Hey all. I'm looking to run an AP for my wife, and a friend with possibly a third friend joining in. I'd likely be playing a PC/NPC to offer support in whatever roll is lacking (I believe one friend is a cleric and the wife wants to play a rogue). So my question is... what is the best AP for such a tiny group? I've always wanted to run a AP and this might likely be my only real hope.
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You don't have a tiny group. All the APs are written with the assumption of 4 PCs, you have 3 with a fourth as a DMPC. If that's the case, you're all set! Just find an AP that your group thinks will be fun to play and you think will be fun to run. Just make sure to have your DMPC sit back and be a support role and make sure the players make the decisions.
Council of Thieves, Serpent's Skull, and Skull & Shackles all surround the PCs with a group of NPCs with stats and personalities they can work with from the very beginning. It's easy to "borrow" an NPC that fills whatever niche the party is needing for any particular encounter and switch them out for a different NPC for a different kind of mission: If you're expecting a fight, ask the fighter NPC along; if you need knowledge or face skills, invite the bard, or whatever. This helps a small group have more resources at hand to face a wide range of situations. Your DMPC becomes a stable of extras, depending on which NPCs the party wants to work with at any given time.
Every AP can be run for smaller groups than 4 (personally I wouldn't run AP for "group" of 1 or 2 players ) but DM must do some modifications. I like that 4 players are ideal for AP as there is enough spotlight for everyone and on higher levels game still runs nicely.
Personally I think that Jade Regent is awesome AP for three players. I run it now to three players and we are really roleplaying heavy with it. It is easier to jump from one character to another when there are only three players. Getting them to know important npc is really nice things and it's easy when there is only three players. Of course I had to do some modifications but as important npc are there, players can ask them for help which have worked nicely.
I recommend Jade Regent AP if you only have three players. Council of Thieves is almost as good for same reasons: lot of friendly npcs how can help you. IMHO story of Council of Thieves isn't as good as Jade Regent but it's matter of taste.