Do the PCs follow the same rules as everyone else?

[Crothian]

I'm wondering how many people have different rules for PCs then for everyone else. we have this hit point thread going on and it seems there is a good number of people that allow PCs to get more then just rolling and take what the dice give them. Do people then do that for the monsters and NPCs to? If you give out bonus feats or extra skill points, do you do the same for everyone else? What about stats? If PCs gain 32 point buy does everyone get that or are the PCs just super special in that regards?

 

[BryonD]

I was going to vote they are the same.
But you specifically listed HP and point buy value.
Those are the two things I give PCs that I don't npcs. (plus action points in some campaigns)

I don't really see that as treating them that special.
All the "in-game" stuff is equal.

 

[Crothian]

I'm really talking about the rules of the game as well as other things so how characters are made and what rules they follow as they gain levels is part of that.

 

[FireLance]

In the campaigns I run, PCs are special for a few reasons:

1. Maximum hit points on the first hit die.

2. Social feats like Bluff, Diplomacy and Intimidate only have limited mechanical effects on them, e.g. feinting in combat.

3. Higher point buy than run-of the mill NPCs.

4. PCs get to use action points.

The other rules are applied equally. No extra feats or skill points, for example.

 

[The Quijotic Moose]

My big change is that PCs have don't have an intelligence stat, they rename it to memory. It works thematically as well for almost every use (the only exception I've found is the search skill) and it gets around the question of "I've figured this out, but my character hasn't, so I sit in frustration while the 18 Int wizard muddles his way through".

Plus, it helps avoid the stereotype of the "dumb paladin/monk"--they just need to write more things down, that's all

 

[LostSoul]

I used to think that the rules should apply to all the NPCs as well as the PCs. Not just the "named" NPCs, but the minor, dorky ones like Farmer Joe in the turnip field.

Now I don't think that it's worth it. Farmer Joe can be the best farmer in the world without having levels at all. "I grows me a good turnip, but I don't know the pointy end of a sword from me arse." Because I don't think D&D is about Farmer Joe having 5 levels in Commoner and ranks in Profession: Farmer.

Unless... Farmer Joe is really a half-fiend doppleganger Ninja.

 

[Uder]

I vote yes... I use the same point buy for most NPCs (28), sometimes using 25 or flat-out assigning abilities (both above and below the 28pt method) when they seem appropriate.

There are a couple exceptions:

Experience points are purely for PCs. It grates on me every time I see a system for assigning XP to NPCs in relation to age, or assumptions that NPCs need to adventure to make magic items, or whatever.

I also don't roll hit points or use max hit points for NPCs at 1st level. I just pick a pick a number that seems fair, usually within 10% of the average.

 

[Bloodstone Press]

I give them larger point buys and, since they are full classes, rather than NPC classes, they get more feats and abilities. NPC characters with PC classes have the same feats and abilities.

I also allow max HP at first level, and I encourage average hp every level after that. NPCs and monsters get average at every level.

However, the work of heroes is never easy. So they pay for their slight advantages.

 

[luke_twigger]

In my games, PCs are kind of special compared to NPCs.

We generally use PHB only and PCs must properly obey the character creation rules.
(having had bad experience of imbalance when experimenting with e.g. v3 splat books, Savage Species, unrestricted use of PrCs, etc - but that's a topic for a different thread)

But my NPCs get to use anything I like the look of from any source I have e.g. BoVD, Dragon magazine, Internet fan material, etc. I also don't worry too much about pre-requisites, exact skill points, etc - life's too short for all that book keeping (even when using DMGenie).

So in a way yes PCs are special in my games because they have to fully follow the rules and generally only get to select options from the PHB. Whereas NPCs don't worry too much about the rules and get to use any stuff I believe will make them more interesting to interact with (or fight!).

Luke

 

[BryonD]

never mind