Do you use NPC stats for special cohorts? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Do you use NPC stats for special cohorts? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Derfos666
09-12-07, 09:57 PM Say I want to have an Ogre as a cohort.
The standard ogre has certain ability scores. However, the base scores for that monster are 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, and the scores are modified to the ones on the stat block because of the ogre's ability score adjustments. If this ogre were an PC with class levels, then he would have NPC/PC abilities. My ogre cohort will have a PC class when his ECL (and my leadership score) allows it. So what I am asking is:

1) If the you have a monster with class levels as a cohort, should you generate stats for them as if they were an NPC?
2) Does this also apply to non-humanoid monsters with class levels (such as unicorns and pegasi)?
runestar
09-12-07, 10:12 PM I would generate their stats the same way as my PCs (which is point buy at the moment).:)
Kouk
09-12-07, 10:45 PM From Advancing Monsters in MM:

Adding Class Levels

If you are advancing a monster by adding player character class levels, decide if the class levels directly improve the monster’s existing capabilities.

When adding class levels to a creature, you should give it typical ability scores appropriate for that class. Most creatures are built using the standard array of ability scores: 11, 11, 11, 10, 10, 10, adjusted by racial modifiers. If you give a creature a PC class use the elite array of ability scores before racial adjustments: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. Creatures with NPC classes use the nonelite array of: 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8.

So, first you would have to figure out what the adjustments actually were for the creature by doing the X -10 whateverwhatever calculations if the racial adjustments aren't listed.

I hope that is something they do for 4th ed., list the modifications each creature gets if it conceivably could have class levels so we don't have to do extra math.
Derfos666
09-12-07, 11:14 PM Thank you, it clarifies a lot for me.

(I think 4e will have different adjustments for monsters and their playable race versions so that the savage ogre that ambushes you and the trained ogre fighter don't have the same ability adjustments - They commented something on that matter on GenCon)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Derfos666 09-12-07, 09:57 PM	Say I want to have an Ogre as a cohort. The standard ogre has certain ability scores. However, the base scores for that monster are 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, and the scores are modified to the ones on the stat block because of the ogre's ability score adjustments. If this ogre were an PC with class levels, then he would have NPC/PC abilities. My ogre cohort will have a PC class when his ECL (and my leadership score) allows it. So what I am asking is: 1) If the you have a monster with class levels as a cohort, should you generate stats for them as if they were an NPC? 2) Does this also apply to non-humanoid monsters with class levels (such as unicorns and pegasi)?
runestar 09-12-07, 10:12 PM	I would generate their stats the same way as my PCs (which is point buy at the moment).:)
Kouk 09-12-07, 10:45 PM	From Advancing Monsters in MM: Adding Class Levels If you are advancing a monster by adding player character class levels, decide if the class levels directly improve the monster’s existing capabilities. When adding class levels to a creature, you should give it typical ability scores appropriate for that class. Most creatures are built using the standard array of ability scores: 11, 11, 11, 10, 10, 10, adjusted by racial modifiers. If you give a creature a PC class use the elite array of ability scores before racial adjustments: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. Creatures with NPC classes use the nonelite array of: 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8. So, first you would have to figure out what the adjustments actually were for the creature by doing the X -10 whateverwhatever calculations if the racial adjustments aren't listed. I hope that is something they do for 4th ed., list the modifications each creature gets if it conceivably could have class levels so we don't have to do extra math.
Derfos666 09-12-07, 11:14 PM	Thank you, it clarifies a lot for me. (I think 4e will have different adjustments for monsters and their playable race versions so that the savage ogre that ambushes you and the trained ogre fighter don't have the same ability adjustments - They commented something on that matter on GenCon)