Hello all, one of our playgroups broke up so a couple of the players and I are about to begin looking at and testing other systems, beginning with Cypher - specifically Rust and Redemption and the post-apocalyptic setting. We'll be playing on Foundry VTT and I have backed all the recent kickstarters and the megadungeon but we'll be getting started before those are fully released.
With only 2 players, I'm wondering what the best approach is for running the system for them - should they control 2 characters each for 4 total, or just 1 per player? They are skilled and smart players and have some experience with running multiple characters (shout out to DCC), but I'm curious what the best approach might be in Cypher. It seems like the XP that's handed out for intrusions will be a bit awkward either way.
Another question I have is how combat encounters should be designed and hopefully "balanced". I realize the system kind of glosses over this a bit but as a new GM I don't really want to ~vibe~ my way into a serious TPK or just throw them easy softballs over and over. Is there a good rule of thumb for creating combat encounters? I understand cyphers and intrusions can change encounters significantly, but hoping to have a baseline to begin with.
Other suggestions for a new GM running for just two players would be very much appreciated; we're coming from a long amount of time playing PF2e/SF2e. Thanks!