Q: Finding The Balance Between Campaign And Casual Players

[MrCharisma]

Hi All

Long time reader, first-time poster.

I've recently completed two Frostgrave games at the local games club, and I'm wondering if you have ideas on how to run a campaign while keeping casual games engaged?

There seems to be;

• a core group of players who want to join me in the two FG campaign settings and use all their club time playing FG
• a group of players who want to play casually and split their club time with X-Wing and Bolt Action

I'm all about being inclusive and growing the local FG community. I feel that starting these casual players at a higher level (based on the core group) is a good start, however; doesn't capture the full experience with injuries, treasures, and additional spells.

Has anyone else come across this situation, and have any ideas?

[Philhelm]

I think that the simple solution is to have two (or more) separate warbands.  Use one warband for your main campaign, and another set for use against casual players.  If they are just playing one-off games, perhaps you could raise your starting gold in order to have a greater range of options for your warband, and perhaps a few levels are the ability to purchase some magic items.

[MrCharisma]

Good ideas Philhelm.

At the moment I'm not sure if these casual players will be once a month, once every few months or what their deal will be.

I know when a new player joins my D&D group we will start them at the average level and would boost them with some magical items. I'm wondering if there is a mathematical approach to the amount of gold to provide (based on the level of the more experienced gamers)?

[Mr Vampire]

I'm in favor of the multiple warband approach. You can even use the same models if you want, the stats are just whats on paper. I however would take the opportunity to play with the models I like but never get to field.

[Daniel36]

Buy a set of Cultists, or a box of skellies, or zombies, or anything else that strikes your fancy, create an "NPC" warband, that can be used by high level players when playing against new players so as not to completely annihilate them.

More variety, less discrepancy, all the fun!

[MrCharisma]

Thanks Mr Vampire and Daniel. The multi-warband approach was our initial idea, however; i'm not entirely sure how keen the others are in having a number of warbands (even with the same miniatures).

It might be the best idea unless someone else has figured out a different way.