Rules for Designing NPCs?

[fba827]

another random comment for rowport

Keep in mind that a level in 1e is not the same numerical level in 4e. So you can't just say because it's a level 11 adventure in 1e that it should be a level 11 adventure in 4e.
Figure out what sort of spells in 1e that the characters are assumed to be able to use, and use that as a benchmark to estimate what approx level in 4e that would equate to.

But really, as long as everything stays relative to the same target level, then it should be fine (i.e. if you want to say your new module is for level 3 characters, as long as you make the villians weaker or stronger to level 3 in the same proportion that they are in the module, then you should be okay for the most part) - the only real exceptions here are if they're assumed to have access to special travel mode or "trick" (like planaer travel, or fly, or walk through walls or raise dead or such).

And to fba827: I'm sort of glad you missed the Eye first time around, because your example was very illustrative (and saved me having to type up something similar!)...

(begin Kif voice) *sigh* Yes Captain (end Kif voice)

 

[Wraith Form]

So, let's take this to the next step--pg. 188 of the DMG has "PC classes" as quasi-templates to be applied to NPCs. That's really cool...but what about all the PHB2 new classes?

(I'm hoping we can expect these officially written up in the DMG2 but it would be cool to get them as an on-line DDI article.)

 

[Mr. Teapot]

So, let's take this to the next step--pg. 188 of the DMG has "PC classes" as quasi-templates to be applied to NPCs. That's really cool...but what about all the PHB2 new classes?

I'd assume that's coming in the DMGII.

The closest analogy we have is the Swordmage, as the only other new class released so far. The Swordmage as PC writeup appears in the Forgotten Realm's Player's Guide, which is the FR PHB equivalent. But the Swordmage template appears in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, the closest you get to a FR DMG.