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<blockquote data-quote="Philotomy Jurament" data-source="post: 4532958" data-attributes="member: 20854">Yeah, sad but true.&nbsp; This especially annoys me in Wilderlands products, where it's ubiquitous.&nbsp;&nbsp; T1 had a few examples of the approach I prefer.&nbsp; There were too many high-level NPCs (although there's the justification of the nearby Temple, of course), but there were also a lot of 0-level NPCs.&nbsp; And even some &quot;normal man&quot; NPCs with special abilities added:&nbsp; &quot;This individual [the tailor] is not in the village militia, but he is an expert at throwing a knife and shooting a crossbow, both of which he has, using them at 7th level fighter level and causing +2 damage when a hit is scored.&nbsp; He has 2 hit points...&quot;I disagree.&nbsp; I don't disagree with your assertion that newer editions have included such rules, but I disagree that it's an improvement.&nbsp; Personally, I don't think such rules are necessary for most NPCs.&nbsp; I think detailed rules for advancement and powers are appropriate for possibly long-term characters (like PCs), but are useless overhead for most NPCs (and monsters).&nbsp; Non-classed NPCs don't need rules to regulate their advancement or capabilities, they just need whatever collection of stats, abilities, and powers are appropriate.&nbsp; The DM can assign those without having to follow a progression or formula.&nbsp; I think rules for this just get in the way and encourage make-work.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Philotomy Jurament, post: 4532958, member: 20854"] Yeah, sad but true. This especially annoys me in Wilderlands products, where it's ubiquitous. T1 had a few examples of the approach I prefer. There were too many high-level NPCs (although there's the justification of the nearby Temple, of course), but there were also a lot of 0-level NPCs. And even some "normal man" NPCs with special abilities added: "This individual [the tailor] is not in the village militia, but he is an expert at throwing a knife and shooting a crossbow, both of which he has, using them at 7th level fighter level and causing +2 damage when a hit is scored. He has 2 hit points..." I disagree. I don't disagree with your assertion that newer editions have included such rules, but I disagree that it's an improvement. Personally, I don't think such rules are necessary for most NPCs. I think detailed rules for advancement and powers are appropriate for possibly long-term characters (like PCs), but are useless overhead for most NPCs (and monsters). Non-classed NPCs don't need rules to regulate their advancement or capabilities, they just need whatever collection of stats, abilities, and powers are appropriate. The DM can assign those without having to follow a progression or formula. I think rules for this just get in the way and encourage make-work. [/QUOTE]

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