Best NPC generator and Monster Stat program

[HellHound]

I'm looking for opinions on what is the best -RANDOM- NPC generator out there that can be easily customized (ie: that I can add new classes to, new races, etc).

Also, same goes for a monster statblock system that allows me to advance a monster according to the MM system and produces the output in a concise and close to standardized stat-block format.

A nice set of tools like this would certainly earn my money and links in all my PDF products, and mention in my print products.

(Edit: Subscribed to thread, since I don't come to this particular section of the forums often)

 

[Luke]

Probably the best NPC generator is currently the Jamis NPC generator, except that it only generates from the core rules ("hard-coded" that way).

This is what RolePlayingMaster (RPM) will give you.

- Jamis NPC Generator integrated into RPM.

- Full ability to advance monster levels for generated creatures.

- As well, full recalculation available, so that you can also use random ability generation, and have everything fully calculated from that. Aside: This includes correct special racial adjustment rules for low intelligence.

- RPM has a fully extensible and open D20 database, that can have all manner of 3rd party/home grown material added to it. Additionally, it has extensive generators flexibility that allows you to configure random lists for races, classes, skills, feats, items etc. This, of course, can include your material beyond the core.

- What RPM doesn't have in it yet, is the generators tied to its own random NPC generator in a fully automated way. The huge groundwork for this has been done, and that will probably come in the next major release (about a month?).
The final concept is to have NPC generation deliver everything down to appropriate equipment, using any classes, races, feats, skills etc - appropriate for your own campaign setting.

Regards,

 

[HellHound]

Sounds good, Luke, and right in line with what I am looking for.

PLEASE keep me updated when the rest of the job is done, and I will GLADLY pay for the product for use when working on modules and sourcebooks, and will also credit it in said products.

 

[theT0rmented]

For monster stats, you can try my Monster Calc:
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/shadows/Handbook/MonsterCalc.html.

I haven't looked at RPM, so it's probably much better than what I have.

The only thing is that it's a javascript program, so it can be used on any operating system. It isn't completely done yet, but does help with stats.

 

[Twin Rose]

Of course, I feel the NPC Generation of CS warrants mention. Being able to set up 'templates' (professions) you can generate all kinds of different NPCs and then use the character editor to flesh them out if you so wish.

It also comes with statistic blocks derived from "Everyone Else", which happens to be by Ambient, Inc.

 

[karianna]

I'm looking for opinions on what is the best -RANDOM- NPC generator out there that can be easily customized (ie: that I can add new classes to, new races, etc).

Also, same goes for a monster statblock system that allows me to advance a monster according to the MM system and produces the output in a concise and close to standardized stat-block format.

A nice set of tools like this would certainly earn my money and links in all my PDF products, and mention in my print products.

(Edit: Subscribed to thread, since I don't come to this particular section of the forums often)

Since all of the software publishers are chiming in ;p. PCGEN is a FREE character generator (http://sourceforge.net/projects/pcgen/) that will happily allow you to create any type of character you could possibly imagine. However it is _not_ Random (as per your requirements), but it is very easy to produce characters quickly.

It produce monsters according to the rules in the MM or in a combination of character classes and monster levesl as you see fit.

It produces output in a variety of formats (including the statblock).

Either way, we'd love to talk to you about getting your products in PCGEN (We currently have about 16 publisher's data sets, and have an exclusive deal with WoTC via CodeMonkeyPublishing).

We consider ourselves to be extremely respectful about publishers rights and licensing issues etc.

Um shameless plug over, good luck with your endeavours!!

Karianna
Tracker Monkey Silverback
PCGEN Board Of Directors
All Round Nice Gal

 

[HellHound]

As it stands, it is useless to me if it can't do it randomly. Thus PCGen is right out.

Anyways, until I get an apology from certain persons who accused me of slander and libel, PCGen will NEVER see any cooperation from me.

 

[smetzger]

Faster Tools will randomly do race, class, skill ranks, feats, and domains.

http://yoyodyne.virtualave.net/faster_tools/index.html

It does not output a statblock and it has limited customizability. But it does allow you to select a race, class and level and then you can generate skills and feats. It will also randomly multi-class a character. I found it quite useful for doing module conversions.

I am also working on a completly customizable NPC generator.

*:> Scott

 

[ruemere]

Dear Sir,

D20 Mechanic is sufficiently complicated to make creation of sensible (read: believable) random characters difficult to achieve. IMHO you need software which allows to restrict randomizing methods and results range according to certain conditions.

To my knowledge there is no software on the market which could achieve this (with the exception of possibly ETools, but as I have not used this particular application, I may be wrong), so you're on your own unless you are willing to live with certain inconvenieces of Jamie's NPC generator.

*sigh*

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Twin Rose]

Dear Sir,

D20 Mechanic is sufficiently complicated to make creation of sensible (read: believable) random characters difficult to achieve. IMHO you need software which allows to restrict randomizing methods and results range according to certain conditions.

To my knowledge there is no software on the market which could achieve this (with the exception of possibly ETools, but as I have not used this particular application, I may be wrong), so you're on your own unless you are willing to live with certain inconvenieces of Jamie's NPC generator.

*sigh*

Regards,
Ruemere

Actually, I've been working with Hellhound to generate NPCs randomly, using his own product "Everyone Else" as a baseline for 80+ random 'types'. The randomization follows these guidelines and in fact creates very believable ones. Asside from your 'generic townsfolk' however, these rules can be set up for any number of different races, classes, etc. You can even generate entire groups at once.