Companion Characters - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Companion Characters

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Darkfeld01
Sep 22, 2011 16:09:21 I would like to see added the ability to create companion characters in the monster builder, using the rules starting on page 27 of the DMG2.

I guess you could sort of force one in a round about way now but i would like to see it implemented in the builder so you could do it easily.
#2
Talaeden_Denthiir
Sep 25, 2011 14:58:47 +1
#3
talassinor
Sep 29, 2011 17:07:13
I would like to see added the ability to create companion characters in the monster builder, using the rules starting on page 27 of the DMG2.

I guess you could sort of force one in a round about way now but i would like to see it implemented in the builder so you could do it easily.

That is a feature that I think would be extremely useful. Next to letting me add a template to a monster that is. Perhaps this update will come soon.
#4
h3athrow
Nov 04, 2011 20:04:44 I think this could be done in a way similar to a more-straightforward NPC builder within the Monster Builder. As things are, you can search existing creatures by race or class, and then modify them to your own ends, but you might have to tweak some inconsistencies between the original and the modified character. Better than nothing, and any resulting imperfections shouldn't break any games. Consider this a verbose +1.
#5
ArchSizzle
Nov 23, 2011 14:11:11 +1
#6
Osgood
Nov 28, 2011 15:32:19 I really like the idea of an NPC builder.
#7
needle75
Dec 09, 2011 8:05:09 please? it would stop me from making so many basic maths mistakes!
#8
Alphastream
Dec 27, 2011 11:52:31 I recently created a companion character. They fall in between monsters and PCs, with the DMG2 actually allowing both.

In the first method, take any existing monster in the new builder. Change any recharge powers to Encounter powers (or Daily). Review powers for any problems in terms of party balance. Many monster powers can be too strong for a recurring game, especially as Encounter powers. Once done, follow the process in DMG2 and change the hit points, surges, defenses, role, etc. The manual part is really very simple. This part could be automated, but I don't see it as a huge deal (you are just adding Con or similar to a number based on level).

In the second method, you take PC powers and create a custom monster. I don't really see the builder helping with that. It is too much work for what is basically an art rather than a science. I would just look to current PC powers and create similar monster powers in the builder, following the other process loosely.
#9
patchface
Feb 14, 2012 15:51:21 Maybe I'm overly simplistic, but I use the monster creator for companion characters all the time. It's a fantastic tool for it. I would just snatch a similar monster, and alter it as needed.

+1 to Alphastream for his breakdown. It's nearly exactly what I do.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Darkfeld01 Sep 22, 2011 16:09:21	I would like to see added the ability to create companion characters in the monster builder, using the rules starting on page 27 of the DMG2. I guess you could sort of force one in a round about way now but i would like to see it implemented in the builder so you could do it easily.
#2 Talaeden_Denthiir Sep 25, 2011 14:58:47	+1
#3 talassinor Sep 29, 2011 17:07:13	I would like to see added the ability to create companion characters in the monster builder, using the rules starting on page 27 of the DMG2. I guess you could sort of force one in a round about way now but i would like to see it implemented in the builder so you could do it easily. That is a feature that I think would be extremely useful. Next to letting me add a template to a monster that is. Perhaps this update will come soon.
#4 h3athrow Nov 04, 2011 20:04:44	I think this could be done in a way similar to a more-straightforward NPC builder within the Monster Builder. As things are, you can search existing creatures by race or class, and then modify them to your own ends, but you might have to tweak some inconsistencies between the original and the modified character. Better than nothing, and any resulting imperfections shouldn't break any games. Consider this a verbose +1.
#5 ArchSizzle Nov 23, 2011 14:11:11	+1
#6 Osgood Nov 28, 2011 15:32:19	I really like the idea of an NPC builder.
#7 needle75 Dec 09, 2011 8:05:09	please? it would stop me from making so many basic maths mistakes!
#8 Alphastream Dec 27, 2011 11:52:31	I recently created a companion character. They fall in between monsters and PCs, with the DMG2 actually allowing both. In the first method, take any existing monster in the new builder. Change any recharge powers to Encounter powers (or Daily). Review powers for any problems in terms of party balance. Many monster powers can be too strong for a recurring game, especially as Encounter powers. Once done, follow the process in DMG2 and change the hit points, surges, defenses, role, etc. The manual part is really very simple. This part could be automated, but I don't see it as a huge deal (you are just adding Con or similar to a number based on level). In the second method, you take PC powers and create a custom monster. I don't really see the builder helping with that. It is too much work for what is basically an art rather than a science. I would just look to current PC powers and create similar monster powers in the builder, following the other process loosely.
#9 patchface Feb 14, 2012 15:51:21	Maybe I'm overly simplistic, but I use the monster creator for companion characters all the time. It's a fantastic tool for it. I would just snatch a similar monster, and alter it as needed. +1 to Alphastream for his breakdown. It's nearly exactly what I do.