Because adventures are written for a variable number of characters across a range of levels, GMs need to adjust the adventure to their table as below. In addition, when preparing an adventure, remember that the Organized Play adventures errata forum houses the official errata and clarifications to Pathfinder Society adventures.
Table Size Scaling
Pathfinder Society adventures are written for four to six PCs. However, a GM can run a table with two or three players in some situations. In those cases, all four-player adjustments written into the adventure still apply. Make the following adjustments:
- Adventures with a minimum level of 7 or lower: can be run for a table of two or three players by adding Iconic Pregens at the appropriate level to meet the minimum table size of four PCs. The GM can either play these characters themselves or have one or more players play them, provided the player or players agree. Iconic Pregens are available for 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th level.
- Adventures with a minimum level of 8 or higher: can be run for a table of 3 players, but only if all players at the table agree. A "hard mode" playthrough like this is expected to be satisfying, but remember that adventures are designed for a minimum of four PCs. Players and GMs are cautioned that playthroughs on "hard mode" will be more difficult than normal.
- All levels: If there are still not enough players even with these adjustments and there is a player available who has already played the adventure, they can join the table, playing for no credit.
Adjusting Adventure Difficulty
During Year 7, Pathfinder Society Scenarios changed to adjust difficulty with easier and harder potential modifications to encounters. Earlier adventures used the Challenge Points system to adjust difficulty.
Current Pathfinder Society Scenarios have encounters that are balanced for six PCs of the lowest level for that adventure (for example, six level 1 PCs in a levels 1-2 adventure). Each encounter also contains Easier and Harder adjustments in a sidebar. GMs use their best judgement and adjust encounters accordingly based on the number of PCs, their level, and the players’ experience level.
The GM can make the easier or harder adjustments based on factors such as the number and levels of characters at the table and the level of challenge the players prefer. The GM can also make different adjustments to different encounters within the scenario itself.
There are no rigid rules on when to use these adjustments. A party of six high-level PCs might seem like the ideal case for the harder adjustment, but if the players are all relatively inexperienced, the standard difficulty could be best. In most cases, a four-PC party of low-level characters would use the easier adjustment, but there are situations where the GM or players prefer not to apply it, such as if all players are experienced and want a challenge.
A GM’s goal is for the players to complete the adventure and feel as if they have overcome obstacles to do so. Attempt to run games which are neither extremely easy nor extremely hard; cakewalks are not the desired experience, but neither are consistent TPKs. GMs can alter their adjustments partway through an adventure based on the PCs’ performance, using different adjustments for different encounters.
As a reminder, GMs are encouraged to Run Prudently and expected to facilitate a fun and inclusive gaming environment for everyone at the table. (See Community Standards and Expectations for details.)
See Permitted Table Adjustments for guidance on additional adjustments and GM discretion in balancing difficulty.