D&D 5E (2014) How do you handle Commoners in your game?

Uller · Sep 25, 2015

Gently? They dont have many hp.

Bawylie · Sep 25, 2015

Commoners don't roll, outside combat or risky situations.

Otherwise I assume they take enough time to automatically succeed at whatever they're doing. Or automatically fail at accomplishing the impossible.

So unless you're trying to kill one (and why even bother), their stats don't come into it. 99% of the time.

Gnashtooth · Sep 25, 2015

Zaran said:
Why Un-damageable? If the PCs attack them do they get attacked by level 50 guards?

If they have no AC value, they can't be hit, and I didn't assign one.

HEEGZ · Sep 25, 2015

Default AC is 10 without armor or other gear, plus any Dex modifier, which I assume most commoners have 10 (+0).

I'm having trouble following the idea of immortal NPCs, not sure why that would be valuable.

Gnashtooth · Sep 25, 2015

HEEGZ said:
Default AC is 10 without armor or other gear, plus any Dex modifier, which I assume most commoners have 10 (+0).

I'm having trouble following the idea of immortal NPCs, not sure why that would be valuable.

1) Scenarios like wolves eating the farmers' chickens could be easily dealt with while the PC's are shooting the wolves attacking the farmer at range, as the farmer draws their attention.

2) More interesting scenarios, like an NPC starving to death because the orcs are trying to attack that NPC in shifts in a mob 300-strong.

3) The town cleric could focus their energies entirely on the PCs, making access to important curatives easier.

4) The PCs would have plenty of time to deal with situations like bandits, as the bandits fruitlessly try to kill the caravan merchants.

This mechanic opens up endless opportunities for role play and new creativity. Why don't you try it and see?

Sunseeker · Sep 25, 2015

Commoners are just elements of the world, really no different than a tree or a house. They're there to serve a purpose and that purpose is generally to provide local information.

Vael · Sep 25, 2015

I ... don't. Or, put it this way, why do I need to model/handle Commoners? Most of the time, they're background. If a PC interacts with one, they just use the normal DCs for ability checks. An attack hits and generally kills one, unless I need something more stringent. They flee fights at the end of a round.

Azzy · Sep 25, 2015

It really hasn't come up yet, but I'd just use the commoner from the MM and modify it with proficiencies or altered ability scores as necessary for special individuals. That's something fairly easy to do on the spot, too.

S'mon · Sep 25, 2015

Li Shenron said:
What is your own approach to representing commoner NPCs in your game?

I don't recall ever having to worry about their skill proficiencies, but if it came up I'd add +2 or +4 on rolls for stuff they should be good at.
My Wilderlands 5e game follows the 'badass planet' meme traditional for Wilderlands, so pretty well everyone gets at least 2 hit dice, and shepherdesses can nail wandering monsters with their slingshots quite easily.

A slightly experienced Commoner NPC IMC:

Aya of Selatine, Ghinoran Shepherdess of Selatine
Medium humanoid
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 13 (3d8) healing die: 1 (d8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 8 (-1) DEX 14 (+2) CON 10 (+0) INT 10 (+0) WIS 11 (+0) CHA 13 (+1)
Proficiency +2
Good saves DEX, CON
Senses passive Perception 12
Actions
Sling. Missile Weapon Attack 30'/120': +4 to hit, one target.
Hit: 1d4+2 bludgeoning damage.
Unarmed: 0 damage

Apart from Perception (got to keep an eye out for the hyenas) I never statted any Proficiencies, presumably she'd get +4 on 'locate sheep'.