D&D General DMs, how do you handle 'split party' situations?

[Nefermandias]

Depends whether the priority is efficiency in the fiction or efficiency at the table.

How many times, for example, have you and your SO gone shopping and to get it done faster, each hit a different store in the mall rather than both going to both?

In the fiction it's the same: the party splits up so the MU and the Thief can go get info from the MU's guild while the Cleric checks in with her temple and the two Fighters go looking for a hench to hire. Afterwards, they all meet up and compare notes.

Woefully inefficient at the table but more efficient (and probably more reflective of what the characters would actually do) in the fiction. To me, the latter is more important.

You chose an example with fairly low stakes though. It usually doesn't really make much of a difference when the party is shopping or hiring underlings.

Now, splitting the party during dungeon exploration (and I'm not talking about the rogue scouting ahead) can be a real problem.

 

[Lanefan]

You chose an example with fairly low stakes though. It usually doesn't really make much of a difference when the party is shopping or hiring underlings.

Now, splitting the party during dungeon exploration (and I'm not talking about the rogue scouting ahead) can be a real problem.

True, but the in-town example leaped to mind first.

In the field, though, the result is the same: in the fiction multiple things are (potentially) happening at once, while at the table there has to be some back and forth as the DM can only do one thing at a time.

 

[iserith]

I find it hilarious and at the same time annoying that players have this weird idea that splitting the party is going to get things accomplished faster.

I mean, surely if you check the attic and I check the basement, we will get to the bottom of this quickly and with no troubles whatsoever!

 

[TheNewPlayer]

Like do I tell them to not listen to what’s happening to the rest of their party or is it okay if they listen but don’t say anything

Sorry I’m a new dm idk what to do

 

[soviet]

I thought the conventional wisdom on splitting the party is wrong. It's a good thing, and I embrace it.

 

[soviet]

Like do I tell them to not listen to what’s happening to the rest of their party or is it okay if they listen but don’t say anything

Sorry I’m a new dm idk what to do

Let them listen, it's fun to know what's going on.

 

[J.Quondam]

Like do I tell them to not listen to what’s happening to the rest of their party or is it okay if they listen but don’t say anything

Sorry I’m a new dm idk what to do

I've usually just told the whole group, and don't worry about it too much. Most groups are pretty good about keeping PC knowledge separate from players, and even if they don't it's fine. I think people have more fun when everyone is listening to what happens to everyone else.
(It's also less hassle for the DM, tbh.)

 

[Stalker0]

Let them listen, it's fun to know what's going on.

Nothing the thread necromancy here (4 year old thread).

I will echo this. I think the little bit of players having to not use info they learn for their own roleplay is far less of an issue than players bored because they can't even sit at the table and listen to what's going on.

 

[Mort]

I thought the conventional wisdom on splitting the party is wrong. It's a good thing, and I embrace it.

Though I won't forbid it, I'm generally not a fan. Tends to split my attention, leaves some players twiddling their thumbs, and can cause problems if there is a serious combat encounter.

There are ways around any and all of those problems, but 5e doesn't tend to embrace them wholeheartedly (for ex. Combats with half the party missing can be unforgiving).

Let them listen, it's fun to know what's going on.

This i fully agree with. No real reason to exclude the rest.

 

[R_J_K75]

We play once every other week, sometimes every week for usually 3 hours tops. So, between side conversations that inevitably crop up during the game, splitting the party isn't something I want to deal with as the DM. I don't forbit it but strongly discourage it and usually try and suggest some other solution than splitting the party. It's more of a distraction than productive gaming at least with my current group.