So I’m planning to run a Masks game with my nieces, a Reformed archer and a Legacy phaser. Any suggestions for using just two players?
I was thinking that maybe I could add a few other teammates, but only use the basic abilities, descriptions, and backgrounds; but not the moves and stuff. My main concern is making sure I don’t pull the spotlight from my nieces.
I think you can do fine with two without asking in other teammates. That said, having other heroes of the modern generation around to bounce off of would probably be a good idea.
You could perhaps some unpowered “SHIELD agent” types who are also on the team as back up and just additional characters for them to have interesting relationships with. That way, there’s no doubt that the PCs are the heavy hitters, but they can be bossed around by the adults who are, nominally, in charge of them (perfect to rebel against).
More teens = more fun. I’m with Cia.
I think it could work. You’ll just want lots of interesting NPCs for them to interact with. Whether powered or not, adults or not, your nieces will benefit from having more people to engage with for Influence. There are plenty of superhero duos out there (Cloak & Dagger, Hawk & Dove, Power Man & Iron Fist), but they’re usually heavily packed with minor characters. So in concept it should work. Just give them a detailed and complicated world to operate in.
I played in a one-shot with two and it worked well for normal villain stuff. I would have liked to have one more PC (or NPC) so that natural triangles can happen or can be introduced.
I am running a game that started with two pcs, got a third in the first session but due to schedules we are down to two most of the time (at least the next months). I created a third team mate in the first session together with other players, but I’m mostly using this character to help keep things going without having to rely on “outside” influences like sudden villain attacks.
Selganor Yoster How are you handling the 3rd teammate, rules wise?
I have a normal playbook for her (she’s the Janus in a group of Outsider, Nova and later Beacon – now the Nova will be missing for a while), that I don’t really use that much except as a base reference. I’m still working hard trying to keep the game running.
I don’t think you need to do anything special. A dynamic duo is totally genre appropriate. Unlike D&D type games, there’s no real minimum you need for PBtA.