Do you Assign NPC stats?

[Arnwyn]

I only stat out NPCs that have a very high probability of taking part in combat.

For them, I assign stats (to be whatever I want - no controlling guidelines whatsoever).

 

[Mystery Man]

I use the elite array and the nonelite array for noncombatants if I really need to.

 

[the Jester]

Assign NPC stats? what is this??

Most of the NPCs never get stated in my game, and when they do I give them the numbers they should have, rolling and point buy are for players. NPCs fill the role they are meant to fit.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Thanee]

Most of the NPCs never get stated in my game, ...

That's a given, anyways. Or not?

Bye
Thanee

 

[ThirdWizard]

That's a given, anyways. Or not?

I would never stat out a friendly NPC who the PCs aren't likely to even meet. Nope, never would do that. Not me.

*cough*

 

[Mouseferatu]

Assign NPC stats? what is this??

Most of the NPCs never get stated in my game, and when they do I give them the numbers they should have, rolling and point buy are for players. NPCs fill the role they are meant to fit.

Word.

 

[tetsujin28]

When making an NPC's stas do you just assign them, or do you roll them.

Are we talking about generic NPCs, or important ones? Generic NPCs I don't even bother giving stats. Important ones I always assign the standard stat spread from the DMG, and work from there in terms of adding levels, &c.

 

[MonkeyDragon]

NPCs that the PCs aren't going to fight rarely get statted out, aside from a note or two about skill points, since you never know when sensing motives or bluffing might happen.

For combat NPCs, sometimes I roll, and sometimes I just plug in numbers. If I'm making fighter grunts, and the PCs have a habit of blowing through combats without any trouble, I might pump the combat stats up to just under obscene, just to make sure they have a decent challenge.

I'll also pump up stats when I want to place a certain type of monster with a low CR against a higher level party.

 

[Sammael]

I only assign stats to those NPCs I expect the PCs have a chance of confronting in some way. For them, I typically use the elite array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). Non-combatant NPCs only get a short note mentioning their alignment, sex, race, and classes (LN Male Half-Elf Cleric 7 (Helm), for example).

 

[lukelightning]

When I make NPC stats I assign stats how I like, but always within the realm of "normality" unless they are something special (which is reflected in their CR). I don't like to overshadow PCs too much, and feel that after the fourth or fifth wizard-with-18-intelligence and rogue-with-16-dex encounter the message is "these stats are a dime-a-dozen."

I have no problem in making an NPC wizard with a 13 INT.... it just means that at 5th or 6th level he's probably reached the limits of his talents and would multiclass.