CR for 'Naked' NPCs

[Luthien Greyspear]

Now that I have your attention...

I need to know if there's any official or unofficial ruling on the relative CR's of NPC-types that are carrying no equipment of any sort. Even monks are assumed to have the basic gear equal to their level, even though they can adventure in just a worn-out pair of pants. Several other classes (spellcasters, usually) can get away with being equipment-light, but it is still generally assumed that the NPC in question has the appropriate equipment for their levels.

What I'm asking for is whether there is a reduction in relative CR to a class-leveled creature that is carrying NO equipment, and doesn't have a special rule granting equipment-like bonuses and benefits (Vow of Poverty, as a prime example). Is there/should there be a -1 to -3 CR adjustment for that creature (say, -1 to CR for every 6 character levels), to account for the lessened threat that these underequipped adversaries bring to the table?

The character classes I am thinking of using for this kind of adversary ruling are:

Warlock
Incarnate
Soulborn
Totemist
Monk
Druid
Soulblade

There are probably other good classes that could work this way, but these are the ones I will probably use in my campaign (particularly the Incarnum-wielding classes). Please bear in mind that my game/GMing style is more fluffy that crunchy, and my players are all in the game for the story and the chance to fight cool bad guys, not for the loot that they carry.

 

[shilsen]

There should be a reduction in CR, but that's hard to gauge by formula, because it depends a lot on the level and kind of NPC. Why not just have the NPCs gaining the benefit of equipment of the appropriate volume but not actually have the equipment on them?

For example, let's say you have a NPC which the DMg suggests should have 10,000 gp of equipment. You give the NPC a +2 resistance bonus to saves (same as a Cloak of Resistance +2), a +1 deflection bonus to AC (as Ring of Deflection +1) and a +2 enhancement to Dex (as Gloves of Dexterity +2). Just don't have the equipment actually present on him.

Then the NPC is the CR that he's supposed to be, and you don't have to worry about too much loot.

 

[Nyeshet]

I seriously doubt there could be a single "-x to CR" rule, for as you've already pointed out, some classes are hurt far less than others. A soulknife can create a notable weapon, so his wealth is presumed to go towards armor and protective items, a secondary weapon perhaps, and various utility items (ring of sustanence, boots of flying, a bag of holding, etc). A fighter, on the other hand is more or less limited by their choice of feats. If most of them dealt with the use of a weapon (WF, GWF, WS, GWS, Impr Crit, etc) then he'll be far more hurt than if they were more generalized (Impr Init, Comb Refl, Comb Expr, Dodge, etc).

A wizard will be devestated unless they have recently prepared from their spell book - in which case they will not be notably affected for 24 hours. Some DMs I know allow unused spells to carry on into the next day without need of preparation - in which case the wizard will need to horde their unused spells as they do not know when or if they will have a chance to re-prepare them. If they have Spell Mastery the situation is not quite as bad.

Note that clerics will need a holy symbol of their deity or they will be similarly devestated. Note that even Druids need a natural symbol (by the RaW a holly sprig) to cast their spells. Spontaneous casters - or those that prepare but do not need a book for doing so and do not need a focus to cast - such as Sorcerers, Bards, Paladins, and Rangers will not be as adversely affected at higher levels.

All in all the penalty for having no equipment is too nebulous, to variable, to have a set rule for it. That doesn't mean that WotC doesn't or won't make one, of course. Personally, I would put it as at least -1 to CR, minus an additional 1 every few levels after first. Say, perhaps, ever 5-10 levels. So it would be at least -3 CR at level 20, but perhaps as terrible as -5 CR. Take a 20th level monk with full equipment. How many 20th level monks with no equipment are needed to defeat him with 20% loss of supplies (in this case collective hp I would presume)? Or do the same with the Fighter or the Rogue.

That, I think, will give you a bench mark to shoot for. Then just presume the loss to CR is gradual over the levels, starting with either CR -1 or CR -0 at first level. Actually, at first level it probably does not matter. By second or third level I would expect to see a bit of a difference, however.

 

[pawsplay]

Well, assuming the PCs are going to be slaughtering those unarmed and unarmored NPCs, my inclination is to leave CR alone, and halve the XP for the encounter.

 

[Luthien Greyspear]

Well, assuming the PCs are going to be slaughtering those unarmed and unarmored NPCs, my inclination is to leave CR alone, and halve the XP for the encounter.

Probably not slaughtering. I think I'm going to be using one of the Incarnum-wielding classes (probably the Totemist), and what I'm trying to do is fairly balance the NPC to be a challenge (not a TPK, but a tough fight) without the use of any magic items or gear. He'll be a bit of a feral opponent that doesn't need or want items, because he literally makes his own out of Incarnum.

I think my previous guesstimate of -1 relative CR per six levels is the formula I'm gonna use, which would make a 15th level Totemist without gear equal to about a CR 13 character. I figure that'll put a minor (but interesting) crimp in my 12th-level party's plans.

BTW, the reason I'm trying to balance a totally unequipped NPC is because he's the minion of a big stankin' DRAGON. They don't like it when minions are playing with their hard-earned treasures.