NPC Gear Adjustments: You can significantly increase or decrease the power level of an NPC with class levels by adjusting the NPC's gear. The combined value of an NPC's gear is given in Creating NPCs on Table: NPC Gear. A classed NPC encountered with no gear should have his CR reduced by 1 (provided that loss of gear actually hampers the NPC), while a classed NPC that instead has gear equivalent to that of a PC (as listed on Table: Character Wealth by Level) has a CR of 1 higher than his actual CR. Be careful awarding NPCs this extra gear, though—especially at high levels, where you can blow out your entire adventure's treasure budget in one fell swoop!
Does this apply in the same way for classless NPCs? As in, if you give a goblin (CR 1/3) a masterwork short-sword, does it stay CR 1/3 or become CR 1 (or 2 or 3?)
(Before anyone comments, yes I realize these are guidelines, not exact values, but nonetheless:)
The table lists level 1 (and thus CR 1) NPCs as having 260g in total gear, 50 of which is their weapon. A Masterwork Short sword is worth 310g; assuming no other changes to the goblin's gear, he is now ~around~ the _total_ gold level for a level 2 (thus CR 2) NPC, but his weapon is worth as much as is budgeted for a level 3 NPC's weapon.
So, is this "uber" goblin CR 1, 2, or 3, or something else entirely? And does his XP value bump up to 400 xp (per Table: Experience Point Awards) or what? (Also, the Table: CR Equivalencies for multiple monsters confuses me quite a bit, or at least it falls apart at large groups of creatures.)
(I know as GM I can pretty much do whatever, but I want to make sure I'm doing proper challenges etc.)
Thanks for any advice/help with this one.
I think the important part is here:
(provided that loss of gear actually hampers the NPC)
Does the masterwork short sword significantly increase the threat of the goblin? Probably not because it's still got very few hit points. Perhaps it would for an NPC with several levels. But too much gear on too weak an opponent is giving stuff away almost for free.
Well, technically a goblin isn't a classless NPC. Says right in the stat block "Goblin warrior 1".
Plus, adding 1 to the CR 1/3 makes it CR 1/2. I would say that would be appropriate for a goblin with a masterwork weapon.
Stat out your monster add the junk. Then check your monster vs table 1-1 in bestairy 1 page 291. And make you your own choise about this.
Like steev42 say it is CR 1/3 adding +1 to make it CR 1/2 so..
What you talking about is 65 exp total more or 16 exp each for a party of 4.... A minnor drop in the bucket. Should you countit yes will make huge differnce in the long run hell no. Is more time than it worth in this case maybe. How long in you game will Master Work Short Sword be cool weapon till level 3....
If you do I change out the equiment I asy Short Bow stung STR 12 and Change STR to 12 and DEX to 14. Or make it a Dog slicer
DogslicerP 8 gp 1d4 1d6 19-20/x2 — 1 lb. S —
Give a goblin a masterwork weapon and all you get is a waste of resources. Just compare the differences between other CR 1/2's and you'll see the masterwork weapon has little to no impact on the CR. Now give the goblin group 6 flasks of alchemist fire and a bunch of lamp oil to keep the PCs cooking, and that might warrant a CR bump.