Every now and then other DM's mention having created NPCs as characters, and while I do the same every now and then it does create a lot of unnecessary book keeping and superfluous features. I also happened to like the general layout of the monster stat block, so whenever possible I try to create my NPCs as monsters. This got me thinking: let's say I know I want to create a rough equivalent of a 10th level character (maybe as an ally who joins the party, or for a single duel), is there a simple short hand for translating levels into CR so I can eyeball some stats on the fly? (Possibly taking into account that spellcasting probably counts as a CR increase since damage is valued higher than HP.)
And yes, I am aware that picking any suitable NPC from the last pages of the monster manuals (or similar books) and giving it a name and a personality is often easiest and almost exactly as good as an organically homegrown NPC.
I swear I had no idea about the Sidekicks Unearthed Arcana when I made this thread, but it pretty much plays right into my desire to make even fully detailed NPCs easier to make.
I don't think creating NPCs as full characters using the DnDB character creator is too much work, however - and that's what I tend to do. If I had to do it manually, I would agree 100%
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It's not so much the creation, as the action/feature management. But yeah, just a randomly created character using the creator is wonderful every now and then.
I'm hoping DnDB creates a Party Character Sheet feature soon - or at least an API so I can build one myself - so all stats, actions, features, etc. could be condensed down on one sheet or stat block.
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I'm hoping DnDB creates a Party Character Sheet feature soon - or at least an API so I can build one myself - so all stats, actions, features, etc. could be condensed down on one sheet or stat block.
I think that's been mentioned as one of the things they're looking into for campaign management, as one of the customizable sections of a "DM Screen."
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Every now and then other DM's mention having created NPCs as characters, and while I do the same every now and then it does create a lot of unnecessary book keeping and superfluous features. I also happened to like the general layout of the monster stat block, so whenever possible I try to create my NPCs as monsters. This got me thinking: let's say I know I want to create a rough equivalent of a 10th level character (maybe as an ally who joins the party, or for a single duel), is there a simple short hand for translating levels into CR so I can eyeball some stats on the fly? (Possibly taking into account that spellcasting probably counts as a CR increase since damage is valued higher than HP.)
And yes, I am aware that picking any suitable NPC from the last pages of the monster manuals (or similar books) and giving it a name and a personality is often easiest and almost exactly as good as an organically homegrown NPC.
I am one with the Force. The Force is with me.
I swear I had no idea about the Sidekicks Unearthed Arcana when I made this thread, but it pretty much plays right into my desire to make even fully detailed NPCs easier to make.
I am one with the Force. The Force is with me.
Bless you for this, i had no idea that the unearthed arcana even existed and after finding it my world exploded.
The sidekick classes are cool :)
I don't think creating NPCs as full characters using the DnDB character creator is too much work, however - and that's what I tend to do. If I had to do it manually, I would agree 100%
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
It's not so much the creation, as the action/feature management. But yeah, just a randomly created character using the creator is wonderful every now and then.
I am one with the Force. The Force is with me.
Can't argue there.
I'm hoping DnDB creates a Party Character Sheet feature soon - or at least an API so I can build one myself - so all stats, actions, features, etc. could be condensed down on one sheet or stat block.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
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ModeratorI think that's been mentioned as one of the things they're looking into for campaign management, as one of the customizable sections of a "DM Screen."