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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FormerlyHemlock" data-source="post: 6769908" data-attributes="member: 6787650">This is the part I don't get. If my PC is a tactical optimizer, he knows that having more meatshields arounds makes him safer. He will hire hobgoblin mercenaries for 30 gold per month and be glad to have them, despite their relative weakness, because they still contribute as meat shields and damage sources. If he meets an 8th level Cleric of Life who knows Revivify, but happens to be irrationally attached to a suboptimal weapon like a greatsword that he doesn't even know how to use properly (obviously nonproficient and a mediocre Strength)--am I going to sneer and kick him out of the party as a liability? NO!!! Of course not. He's still worth at least five hobgoblins just on the basis of his higher HP, Spiritual Weapon, Spirit Guardians, Bless, and Revivify. I'll even put up with his tiresome preaching, which affects me more than his relative fecklessness in melee combat.Now, if in addition to using a suboptimal weapon, he also proves to be a tactical incompetent and a social buffoon, I might kick him out of the party then, or at least not go out of my way to save his life when he's in danger. But then we're way beyond optimization issues and into character or player personality issues.TL;DR from a survival perspective, a larger party is better. Why would you turn down another meat shield?</blockquote>