So how do we stat up commoners?

[mach1.9pants]

Just a question for those who have seen the books. How are every day people (humeans, elves, whatever) run in 4E? Rules wise? IMO 3E NPC classes were to tied to combat abilities, but it would be nce to have something to hang your hat on as a DM.
So are there hints for running comoners (etc) in the DMG? i.e. just give em whatever skills you feel appropriate and they have minion HP and no combat powers?
Or are they listed under humans in MM, like they did in 1E?

I haven't seen any thing on any of the previews so an ansewr would be appreciatted.

 

[ferratus]

There are a couple of minions in the monster manual for "humans". One I believe is called "Human Rabble" which is basically an unruly mob.

 

[Zaruthustran]

I'm thinking commoners are statted as minions. They take damage, they die. No combat powers, just a (weak) basic attack.

They don't need skills until they do. That is to say, it's not worth the time to stat up every citizen in the entire village. Or even the village blacksmith, really: just assume he can produce whatever is reasonable, in a normal amount of time.

For stuff like opposed skills vs. player actions (insight vs bluff, perception vs stealth, and so on) I'm thinking that guidelines will be in the DMG. Something like "a monster of level X should have Y bonus to whatever skill is needed in play".

So a level 1 commoner will have, say, a +3 bonus. Level 5 commoner will have a +7 bonus. And so on. Throw in circumstance bonuses as needed (bartenders could be particularly insightful, guards could be particularly perceptive).

 

[Prophet2b]

Who stats up commoners in 3.5? I just wing the common folk and ignore the DMG. If he's a blacksmith, he has no fighting ability, appropriate feats, average abilities, and whatever skills I think are appropriate for his character. If he gets hit, he dies.

4e seems to assume this, pretty much. Okay with me...

 

[Sashi]

I'm thinking commoners are statted as minions. They take damage, they die. No combat powers, just a (weak) basic attack.

Yes.

 

[Surgoshan]

If you really need stats, just give them straight 8s and a basic melee attack that does 3 damage.

 

[Nail]

I'm thinking commoners are statted as minions. They take damage, they die. No combat powers, just a (weak) basic attack.

Bingo.

...and they have clubs. Just clubs.

 

[Underage AOLer]

Who stats up commoners in 3.5?

This.

 

[Chibbot]

...and they have clubs. Just clubs.

What about pitchforks and torches?

 

[Pbartender]

...just give em whatever skills you feel appropriate and they have minion HP and no combat powers?

Yep... pretty much.

Bartender: Improvised Weapon +1 (1d4+1), Diplomacy +7, Insight +7.