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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CapnZapp" data-source="post: 6728577" data-attributes="member: 12731">How do you tell which level a particular NPC is? That is, how close to levelling up is it? You might think it's nonconsequential or silly, but I'm not talking about making monsters more dangerous by giving them levels here.I'm talking about Out of the Abyss which prominently feature NPCs that adventure alongside the player characters. Some of these NPCs are significantly better than any first or second level PC, so we can't just ignore them - they're far from hapless "commoners".Now, the DMG clearly states that any NPC that travels alongside the PCs are to be given a full share of experience points. But, unless I am mistaken, the DMG never says what this NPC can do with these XP!I am not planning on statting up the OotA NPCs as full player characters. This discussion is mostly about Appendix B of the Monster Manual (though a few NPCs are statted up as "pure" monsters from the main body of MM text, such as an Orc or Quaggoth.)Questions:Most of these stat blocks do not have the specific line on saving throws. Am I correct in believing this means the NPC simply uses its ability modifiers for saves as well? If it has Dex +1 it would make any "Reflex save" (=Dex save) with +1?Would it be useful to equate one hit dice with one "level"? That is, a 2 HD NPC (with about 9 hp) would be considered to level up after collecting 600 xp (since that is what any second level character would need to reach third level)?Or would you say CR enters the equation?The DMG instructs us to base monster proficiency on CR. Anyone else finding that... impractical in this case (since it would mean having to calculate a CR for each levelled NPC)? Would anything break if you simply based it on level (meaning hit dice per above)?And finally - okay so the DMG allows us to create NPCs as regular characters with class and level. But does it ever say anything about giving levels to "monster" NPCs? First question: are there any advice on when to give a NPC a class level, and when to "only" give it a hit die?Some monsters have abilities taken directly from PHB classes; sneak attack is one easy example. How would that progress for a NPC that aren't taking class levels in Rogue?Any pointers to what the devs are saying would be top priority. Next is: what did the playtest have to say? Finally, if you have any informed suggestions, you're welcome!</blockquote>

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