An NPC does not need to be fully formed. Just enough to cover your reason for having them.
Except for the reason(s) (e.g. why you have the NPC), have the NPC 100% average so if you need to use some unknown skill, roll based on an average base/DC.
The star of the story is the players, so the NPC does not need to be greater than average. If they are average, you don't need to even fill out anything. You basically have an Average DC/save/etc. That allows any curve balls the party throws at you to be covered by NPC mediocrity.
Having said that you can have the NPC have more then one reason/function/skill etc. that can even exceed the party's Skill. e.g. A 19lvl rogue/mage with 20 dex and 20 int but acting as an assistant to the assistant shopkeeper due to his own nefarious recce mission. All you need to fill out is the rouge part, some Mage spells and STR/CHA/WIS/CON are all average.
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I'm looking for someone cool NPC ideas for a campaign and would love some suggestions
PS - theme doesn't matter
I wrote a bestselling compendium of Ravenloft NPCs you can find here:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/229620/Sadists-of-Ravenloft
I wrote as well a bestselling supplement for a Forgotten Realms master villain, here:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/238720/Forgotten-Realms-Villains-Lorebook--Zhelaan-corrupted-gynosphinx
NPCs are one of the things I struggle with when building a campaign or encounter, so any tips or suggestions would be great!!
An NPC does not need to be fully formed. Just enough to cover your reason for having them.
Except for the reason(s) (e.g. why you have the NPC), have the NPC 100% average so if you need to use some unknown skill, roll based on an average base/DC.
The star of the story is the players, so the NPC does not need to be greater than average. If they are average, you don't need to even fill out anything. You basically have an Average DC/save/etc. That allows any curve balls the party throws at you to be covered by NPC mediocrity.
Having said that you can have the NPC have more then one reason/function/skill etc. that can even exceed the party's Skill. e.g. A 19lvl rogue/mage with 20 dex and 20 int but acting as an assistant to the assistant shopkeeper due to his own nefarious recce mission. All you need to fill out is the rouge part, some Mage spells and STR/CHA/WIS/CON are all average.