Goblin Sergeant

[rgrove0172]

Sorry guys, another newbie rule question.

The Bestiary mentions the possibility of more experienced Goblin leaders. When using one of these improved 3rd level creatures do you simply award another couple of hit-dice worth of HP and a +2 or so to the BAB, boost the skills and saves a bit and award another feat? Or is the process supposed to be more exacting than that?

Most monsters would use the various templates to alter their base format but with humanoids it appears the rules suggest you actually design them like NPCs.

Do you actually draw them up that way or just alter the stat block a bit to fit the challenge and go with it? If so, I assume you just multiply the XP a bit the same way?

[ErrantPursuit]

You can use the templates to increase challenge level, or you can add levels to them. It depends on what you want to do really. For simplicity's sake I always modify the stat block with calculated results in order to 'one stop shop' when referencing the creature. Just make sure to modify the XP appropriately whatever method you go with.

[Lawstead]

I am no master on monster crafting but I'll take a shot at it.

For NPCs like these, I think the best solution would be to tack on a few more levels of their current class.

For example, currently you have a goblin warrior at level 1 and you wish to bump up his challenge rating. You could tack on another 2 levels of warrior to promote a lowly goblin grunt to a sergeant and he'd get all that would entail. Which means much more hit die, more BAB, more skills, a feat, and better saves. This would bump him up to a Challenge Rating of 1 (+2 of 1/3)

After that, you should upgrade his gear to match his new CR and status as Sergeant of his tribe. Masterwork weapon, breastplate, and a few vials of alchemist bombs for those pesky high AC fighters should make for an enhanced challenge.