The only real limitations are space and whether everyone can hear and follow along. Eight players is what I'd consider a general maximum. Most groups will have a small table, maybe with some chairs or couches nearby in the room.
I think five is the perfect amount both as a player and a DM. We run heavy role playing games and with more than five it can be hard to keep everyone engaged and give everyone face time with the DM.
I am running 5E with seven players and it takes a lot more work for me as the DM. I also noticed it can be harder to keep people on task because of joking and off game table talk.
This is an interesting thing a couple folks have mentioned: people that prefer a more "roleplaying intensive" game seem to also be preferring smaller groups. Is this a character development issue, a spotlight time issue, an immersion and versimilitude issue? What is the key component of "roleplaying intensive" than demands a smaller number of players?
This is an interesting thing a couple folks have mentioned: people that prefer a more "roleplaying intensive" game seem to also be preferring smaller groups. Is this a character development issue, a spotlight time issue, an immersion and versimilitude issue? What is the key component of "roleplaying intensive" than demands a smaller number of players?