If You Split the Party, You Deserve What’s Comin’

“Let’s cover more ground,” says the bard. “It’ll be faster,” says the ranger. Next thing ya know, half the party’s dead, the rogue’s married to a vampire, and the barbarian’s screaming “ECLIPSE” in the forest alone.

Look, lad — splitting the party is how fools get famous. Not for heroics. For being memorialized in tavern songs called The Last Idiots of Greystone.

I’ve seen it all. Rogue goes left, rest go right. GM flips two maps open. Chaos. Tension. Then someone falls down a death hole and everyone blames the wizard for not being there to cast Feather Fall.

BUT.

Sometimes, just sometimes, it works. If done right.

And that’s what I’m here for. Not to stop ya — but to make sure ya don’t split the party like a goblin tryin’ to steal a beehive.

“Splittin’ a Party Ain’t a Plan—It’s a Gamble”

👉 Want to gamble smart and survive the fallout? Mike’s Tavern has all the bruised wisdom and barkeep banter to guide ya through the worst ideas you've ever had:
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/player-tip
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/about-mikes-tavern

When It’s (Barely) Okay to Split the Party

1. When You Have a Time-Sensitive Goal

Two bombs. Two levers. Two prison doors. If the GM says, “You’ve got 60 seconds,” then sure—split it. But someone better be good at runnin’ and another better be good at not panicking like a halfling in a bear den.

Need solid support? Build like this poor soul:
👉 The Sorceress Who Glows Like a Villain but Fights Like a Hero

2. When You Have Good Recon

Send the rogue ahead. Alone. Quiet. Unseen. DO NOT send the wizard, the paladin, and the talking sword. And for the love of Trickin’s cursed coinpurse, have an escape plan.

3. When It’s Roleplay-Driven, Not Meta-Driven

If yer characters argue and naturally go their separate ways? Great. That’s drama. That’s spice. But if yer metagaming it for loot efficiency? I’ll personally throw a mimic in yer boots.

If you want to earn that solo spotlight without ruin, read this:
👉 https://www.mikes-tavern.com/tavern-etiquette

One Party, Many Paths—But You’d Best Meet Up Again

👉 If you’re gonna split, ya better reunite in one piece. And if ya don’t? At least let Mike write the story:
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/contact
https://www.mikes-tavern.com/faq

When You Absolutely Shouldn’t

❌ When You’re Already in Trouble

If half the party’s wounded, low on spells, or tryin’ to hide from a lich, that is NOT the time for “I’m going scouting.” That’s the time for group hugs and smarter decisions.

❌ When the GM Looks Too Happy

If yer GM starts smilin’ as soon as you suggest splittin’ up? RUN. TOGETHER. That’s the smile of a cruel dungeon artist with too much coffee and too many traps.

WHAT DO YA MEAN, “I’LL JUST GO CHECK IT OUT”?! SIT DOWN, YA GOBLIN-BAITING, CURSE-MAGNETIC, TRAP-TRIGGERIN’ MILK DRINKER!

Whew. Sorry. Needed to yell that one.

FAQ

Q: Can we split the party and still have fun?
A: Sure—if ya don’t mind stress, death, and three side quests spawning at once. Some tables love chaos. Just don’t make it a habit.

Q: How do I split the party without slowing the game down?
A: Keep yer scenes short and fast. Switch back and forth often. And never leave a player waiting more than a few minutes.

Q: Can we split the party during combat?
A: If you have to. But ye’d best have a backup healer and some strong builds like this one:
👉 The Paladin Who Can’t Lie but Carries a Shield That Does