Ok, so while writing my fan fiction, the Afflicted, I'm using the 5e rules and stats for combat. What Im learning is that 3-4 characters fits the prologue IF you have the same number of enemies as the game has now AND you use proper stats AND you use proper 5e rules. It works well and is very balanced. If you have 1-2, you will have a hard experience getting through the Prologue and you will likely need to nerf enemies or have fewer.
Then, as I played through the intellect devourer fight after you meet Shadowheart, I learned that 4 character against 3 devourers is suicide UNLESS they don't use Body Thief. Even if they don't use that ability, because you have a tadpole or whatever - btw, why ARE they attacking you...dont they want you to live - the battle is still quite tough with 4 party members IF you use normal stats AND proper rules. So, again, with 1-2 characters, this fight should be suicide unless they are majorly nerfed. Damage Resistance, Intellect Devour, Claws, 22 HP...3 is a bit rough, but again isn't impossible if you have 4.
You need 6 if you use normal stats in the ruins against Marli and Barton, again, unless nerfed, and the skeleton mages too. So, I would say that if you want to play the game the way it should be, you need to have a bigger party. Otherwise, you have to nerf everything.
I am posting this to say, 1 character and Shadowheart should not be pitted against 3 intellect devourers, just like 1 character and Lae'zel should not be pitted against so many imps, etc. BG3 is not geared right now properly within the authentic world of Faerun. It can work well as is, but you need more characters in these fights with true rules and stats for it to really be true to the world.
Oh, and if you do experience right, you gain enough experience to level up BEFORE the devourer fight. Why not let the player do this to help with the devourer fight?
Also, also, if you made the devourer fight based on normal stats and rules, a Long Rest after makes a whole lot more sense because someone in the party is likely going to have been Intellect Devoured. Intellect Devour can completely render a character comatose until they get their intellect healed. So, a long rest would make sense...and maybe some additional explanation as to how they recovered their Intelligence...a Greater Restoration scroll you find by chance somewhere... the tadpole actually heals you... something.
Last edited by GM4Him; 14/06/21 03:58 AM.