D&D 5E Party Composition for Tyranny of Dragons

[Jake Johnson]

So, as our new group works through the Starter Set, I'm planning for Hoard of the Dragon Queen. As part of the process, I'm thinking about how to help my players hit the trail with a balanced party that will allow everyone to play the way they want while contributing to the overall success of the story. Perhaps some of you with more DMing experience than I can share some insights. First, does anyone know how many players will be appropriate for Hoard of the Dragon Queen? I have five interested for sure, and maybe one or two more who would join in if the adventure would support more. I'd be comfortable running a game with eight, if the adventure would support that many.

My next question has to do with party composition. What classes do you see as most important for party success? The players seem fairly open, as long as they end up with a character that feels fun to play. My sense is that we need at least one heavy fighter, one cleric, and one pure spell caster, at a minimum, with other roles being less critical. I suppose we should have at least one or two archers, and perhaps a rogue or maybe a bard. I'd be interested to hear what you all think.

Finally, I'm assuming most players will start with fairly standard equipment (packs). Are there any pieces of equipment you would recommend that might not be obvious choices?

 

[pkt77242]

So, as our new group works through the Starter Set, I'm planning for Hoard of the Dragon Queen. As part of the process, I'm thinking about how to help my players hit the trail with a balanced party that will allow everyone to play the way they want while contributing to the overall success of the story. Perhaps some of you with more DMing experience than I can share some insights. First, does anyone know how many players will be appropriate for Hoard of the Dragon Queen? I have five interested for sure, and maybe one or two more who would join in if the adventure would support more. I'd be comfortable running a game with eight, if the adventure would support that many.

My next question has to do with party composition. What classes do you see as most important for party success? The players seem fairly open, as long as they end up with a character that feels fun to play. My sense is that we need at least one heavy fighter, one cleric, and one pure spell caster, at a minimum, with other roles being less critical. I suppose we should have at least one or two archers, and perhaps a rogue or maybe a bard. I'd be interested to hear what you all think.

Finally, I'm assuming most players will start with fairly standard equipment (packs). Are there any pieces of equipment you would recommend that might not be obvious choices?

There is nothing wrong with a group of 6 (and 7 works but you might need to slightly increase the challenge) as most adventures are made for 4-6 characters.
A party of 6 could be
2 front line warriors (think heavy fighter, barbarian or Paladin)
2 damage oriented characters (think Rogue, Ranger, etc)
1 Magic-User (wizard, warlock or sorcerer).
1 healer (cleric or Bard)

Though you can play many different configurations though, I have played in a group of 3 wizards, a bard, a ranger and a paladin, and I have played in a group that was made up of all fighters, paladins, rangers and barbarians. Pretty much let the players play what they want.

Edit: I also once played in a Dragonlance campaign that only had Knights of Solamnia in it.

 

[drjones]

One thing to consider is player skill level and interest in complexity. More than 4e it really takes a bit more system knowledge to play a wizard than to play a fighter (well, a default fighter) so if they are all newbs the above group would be fine but if they are more into complexity and tactics you might want to swap out a fighter or two for something more crazy.

In our group the player who was always a healer in 4e took the cleric, but having only played 4e and not being much on tactics and system knowledge she was somewhat frustrated with the 5e cleric.