experience earned for defeating a PC?

[Engilbrand]

I occasionally stat up an enemy like a PC. I do that for a fight to the death so that he has enough interesting abilities to make the fight cool. I also don't use XP. The reality is that it's a little harder than an elite. I've had a statted enemy last quite a while against 2 PCs.

 

[Insignia]

Since the DMG calls statting out NPCs like PCs "too much work for what you really need", but says nothing about changing the XP value when you do, I assume they're supposed to be worth the same as a normal monster. How appropriate that is, I haven't the foggiest.

In the rare case where you want to build a campaign-long villain, then it might serve you to fully stat out the NPC in PC fashion, but this should be the exception - the rare exception.

 

[Lord of the Nerdery]

Here's a problem I have with using the NPC rules. If I want this character to be a reoccuring nemesis, I must restat him for each encounter since the PCs are getting stronger. I figured if he was a PC, he could gain XP too...I guess adding levels to an NPC isn't that big a deal, but I still have to check the book every darned time

 

[Ibixat]

Here's a problem I have with using the NPC rules. If I want this character to be a reoccuring nemesis, I must restat him for each encounter since the PCs are getting stronger. I figured if he was a PC, he could gain XP too...I guess adding levels to an NPC isn't that big a deal, but I still have to check the book every darned time

Wouldn't you need to level up the NPC as a PC statted character as well? And to top it off you'd have to worry about keeping his gear current unlike the NPC who does not rely on gear.

 

[DracoSuave]

If you give him XP you have to restat him every level -anyways-.

 

[Engilbrand]

An NPC statted like a PC is not a normal monster. It is at least as powerful as an elite.
Why would you need to give an NPC recurring villain XP? Actually, why give anyone XP in 4th edition? I just periodically tell them to level.

 

[MrMyth]

Here's a problem I have with using the NPC rules. If I want this character to be a reoccuring nemesis, I must restat him for each encounter since the PCs are getting stronger. I figured if he was a PC, he could gain XP too...I guess adding levels to an NPC isn't that big a deal, but I still have to check the book every darned time

I'm not entirely sure I understand this. If the PCs are gaining levels, then the bad guy will be as well, whether statted as an NPC or a PC. If he is statted as an NPC, than levelling him is easier. I'm not seeing any great issue here.

 

[avin]

Since the DMG calls statting out NPCs like PCs "too much work for what you really need"

Geez I just made a post about the same subject... I better read before post.

Anyway, this is not the case anymore. Is FAR easier create a NPC using the Character Generator

 

[DracoSuave]

I have to disagree, if only because making NPCs can't get much easier than 'He's an NPC, has these abilities, and has this many hps.' You really can't get easier than 'arbitrary.'

For most NPCs, two of those steps are strictly optional.

 

[GoLu]

I have to disagree, if only because making NPCs can't get much easier than 'He's an NPC, has these abilities, and has this many hps.' You really can't get easier than 'arbitrary.'

For most NPCs, two of those steps are strictly optional.

It's a bit unwieldy. You fish around in the MM for some base stats, then open up the DMG and find the PC class template, then go looking in the PHB for appropriate powers.

That said, it's far better than actually using PC stats.