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<blockquote data-quote="MrMyth" data-source="post: 5032569" data-attributes="member: 61155">I admit, at higher levels, they can end up with a lot of powers. On the other hand, one of the very first things I ran in 4E was an epic one-shot, filled with NPCs, and they never ended up too much more complicated than the other epic monsters, even with a large variety of powers. And... the number of powers really isn't that crazy. 1 at-will power, 1-2 encounter powers? 1-2 daily powers, 1-3 utility powers? &nbsp;If it is really that big a deal, I'd recommend just giving them one power from each list, and perhaps making it rechargable when bloodied, or something similar. As it is, though, I don't feel like this is really overwhelming compared to normal monsters. By epic, monsters have plenty of complex abilities anyway. Before epic, the NPC has 2-3 attack powers and 1-2 utility powers, which is relatively manageable. And I seem to recall the DMG2 even gave some guidance on trimming off a power or two, though I don't have the book on hand to confirm that. &nbsp;&nbsp;Yeah, an onslaught of dailies can be pretty brutal - which is why I recommend avoiding using PC-built NPCs, which can completely toast a party. With properly built NPCs, though, you shouldn't be seeing too many dailies - and there are plenty of other monsters out there that, if they group up on one PC and unload their biggest attack, are going to result in a fallen PC. &nbsp;As for hitpoints, I have no idea what you are talking about. They are built using the same guidelines as most monsters. They even often have slightly higher defenses, once you factor in armor and their 'NPC bonus'. &nbsp;I mean... you aren't required to use them, by any means. But I've gotten good use out of them, and others have as well. I'm just not sure where you see evidence that they have been a complete failure that have been tossed to the wayside.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="MrMyth, post: 5032569, member: 61155"] I admit, at higher levels, they can end up with a lot of powers. On the other hand, one of the very first things I ran in 4E was an epic one-shot, filled with NPCs, and they never ended up too much more complicated than the other epic monsters, even with a large variety of powers. And... the number of powers really isn't that crazy. 1 at-will power, 1-2 encounter powers? 1-2 daily powers, 1-3 utility powers? If it is really that big a deal, I'd recommend just giving them one power from each list, and perhaps making it rechargable when bloodied, or something similar. As it is, though, I don't feel like this is really overwhelming compared to normal monsters. By epic, monsters have plenty of complex abilities anyway. Before epic, the NPC has 2-3 attack powers and 1-2 utility powers, which is relatively manageable. And I seem to recall the DMG2 even gave some guidance on trimming off a power or two, though I don't have the book on hand to confirm that. Yeah, an onslaught of dailies can be pretty brutal - which is why I recommend avoiding using PC-built NPCs, which can completely toast a party. With properly built NPCs, though, you shouldn't be seeing too many dailies - and there are plenty of other monsters out there that, if they group up on one PC and unload their biggest attack, are going to result in a fallen PC. As for hitpoints, I have no idea what you are talking about. They are built using the same guidelines as most monsters. They even often have slightly higher defenses, once you factor in armor and their 'NPC bonus'. I mean... you aren't required to use them, by any means. But I've gotten good use out of them, and others have as well. I'm just not sure where you see evidence that they have been a complete failure that have been tossed to the wayside. [/QUOTE]

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