NPCs: Stat Blocks or Backgrounds

[Lord Rasputin]

Just to be clear, I'm not asking for 3 page backgrounds for NPCs, in most cases I don't need much in the way of background at all, except if it influences their personality/motivation.

What I was asking for was more description/personality with maybe some notes on how to effectively role-play the NPC. something to make them more alive than just stats on a page.

I just don't want to give the wrong impression...

That's what I thought you meant, so I voted for backgrounds. Really, actual backstory for the NPC is the least important. I want something like the seven-sentence NPC, as ColonelHardisson said, then a little more detail on what he knows and how he will direct the story, and something describing the room around him. To put this in bullet points:

• The seven sentences, or at least those questions addressed.
• A bit of boxed text giving his physical description and that of his surroundings, which would satisfy one of the seven sentences.
• A few canned responses to likely questions. This also helps satisfy some of the seven sentence questions, though the amount of this is variable.

 

[Crothian]

I find that I use stat blocks less and less as I game with D&D. So, I want the backgrounds.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Another thread begs raises the question . . .

*edit*

I guess for those who have no trouble making either and feel they need both, based on the original thread, it all comes down to which is easier for you to make yourself. For those who have no doubt that they only need one or the other, it's a simple question.

For the purposes of this thread, "background" covers anything not part of the stat block, such as intentions, motivations, predilections, etc. though not, as is often included with a stat block, simple physical description, typical combat disposition, etc.

Stat blocks.

NPC motivations I can come up with myself. I read a lot and so there's lots of NPC motivations to copy if I can't come up with them on my own.

NPC motivations, backstory and appearance is only useful if they're named characters, usually presented in an adventure, but a "quartet of villains" found in a product somewhere, each with motivations as well as stats, might be nice. However, I don't need background info on "generic Zhent Fighter 4/Rogue 3 spiked chain wielder".

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Backgrounds just aren't that useful to me. The NPCs in my games already have backgrounds, otherwise there'd be no reason for the PCs to have dealings with them. However, having fast access to interestingly built characters for combat purposes is excellent and saves me tons of time. That's why the D20 NPC Wiki is so good. WotC is never going to publish a book of statblocks. And nobody else is allowed to use non-SRD sources. So the Wiki fills that gap. I try to put all my NPCs there, although I've been running Age of Worms lately so my NPCs are typically not mine.

 

[Lord Rasputin]

This poll/threaad brings to mind something that came to me a few weeks ago. In the Star Wars d20 Galactic Campaign Guide, there's a list of 10 NPCs every GM should have, NPCs like "Man on the Street" and "Air Taxi Driver." What struck me as a good idea would be to have pregenerated stat blocks of a D&D-appropriate group of these NPCs in a future DMG. Maybe give a few options, but in general, these guys are low-level in NPC classes. There would be some sort of quick system for giving these guys background, goals and personality. Most of these guys are non-combatants, so their stats aren't that important. In an adventure, the writer could give the non-gritty details along with a reference like: (for stats, see Merchant 3, DMG p. 249). He might need to specify a Profession skill or alter something, but this would speed up play a bit, and help GMs focus on role-playing.

 

[pogre]

I use NPC Designer so stat blocks are a snap. A few interesting backgrounds might be cool though.

 

[SWBaxter]

If I'm buying a product, in general I'd rather see statblocks. If I'm creating the NPC myself, I'm more likely to come up with the background first, and am often comfortable faking the statblock. By that I mean, I'm happy to write down a finished set of combat stats without going through the full process of working up the NPC's stats.

 

[cthulhu_duck]

Whoa:

Stat Card Downloads
Get 'em While They're Free!
When Stephen Schubert announced at Gencon that all of the D&D Miniatures stat cards from every set would soon be available through the wizards website -- well, it came as something of a surprise to us. Not an unpleasant surprise, though. We're happy to make the cards available!

We're starting out with the Harbinger cards from way back in 2003. The RPG and Skirmish stat sides are split into separate files, in case you're interested in only one or the other (though we can't imagine why that could be -- we expect everyone to download everything and use everything). If you started out with Harbinger and some of your cards have since been lost, stolen, soaked in Mountain Dew, or eaten by the cat, this is your chance to replace them on the cheap. If you came in too late for Harbinger, now you can see what you missed!

Each week, we'll add another set to the shelf until we catch up to the current release (which by then will be Blood War).

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mi/20061019c&dcmp=ILC-RSSDND

 

[DarkKestral]

Stat blocks, personally. I'm a big fan of re-using NPCs, and I like having pre-made skill lists, because I find them a pain to do. I always get the skill points screwed up.

 

[Terwox]

I'd much rather see a sentence of stats (Fighter 4, magic items, HP/AC/attacks/damage) and a paragraph of background. Stats without any background at all, for intelligent NPCs that can be conversed with, aren't even worth having in my opinion.

I can generate stats on the fly, but I can't come up with unique ideas for personalities and motivations nearly as quickly.