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<blockquote data-quote="Ourph" data-source="post: 5118848" data-attributes="member: 20239"><p>Even with the CB, statting up NPCs using the PC rules is a lot more work than you need to be doing. I would suggest grabbing a level appropriate humanoid from the MM and reskinning it (perhaps with some of the NPC templates from the DMG). And you only need to do that for NPCs that are likely to be involved in combat and to be effective against the PCs. For NPCs encountered out of combat who are "normal people" (i.e. non-adventurers, the equivalent of 0-level humans in AD&D), the only stats you're likely to need are skill bonuses and for those I just use a simple rule of thumb (1+1/2 the NPCs level, add 5 if it's a skill you would expect the NPC to be trained in, like Nature for a trapper). If combat starts up against one of these NPCs, just have them run away or die (your choice).</p><p></p><p>Using PC rules for NPCs you think might get into a combat situation is something you should be very careful about. PCs are expected to manage their resources through several encounters. An NPC that is only going to be around for 1 fight has no reason not to use all of their best powers right away. They also have healing surges and action points that normal monsters of their level don't have. "The math" isn't really set up to handle NPCs built with PC rules as opponents for the party.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ourph, post: 5118848, member: 20239"] Even with the CB, statting up NPCs using the PC rules is a lot more work than you need to be doing. I would suggest grabbing a level appropriate humanoid from the MM and reskinning it (perhaps with some of the NPC templates from the DMG). And you only need to do that for NPCs that are likely to be involved in combat and to be effective against the PCs. For NPCs encountered out of combat who are "normal people" (i.e. non-adventurers, the equivalent of 0-level humans in AD&D), the only stats you're likely to need are skill bonuses and for those I just use a simple rule of thumb (1+1/2 the NPCs level, add 5 if it's a skill you would expect the NPC to be trained in, like Nature for a trapper). If combat starts up against one of these NPCs, just have them run away or die (your choice). Using PC rules for NPCs you think might get into a combat situation is something you should be very careful about. PCs are expected to manage their resources through several encounters. An NPC that is only going to be around for 1 fight has no reason not to use all of their best powers right away. They also have healing surges and action points that normal monsters of their level don't have. "The math" isn't really set up to handle NPCs built with PC rules as opponents for the party. [/QUOTE]
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