[POLL] Do you stat out every little detail?

[Breakdaddy]

When doing things manually, I tend to stat block basic combat abilities and key equipment the NPC is carrying. Now that I use ETOOLS and a laptop for my 3.x games, I have the entire NPC statted out in seconds, down to the last feat and skill point.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I selected "The combat basics are all detailed, and generally a close estimate for the rest of the stats." even though that's not strictly true. It was, however, the closest I could come to how I prepare.

I expanded "combat basics" to include, "The statistics relevant to the way in which my PCs would be likely to interact with this particular NPC."

To whit, everyone doesn't necessarily need basic combat stats - AC, touch AC, hit points, AB, damage. Anything the PCs are likely going to fight, however, does.

The leader of the thieves' guild? Probably not (at least, not yet). He will, however, need his Knowledge, Diplomacy, Bluff, etc. skills fully statted out.

So, if you read the choice as "relevant bits completely statted out, everything else rough guess," then you've got what I believe is a good way to handle things.

 

[Woas]

What I stat out:

HP, AC, Init, Attack bonus/damage. Maybe some key spells if their a spell caster.

Darn I'm a lazy DM

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I generally just try to eyeball the stats and other areas dealing with numbers. I try to focus more on the history and background of my NPCs.

 

[Thanee]

I very rarely stat out NPCs at all (did one such NPC recently (completely accurate, same as a PC) who accompanies the party for a while, but other than that it has been a while, I can only recall one recurring villain). I do figure what kind of stats and feats and so they have at the time it's needed, but I never write it down or somesuch.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Gundark]

I have etools....so it's easy.

 

[Ravellion]

I expanded "combat basics" to include, "The statistics relevant to the way in which my PCs would be likely to interact with this particular NPC."

That would have been a better way to phrase it...

Quite a few results already though... Most fall in the middle three catgories... which is to be expected I suppose...


Rav

 

[Zappo]

I have multiple personality disorder in that sense.

I run two campaigns. In the first one (Planescape), I detail NPCs to the last skill point (though I'll skip mundane equipment if it won't come up in the adventure). That's a good part of why the adventure linked in my sig is now more than 100 pages long.

In the second campaign (Warcraft) I usually get not farther than, uhm, the level. Sometimes I just write the name. Sometimes, not even that, and I have to resort to my Spam folder to pick up a suitably weird name for the BBEG who has been pulling the strings for the last five sessions and who has never been detailed further than "a troll shaman".

 

[shilsen]

Full stat block for my BBEGs. Otherwise, it's essentially what Patryn of Elvenshae described. For example, here's an NPC stat block for the upcoming session in my D&D game:

Bruiser - Warforged Brb6; Str 18 (22), Dex 13, Con 16 (20), Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 6; 72 (84) hp; Init +1; AC 20; +13/8 greataxe (1d12+10/x3) and +7/2 javelin (1d6+6) or +7/2 comp. longbow (1d8+4/x3); F +12, R +5, W +4; Feats - Adamantine Body, Power Attack, Extra Rage; Equipment - Greataxe +1, +1 enhancement on body, Cloak of Resistance +2, six 1st lvl potions, 2nd lvl - Bull's Strength & Bear's Endurance, one 3rd lvl potion

When raging: Str 22 (26), Con 20 (24), 84 (96) hp, AC 18, +15/10 greataxe (1d12+13/x3), F+14, W+6
Raging and 3 pts power attack: +12/7 greataxe (1d12+19/x3)
Raging and full power attack: +9/4 greataxe (1d12+25/x3)

SR 19 due to Greater Armor Enhancement from Artificer
Bull's Strength & Bear's Endurance on self from potions

 

[Fieari]

I make up an amount of HP based on how long I want the NPC/Monster to last in combat. Guess at a BAB, Guess at the AC, Try to recall weapon damage from memory, and make sure I have some saves ready, since spells are pretty common. In a pinch, I'll quick look up the standard stats, but not if it takes more time than it takes for my players to roll initiative, which granted, can take a while with everyone calling out numbers and the note taker having to get them to speak up one by one...