I was doing some prep work and had an idea for an upcoming session that takes place in one of the player's Bastion.  This seemed simple enough as the player has a basic map of the Bastion and it will be fun to build it using my Dwarven Forge tiles.

However

The DMG says that the player's can make their Hirelings using the same rules the DM used from the DMG to make NPCs. I would say that under normal circumstances there wouldn't be an issue since they wouldn't have a Stat Block because they wouldn't typically get into any real dice rolling combat. But that might happen in a situation where the characters are home doing some research on an item that a rival group wants and said rival group knows exactly where the party is at.

That is where the problem comes up. I don't want them just selecting any NPC stat block that their greedy little hearts desire. I need it to be reasonable so I need to set some kind of easy to follow boundries.

I am thinking that I will set a CR range that they can pick from, but I wanted to know what you would you do?

I think what you've said is a great idea, and there are a few different solutions! As you said, putting a CR range/cap might be a good idea. (I would suggest maybe having a range of CR for each tier of bastion rooms/saying the more advanced ones have a bit higher CR than the previous.) But your solution works great if you're really wanting to preserve the player's autonomy with their bastion without necessarily giving them a game-breaking gotcha moment that you can't anticipate! 

Having a range of CRs for each tier is a good Idea! Thanks!

Quote from JayDPS >>

I think what you've said is a great idea, and there are a few different solutions! As you said, putting a CR range/cap might be a good idea. (I would suggest maybe having a range of CR for each tier of bastion rooms/saying the more advanced ones have a bit higher CR than the previous.) But your solution works great if you're really wanting to preserve the player's autonomy with their bastion without necessarily giving them a game-breaking gotcha moment that you can't anticipate! 

 I agree, I think that having a tier system would work really well, and then maybe also have one or two regular old commoner servants running around. But just remember that these are employees, not people who owe a life debt to the players, so  they would probably run. Unless they do owe a debt In which case they could fight.

Quote from Isaac80470 >>

But just remember that these are employees, not people who owe a life debt to the players, so  they would probably run. Unless they do owe a debt In which case they could fight.

 I don't disagree with this in general, but these are not NPCs under the control of the DM but very specifically the players whose Bastion the event takes place in.  I don't think that they would generally risk the lives of their hirelings, BUT that might be a bad assumption on my part lol. I believe they would be less inclined to put them in harms way if the Stat Block they are limited to is on the weaker side if you know what I mean.

I don't read that section on Bastions as saying the PCs can choose entire stat blocks for the hirelings

A player can assign names and personalities to hirelings in their character’s Bastion using the same tools DMs use to create NPCs (see chapter 3).

To me, that reads as the players can use the name/appearance tables in the DMG if they're stumped. You're still picking the stat blocks

My read is that players can use the tables for name and personalities that DMs use — not stat blocks, stat blocks are DM’s purview. 

I read it as the DM hands them an NPC tracker that lists the Stat blocks, page in the MM, alterations to it, and then the player fills in the rest.

I'd use this advice from the DMG under "NPCs as Party Members":

When you choose a stat block from the Monster Manual for an NPC party member, make sure the NPC doesn’t overshadow the player characters. Use a stat block whose Challenge Rating is no higher than half the characters’ level.

Quote from AntonSirius >>

I don't read that section on Bastions as saying the PCs can choose entire stat blocks for the hirelings

A player can assign names and personalities to hirelings in their character’s Bastion using the same tools DMs use to create NPCs (see chapter 3).

 

To me, that reads as the players can use the name/appearance tables in the DMG if they're stumped. You're still picking the stat blocks

Quote from AEDorsay >>

My read is that players can use the tables for name and personalities that DMs use — not stat blocks, stat blocks are DM’s purview. 

I read it as the DM hands them an NPC tracker that lists the Stat blocks, page in the MM, alterations to it, and then the player fills in the rest.

 I believe this is the correct reading as well.  I just want to give my players some options instead. Thank you both <3

Quote from EricBerg >>

I'd use this advice from the DMG under "NPCs as Party Members":

When you choose a stat block from the Monster Manual for an NPC party member, make sure the NPC doesn’t overshadow the player characters. Use a stat block whose Challenge Rating is no higher than half the characters’ level.

 

  That is a good idea. Thank you for your response.