NPC Stat Arrays

[Legend]

Here's a game balance question for everyone: When creating NPCs (especially those who may fight or otherwise challenge the players in some way), what stat arrays do you use? Standard, Elite, or do you just assign stats? Do you use different stat arrays for different types of people (lowly town guards vs military commanders vs major figures in the campaign)?

 

[IcyCool]

Here's a game balance question for everyone: When creating NPCs (especially those who may fight or otherwise challenge the players in some way), what stat arrays do you use? Standard, Elite, or do you just assign stats? Do you use different stat arrays for different types of people (lowly town guards vs military commanders vs major figures in the campaign)?

I have six players, so I fiddle with NPC enemy stats quite a bit. I don't really give less than the elite array, and for important BBEGs, I use the same point buy my players received. It doesn't appear to make the slightest difference, as quite often the bad guys are little more than speed bumps. I reserve non-elite scores for friendly or no-threat NPC's.

 

[frankthedm]

I do usually use the elite [15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8] for PC class characters and non elite [13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8] for NPC classed characters. I run a less "extreme" game than the ruleset calls for [and have changed some of the rules to do so].

I do suggest increasing the elite set by whatever many you let PC generate ability scores by. CRs were set by PCs having 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 as well.

 

[Prism]

I use the standard array for npc classes only. Monsters get straight 10s and 11s out of the book unless I give them PC class levels where I give them an elite array as per the mm guidelines. All other bad guys with pc class levels get the elite array too

At least that way i know that the encounters I create are balanced against CR

 

[Nail]

I have six players, so I fiddle with NPC enemy stats quite a bit. I don't really give less than the elite array, and for important BBEGs, I use the same point buy my players received. It doesn't appear to make the slightest difference, as quite often the bad guys are little more than speed bumps. I reserve non-elite scores for friendly or no-threat NPC's.

Amen!

If you'll notice, RAW use ability scores (in addition to HD) to balance a CR. For example: the AC of creatures should be "about" CR +13; if it's lower, either add Dex or (more likely) add natural armor.