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<blockquote data-quote="Celebrim" data-source="post: 5578583" data-attributes="member: 4937">Almost every NPC in my game can be roughly simulated by a 2nd level character.&nbsp; Even those with higher levels typically have lower than average stats, so that once you figure their attack bonus and hit points it as if they were 2nd level.&nbsp; While those that are 1st level are typically young and physically fit and therefore make up much of the difference with their elders.&nbsp; Only skills go up with any consistancy.In theory most NPCs are commoners, but I rarely find the need to stat up commoners.&nbsp; Though, I have wrote up a 9th level commoner for my latest campaign (she's a 90 year old village matriarch), which is the highest level for any NPC I have a stat block for.&nbsp; The weakest NPC's I'll typically write a stat block for are 2nd or 3rd level Experts.Generally only children are 0th level.&nbsp; In general, characters in earlier editions were about one level lower although at no time have I ever had armies made up of 0th level men-at-arms (or 1st level warriors for that matter).&nbsp; The ability to use NPC classes and to easily manipulate bonuses with lower stats has freed up some space for NPCs to gain a little more compotence without making them more combat proficient.Just as an aside, rural characters are assumed to be slightly higher level than their city dwelling comrades - quite the opposite of the view taken by another poster.&nbsp; Characters typically move from relatively safe Cityville out to the dangers of rural life, and eventually over the edge of the wild to the Terrible Lands Where There Be Dragons.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Celebrim, post: 5578583, member: 4937"] Almost every NPC in my game can be roughly simulated by a 2nd level character. Even those with higher levels typically have lower than average stats, so that once you figure their attack bonus and hit points it as if they were 2nd level. While those that are 1st level are typically young and physically fit and therefore make up much of the difference with their elders. Only skills go up with any consistancy. In theory most NPCs are commoners, but I rarely find the need to stat up commoners. Though, I have wrote up a 9th level commoner for my latest campaign (she's a 90 year old village matriarch), which is the highest level for any NPC I have a stat block for. The weakest NPC's I'll typically write a stat block for are 2nd or 3rd level Experts. Generally only children are 0th level. In general, characters in earlier editions were about one level lower although at no time have I ever had armies made up of 0th level men-at-arms (or 1st level warriors for that matter). The ability to use NPC classes and to easily manipulate bonuses with lower stats has freed up some space for NPCs to gain a little more compotence without making them more combat proficient. Just as an aside, rural characters are assumed to be slightly higher level than their city dwelling comrades - quite the opposite of the view taken by another poster. Characters typically move from relatively safe Cityville out to the dangers of rural life, and eventually over the edge of the wild to the Terrible Lands Where There Be Dragons. [/QUOTE]

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