Should not the Blessings (Timer) Deck Size Depend on Number of Locations?

[LunarBob]

This occurred to me that if I play a single solo character, I get 30 turns to explore 3 Locations (30 cards), which pretty much gives me opportunity to explore ALL cards in all Location piles, if I don't find the Villain until the last turn.

However, if I play 3 characters at once (which forces the 5 Locations rule), I will only have 30 turns to explore 5x10= 50 cards in the Location piles!

In other words, it seems more difficult to finish the game the more characters you have.

So to have the same chance for a party of 5 characters to finish a Scenario as a solo character, they would need a 5x10=50 card Blessings timer deck, due to the increased number of locations.

The formula would be TimerDeckSize = Locations x 10.

Am I incorrect in this thinking?

Has this been discussed somewhere?
(if so, then sorry and please link)

[Hawkmoon269]

It has been discussed. But don't worry about it. Everyone goes through the same thought process.

Link 1
Link 2

[csouth154]

As party size increases, it becomes more and more necessary to use blessings, and some allies, for exploring rather than aiding checks. This is a balance mechanism. Remember, on any given check, each character can play one of each type of card. Think of how easy (and boring) the game would be if every character was free to play a blessing on any check without worrying about whether they should have used that blessing for an explore, instead.

[feylund]

also assuming you make closing checks you will on average only see half if not less of all the cards in the location decks. it starts to average out better with a more diverse party that can tackle individual closing checks better and will require more time for an individual to get through harder checks on his/her own.

[NOG the Demoralizer]

Multiple players allows for targeted locations based on skill set... you can maximize your chances to close those locations by sending the character with the best stat required, thus necessitating less boons.

In our regular four player group we have only gotten close to going through the entire blessing deck twice, and both times it was due to scenario mechanics that advanced the deck.

Also, it keeps the game from taking forever by cutting down on the overall total number of turns.

[Chimpy]

Also bear in mind that the villain & henchmen will sometimes be near the top, or near the bottom, of the location. On average over many plays (a loose term) the villain/henchmen will be halfway down the location, which means that with 6 players, it will, on average, take 5 * 8 = 40 explores, which isn't so bad, and should be do-able using explore-again mechanics.

For a single player game, on average, it will only take 15 explores to encounter all the villains and henchmen. But I guess in single player there are more failures, so it takes longer.

Paizo have balanced it pretty well I think.

[LunarBob]

Ah good!
Thank you very much everyone!