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<blockquote data-quote="MrMyth" data-source="post: 5187106" data-attributes="member: 61155">The stat block reinforces the NPC's primary role, yes. Why shouldn't it? &nbsp;What benefit would be served by saying the sage has 12 hitpoints, AC 15, and fleshing out a full stat block? Would that encourage the PCs to drag him along on their adventures? Would that make it more useful when they decide to kill him for his books? &nbsp;If he is someone they should reasonably have a challenge with in combat - say, a powerful wizard rather than a simple sage - then you can give him combat stats as well. If he is somehow who might be persuaded to join them on their adventures, then you could include a companion stat block. &nbsp;If not, then why would you need those things?&nbsp;Characters can interact with NPCs and monsters in a variety of ways. Some, more ways than others. You generally only need the elements for the ways in which the characters will interact with them. &nbsp;Do you need complete stat blocks for the sage, the shopkeeper, the bartender? I don't particularly think so. &nbsp;Of course, this is all largely a diversion from the actual argument at hand. The enemies that get full stat blocks are the ones you do actually engage in combat. And, as previously determined, those generally include everything you need to handle them in and out of combat.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="MrMyth, post: 5187106, member: 61155"] The stat block reinforces the NPC's primary role, yes. Why shouldn't it? What benefit would be served by saying the sage has 12 hitpoints, AC 15, and fleshing out a full stat block? Would that encourage the PCs to drag him along on their adventures? Would that make it more useful when they decide to kill him for his books? If he is someone they should reasonably have a challenge with in combat - say, a powerful wizard rather than a simple sage - then you can give him combat stats as well. If he is somehow who might be persuaded to join them on their adventures, then you could include a companion stat block. If not, then why would you need those things? Characters can interact with NPCs and monsters in a variety of ways. Some, more ways than others. You generally only need the elements for the ways in which the characters will interact with them. Do you need complete stat blocks for the sage, the shopkeeper, the bartender? I don't particularly think so. Of course, this is all largely a diversion from the actual argument at hand. The enemies that get full stat blocks are the ones you do actually engage in combat. And, as previously determined, those generally include everything you need to handle them in and out of combat. [/QUOTE]

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