Couple questions about creating my own NPCs.
1. I build them exactly as I would if I were building a regular PC? No traits and different attribute scores, but gets class levels, feats, spells etc the same as a pc? Am i missing anything here?
2. do they receive racial bonuses? ex. human's bonus to an attribute
3. What about archetypes, prestige classes etc. or is it just core rulebook for npcs?
1) Honestly, that is completely up to you. I build all my NPCs as if they were PCs (with all the trimings) because I find it makes them more interesting. However, to respect the "CR" system, you are advised to follow these rules:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/npc-classes/non-player-characters
I prefer to just make interesting NPCs, rather than restructing myself.
2) CHeck the monster creation tables, they should give the appropriate DC for each CR.
3) As far as I know, no limits on that front. Some prestige classes, since the are limited to evil alignement, are largely NPC-only.
An npc with classes is built identical to pc with 3 differences.
1) most npc are on 15 pt buy adding higher point buy is +1 cr I believe.
2)no traits these are to make pcs special.
3) npc wealth but like stats fiving them more just increases cr.
This is all in the bestiary in the monster crearion area I believe.
1. I build them exactly as I would if I were building a regular PC? No traits and different attribute scores, but gets class levels, feats, spells etc the same as a pc? Am i missing anything here?
NPC's use the heroic array (15/14/13/12/10/8) distributed any way you see fit. They do not receive traits, although they can select the "additional traits" feat to get them.
2. do they receive racial bonuses? ex. human's bonus to an attribute
Yes, all racial bonuses apply to NPC's.
3. What about archetypes, prestige classes etc. or is it just core rulebook for npcs?
NPC's can use classes, archetypes, feats, and spells from any source.
thanks a lot guys. I have a bad feeling my pcs are in for a party wipe. I've been nerfing things for them and they're still struggling.
NPCs that only have levels in NPC classes use the Basic array (13,12,11,10,9,8) for ability scores.
Couple questions about creating my own NPCs.
1. I build them exactly as I would if I were building a regular PC? No traits and different attribute scores, but gets class levels, feats, spells etc the same as a pc? Am i missing anything here?
2. do they receive racial bonuses? ex. human's bonus to an attribute
3. What about archetypes, prestige classes etc. or is it just core rulebook for npcs?
You probably don't want to use material that the PCs can't use.
Keep in mind CR.
A typical NPC of the PCs level but with regular NPC wealth and only NPC classes is CR = (level - 2). With PC classes or with PC wealth, it's CR = (level - 1). With both PC classes and PC wealth, it's CR = level.
Adjust for realistic threat. For example, if you make the NPC a 4th-level diviner and all of its spells are noncombat and of no import to the PCs, and all of its wealth is spent on fluff of no threat to the PCs, there's little reason to raise its CR above that of a 4th-level commoner or adept.
And I disagree with not using things unavailable to the PCs, if for no other reason than the fact that NPCs can be things like assassin or antipaladin, and many tables don't allow PCs to take such classes.
I made everything avialable to them so it's moot, but thanks anyway. The only thing I may use that they couldn't, are classes with an evil prereq.