NPC creation

[peterphonic]

NPC creation automatization?

Hi,

I really appreciate the encounter builder tool but sometime, I need to create some little bit more customized NPC.

To do so, I pick NPC when creating a new hero. But from there, I need to do everything and sometime it is tedious.

I was wondering if it is possible to automatized some parts of the NPC creation. I was thinking about something where you can pick
- race
- class
- level

And then, click a button and the rest would be created for you (abilities, skills, traits, feat, gear, spell if any etc..)

Is is something that we can do with hero lab?

Thank you very much

 

[Exmortis]

Not sure this helps, but one thing I do is never throw away gnereric NPCs I make.

Example,

One day I need level 4 fighter, so I make opne and save it in a folder "NPC Fighters". then few game sessiosn later i need a level 5 figher, i take my 4th level it up and save it.

Not as efficient as you want, but as you progress as GM, yuo will populate a great plethera of pregen NPCs, and if each GM takes same files and adds or makes unique ones, you eventually have a library of NPCs.

 

[ShadowChemosh]

And then, click a button and the rest would be created for you (abilities, skills, traits, feat, gear, spell if any etc..)

How would HL possibility know what to pick? Just look at the number of feats in Pathfinder which is in the thousands. Nothing to say of the spells.

 

[wurzel]

Now that the iPad version can create new characters I build NPCs whenever there is a bit of free time, like sitting in a train or something. And you can believe me, after a while it gets very fast

 

[ShadowChemosh]

Now that the iPad version can create new characters I build NPCs whenever there is a bit of free time, like sitting in a train or something. And you can believe me, after a while it gets very fast

Yea you will get pretty quick at making characters. I also pick allot of feats that are "always on" as its too easy to forget about activated abilities or situational abilities. Why do you think so many Paizo statblocks have things like "Iron Will".

Also as DM its good to realize the players don't see your NPC stat blocks. I once needed Goblin Shamans. I quickly grabbed basic Drow characters. The hand-crossbow worked fine for a "acid splash" cantrip attack. The short sword attack worked just as a well as a dogslicer or quarterstaff. The players never knew as all they know is the "fluff" of how I described the encounter.