How do you assign NPC wealth?

[Celtavian]

re

I'm glad you let us make multiple choices because for me it depends on alot of factors.

For average badguys like the numerous nameless henchmen or random encounters, I usually use default items.

For minor NPC's, I usually use the NPC wealth system.

For major NPC's, I usually the PC wealth system or carte blanche.

For almost every encounter I roll for Default Wealth for an Encounter. I like surprises and so do my players. I like to roll and see what else shows up in the coffers.

 

[S'mon]

I use the default items, standard NPC wealth, standard wealth for encounter and carte blanche methods, depending on circumstance, so I voted all of those. I even used standard PC-wealth once, for NPCs taken from ENWorld who were equipped as PCs.

Most commonly though, elite NPCs get default items, modified as appropriate - eg changing the weapon, perhaps reducing number of potions & expendables, adding protective devices if the NPC is in a position of authority.

 

[Nifft]

I use all the tables -- as suggestions. NPCs get what they need to do their jobs, or what they would have picked up during the execution of their back-stories.

There are poor NPCs who have very little wealth for their level. They aren't as high CR as their level, but they are willing to work for cash -- or kill for it.

There are rich NPCs who have quite a lot of wealth for their level. They aren't willing to risk their own skin, and have a significant portion of their wealth dedicated to getting away safely.

There are NPCs whose wealth is sunk into major investments -- such as an inn, a trading company, a merchant fleet, etc. -- which are hard to steal.

-- N

 

[Norfleet]

major investments -- such as an inn, a trading company, a merchant fleet, etc. -- which are hard to steal.

-- N

Those make the most amusing opponents, like when the players go and attempt to slay a dragon and take its treasure, only to find that the dragon's treasure consists of investments that aren't really subject to theft.

The other good one is when the villain's treasure consists of nonliquid, nonportable assets, which the players, unfortunately, have to destroy most of if they expect to actually reach the villain.

 

[shilsen]

Carte Blanche. While I usually stay close to the default wealth, if the NPC has any in-character reasons for being much more or less wealthier, or for having variant forms of wealth like some of those mentioned above, I assign whatever is appropriate.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Why did they make the 3.5 DMG's NPC list soooooo useless? Wasn't it supposed to be a quickie NPC for any level and any class? What, exactly, is the point of not giving the extra details (like weapon types, feats, skill point allotments etc.) and forcing me to do it? Does anyone find them helpful? The 3.0 ones, while 'locked' in one style for each class, were a heck of a lot more useful and aided me a great deal - i really can't say the same for the 3.5 ones

I had hoped that they would have gone the route from Star Wars or d20Modern and provided useful base NPC's at a selection of levels (e.g. 3rd, 7th, 12th)

 

[Arnwyn]

Carte Blanche only. I never use the DMG wealth tables.

 

[diaglo]

i have an easy system. NPC has no wealth.

so he can't buy those things from the PC.

and the PC can't steal things from him.

 

[Wombat]

I just give them more or less what seems appropriate for the scenario and/or position in society.

Why worry about tables? Besides, the amount of goods on the tables rarely fits the feel of my worlds anyway...

 

[Creamsteak]

(I held of on asking this at first specifically because I wanted it to bump the thread with...)

So, for those of you that voted other, what exactly do you do? I coulda sworn I covered all bases, but knew that I probably missed something particular. What methods do you 'others' use?