DMG guidelines for monster->NPC->PC conversion?

[CapnZapp]

Let's take an example.

DMG page 200: let's say the players befriend Barstomun Strongbeard. Not saying I know how, or that this should be easy, but for example's sake. Let's even say they become pals and Barstomun agrees to join the PCs and to go adventuring with them.

Now, wouldn't it be appropriate to convert Barstomun-the-monster (Brute) into a "proper" NPC at this time. My question is how?

What guidelines, if any, are there to pick a monster and make it into an appropriate NPC? (What about his existing (rule-breaking) powers such as Quick Punch? What character class will he become? Etc.)

Let's then say the party is deep into the wilderness when the party Fighter kicks the bucket and dies. The party is still low Heroic so no ressurrection is forthcoming. Let's furthermore say Joe playing the now-dead Fighter has become interested in Barstomun and his sordid past, and asks the DM if he can play Barstomun.

Now, wouldn't it be appropriate to convert Barstomun-the-NPC (Barbarian?) into a full player character at this time? My question is how?

What guidelines, if any, are there to pick a NPC and make it into an appropriate PC?


Grateful for any advice, even if from a source other than WotC!

 

[Nurgle84]

Ok, I give it a shot.

This guy has a rather low AC but good HP. He can attack as a minor and uses his bare hands. He is a dwarf (obviously) so thats covert. As weapon it looks like bare hands can also say "spiked gauntlets" (Adventurer´s Vault) These are Off-Hand weapons, so a two weapon class seems appropiate. There we have the Ranger and the Fighter. Both are able to fight properly with the Spiked Gaunlets.
But now look at the third ability "Dodge and Throw". A counterattack after an enemy missed the Dwarf. He slides him and knocks him prone. Now have a look at the Ranger Level 2 Utility "Unbalancing Parry". If missed, slide to square adjacent and you gain Combat Advantage. Very similar.
But how to get the additional Minor Attack? Fortunately Martial Power solved this, by granting the Ranger minor attacks as Encounter Powers. For Example Ruffling Sting, Off-Hand Strike and Twofold Flinch.
Finally, if you take the Two-Weapon Ranger Class Feat, you get Toughness for free, increasing the Dwarfs HP. Also a Beast Ranger would also work, as you do not need the ability to wield two non-offhand weapons.
My advice would be a Dwarfen Two-Weapon Ranger, focussing on the Spiked Gauntlets.
His abilities would probably be (not optimized, but rounded. I don´t like 18 as a start value. Costs too much.)
Str 16
Con 16
Dex 14
Int 11
Wis 14
Cha 8
His skills: (Dungeoneering (he is a Dwarf after all), Endurance (see his monster profile), Perception (He is a thug at the harbour, he needs to see things), Athletics and Intimidate (should be able to get that over his background)
Feats: Two-Weapon Fighting (he will want Two-Weapon Defence at level 2 and then Expertise at Level 4 if the DM is not giving it for free as I do)
Powers: Twin Strike, Hit&Run, Off-Hand Strike, Hunt´s End (seems more appopiate for a thung then Off-Hand Parry or something else with more finesse) On Level 2 I would take Unbalancing Parry, on Level 3 Ruffling Sting.

This guy would have a good amount of HP (33), a mediocre AC (Hide + Dex 14), the ability to make minor attacks and at Level 2 the ability for something like Dodge and Throw. Again, if your group is bit more into optimizing, you would have to rise the Str a bit, lowering probably the Wis and Con.

 

[Grazzt]

Let's take an example.

DMG page 200: let's say the players befriend Barstomun Strongbeard. Not saying I know how, or that this should be easy, but for example's sake. Let's even say they become pals and Barstomun agrees to join the PCs and to go adventuring with them.

Now, wouldn't it be appropriate to convert Barstomun-the-monster (Brute) into a "proper" NPC at this time. My question is how?

What guidelines, if any, are there to pick a monster and make it into an appropriate NPC? (What about his existing (rule-breaking) powers such as Quick Punch? What character class will he become? Etc.)

Let's then say the party is deep into the wilderness when the party Fighter kicks the bucket and dies. The party is still low Heroic so no ressurrection is forthcoming. Let's furthermore say Joe playing the now-dead Fighter has become interested in Barstomun and his sordid past, and asks the DM if he can play Barstomun.

Now, wouldn't it be appropriate to convert Barstomun-the-NPC (Barbarian?) into a full player character at this time? My question is how?

What guidelines, if any, are there to pick a NPC and make it into an appropriate PC?


Grateful for any advice, even if from a source other than WotC!

To make him an NPC, I'd probably just tack on one of the NPC templates from the DMG (likely fighter). Other than that, I'd leave him as is. NPCs don't play by the same rules as PCs.

As for converting into a PC, not sure; but me personally, I wouldn't allow it. Joe with his now dead fighter gets to roll up a new character.

 

[Piratecat]

Now, wouldn't it be appropriate to convert Barstomun-the-monster (Brute) into a "proper" NPC at this time. My question is how?

I'd say no. I'd keep Barstomun as a monster-statted NPC, possibly giving him one more attack power. You're the one who is playing him, so you want him to be as simple as possible. My theory for most friendly NPCs is that they should be useful, but not outshine the NPCs (unless that is their purpose!)

His attack options don't need to mirror those of PCs.

Now, wouldn't it be appropriate to convert Barstomun-the-NPC (Barbarian?) into a full player character at this time? My question is how?

Heck, yes! I think that's a great way to get a new Pc after someone dies. In this case, simply as the player to stat up a new dwarf barbarian from scratch. Then name him Barstomun, give him the same history, give him the magical belt in AV that lets a PC uses his fists as clubs, and voila! You have a PC barbarian with a ton more options, and the same sort of ability that the NPC had of beating people up with his fists.