NPC Classes and Hitpoints

[Mekabar]

According to the DMG NPC classes should be treated exactly as PC classes. However in the various Monter Manuals and the like a Warrior's first Hit Dice is always rolled, whereas a PC always gets the maximum result of the first HD.
I haven't found anything else on that matter, so is this really intended or a mere oversight?

 

[billd91]

Since it's only going to lead to a few hit points difference either way, I don't think it's a very important issue. Do whatever you feel like doing. Personally, I always give NPCs max hit points on the first die and roll monsters' first hit die.

 

[dcollins]

My DMG (3.0) has a section in Ch. 2, "NPC Statistics: Notes on NPC Design: Elite and Average Characters". It notes that all "elite" characters (PCs and special NPCs) get above-average abilities and max hit points at first level. And, all creatures in the Monster Manual are "average" instead of "elite".

 

[Darkness]

My DMG (3.0) has a section in Ch. 2, "NPC Statistics: Notes on NPC Design: Elite and Average Characters". It notes that all "elite" characters (PCs and special NPCs) get above-average abilities and max hit points at first level. And, all creatures in the Monster Manual are "average" instead of "elite".

What he said. Page 110 of the 3.5 DMG, BTW.

 

[Mekabar]

Thank you!