I'm currently preparing to GM Purge the Unclean (probably with Illumination and/or The Edge of Darkness first) and I am wondering if there is a recomended number of players. There will most likely be 3 players (besides me) in the group and I don't want to accidentaly kill the entire group by presenting an unbeatable scenario.

Do you think that Purge the Unclean and the other scenarios would work for 3 fresh-made PCs. or should I perhaps give the PCs some additional XP and equipment from the start? Or lower the opposition?

And while on the subject. Purge the Unclean speaks of "Rank 1-5", but that seems like a huge power gap. Sure, the GM will always need to modify things to fit the nature of the group, but as a baseline for comparison, does anyone have a better idea for where the group should be at in the various chapters (and for other printed scenarios if you know them).

I ran through it with 5 players (Assassin, Arbitrator, Adept, Psyker, and Guardsman all ranks 3-4) which was plenty for the combat heavy sections esp. in the Twilight adventure. They are all new to 40k (hence no Cleric or Techpriest is being role played) but have been role playing for decades now. My advice is make sure the characters contain a diverse collection of skills and decently equipped. The GM can control combat encounters relatively easy or put out hints to have the Acolytes recruit gangers or enforcers to assist as firepower (well, except for the Twilight adventure where you get a Space Marine!)

-Cynr

How did your group enjoy purge the unclean? Jutst finished edge of darkness and thinking of going to it next, prior to house of dust and ashes

Purge works just fine for 3-6 players. I would not run it for brand new characters. Run a few missions before starting in on Purge. Illumination is a decent start and then perhaps move on to Edge of Darkness. If they did well on those then you should be ready to start Purge. Dust and Ash is probably a bad idea before rank 5 and should definately be run before you start Tattered Fates.

No Cleric, Techpriest and I assume Sororitas.... Do they have a medic? If not perhaps consider adopting one of the Ascention rules for Fate Points: You can spend one to regain your TB in wounds! Much more reliable than a D5. Or you could provide a medically trained NPC who has some sort of nonviolence vow or a disability that keeps them out of combat. The alternative is alot of downtime in between fight scenes or several dead acolytes.

Sounds like your group is in for a fun ride!

Thanks for the answers! I'll start out with both Illumination and Edge of Darkness before we hit Purge, and then I hope I have gotten some ways into the system so that I know a bit more about what would make for an entertaining enemy and not.

@ZillaPrime: The adept is a medicae and the psyker keeps using his healing subtly to make her look good; amusing role playing on his part.

@Honn: I ran a similar course: Illumination->Edge of Darkness->Maggots in the Meat->all 3 PtUC adventures->House of Dust and Ash.

-Cynr