Video preview: Three Tips for Scheduling D&D Games

I have a group of 6 but if/when 3 show up I say we have "quorum" and get started.

I have two groups who each play bi-weekly and have no issues. everyone understands we are adults that have to do other stuff sometimes. players know if they are absent, their character is going to be the most brave and generous! I have two veteran players that can easily play multiple characters for a session.

Run with 5 people minimum imo. Run everything online imo. Use zoom, mics, and a VTT (and probably DnDBeyond) once a week. Never skip, 3 hours max (after 3 hours people energy fades). 6+2 is ok idea imo as well :) Great advice as always Sly.

I've found that for online games it is MUCH easier to get this type of commitment from players. For my fledgling in-person game I tried to set a once a month date - the third Saturday of the month - but was met with some resistance. I think for that group it feels like D&D is okay if I don't have something else going on...at least at this juncture. That may change in time.

I don't always do it, but I will play a missing player's character if they are either integral to the story or battle already in progress. I will push them into the background, but still present. Playing them at the most basic design or purpose and trying to keep them out of unnecessary harm. I know there's a risk... but between the dials and multiple points of failure/success I integrate... it's worked well so far.

The most successful game I ever ran owed a lot of that success due to the fact that I literally just would never cancel. If even one player would show up, we had dnd that night. We had players drop in and out of the campaign multiple times over the three years it ran, but everyone knew the game went on no matter what. I also think when people know the game is going to happen almost no matter what, they tend to prioritize making the game a bit more than if they know it will be moved if they can't make it.