NPC Advancement

[Roman]

I have a party at 5th level and there are several important NPCs around that are at various level. As the party advances in level, I don't want these NPCs to stay static, but I am not sure how to deal with their level advancement.

For example, there is an important 10th level NPC and another 8th level NPC. How should they advance as the party advances in level?

 

[Mark]

I would sugest you advance your NPCs arbitrarily, based on what you need as a DM, and rationalize the advancement retrospectively and with aplomb.

 

[Roman]

That is what will ultimately happen and it is what I have done in the past, but I would like to have some kind of rule of thumb or a formula to work with when I don't want to be completely arbitrary.

 

[kaomera]

I only give out XP for stuff that happens at the table. If my players show up with stories of the great adventure they had in the car on the way to the game, I don't hand out XP for that. Why should I play favorites and give out XP to NPCs for their supposed "adventures" that happened while the players weren't there? Although that brings up an interesting possibility: what if you always assign equal shares of XP to surviving NPCs?

Serious note: decide on a ratio of PC to NPC XP. This could be anything, base it on how fast (if at all) you want the PCs to be able to overtake the NPCs. Since XP generally scales with level (unless you assume that the NPCs are only encountering challenges well below their CL, or something)you can just advance the NPCs in level by that ratio, based on game sessions. Frex: i you set the ratio at 100% PC XP == 75% NPC XP and it takes the PCs 5 sessions to level, then the NPCs should be 75% to the next level at that point, or 15% per session.

 

[marune]

That is what will ultimately happen and it is what I have done in the past, but I would like to have some kind of rule of thumb or a formula to work with when I don't want to be completely arbitrary.

Try to understand why you would want such a "formula", why you think doing it arbitrary is a problem.

 

[Mark]

Do you have anything on which you wish to base the rule? Describe your game/players, typical rate of advancement, level of PC-NPC interaction, etc. The only reason I would suggest adding any type of rule would be because of some game requirement due to your individual situation. For instance, if you have a particular player that plays arcane casters and is always interested in acquiring spells, I might suggest that you be sure to advance NPC arcane casters a level or two ahead of that PC so that he has a ready source of spells to gather.

 

[Glyfair]

That is what will ultimately happen and it is what I have done in the past, but I would like to have some kind of rule of thumb or a formula to work with when I don't want to be completely arbitrary.

I don't see any way of doing it other than in a completely arbitrary way. Some NPCs should be static. Some NPCs should be increasing faster than the PCs (the minor character who quickly advances to become a nemesis of the party). Some NPCs should advance about the same rate as the party (the main villain of the party).

Each NPC has a unique position in the game, and that position determines how fast they advance. IMO, 90% of the NPCs are static or advance very slowly.

 

[robberbaron]

IMC:

If the NPCs are with the PCs, they get a fair share of the experience.

If they are outside the party they are the level I want them to be. I've never been asked to justify why an NPC seemed to have shot through the levels and I don't expect it to happen.


Players care less about an NPC levelling up quicker than them than they do their comrades doing the same.

Try being arbitrary, you'll like it, none of your players will care and it will save you a lot of maths.

 

[Li Shenron]

Don't advance the PCs

 

[Delta]

I would lean towards advancing important NPCs half as fast as PCs.