*EDIT: It has just come to my attention that my aims and goals for this thread have been all for not, I have transgressed against the form rules and once more waste the valuable time of my gracious hosts. As such I have reported this thread for deletion so as to not clutter it with such useless trash or nor waste the time of this forums compassioned members. I'll accept any punishment for this violation and only pray that no more harm or insult or offense will come of it.
For all those who come upon this thread before it's deletion I beg do not waste your time in response. Do not let my failure burden you're enjoyment of this website and the gracious people of this community.
Thank you for your time.*
***
My most humble greetings more learned members of the community,
I once again come to you to ask a trifling question and pray it is not too beneath your notice to pass on an answer from your vaster experience. I am aware however that this may not be the exact place for such a question and therefore beg your Indulgence as I lay out my question and hope it may be directed toward the proper area.
I am very interested and utilizing Hireling mechanics to utilize monster NPCs to join a party of one. My example is a goblin or kobold from the basic rules for D&D. I am certain however, you my most gracious hosts are aware that both basic monsters are not compatible with a standard adventuring party setup beyond second or third level.
The Crux of my question now becomes apparent, what stat block would you use to improve the most basic of monsters and NPCs, such as Scouts or Priests to utilize in a group setting from first level to twentieth? Do you simply add the Gladiator, Mage or Assassin template to everything?
If this is your answer may I beseech that you express your experience with doing such a thing in terms of balance and enjoyment. Has this worked for your group, or a single player and a single dungeon master?
And so I do not waste anyone's time further I will hopefully without arrogance or offense supply that I hold an awareness of the sidekick rules in Tasha's cauldron of everything. But I must regretfully inform that I do not own this rule supplement, and instead would gently like to utilize the hiring mechanics present in the player's handbook a source which I do own.
Hopefully my words have come across without insult to your greater understanding, and that my language is understood in the most human of terms. With humility I wait your magnanimous response. Thank you for your time.
EDIT: with a fear bordering on anxious panic I hastily edit this post in the hopes of adding further clarity to undo the unforgivable mistake that I must have made. I With all sincerity reiterate I do not own the DND 5th edition supplement Tasha's cauldron of everything nor the DND 5th edition Essentials kit supplementary side kick rules. Therefore I cannot, no matter how great my efforts, use side kick rules presented therein either source.
With shaken confidence, I pray this additional edit has helped to clarify my original post and that further mistakes on my part are not aggravating to the most kind users of this community. Thank you for your time.
LOL. I believe that in the Dungeon Masters Guide there is guide to making homebrew monsters in page 72 or around that. But even then those are just guidelines as spells can mess with the parameters of the homebrew. Also I think there are creatures called, expert, mage, healer, and warrior that have a leveling up stat block from 1 - 10 in dnd beyond such as expert 1 then expert 2 which resembles a rogue. mage 1 and mage 2 which resembles a spellcaster and etc.
LOL. I believe that in the Dungeon Masters Guide there is guide to making homebrew monsters in page 72 or around that. But even then those are just guidelines as spells can mess with the parameters of the homebrew. Also I think there are creatures called, expert, mage, healer, and warrior that have a leveling up stat block from 1 - 10 in dnd beyond such as expert 1 then expert 2 which resembles a rogue. mage 1 and mage 2 which resembles a spellcaster and etc.
With gratitude I offer appreciation of your reply, though I must be presumptuous for I do not understand. Why do you laugh? Am I mocked?
I am most grateful for bringing to my attention the home brewing of monsters and the pitfalls of adding spells, however it is with hope of no offense nor insult that I inform you the dungeon Master's guide is something I lack. I substitute the basic rules and the small section of guide from the starter set. Therefore I am unable to utilize the advice you have given me.
Is with deeper regrets that I must next inform, most humbly that the expert and mage you have suggested originates in the essentials kit and Tasha's cauldron of everything. I most humbly, and deeply Express remorse for not being more clear in my lack of owning the resource of the essentials kit but I beg you do not think me impudent for pointing out that I did inform I do not own and cannot use Tasha's cauldron of everything side kick rules..
Nonetheless I thank you for your time and hope I am not too much of an annoyance and my response or my questions, once again thank you for your time .
With deepening remorse I find myself struck by my inability to be clear in my pushing forward of information, I had with all hopes of being understood clearly to inform the most valuable members of this community, that I do not own and thus cannot utilize Tasha's cauldron of everything side kick rules in my first post. I cannot understand my mistake, the mistake it must be and mine to bear. Therefore with utmost sincerity I beg your forgiveness for wasting your time.
Nonsense; time is but a mere concept of reality for us mortals and immortals alike Oh penitent one. Twas not for naught that you've asked for our divine wisdom, for this information merely is as is. There is nothing to be sorrowful about, as we giveth but the brightest of archaic knowledge blessed by those above. This is meant to be shared for those who seeketh it. So be assured Oh penitent one, that you have done no wrong in asking. Find absolution and solace from our words oh penitent one, and may your journey reach far and wide across the realms.
Nonsense; time is but a mere concept of reality for us mortals and immortals alike Oh penitent one. Twas not for naught that you've asked for our divine wisdom, for this information merely is as is. There is nothing to be sorrowful about, as we giveth but the brightest of archaic knowledge blessed by those above. This is meant to be shared for those who seeketh it. So be assured Oh penitent one, that you have done no wrong in asking. Find absolution and solace from our words oh penitent one, and may your journey reach far and wide across the realms.
It is with deepest gratitude that I again thank you for your reply, but I must admit the depths of my ignorance, I do not know why you think me disingenuous. I had hoped to prove my sincerity and be as precise as possible to not waste the time of the good hosts of this community which I am clearly an outsider to.
I do not find myself penitent, nor believing in any way to worship this community as a divinity no matter how deep their gracious answers. Or... perhaps I have mistaken again. I am not aware my attitude was still yet disrepectful, as to not even be taken seriously.
What a fool I must seem to this wise community, or perhaps the insult was in even asking, or maybe this method of jest is beyond my understanding and common to this community? Or is it I am mocked for posting in the wrong area? I have duely reported my posts, though it is with great distaste to so burden the moderation staff of this wralth of knowledge, but maybe that was the transgress that so deserved this, absolution you offer?
I am understanding now I think, and with greatest apologies do grovel before your mercy. I do not wish to again stir the animosity of these good people, and will take your advisement to correct my behavior. Once more I thank you, I beg pray your forgiveness and leave you, unburdened.
I’m not awake enough for flowery language yet. Suffice it to say that the simplest thing to do would be to add class levels to those statblocks and level up their Hit Dice 2 at a time. I wouldn’t give them subclasses, and I would stick to the “boring” classes like Fighter or Wizard. That’s essentially a budget rate way of doing Sidekicks (more or less). There’s rules for adding class levels to monsters in the DM’s Workshop section of the DMG.
I’m not awake enough for flowery language yet. Suffice it to say that the simplest thing to do would be to add class levels to those statblocks and level up their Hit Dice 2 at a time. I wouldn’t give them subclasses, and I would stick to the “boring” classes like Fighter or Wizard. That’s essentially a budget rate way of doing Sidekicks (more or less). There’s rules for adding class levels to monsters in the DM’s Workshop section of the DMG.
Great advice here.
The short form answer would be adding Hit Dice as Sposta outlined above, and making sure their hit bonuses correlate with the group's level loosely. From there sprinkle in some class abilities every so often and it'll work well enough.
I had a player end up really attached to their riding horse once and they ended up....weird. Started levelling up with the group... then started gaining wizard skills and spellcasting ability.... ended up fey-touched eventually...
Bottom line is whatever you decide on as long as your player is having fun and you are having fun you made the right decision.
I’m not awake enough for flowery language yet. Suffice it to say that the simplest thing to do would be to add class levels to those statblocks and level up their Hit Dice 2 at a time. I wouldn’t give them subclasses, and I would stick to the “boring” classes like Fighter or Wizard. That’s essentially a budget rate way of doing Sidekicks (more or less). There’s rules for adding class levels to monsters in the DM’s Workshop section of the DMG.
With deepest gratitude I remark on your lack of cognition and hope your health improves hastily, adding thanks and appreciation. I am uncertain when I invoked botanical metaphors, but apologize profusely for the detriment it may have caused, such was never my intent and I pray you regard me innocent in such intentions.
I will endeavor to choose my words more carefully.
As to the substance of your most appreciated reply, again with grattitude, I will attempt a summation. "Add class levels with 2 HD per level" no more, no less. I am in awe of such a succinct reply, yet humbly inform, again with no insult, please understand, that I do not own such a resource as the Dungeon Masters Guide and am unable to utilize the DM's Workshop section. To elucidate, I have been making due with basic rules and the Starter Set limited Dungeon Master Sections therein.
I hope you will not find impudence nor offense in this fact, and please allow that I am unable to follow such welcome advice. I have been informed on this thread of my lack of clarity and attempt to correct my behavior. Yet I, regretfully must restate, I lack that specific resource you have recommended, and therefore can not "add class levels with 2HD per level" for fear of complications arising and no "DM's Workshop section" to relate such troubling queries too.
Therefore as it would be against the most gracious rules of this enlightened forum to post rules from the Dungeon Masters Guide, I will desist in my failings and humbly thank you for your time. With better regards to your improving health, thank you for your time.
I’m not awake enough for flowery language yet. Suffice it to say that the simplest thing to do would be to add class levels to those statblocks and level up their Hit Dice 2 at a time. I wouldn’t give them subclasses, and I would stick to the “boring” classes like Fighter or Wizard. That’s essentially a budget rate way of doing Sidekicks (more or less). There’s rules for adding class levels to monsters in the DM’s Workshop section of the DMG.
With deepest gratitude I remark on your lack of cognition and hope your health improves hastily, adding thanks and appreciation. I am uncertain when I invoked botanical metaphors, but apologize profusely for the detriment it may have caused, such was never my intent and I pray you regard me innocent in such intentions.
I will endeavor to choose my words more carefully.
As to the substance of your most appreciated reply, again with grattitude, I will attempt a summation. "Add class levels with 2 HD per level" no more, no less. I am in awe of such a succinct reply, yet humbly inform, again with no insult, please understand, that I do not own such a resource as the Dungeon Masters Guide and am unable to utilize the DM's Workshop section. To elucidate, I have been making due with basic rules and the Starter Set limited Dungeon Master Sections therein.
I hope you will not find impudence nor offense in this fact, and please allow that I am unable to follow such welcome advice. I have been informed on this thread of my lack of clarity and attempt to correct my behavior. Yet I, regretfully must restate, I lack that specific resource you have recommended, and therefore can not "add class levels with 2HD per level" for fear of complications arising and no "DM's Workshop section" to relate such troubling queries too.
Therefore as it would be against the most gracious rules of this enlightened forum to post rules from the Dungeon Masters Guide, I will desist in my failings and humbly thank you for your time. With better regards to your improving health, thank you for your time.
At risk of feeding the troll....
Any monster sheets you are using have hit dice listed next to their hit points. Use those to add more Hp. 2 more hit dice would mean rolling (or taking the average) of those dice, adding the monster's CON modifier to it, and increasing their hit points by that value.
The basic rules also have classes in them, as noted just add a class ability or two to the sheet. Like Second Wind on fighters, or bardic inspiration for bards, or rage from barbarian.
I’m not awake enough for flowery language yet. Suffice it to say that the simplest thing to do would be to add class levels to those statblocks and level up their Hit Dice 2 at a time. I wouldn’t give them subclasses, and I would stick to the “boring” classes like Fighter or Wizard. That’s essentially a budget rate way of doing Sidekicks (more or less). There’s rules for adding class levels to monsters in the DM’s Workshop section of the DMG.
Great advice here.
The short form answer would be adding Hit Dice as Sposta outlined above, and making sure their hit bonuses correlate with the group's level loosely. From there sprinkle in some class abilities every so often and it'll work well enough.
I had a player end up really attached to their riding horse once and they ended up....weird. Started levelling up with the group... then started gaining wizard skills and spellcasting ability.... ended up fey-touched eventually...
Bottom line is whatever you decide on as long as your player is having fun and you are having fun you made the right decision.
With delighted and overjoyous appreciation I welcome you and study carefully the experience you have shared! A wizard Riding Horse? Mirthful! You fill me with tickled acquaintance! I offer much appreciation and thanks for your inclusion to this quandary, thus being the first to share their own experience!
I now must needs however hope you intuit no malice when I inform you that I am unable to follow the above referenced and quoted advice, due I assure you through no hubris or distasteful impertinence, but truthfully due to my lack of owning the Dungeon Master's Guide and thusly access to the DM's Workshop Section and regret I can not follow it nor ask legally for others in this enlightened forum to illustrate such rules.
I hope and pray such disappointment does not sour your efforts or seem a burdensome waste of your time, and fear if this result has dampened your attendance to this question. I come to think, more and more, it was a mistake to post here again as my countenances and lacks have again come to sallow every encounter... please do not mark yourself among them. With humble grattitude, thank you for your time.
You don’t really need the DMG. Simply take something like the basic goblin statblock from the basic rules, give it the 1st-level Fighter features (Fighting Style,* Second Wind), Saves, and Skill Proficiencies, and add 2d6 to the hit dice (and therefore increase the HP by 7). That turns the basic goblin statblock into something like this: *(I recommend a support fighting style like Protection to help this NPC support the actual PCs.)
Then, after the party levels up some and Gobbo starts to fall behind, give him the 2nd level Fighter feature (Action Surge) and 2 more Hit Dice (7 more HP). Then he’ll look more like this:
Eventually Gobbo will gain a 5th Fighter level and look something like this:
I’m not awake enough for flowery language yet. Suffice it to say that the simplest thing to do would be to add class levels to those statblocks and level up their Hit Dice 2 at a time. I wouldn’t give them subclasses, and I would stick to the “boring” classes like Fighter or Wizard. That’s essentially a budget rate way of doing Sidekicks (more or less). There’s rules for adding class levels to monsters in the DM’s Workshop section of the DMG.
With deepest gratitude I remark on your lack of cognition and hope your health improves hastily, adding thanks and appreciation. I am uncertain when I invoked botanical metaphors, but apologize profusely for the detriment it may have caused, such was never my intent and I pray you regard me innocent in such intentions.
I will endeavor to choose my words more carefully.
As to the substance of your most appreciated reply, again with grattitude, I will attempt a summation. "Add class levels with 2 HD per level" no more, no less. I am in awe of such a succinct reply, yet humbly inform, again with no insult, please understand, that I do not own such a resource as the Dungeon Masters Guide and am unable to utilize the DM's Workshop section. To elucidate, I have been making due with basic rules and the Starter Set limited Dungeon Master Sections therein.
I hope you will not find impudence nor offense in this fact, and please allow that I am unable to follow such welcome advice. I have been informed on this thread of my lack of clarity and attempt to correct my behavior. Yet I, regretfully must restate, I lack that specific resource you have recommended, and therefore can not "add class levels with 2HD per level" for fear of complications arising and no "DM's Workshop section" to relate such troubling queries too.
Therefore as it would be against the most gracious rules of this enlightened forum to post rules from the Dungeon Masters Guide, I will desist in my failings and humbly thank you for your time. With better regards to your improving health, thank you for your time.
At risk of feeding the troll....
Any monster sheets you are using have hit dice listed next to their hit points. Use those to add more Hp. 2 more hit dice would mean rolling (or taking the average) of those dice, adding the monster's CON modifier to it, and increasing their hit points by that value.
The basic rules also have classes in them, as noted just add a class ability or two to the sheet. Like Second Wind on fighters, or bardic inspiration for bards, or rage from barbarian.
Troll?
With apologies I grovel and beg your forgiveness for wasting your time or rendering insult though I cannot understand what has made you believe so. I have only endeavored to politely and accurately, with much belabored precision, try to express in the correct words that waste the least amount of time my question and any issues with their answers, as gracious as they may be. If you believe my actions and behaviors to be intent on offense or insult I know of no way to assuage these thoughts.
I don't know how much more I can do to try to convey to this enlightened form of most gracious hosts my sincerity and feel to repeat myself again would be only further injuring the sensibilities of the posters who are compassionate enough to respond to this thread, but I know of no other way to be clear, to clarify, to be as concise as possible and word choice to relate that. And please do not take offense. I cannot utilize rules in a source I do not own for to ask for those rules to be posted on the form would be a violation of this most gracious forums rules and as I have enough trouble simply trying to communicate without offense, I must figure forgiveness and then I cannot use rules from a source book I do not own.
Once more please forgive any perceived impudence or arrogance for none was ever, ever, ever intended. Thank you for your time.
You don’t really need the DMG. Simply take something like the basic goblin statblock from the basic rules, give it the 1st-level Fighter features (Fighting Style,* Second Wind), Saves, and Skill Proficiencies, and add 2d6 to the hit dice (and therefore increase the HP by 7). That turns the basic goblin statblock into something like this: *(I recommend a support fighting style like Protection to help this NPC support the actual PCs.)
Then, after the party levels up some and Gobbo starts to fall behind, give him the 2nd level Fighter feature (Action Surge) and 2 more Hit Dice (7 more HP). Then he’ll look more like this:
Eventually Gobbo will gain a 5th Fighter level and look something like this:
See? All from nothing but the free Basic Rules.
With weakening salutations I fear not be fitting such a gracious and generous answer, I nonetheless attempt to impress the depths of my gratitude for your reply. I would like to be as clear as possible, without sounding arrogant, or impudent, and hope to convey that I fully understand the methods you have laid out so carefully for my benefit.
I dread to think I have forced you, in your compassion to break form rules by posting rules from the dungeon Master's guide DM Workshop for my benefit. I despair to think that I may have wasted your time and not being clear enough to inform you, without arrogance or impudence, of my inability to use rules from a source book I do not own nor ask those of this gracious forum to post rules from a source book I do not own for my sole benefit.
I know of no way to further convey this. It is simply beyond my capabilities. I do not know the legality of adding player character class levels to NPC monster stat blocks and issues with balance that may arise or where such answers maybe found without further burdening my most gracious hosts on this form. I do not know, or I'm too ignorant, of when to add certain class abilities or which possibilities are too much to add to a monster in PC with the desire of being a hireling for a Solo character.
If there is truly no resource to inform about what stat block one may require or update a monster NPC in rank with player characters from first to twentieth level without the use of unpurchased resources, then I fear I get again made the mistake of asking a question for which it is impossible to answer in legal parameters based on my situation.
I have much to learn, and beg your forgiveness for the burden of wasting your gracious and precious assistance in coming to this conclusion. I can only offer my deepest gratitude and most humble appreciation for your efforts. Thank you for your time.
*EDIT: It has just come to my attention that my aims and goals for this thread have been all for not, I have transgressed against the form rules and once more waste the valuable time of my gracious hosts. As such I have reported this thread for deletion so as to not clutter it with such useless trash or nor waste the time of this forums compassioned members. I'll accept any punishment for this violation and only pray that no more harm or insult or offense will come of it.
For all those who come upon this thread before it's deletion I beg do not waste your time in response. Do not let my failure burden you're enjoyment of this website and the gracious people of this community.
Thank you for your time.*
***
My most humble greetings more learned members of the community,
I once again come to you to ask a trifling question and pray it is not too beneath your notice to pass on an answer from your vaster experience. I am aware however that this may not be the exact place for such a question and therefore beg your Indulgence as I lay out my question and hope it may be directed toward the proper area.
I am very interested and utilizing Hireling mechanics to utilize monster NPCs to join a party of one. My example is a goblin or kobold from the basic rules for D&D. I am certain however, you my most gracious hosts are aware that both basic monsters are not compatible with a standard adventuring party setup beyond second or third level.
The Crux of my question now becomes apparent, what stat block would you use to improve the most basic of monsters and NPCs, such as Scouts or Priests to utilize in a group setting from first level to twentieth? Do you simply add the Gladiator, Mage or Assassin template to everything?
If this is your answer may I beseech that you express your experience with doing such a thing in terms of balance and enjoyment. Has this worked for your group, or a single player and a single dungeon master?
And so I do not waste anyone's time further I will hopefully without arrogance or offense supply that I hold an awareness of the sidekick rules in Tasha's cauldron of everything. But I must regretfully inform that I do not own this rule supplement, and instead would gently like to utilize the hiring mechanics present in the player's handbook a source which I do own.
Hopefully my words have come across without insult to your greater understanding, and that my language is understood in the most human of terms. With humility I wait your magnanimous response. Thank you for your time.
EDIT: with a fear bordering on anxious panic I hastily edit this post in the hopes of adding further clarity to undo the unforgivable mistake that I must have made. I With all sincerity reiterate I do not own the DND 5th edition supplement Tasha's cauldron of everything nor the DND 5th edition Essentials kit supplementary side kick rules. Therefore I cannot, no matter how great my efforts, use side kick rules presented therein either source.
With shaken confidence, I pray this additional edit has helped to clarify my original post and that further mistakes on my part are not aggravating to the most kind users of this community. Thank you for your time.
LOL. I believe that in the Dungeon Masters Guide there is guide to making homebrew monsters in page 72 or around that. But even then those are just guidelines as spells can mess with the parameters of the homebrew. Also I think there are creatures called, expert, mage, healer, and warrior that have a leveling up stat block from 1 - 10 in dnd beyond such as expert 1 then expert 2 which resembles a rogue. mage 1 and mage 2 which resembles a spellcaster and etc.
Sidekick rules in Tashas!
With gratitude I offer appreciation of your reply, though I must be presumptuous for I do not understand. Why do you laugh? Am I mocked?
I am most grateful for bringing to my attention the home brewing of monsters and the pitfalls of adding spells, however it is with hope of no offense nor insult that I inform you the dungeon Master's guide is something I lack. I substitute the basic rules and the small section of guide from the starter set. Therefore I am unable to utilize the advice you have given me.
Is with deeper regrets that I must next inform, most humbly that the expert and mage you have suggested originates in the essentials kit and Tasha's cauldron of everything. I most humbly, and deeply Express remorse for not being more clear in my lack of owning the resource of the essentials kit but I beg you do not think me impudent for pointing out that I did inform I do not own and cannot use Tasha's cauldron of everything side kick rules..
Nonetheless I thank you for your time and hope I am not too much of an annoyance and my response or my questions, once again thank you for your time .
With deepening remorse I find myself struck by my inability to be clear in my pushing forward of information, I had with all hopes of being understood clearly to inform the most valuable members of this community, that I do not own and thus cannot utilize Tasha's cauldron of everything side kick rules in my first post. I cannot understand my mistake, the mistake it must be and mine to bear. Therefore with utmost sincerity I beg your forgiveness for wasting your time.
Thank you for your time.
Wait this guy is serious. Ehm.
Nonsense; time is but a mere concept of reality for us mortals and immortals alike Oh penitent one. Twas not for naught that you've asked for our divine wisdom, for this information merely is as is. There is nothing to be sorrowful about, as we giveth but the brightest of archaic knowledge blessed by those above. This is meant to be shared for those who seeketh it. So be assured Oh penitent one, that you have done no wrong in asking. Find absolution and solace from our words oh penitent one, and may your journey reach far and wide across the realms.
It is with deepest gratitude that I again thank you for your reply, but I must admit the depths of my ignorance, I do not know why you think me disingenuous. I had hoped to prove my sincerity and be as precise as possible to not waste the time of the good hosts of this community which I am clearly an outsider to.
I do not find myself penitent, nor believing in any way to worship this community as a divinity no matter how deep their gracious answers. Or... perhaps I have mistaken again. I am not aware my attitude was still yet disrepectful, as to not even be taken seriously.
What a fool I must seem to this wise community, or perhaps the insult was in even asking, or maybe this method of jest is beyond my understanding and common to this community? Or is it I am mocked for posting in the wrong area? I have duely reported my posts, though it is with great distaste to so burden the moderation staff of this wralth of knowledge, but maybe that was the transgress that so deserved this, absolution you offer?
I am understanding now I think, and with greatest apologies do grovel before your mercy. I do not wish to again stir the animosity of these good people, and will take your advisement to correct my behavior. Once more I thank you, I beg pray your forgiveness and leave you, unburdened.
Thank you for your time.
I’m not awake enough for flowery language yet. Suffice it to say that the simplest thing to do would be to add class levels to those statblocks and level up their Hit Dice 2 at a time. I wouldn’t give them subclasses, and I would stick to the “boring” classes like Fighter or Wizard. That’s essentially a budget rate way of doing Sidekicks (more or less). There’s rules for adding class levels to monsters in the DM’s Workshop section of the DMG.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Great advice here.
The short form answer would be adding Hit Dice as Sposta outlined above, and making sure their hit bonuses correlate with the group's level loosely. From there sprinkle in some class abilities every so often and it'll work well enough.
I had a player end up really attached to their riding horse once and they ended up....weird. Started levelling up with the group... then started gaining wizard skills and spellcasting ability.... ended up fey-touched eventually...
Bottom line is whatever you decide on as long as your player is having fun and you are having fun you made the right decision.
With deepest gratitude I remark on your lack of cognition and hope your health improves hastily, adding thanks and appreciation. I am uncertain when I invoked botanical metaphors, but apologize profusely for the detriment it may have caused, such was never my intent and I pray you regard me innocent in such intentions.
I will endeavor to choose my words more carefully.
As to the substance of your most appreciated reply, again with grattitude, I will attempt a summation. "Add class levels with 2 HD per level" no more, no less. I am in awe of such a succinct reply, yet humbly inform, again with no insult, please understand, that I do not own such a resource as the Dungeon Masters Guide and am unable to utilize the DM's Workshop section. To elucidate, I have been making due with basic rules and the Starter Set limited Dungeon Master Sections therein.
I hope you will not find impudence nor offense in this fact, and please allow that I am unable to follow such welcome advice. I have been informed on this thread of my lack of clarity and attempt to correct my behavior. Yet I, regretfully must restate, I lack that specific resource you have recommended, and therefore can not "add class levels with 2HD per level" for fear of complications arising and no "DM's Workshop section" to relate such troubling queries too.
Therefore as it would be against the most gracious rules of this enlightened forum to post rules from the Dungeon Masters Guide, I will desist in my failings and humbly thank you for your time. With better regards to your improving health, thank you for your time.
At risk of feeding the troll....
Any monster sheets you are using have hit dice listed next to their hit points. Use those to add more Hp. 2 more hit dice would mean rolling (or taking the average) of those dice, adding the monster's CON modifier to it, and increasing their hit points by that value.
The basic rules also have classes in them, as noted just add a class ability or two to the sheet. Like Second Wind on fighters, or bardic inspiration for bards, or rage from barbarian.
With delighted and overjoyous appreciation I welcome you and study carefully the experience you have shared! A wizard Riding Horse? Mirthful! You fill me with tickled acquaintance! I offer much appreciation and thanks for your inclusion to this quandary, thus being the first to share their own experience!
I now must needs however hope you intuit no malice when I inform you that I am unable to follow the above referenced and quoted advice, due I assure you through no hubris or distasteful impertinence, but truthfully due to my lack of owning the Dungeon Master's Guide and thusly access to the DM's Workshop Section and regret I can not follow it nor ask legally for others in this enlightened forum to illustrate such rules.
I hope and pray such disappointment does not sour your efforts or seem a burdensome waste of your time, and fear if this result has dampened your attendance to this question. I come to think, more and more, it was a mistake to post here again as my countenances and lacks have again come to sallow every encounter... please do not mark yourself among them. With humble grattitude, thank you for your time.
You don’t really need the DMG. Simply take something like the basic goblin statblock from the basic rules, give it the 1st-level Fighter features (Fighting Style,* Second Wind), Saves, and Skill Proficiencies, and add 2d6 to the hit dice (and therefore increase the HP by 7). That turns the basic goblin statblock into something like this:
*(I recommend a support fighting style like Protection to help this NPC support the actual PCs.)
Then, after the party levels up some and Gobbo starts to fall behind, give him the 2nd level Fighter feature (Action Surge) and 2 more Hit Dice (7 more HP). Then he’ll look more like this:
Eventually Gobbo will gain a 5th Fighter level and look something like this:
See? All from nothing but the free Basic Rules.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Troll?
With apologies I grovel and beg your forgiveness for wasting your time or rendering insult though I cannot understand what has made you believe so. I have only endeavored to politely and accurately, with much belabored precision, try to express in the correct words that waste the least amount of time my question and any issues with their answers, as gracious as they may be. If you believe my actions and behaviors to be intent on offense or insult I know of no way to assuage these thoughts.
I don't know how much more I can do to try to convey to this enlightened form of most gracious hosts my sincerity and feel to repeat myself again would be only further injuring the sensibilities of the posters who are compassionate enough to respond to this thread, but I know of no other way to be clear, to clarify, to be as concise as possible and word choice to relate that. And please do not take offense. I cannot utilize rules in a source I do not own for to ask for those rules to be posted on the form would be a violation of this most gracious forums rules and as I have enough trouble simply trying to communicate without offense, I must figure forgiveness and then I cannot use rules from a source book I do not own.
Once more please forgive any perceived impudence or arrogance for none was ever, ever, ever intended. Thank you for your time.
With weakening salutations I fear not be fitting such a gracious and generous answer, I nonetheless attempt to impress the depths of my gratitude for your reply. I would like to be as clear as possible, without sounding arrogant, or impudent, and hope to convey that I fully understand the methods you have laid out so carefully for my benefit.
I dread to think I have forced you, in your compassion to break form rules by posting rules from the dungeon Master's guide DM Workshop for my benefit. I despair to think that I may have wasted your time and not being clear enough to inform you, without arrogance or impudence, of my inability to use rules from a source book I do not own nor ask those of this gracious forum to post rules from a source book I do not own for my sole benefit.
I know of no way to further convey this. It is simply beyond my capabilities. I do not know the legality of adding player character class levels to NPC monster stat blocks and issues with balance that may arise or where such answers maybe found without further burdening my most gracious hosts on this form. I do not know, or I'm too ignorant, of when to add certain class abilities or which possibilities are too much to add to a monster in PC with the desire of being a hireling for a Solo character.
If there is truly no resource to inform about what stat block one may require or update a monster NPC in rank with player characters from first to twentieth level without the use of unpurchased resources, then I fear I get again made the mistake of asking a question for which it is impossible to answer in legal parameters based on my situation.
I have much to learn, and beg your forgiveness for the burden of wasting your gracious and precious assistance in coming to this conclusion. I can only offer my deepest gratitude and most humble appreciation for your efforts. Thank you for your time.
I broke no rules.
There’s nothing wrong with adding levels to NPCs.
Take my suggestion, don’t take my suggestion… it makes no difference to me.
Good luck wit’ yer struggles chummer.
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Content Troubleshooting