D&D 5E (2024) NPCs, and the poverty of the core books

[Swarmkeeper]

So what do y'all do when you need a CR 5 bard NPC?

Performer Maestro from the 5e2024 MM is pretty darn close. CR 6. I might give it fewer HP and call it a day.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Performer Maestro from the 5e2024 MM is pretty darn close. CR 6. I might give it fewer HP and call it a day.

It's a good example of a NPC that annoyingly does stuff no PC bard can.

 

[Bae'zel]

It's a good example of a NPC that annoyingly does stuff no PC bard can.

Which is fine with me, as it creates some uncertainty and unpredictability. Also some world building (musical magic works differently for some in this world).

 

[Chaltab]

So what do y'all do when you need a CR 5 bard NPC?

I'd probably use an existing stat block like the Bard, Legendary from Monster Manual Expanded 3 (CR 8, but its got low HP and I can knock off the Legendary Actions and it'll be fine.)

Or Edgin Darvis from Honor Among Thieves (CR 5)

Or just make one myself:

 

[Remathilis]

How can I not be one of the blood when I'm one of the blood?

You're not the seventh son of a seventh son, you were not born under the dark moon, you aren't part of the ancient bloodline, yada yada yada.

Seriously, your convincing me that either there is nobody with unique abilities OR I don't believe you don't allow everything goes.

As for the Rogue-Assassin, the PC shouldn't get abilities the NPCs don't/can't have any more than the reverse.

So every assassin in the world has the exact same abilities? How boring.

 

[Micah Sweet]

You're not the seventh son of a seventh son, you were not born under the dark moon, you aren't part of the ancient bloodline, yada yada yada.

Seriously, your convincing me that either there is nobody with unique abilities OR I don't believe you don't allow everything goes.

So every assassin in the world has the exact same abilities? How boring.

Why would anyone have unique abilities that no one else could have?

 

[Minigiant]

NPC can't hit hard enough fast enough NOR take hits enough fast enough using PC rules past CR 5 or so.

Once you accept it, the dread lessens.​

 

[pawsplay]

This is from Forge of Foes (which is a really good monster design book BTW). It fairly matches my play experiences, so I trust it (though I wish it tracked above 20th level PC equivalent in some way).

View attachment 416215

That's pretty close to how NPC mages were built, using the the original 5e books.

 

[Stormonu]

Why would anyone have unique abilities that no one else could have?

Go ask the Spellfire wielder.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Go ask the Spellfire wielder.

There's a clear path to Spellfire another person could conceivably follow, once the old wielder is dead.