Maybe a Ranger or Zen Archer? That seems like it would fill a ranged combat niche you guys seem to have open.
I'm running a kingmaker campaign soon and I want to run a permanent DMPC. Currently the group is a Paladin, a Cleric, and a Master Summoner. I'm opposed to running a wizard because as the DM I don't want to be the main problem solver. I'm also not really excited about running a rogue or bard because i've played several of them in the past. Any Suggestion? All books and races are available.
Go for sorcerer. That way you can fill the arcane niche that wizard would have but you can make a point of selecting only the spells you want the party to have access to while avoiding those that might cause trouble with your storyline.
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How about a re-skinned Kitsune (cat instead of fox) Urban Barbarian
He is an ex-Familiar who was about to meet a messy end at the claws of his Imp replacement, however a rival (druid) put down some timely buffs (including a pre-cast and held Awaken).
The buffed cat tore up the Imp, and before his shocked ex-Master could act, made his escape.
After ~~hand-wavey magical/divine thingy~~ he gets the Katsune form and starts a career as a Rogue with an extreme dislike for Mages.
He needs the --Fox-- Cat Shape feat ASAP.
Make his original Master one of your future BBEGs.
Give him the personality of Greebo from the Diskworld series.
As cat you really don't have to justify his actions (he's a cat!). And he can be as unobtrusive or as in-your-face as you like (and at his whim).
Straight fighter, they could use a bulkwark and you want something that won't outshine the others or get to involved in problem solving. But with a Master Summoner I'd strongly recommend not running a DMPC they are almost always a problem and a fun sap.
^The Mimir things that act like tour guides?
I would like to see that instead of a full blown PC, that'd be kinda funny.
I haven't played or read kingmaker yet, so I don't know what it is players really "do" i in that path, if you will.
But I've always thought that a good DMPC would be a ranger (guide archetype).
Cheers
-Nearyn
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I really don't understand why you think you need a DMPC. They're something that should be avoided at all costs. If it's the survivability of the PCs that you're worried about, there are a tonne of NPCs already in Kingmaker that the party can easily get to tag along with them. Just toss them all in, having a drink at Oleg's Trading Post, and let your players try and convince someone to join their cause (if they think they need it).
I'm running a kingmaker campaign soon and I want to run a permanent DMPC. Currently the group is a Paladin, a Cleric, and a Master Summoner. I'm opposed to running a wizard because as the DM I don't want to be the main problem solver. I'm also not really excited about running a rogue or bard because i've played several of them in the past. Any Suggestion? All books and races are available.
The bolded section worries me. A DMPC, if it really must exist, should not be solving problems at all. You're the DM. You're meant to CAUSE the problems.
Play an adept NPC class. Its technically an NPC, gives you a couple different attack/defense spells and some minor utilities, and doesn't take center stage. If you really MUST have the thing stand out give it an unusual race like a changeling or a damphir.
Since its an NPC you can add an extra level above APL without throwing off the party too much; if they're starting at first level your adept could begin at 2nd reflecting some experience its already gained and can share with the PCs.
Frankly if this were me I'd pick a Tengu Adept 2 with a raven familiar re-skinned as just a big crow. He's been living on the outskirts of Oleg's post for a few months and though an outcast he's provided some support to the human couple so they tolerate him. However he's a natural coward (low con will do that to a guy) so the bandits are STILL a problem, but with his bird he might see them coming from miles away, so he'd be an ideal early warning system, if only some real heroes could come along and inspire him.
Now as he gains levels, maybe he continues on in adept or maybe he goes witch or bard. Either way he'd have a few skills, powers and abilities that would be invaluable to a 1st level party.
I agree with everybody who said that a DMPC is a bad idea. They tend to take limelight away from the players, but it's the players who are the stars and need to shine. If you want to give them a capable supporting NPC, I'd go with a ranger. A local guide fits very well in Kingmaker (the early part at least; no idea about later parts), and gives them access to lots of useful wilderness skills.
But it's the players who should be making all the decisions. You just make the survival and knowledge nature checks for them if they lack those skills.
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weapon bearer squire fighter 3 / standard bearer herald squire cavalier X
attach yourself to the paladin. be the robin to his batman (preferably without the homosexual undertones).
I really don't understand why you think you need a DMPC. They're something that should be avoided at all costs. If it's the survivability of the PCs that you're worried about, there are a tonne of NPCs already in Kingmaker that the party can easily get to tag along with them. Just toss them all in, having a drink at Oleg's Trading Post, and let your players try and convince someone to join their cause (if they think they need it).
I'm running a kingmaker campaign soon and I want to run a permanent DMPC. Currently the group is a Paladin, a Cleric, and a Master Summoner. I'm opposed to running a wizard because as the DM I don't want to be the main problem solver. I'm also not really excited about running a rogue or bard because i've played several of them in the past. Any Suggestion? All books and races are available.The bolded section worries me. A DMPC, if it really must exist, should not be solving problems at all. You're the DM. You're meant to CAUSE the problems.
I actually made a DMPC once BECAUSE THE PLAYERS ASKED ME TO.
And I retired her last time because we got a fourth player joining the game.
weapon bearer squire fighter 3 / standard bearer herald squire cavalier X
attach yourself to the paladin. be the robin to his batman (preferably without the homosexual undertones).
But EVERYONE loves THE AMBIGUOUSLY GAY DUOOO!
And I know our DM PC(s) came about because our GM decided we needed a healbot and a tank.
But Caine the Cleric of Sarenrae and his brother Ulfgar the Gay Atheist Barbarian are interesting enough and they mesh with the party well enough that it's not an issue. That and the GM doesn't really cheat. Sure the Cleric is essentially a spontaneous caster (but so is our Druid so whatevs) but me, the Rogue, and the Barbarian almost ate it last session so it's not like he's pulling punches OR focusing all the damage on himself. (damn you Human Bane Arrows!).
But EVERYONE loves THE AMBIGUOUSLY GAY DUOOO!weapon bearer squire fighter 3 / standard bearer herald squire cavalier X
attach yourself to the paladin. be the robin to his batman (preferably without the homosexual undertones).
but of course. though given the number of robins/ex-robins, it's hardly a duo now.
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I don't get the whole "hogging the limelight" complaint people tend to make about DMPCs. They're fine--really, they are! Unless the DM intentionally grants his DMPC insight he or she otherwise wouldn't have (or grants extra wealth/goodies), things will go hunky-dory. And really, that's a DM problem, not a DMPC problem. I mean, seriously--the game is about telling a story. As long as the DMPC contributes in that regard, what's the problem?
I've never run a DMPC, but I've taken part in campaigns where the DM has and guess what: it was fun. I didn't feel threatened by it; quite the opposite. My DM had a blast with his pet-characters, and so did I.
/rant
I've heard too many horror stories about DMs who apparently wish they were a player, add their own character to the group, and then proceed to act as the main protagonist, reducing the other PCs to supporting cast. That is what I hear when I see the word DMPC.
There's nothing wrong with adding some NPCs to the group. Retainers are an old staple of D&D. A single character that's of equal level as the PCs is fine too. But please don't make them a PC. Keep them an NPC. The DM has plenty of work already, his place is behind that screen (if he's using a screen, that is). The DM is already the entire rest of the world, he doesn't also need to be a protagonist. Leave that to the players, and let the DM play some interesting support characters if they're really necessary.
Grippli bogborn alchemist on the run from the swamps?
I've never been a fan of GMPCs, either as a player or as a GM. As a GM, it's too easy to get emotionally attached to a GMPC and start to give the character too much spotlight.
But a semi-permanent NPC retianer that won't steal the spotlight might be a good thing for this group. With a cleric, paladin, and summoner, it sounds like they're light in the ranged combat and skill-monkey department.
I'd go with a ranger with the archery style, or a rogue with the scout archetype. Make sure that the retainer doesn't shine too brightly. If the PCs' stats were built with a 20-point buy, I'd build the retainer on 15. Only give the guy bread-and-butter feats: nothing too flashy. And give him a low Charisma and nothing higher than a 13 Intelligence, so that he's looking to the PCs for direction and leadership.
You definitely should not make a DMPC.
Also, having just played Kingmaker recently, three characters should work fine.
You definitely SHOULD make a DMPC.
You're a big kid now and so is everyone else at the table. Use your words, everything will be fine.