Kicking a player out of the group.

[S'mon]

1. How well do groups of 2 pc's do in 3rd Edition? Neither have a desire to play another character.
2. How much scaling back, if any, should I do?
(The remaining PC's are: Fighter2/Rogue5, Paladin3/Fighter2/Sorceror2)

I'm having great fun playing in a 2-player all-Rogues game set in an 18th-century culture, but CR/challenges and such bear no relation to 'regular D&D'. A 2-player game can be fine, but don't throw EL 7 challenges at this "7th level party"! A few lower-level NPCs or a single CR 5 creature would be about right, and I'd not like to bet on these 2 vs a single CR 5 troll.

 

[S'mon]

Re friendship - tact & honesty is key here - explain that the game you want to run - immersive RP - is not the game he wishes to play (numbers-based). Maybe you could still run some one-offs based on his style - 'all-combat tactical skirmish, battleboard, minis' is fun, at least occasionally.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think that the game works fine with 2 characters only, as long as of course you scale the encounters appropriately. The DM doesn't have much trouble if she takes care of the fact that the party probably misses some important roles: in your case it seems to be missing healing capabilities and spellcasting in general (2 levels of Sorcerer at 7th level party is quite little), but as long as you accomodate the challenges with that in mind, the campaign is still going to work.

But it will be more difficult for the players definitely. I tried only once to run a short adventure with 2 characters (as a matter of fact it was a solo adventure with a NPC to help), and I can tell you that the biggest risk for them was to be caught both into the same blocking effect, as simple as a Sleep spell. The less the number of PCs, the higher the chance that all fail a saving a throw, and the party is helpless, and the first time this happens it could be a TPK if the DM doesn't choose to have the opponents be very mercyful or very careless

That's what happened to us... a Kobold Sorcerer cast a Sleep, both PC failed the ST, and the DM (me) had to rule that these kobolds were satisfied enough to loot the party without blood. A couple of encounters later more kobolds sprung a trap which blinded both of the PC, but instead of finishing or capturing them, they ran away cowardly. Then the evil shaman at the final encounter cast 2 successful Hold Person before the PC could even act (surprise round + best initiative), and the party was frozen for a few rounds, but instead of easily killing them the cleric wasted those rounds to retreat to his chamber and look for a couple of potions...

 

[Li Shenron]

As far as our friendship goes, I'm sure for a least 6 months it will be rough, but we are both adults. I am hopeful as well that a group he has joined recently (which IMO is part of the more recent problems, getting the two games confused and the like) will bear more fruition towards his style of play and we can rejoice over an adult beverage about each others group.

To be honest, I would have much an easier time to "kick out" of the game a good-old friend of mine who would surely understand and laugh about it, rather than someone I just met who may become offended

 

[EyeforanEye2]

If the presence of this "friend" is a disruption to the game, the obvious choice is simply ask him that he not play anymore... If he is that loyal of a friend, he or she will understand...

 

[kolikeos]

i DMd a group of 2 chars. its just like a normal game but moves along faster, and the enemys should be less powerful.

 

[Wormwood]

I can sympathise: last year I had to kick someone out of our group, leaving me to DM two players for the better part of 6 months.

Some tips—

1. Gestalt Classes: We tried this for a while, and it's definitely a useful variant with a small party (essentially, many of the options available to a 4-person party are available to just two characters). Unfortunately, Gestalt expects a certain proficiency with the nuances of D&D that some people just don't have. One of my players was fairly new to 3e, and he was quickly overwhelmed keeping track of his options. We dropped Gestalt for the current Eberron game accordingly.

2. Max Hit Points (er, for the PCs only). That helps out a bit.

3. Challenging the party: As you probably know, the CR/EL system is not perfect. I've noticed that the two-man party can comfortably handle encounters equal to their level–1. Multiple opponents in excess of four require me to cut the EL down to party level–2. To be honest, this is the trickiest aspect of dealing with a small party.

Good luck.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

To be honest, I would have much an easier time to "kick out" of the game a good-old friend of mine who would surely understand and laugh about it, rather than someone I just met who may become offended

Amazing how even the simplest things are viewed differently by different people. I would be very, very hurt if a 20+ year friend kicked me out of his group. And I wouldn't dream of doing so to such a friend. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I expect those kinds of friendships to mean more, or if I'm just overly sensitive.

 

[Wormwood]

Amazing how even the simplest things are viewed differently by different people. I would be very, very hurt if a 20+ year friend kicked me out of his group. And I wouldn't dream of doing so to such a friend. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I expect those kinds of friendships to mean more, or if I'm just overly sensitive.

I agree. I've abandoned (or disbanded) gaming groups in the past rather than let them interfere with real-life friendships.

I can kick over a rock and find a new batch of gamers any time, but I only have a handful of true friends.

 

[Gnarlo]

Talk to them nicely about the problem and how it's not the right group for them. Read Five Geek Social Fallacies if you need some support that you are doing the right thing, especially 2,3, and 5.