Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 akr71 May 05, 2015 7:28:45	I'm using a couple of NPCs as opponents in an adventure I'm putting together for my group.  However I'm having trouble figuring out the Challenge Rating of the NPC so that I can properly calculate the XP after the encounter.  Is it as simple character level = CR.   In this particular situation, the party is going to be up against 2 level 5 wizards.  Does that equal 2 CR 5 creatures?   If this info is in the MM or DMG, I missed it...
#2 Kentus May 05, 2015 9:13:58	In the MM is an NPC-section. If you want to take level 5 wizards, I would go around it this way:   1.) Look for a 5th-level spellcaster. Here we have the "priest", p348. Here you customize the bas stats first. 1.1.) First I would swap wisdom with intelligence and dexterity with constitution (so only 22 (5d8) hit points; hit points for monsters depends on their size). 1.2.) Change the skill proficiency to Arcana +5, Invistigation, +5, History +5   (Intelligence plus the +2 proficiency, the priest seems to have a bit of knowledge inside ;)). Passive Perceptions drops to 11, since the wisdom went down.   2,) Now we look at the equipment. 2.1.) Since wizards aren't really known for their armor, you should give them none, but it might be a good idea to include two ACs. One with Mage Armor (which might be always on, if they're traveling) and one without (AC 11, with Mage Armor AC 14) 2.2.) Since they aren't wearing armor, they won't be encumbered by its weight. Speed 30ft. 2.3.) Instead of Maces, Quarterstaffs seems to be good. The stats are: +2 to hit, Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage or 4 (1d8) damage, when wielded two-handed.   3.) Next step are the abilities. 3.1.) Their spell should be from the qizard's list, the number of spells for each slot is allright. 3.2.) The Divine Eminence feature isn't really great for them. Since you plan them to be wizards, you should give them a 2nd level feature of an Arcane Tradition, to round it up. The chosen Arcane Tradition should take up some of the prepared spells of the wizard.   Since they are more minor twirks, they're probably still Challenge 2. This here could be one of the wizards, still an NPC at heart, but with some easy adjusting a maybe-menace to your players.   Diviner Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Armor Class 11 (14 with Mage Armor) Hit Points 22 (5d8) Speed 30 ft.   STR       DEX        CON     INT         WIS        CHA   10 (+0)  12 (+1)  10 (+0)  16 (+3)  13 (+1)  13 (+1) Skills Arcana+5, History+5, Investigation+5 Senses passive Perception 11 Languages any two languages Challenge 2 (450 XP) Portent. Roll 2 d20 at the start of the day. The diviner can replace any attack roll, saving throw,  or ability check made by it or a creature that it can see with one of these foretelling rolls. The diviner must choose to do so before the roll, and can replace a roll in this way only once per turn. Each foretelling roll can be used only once. Spellcasting. The diviner is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). The diviner has the following wizard spells prepared: Cantrips (at will): light, fire bolt , prestidigation 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor, magic missile 2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, mirror images 3rd level (2 slots): counterspell, lightning bolt Actions Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage.       It's often easier to reshape NPCs, rather than creating them from the beginning.
#3 Tempest_Stormwind May 05, 2015 9:02:19	akr71 wrote:
#4 akr71 May 05, 2015 9:31:02	Thank you both.  Having the group go up against 2 CR6 Mages might be too much, so I may opt for the re-skinned Priest.   Re-skinning works for now, but I'll have to read the Creating a Monster section soon.
#5 AndrewJO May 05, 2015 10:13:29	You guys both have said "just reskin a monster", but I'm curious now. If I wanted to build an NPC using PC classes, races, etc, how would you balance that against a party of adventurers. Let's say I have a group of 5 level 10 PCs and wanted to match them against a single NPC built as a PC without just throwing a bunch of minions for assistance. I want the fight to be difficult, but not impossible. How would you guys go about that? Are 5 level 10 PCs capable of over powering a level 20 PC? Would you need to give this character a lot of magic items, or break his build so that he doesn't get killed in the first round of combat?
#6 OGRE1984 May 05, 2015 11:49:29	akr71 wrote:
#7 Kentus May 05, 2015 18:07:32	AndrewJO wrote:
(Reply to #6) akr71	OGRE1984 wrote: