Equipping Monsters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Equipping Monsters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Herr Doktor
10-20-03, 02:32 AM I like to personalize the creatures my PCs encounter. I want to roll stats for every single goblin and I want to try and make each creature at least somewhat unique.

While doing this I came across a problem. The creatures in the MM have starting equipment. How many GP should a 1st level goblin warrior be able to spend on starting equipment?

I couldn't find anything about this in either the MM or DMG.

Should they spend the treasure generated for them on equipment? Or should another method be used?

Any ideas?
Xaxor
10-20-03, 03:49 AM If they have treasure listed and can use it, give it to them. If you happened to make a level 5 kobold sorcerer, would you want him running into battle naked? Nope. Give him some scrolls and potions and such. Treasure is not to be wasted on just being carried around. Of course if its some aberration or such that cannot use any equipment/treasure it may have gained, then it won't. But if a creature has treasure, it usually means they use what they have. Their gear can very easily, and often is equated with treasure. Just stick with the listed treasure tables in the DMG I would say. Of course, remember they are NPCs of a sort, so that should also be of use.
wdarkk
10-20-03, 06:27 AM Almost anything with any sort of limbs can use a ring.
[8-bit-theater-text]I like rings.[/8-bit-theater-text]
Herr Doktor
10-20-03, 11:39 AM I don't think either of you understood my question.

Yes, of course if there is something useable in the random treasure rolled a monster will use it.

My question was how do you determine the starting value for equipment for a monster? If you look in the MM goblins, kobolds, et cetera have base equipment. How is this calculated?
Chromatic King
10-20-03, 11:48 AM I use the random number generator on my calculator for stats. Treasure: give them as much as you like, but not too much that every kobold has demon armor and a +5 unholy lawful keen vorpal bane(human) short sword... unless your evil like me.:devil: Probably around 120gp of equipment is good for small creature and 180gp for medium.
Mr.Waesel
10-20-03, 11:52 AM use the value of the equipment the goblin in the MM has. 120 gp is way too much.
Chromatic King
10-20-03, 11:58 AM Armor, food, weapons, equipment and worg at least 120gp.;)
Wickerbull
10-20-03, 12:00 PM Use the treasure tables in the DMG according to the CR of the creaure and the "Treausre" line in the monster's stats entry. If you feel this number is too low or too high, modify it yourself, or give them equipment equal to what an NPC of their character level should have. Look in the NPCs chapter of the new DMG for rules on how to do that.
lukelightning
10-20-03, 12:07 PM I'd say look at the standard armor and weapons the creature gets and use items of similar value... don't give a first level kobold warrior a composite longbow.

If you are planning on having a large group, you might want to make up 5 or 6 "iconic types" of the run-of-the-mill creatures giving them equipment, e.g.

Goblins:
Type A (default): leather armor, light shield, morning star, javelin
Type B (skirmisher): leather armor, light shield, sling, club

etc.

so if you have a group of goblins you can either say "5 are type A, 3 are type B, 4 are type C..." or decide ahead of time that in the large group 50% are one type, 10% another type, 20% a third type, etc.
Herr Doktor
10-21-03, 10:43 AM That's a great idea luke!

I believe the monster entries in one of the older monster manuals had something similiar... It'd list percentages and state that a number of the creatures encountered usually would be wielding this weapon or that...

I believe I'll be using your suggestion and creating my own sets of equipment! Thanks!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Herr Doktor 10-20-03, 02:32 AM	I like to personalize the creatures my PCs encounter. I want to roll stats for every single goblin and I want to try and make each creature at least somewhat unique. While doing this I came across a problem. The creatures in the MM have starting equipment. How many GP should a 1st level goblin warrior be able to spend on starting equipment? I couldn't find anything about this in either the MM or DMG. Should they spend the treasure generated for them on equipment? Or should another method be used? Any ideas?
Xaxor 10-20-03, 03:49 AM	If they have treasure listed and can use it, give it to them. If you happened to make a level 5 kobold sorcerer, would you want him running into battle naked? Nope. Give him some scrolls and potions and such. Treasure is not to be wasted on just being carried around. Of course if its some aberration or such that cannot use any equipment/treasure it may have gained, then it won't. But if a creature has treasure, it usually means they use what they have. Their gear can very easily, and often is equated with treasure. Just stick with the listed treasure tables in the DMG I would say. Of course, remember they are NPCs of a sort, so that should also be of use.
wdarkk 10-20-03, 06:27 AM	Almost anything with any sort of limbs can use a ring. [8-bit-theater-text]I like rings.[/8-bit-theater-text]
Herr Doktor 10-20-03, 11:39 AM	I don't think either of you understood my question. Yes, of course if there is something useable in the random treasure rolled a monster will use it. My question was how do you determine the starting value for equipment for a monster? If you look in the MM goblins, kobolds, et cetera have base equipment. How is this calculated?
Chromatic King 10-20-03, 11:48 AM	I use the random number generator on my calculator for stats. Treasure: give them as much as you like, but not too much that every kobold has demon armor and a +5 unholy lawful keen vorpal bane(human) short sword... unless your evil like me.:devil: Probably around 120gp of equipment is good for small creature and 180gp for medium.
Mr.Waesel 10-20-03, 11:52 AM	use the value of the equipment the goblin in the MM has. 120 gp is way too much.
Chromatic King 10-20-03, 11:58 AM	Armor, food, weapons, equipment and worg at least 120gp.;)
Wickerbull 10-20-03, 12:00 PM	Use the treasure tables in the DMG according to the CR of the creaure and the "Treausre" line in the monster's stats entry. If you feel this number is too low or too high, modify it yourself, or give them equipment equal to what an NPC of their character level should have. Look in the NPCs chapter of the new DMG for rules on how to do that.
lukelightning 10-20-03, 12:07 PM	I'd say look at the standard armor and weapons the creature gets and use items of similar value... don't give a first level kobold warrior a composite longbow. If you are planning on having a large group, you might want to make up 5 or 6 "iconic types" of the run-of-the-mill creatures giving them equipment, e.g. Goblins: Type A (default): leather armor, light shield, morning star, javelin Type B (skirmisher): leather armor, light shield, sling, club etc. so if you have a group of goblins you can either say "5 are type A, 3 are type B, 4 are type C..." or decide ahead of time that in the large group 50% are one type, 10% another type, 20% a third type, etc.
Herr Doktor 10-21-03, 10:43 AM	That's a great idea luke! I believe the monster entries in one of the older monster manuals had something similiar... It'd list percentages and state that a number of the creatures encountered usually would be wielding this weapon or that... I believe I'll be using your suggestion and creating my own sets of equipment! Thanks!