I'll repeat my thoughts since I haven't yet commented on this specific 4-vs-6 thread. We should have the option to use a 6-person party. Specifically,
- The default should be 4, and in the game settings there should be a checkbox "Enable 6-person party?" Personally I'd prefer 4 characters as it is less to micromanage, and if by default there was clear UI indicative of a 6-person party (e.g., empty portrait slots), I'd feel obligated to fill them and play with 6. Putting this option in game settings makes it seem like an *optional* way of playing instead of the *intended* way.
- The game doesn't need to be changed otherwise (aside from making sure the game *functions* for 6 players). Larian could just add that checkbox and 6-person functionality and change none of the encounters. If done this way, the checkbox should also say "Warning. BG3 is intended and balanced for a party of 4. Your experience with a 6-person-party may vary." Players could then play on higher levels of difficulty and/or install mods if they wanted a more challenging game.
- The easiest way to balance the game for a variable party size is using split exp. Each character in a 6-person-party gets less exp than a character in a 4 (or 3, or 1) person party. With some slight & relatively easy tweaks to this exp gain formula, the game would be balanced for all different party sizes, 1 to 6. I'd suggest that only the characters currently in your party gain exp, and party members left in camp are auto-leveled to always be no more than 1 level behind Tav.
