Smaller Party

[JacktheRabbit]

Assuming that an encounter is a EL5 what level would you think the players would have to be if they are of balanced class and magic items but there are only two of them?

 

[Roland Delacroix]

Off the top of my head, 7-8. They will be powerfull sure but as soon as one of them drops the party loses half its capability.

I'm hoping its a rogue and cleric? Thats the only 2 person party i can see surviving really. I'd suggest recruiting a third player.

 

[Crothian]

With a party that small it will depend on what they are and how they play. 2 fighters can take out a tough opponent but won't be able to do that for long.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

The party is made of a elven ranger druid and a dwarven barbarian cleric.

 

[Crothian]

The party is made of a elven ranger druid and a dwarven barbarian cleric.

For this I would agree with 7-8. Both have fighting cabilitiy and healing. Those are two very important things. I think large numbers might give them more of a challenge then one powerful creature. But that's hard to tell. Good luck, small parties can be a lot of fun, but can also get killed easily.

 

[starwolf]

Actually this party doesn't have to be as small as it seems if the DM is willing to work with the characters. With a druid in the party you should have at least one good animal companion, and depending on the cleric's domain maybe another. If the ranger and/or the barbarian have decent ranks in handle animal you should also be able to acquire a couple of good war dogs or two.
And with a good Summon Nature's Ally you can add a few more allies.

 

[Limper]

With very small parties I always encourage (if not give) them each Leadership. Leadership really only works if the group is missing something or its small.

 

[Crothian]

With very small parties I always encourage (if not give) them each Leadership. Leadership really only works if the group is missing something or its small.

Some characters or campaigns leadership doesn't work for. I think small parties are great cause you have so few characters to focus the story around. It might take a few sessions to determine what they can handle in combat, but when it comes to role playing, everyone can easily share the lime light.