4 roles - why 5 players?

[Rechan]

I thought it was really Ted Turner?


(Everybody that doesn't get that loses points.)

CAAAPTAIN PLANET!

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Someone has to carry the gold.

 

[Festivus]

Hmm. I'd guess for two reasons.
1) D&D groups typically have 5 players (don't know if this is true or not).
2) There were 4 traditional roles, warrior, thief, mage, priest. While 4e changes these roles, I guess they want to stick at least somewhat with the old way.

I know I aim for 5 players, that way if someone can't make it, the other four are likely to, and thus less cancelled sessions due to insufficient numbers of players.

 

[TwoSix]

Exactly like the title. If there are 4 roles to be covered, why will 4e expect 5 players?

Because with the average of D&D players increasing, you have to anticipate at least one person being missing for every session due to RL issues.

 

[frankthedm]

Exactly like the title. If there are 4 roles to be covered, why will 4e expect 5 players?

Because there are NOT 4 roles to be covered. That is the main issue. There are four roles that each class is one of, but the important thing is that a party in 4e does not need to have those roles covered, so it currently seems. A party might consist of all strikers and defenders or some other combo and still be roughly able to handle the things a party with all four roles covered.

 

[Wanderer20]

Because they think that the butche...err simplified rules will add 1 casual gamer to every party of 4.

Someway it's a strategic decision: start the game with 5 PCs, and when one will leave you remain with all roles covered

 

[Felnar]

This can only mean one thing......

DMPCs are now core.....

You heard it here first folks!!!!

haha
my thoughts exactly

 

[The Ubbergeek]

Variant roles?

backup?

Multiclassed guy?

That could be anything... and in anyway... The size of parties in the d&d videogames always was 4-6, as far I know. There was 'duplicates' - with variations, and multiclassed guys.

Who never had put a second warrior as a barb or paladin maybe, or a fighter/cleric, or... etc...

 

[ivocaliban]

Someone has to carry the gold.

The Fifth Role: Jackass?