Hey there,
just wanted to express my wish for something I desperatly need: A compendium with humanoid NPCs for high level challenges. Dungeon magazine is a great source for this (one of the reasons I regulary buy it). But it would be even better to have a compiled product which focuses on this topic.
I can imagine a layout where one NPC covers one page including stats, spells, strategys and motivation and a small picture. I wouldn`t mind if these NPCs were all already published before as long they are v3.5.
The majority of players are playing between level 1 and 12 WotC once stated. That`s the reason why we hardly get high level monsters and NPCs. Just look at D&D minis: We hardly have ANY encounters harder than CR15.
I run a group who started at Level 1. They are level 16 now and I find it harder and harder to prepare my games as NPC making is so time intensive (and we play weekly). A product which would take away this work would be very much appreciated.
If you already know if such a product exists plase let me know.
Thanks
Amurayi
Take a look:
http://www.darkmoongallery.com/npc/
Thanks for the plug, Christian! I hope to add more DM-Friendly things to the site soon...:-D
The NPC Stat Block Bank was designed for those of us that don't have a lot of time to prep for a game, or just need a cool BBEG for an adventure. Hopefully you'll find what you're looking for in there, Amurayi.
This is a great link. Thanks.
However I would prefer to have an "official" book instead. Reasons:
- the NPCs have been checked by an editor and follow the game rules
- cool pics for each NPC to show the players
- tactics descriptions to get the best out of the build
- handy while inmid-game at the gaming table
- Print vs. Online: Print wins for RPG purposes!
- Famous NPCs previosuly published revisited
This is a great link. Thanks.
However I would prefer to have an "official" book instead. Reasons:
- the NPCs have been checked by an editor and follow the game rules
- cool pics for each NPC to show the players
- tactics descriptions to get the best out of the build
- handy while inmid-game at the gaming table
- Print vs. Online: Print wins for RPG purposes!
- Famous NPCs previosuly published revisited
In defense of the Stat Block Bank, it's really new, so features are still being added (for instance, check out the new random generators!). It's being maintained mostly (solely, at this point I think) by Paizoians.
Lilith takes a look over each stat block before it gets approved, so she's kind of the editor, even if she doesn't actually have editor credentials (or does she? She is one of many means...). And there's a feature for attaching an image to each stat block! That's a newer one, so not many stat blocks use it (I haven't seen any yet).
As for the rest...
When I get more time, I plan on going over each of my stat blocks again and tightening them up, and adding tactics.
And it's true, for most people hard copy is better than online. This sort of thing is great for those with laptops, however. But if you take a small amount of time before game, you can always print off the stat blocks (in the new style, in 3x5 format, or 4x6 format).
As for the famous NPCs, well, that is a tricky one. However, you can put in a request for anything you want, and someone should pick it up shortly. That's pretty cool, right? And once you've got your 23rd level wizard, it's easy to slap the name "Mordenkainen" on him - your players probably won't know the difference, even if you use a different version of stats each time they encounter him as long as the description stays the same!