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Message: <blockquote data-quote="discosoc" data-source="post: 6986341" data-attributes="member: 6801554">I'd recommend balancing around 4 players.  Monster stat blocks list average HP based on hit dice, which is roughly 50% of their max HP.  If only 3 show up, drop the monster HP down to 40%.  If 5 people show up, just beef the HP up to 70%.  If 6 or more people show up, just add 1 additional monster at 70% HP (unless it's a solo fight, then just boost HP up to 100%).It's not a perfect system, but it's one I've found works well enough for sudden changes in group sizes.  As the session goes on, you should be able to modify it a bit based on how the group is doing, so maybe if only 3 people show up and they burn through your weakened encounter, just make the rest of them back to normal HP.So in short, prep for 4 players at 50% monster health.  40% for 3 players and 70% for 5 players.  Add an extra monster at 70% health for 6 or more players.Finally, if you do end up with 7 or more players at your table, and your monsters end up going last (or close to it) in initiative, Just quickly boost their HP across the board by 20% at the beginning to help further balance the difference in action economy that 7 players tend to bring.</blockquote>