How fast should NPCs advance?

[Piratecat]

I generally give NPCs half the xp that PCs earn, unless they're nasty villains who are actively adventuring; then they get whatever I think might be appropriate (usually 1:1).

 

[Ravellion]

BVackground Wizards don't become level 20 till they are 70 or so. So 1 level per 4-5 years.

Priests (and Druids) advancement can be very quick, quicker than PCs. thye can suddenly find favour with their god, especially if evil and lots of sacrifices are made etc.

Warriors level up 1:1, but die a lot and usually are not resurrected due to lack of funds.

Rogues level 2 levels a year. Same for Bards.

Rav

 

[Fenes 2]

My NPCs advance as I need them to. If I want the mentor to remain ahead, then he will remain ahead, if I want the student of a PC to level a bit faster then he will, and so on.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Hmmm. Lemon Curry is the breakaway favorite. I should have known.

OK, I guess "it depends" really is the common sense approach. I just like rules of thumb.

 

[Aeris Winterood]

Not enough ...

It depends upon what they are... If the NPC is integral to the story... i.e. villian or so.. they may advance with the PC's....

 

[Umbran]

I just like rules of thumb.

Yep. I guess the lesson is that the rule of thumb doesn't help when you have to deal with the other 8 fingers...

 

[Olive]

Re: Not enough ...

It depends upon what they are... If the NPC is integral to the story... i.e. villian or so.. they may advance with the PC's....

Indeed. If they'e hanging out (i.e. the old king who lets his majordomo do all the work) they may only go up one level every year or so. Perhaps even once a decade.

 

[Mark]

My NPCs advance as I need them to. If I want the mentor to remain ahead, then he will remain ahead, if I want the student of a PC to level a bit faster then he will, and so on.

Sounds good to me, too. Advance them to serve the campaign.

 

[Drawmack]

I had a long discusion bout this on another board, 5 pages worth. The result was this:

Figure out what kind of challenges they are facing. Then figure out how often they are facing those challenges. Then assign them xp as per the table in the DMG.

Alternately just say he's x level cause it fits the story.

 

[Xeriar]

I have a rather complex program that determines this and has absolutely nothing to do with where the PCs are at - the PCs are a part of the world, not the other way around.