One of my players is unable to play in my campaign any more. He was a wizard in a group of an oracle, a cavalier, and a ranger. How should I proceed? Should I research how to run adventures for small parties, or should I introduced a GM-controlled PC? If the latter, what is the easiest class to play that won't step on the other PCs' toes?
A dmnpc might work, though this party can probably operate ok with just 3, just make encounters a little easier.
If you do go with dmnpc I recommend bard for this group, and focus on buffing, and knowledge and utility. Buffs wont step on anyones toes, and most turns can start with inspire courage, a simple and straight forward action, and maybe be an archer bard to simplify your actions after you start performing.
Consider leaving things as they are and let the players come up with their own solution. If they feel the pinch on arcane abilities, they can either start multiclassing or take the Leadership feat and get a cohort.
You also could let them know that you'd allow them to hire an NPC to fill the slot (for an equal share of the proceeds). Make sure to play them more as a follower or someone with an underdeveloped sense of destiny - competent in a fight and knowledgeable about the campaign (a conduit for GM exposition) but who prefers not to lead or has trouble with decisions.
The Return to the Keep on the Borderlands from TSR (back in 2e days) included a section on potential NPCs for hiring among the residents at the keep. Most of them had some flaw to them that would keep them from being PC material. Cob the fighter was unambitious and a bit gormless, Brother Martin was the kind of person who would always seek consensus rather than make a decision, Dubricus the wizard came up with impractical, hare-brained plans that would make Freddy's plans on Scooby-Doo look sensible. All competent at what they could do and decent followers - just not successful adventurer material.
I wouldn't go the GMPC route (especially as a prepared caster,) just let the party handle it. Since they're missing an arcane caster, just make sure to drop a whole bunch of utility scrolls and they should be good. Let them know the Leadership feat is available if they want to take it.
I would say it depends on the PC's level, and how deep into the campaign you are.
If you've just started, that makes things fairly simple. Any reasonable solution should work fine. If you've been going for a year or more, the solution may require more finesse. The sudden introduction of a new DMNPC or a sudden decline in the encounter level could destroy the immersion and verisimilitude of the world you've all crafted.
If the PC's are mid to higher level, Leadership may be the easiest solution. If they are low level, I would just let them work it out on their own, either through multiclassing, UMD, taking Leadership as they level, etc...
I have a (sort of) similar situation ... although my group is much bigger (was 6 players, now down to 5) in a bit of "irony" the player leaving WAS a bard ... although my other players have informed me that the bard is just "going back to Turtleback Ferry" for a while ... until the party's summoner [master summoner] can take Leadership and then have the bard as a cohort.
So, JDCAce, I would say the others that posted here have the right of it, let your players decide what they're going to do and just let them know of their available options (the allowing of hiring an NPC, or taking Leadership and acquiring a cohort) and of course for you, trim down the encounters, to keep them playable for a smaller group ... and I'm sure they'll be fine.
Let us know how it all plays out.
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Look for a new player?
I talked to my players last night. After giving them all the options, they decided they'd like to hire a GMPC, at least until 7th level when they can pick up Leadership (they're 2nd level now). I asked what class so I could have it built next game, and they decided on bard, coincidentally enough. Bad news, I've never played a bard before. Good news, I've been wanting to for a while!