigger rewards, or play it safer with tamer treasure.."

If you let the players decide, they'll be more apt to play smartly and spend spare gold on extra expendibles, etc. And if they don't, and TPK, well it's on them instead of on you ;)

[Cactus-Jack]

Rebel's Ransom is particularly rough. Review the encounters at the higher Tier and compare them to the party make up. Although the players may choose, they should choose based on the GM's input about the scenario.

The last time ran this one I nearly had a party wipe on the first encounter. One died and a lot of resources were spent to continue.

Good luck, it is a good adventure.

[TwilightKnight]

When you say 6.5, does that include the +1 for the 6th player? When deciding whether to play up or not, the first question I have is are there any characters who's level actually falls in the higher sub-tier? In your case, for example, if you have three 5's and three 6's (APL 6.5), don't play up since there are no characters even close to level 8-9. Sub-tier 8-9 often means CR's in the 9-10 range, and perhaps even 11. That's nearly double the character's level.

[james maissen]

Entropi wrote:

My PFS home game starts in 3-4 hours.

What should I do?

You don't think that the scenario is suitable for them, so don't run it.

Rather find an easy to prep one that IS suitable for them. It seems some other posters have made a suggestion or two for you.

The first option that ANY GM has is NOT TO RUN THE SCENARIO. If it seems unbalanced, there's something wrong with the encounters, tactics, etc. rather than look to contort.. don't force the issue.

Now all that said, perhaps the party can surprise you. Perhaps warn them that you don't think that either tier is suitable for the table as you see it... say you've prepped this other scenario where it should be better and then let them decide.

-James

[Michael Foster 989]

If they can choose to play up give them the choice, in the end its their characters they are putting on the line, if I was them I would play up but thats because I love a challenge, my 2 biggest play ups where level 3 rogue in sub tier 6-7, I was the last man standing vs the chimera it went down just before I would have, and level 6 rogue in subtier 8-9 with highest level being level 7 we wont both without losing anyone it was a near thing both times and was extremely enjoyable.

Just remind them you wont go easy on them, and then follow through with it if they choose to play up (I would hate it if the GM took it easy on us just because we decided to play up).

In the end you are all there to have fun, so if it would be more fun for everyone even the GM for you to play up do it, if it would be less fun for everyone to play down then dont.

[Whiskey Jack]

Entropi, what did you end up doing? How did it go?