[POLL] Do you stat out every little detail?

[reanjr]

Yeah, that would have been the last option. I had a more accurate description, but I got the "no more than 100 characters" error. WHat I meant with "die" was an attack roll, saving throw etc. "I roll a 16... I guess my guy saved, because I have no idea what his reflex save actually is."

Rav

OK, now that I understand the poll options, I'll go change my vote to the last one.

 

[Li Shenron]

I used to stat everything to the last detail in early days, but I learned that it never pays the effort.

If the NPC/creature is going to be fought by the PCs, I usually stat them out almost completely, at least in the physical department. That is, I may not bother with skills except if they're gonna use Tumble or Bluff or Concentration or similar, and I do their equipment and spells approximately. I am more precise with feats (because they're few), but that means often to "waste" a couple of them in non-combat feats when I don't want to plan all of them.
In any case, I don't roll or use point-buy, I just give them whatever numbers I feel appropriate.
For these characters however I don't think much about personality, history, motivations, hobbies...

If the NPC is going to interact in a different way (talking/trading/etc.) I don't even bother about the numbers, EXCEPT for those few things which they are supposed to do during the interaction. For example, the ostler of the tavern won't be statted out but may just have a name and a Knowledge(Local) +4 under the name
If the players do something unexpected, such as Detect Law on the ostler, or start a fight with him, I wind up something on the fly. The important thing is to let the players believe that yeah, of course I had the ostler ready-planned from the start!

 

[Gnarlo]

The few important NPCs (BBEG, patrons/mentors, local authorities get fairly well statted out; otherwise all the also-rans get yoinked from the various lists of prerolled NPCs like Everyone Else

 

[Buttercup]

I don't stat out every serving wench and stable boy, but if I think a named NPC may engage in combat, then I create a full character sheet for them.

Now, mooks on the other hand, I give an abridged treatment to. I list AC, HP, Initiative, Fort/Reflex/Will saves, attack stats for whatever weapon(s) they have and loot carried.

 

[Ravellion]

The important thing is to let the players believe that yeah, of course I had the ostler ready-planned from the start!

Beware of the blurts and the head-laugh!



Rav

 

[Li Shenron]

Beware of the blurts and the head-laugh!



Rav

Or the "giggle loop"...and the stacks of glasses!!! Or maybe dice

 

[Pinotage]

I'll stat out everything regarding a NPC that would end up in a stat block. I don't do non-combat mundane equipment, for example, and come up with descriptions on the fly. A dungeon would be done on a room for room basis, generally around a theme. Since I've got the luxury of time in PbP games, I don't need to worry too much until its crush time!

Pinotage

 

[KB9JMQ]

I think I probably should have picked your last option, except that I don't know exactly what it means. Bottom line; I sometimes actually stat someone, but as often as not, I make it all up on the fly. I don't just roll a dice, though -- I'll pick a number out of the air that sounds right.

"Hmmm... PCs are level 4? I guess attack bonus needs to be about +10 for this guy. Oh, crap, they're attacking now? Ummm... AC 21. Oh, you hit? Well, I guess he's got about 45 hit points then."

I don't stat out every serving wench and stable boy, but if I think a named NPC may engage in combat, then I create a full character sheet for them.

Now, mooks on the other hand, I give an abridged treatment to. I list AC, HP, Initiative, Fort/Reflex/Will saves, attack stats for whatever weapon(s) they have and loot carried.

The combonation of these describes my game perfectly.

 

[Evilhalfling]

I seem to do a lot more stats than many, if the NPC is going to fight I will stat them out compleatly, but not to the detail of noncombat equipment. NPC allies get ablilties, feats and skills, as these are the things that may come up, they dont always get hp, Attack bonuses or saves. Actuall memorized spells are the least common, except for sorcerers. However 1/4 page stat blocks are not uncommon. major NPCs usually have 1 sentance of description, and 1 of personality.

 

[EricNoah]

Anyone or anything that could reasonably present a challenge to the party (a fight, a skill-heavy roleplaying opportunity, etc.) gets basically full stats (using etools). A few others (frequently encountered friendly NPCs) may get them too.

I don't really do full stats for traps though perhaps I should look at doing that. I rarely need to know how expensive it was or whether it can be reset, etc.