So, I read somewhere that Paizo wanted to switch between Bestiaries and NPC Codexes, each year. So what kind of characters would you like to see in the next codex?
Aside from the obvious stat blocks for APG classes, I would like a section of classed monsters, since they probably won't be doing another set of statted up NPCs.
Basically, if they do NPC codex 2 I hope they include all the new ARG, UC, and UM classes/alternate classes and prestige classes. Maybe examples of the prestige classes from Inner Sea Gods and some NPCs with mythic tiers.
that's should be enough for a new book right there.
The base classes (APG, UM, UC) would be a good start. Maybe even include the ACG classes (though not sure about the release schedules of the 2), instead of prestige classes. Including those classes (21: oracle, cavalier, ninja, samurai, antipaladin, gunslinger, alchemist, witch, magus, summoner, inquisitor, and the 10 ACG classes) would take up plenty of room. May even be too much, so they would probably exclude the ninja, samurai, and antipaladin, or include them and exclude the ACG classes.
I think if they went with the 11 classes included in the APG, UM, and UC books, they may include some archetypes to fill out the book. But I think it is a given they will have oracle, cavalier, alchemist, gunslinger, witch, magus, summoner, and inquisitor. May even see sample eidolons that follow a theme other than "Big Cheese".
If they do it, it'll probably be:
Base Classes: Alchemist, Antipaladin, Cavalier, Gunslinger, Inquisitor, Magus, Oracle, Summoner, and Witch. 9 versus the 11 from the core book.
Prestige Classes: Battle Herald, Holy Vindicator, Horizon Walker, Master Chymist, Master Spy, Nature Warden, Rage Prophet, and Stalwart Defender. 8 versus 10 from the core book.
And of course, the other 9 Iconic Characters.
I think we have room for a few 'other' types, like some archetyped characters or monsters. For example, sahuagin are often led by a 6th to 8th level Baron. It would be cool to one statted out.
Then the next one can be ACG classes...
I want weird Race+Class+stats combos.
NPCs for the newer base classes, alternate classes
More different races from the Advanced Races Guide.
Maybe I can finally get more hobgoblin artwork (especially female!).
Alchemist, Cavalier, Gunslinger, Inquisitor, Magus, Ninja, Oracle, Samurai, Summoner, Witch and maybe AntiPaladin.
Summoners's Eidolons would probably use the "space" used by NPC classes in the previous Codex.
NPCs for the newer base classes, alternate classes
More different races from the Advanced Races Guide.
Maybe I can finally get more hobgoblin artwork (especially female!).
Don't hold your breath on that. We'll be lucky to get non-CRB races for any of these, which makes me sad. I would enjoy seeing some races not get put into stereotype classes.
It would be nice to have even a small spattering of ARG races as an example of an NPC from one of the APG classes.
NPCs for the newer base classes, alternate classes
More different races from the Advanced Races Guide.
Maybe I can finally get more hobgoblin artwork (especially female!).Don't hold your breath on that. We'll be lucky to get non-CRB races for any of these, which makes me sad. I would enjoy seeing some races not get put into stereotype classes.
It would be nice to have even a small spattering of ARG races as an example of an NPC from one of the APG classes.
If they're going to do non-core classes, as we seem to expect them to, why not non-core races? At least perhaps a selection from the "Featured Races" section of the ARG.
I was thinking, actually, since there are also race-specific archetypes in the ARG, they might do at least some of the non-core races with the race-specific archetypes.
Speaking of archetypes, would be nice to see NPCs with some of those too, from the core classes and the splats. Really there's probably enough potential build material for several Codices.
On the other hand, they might just save Hobgoblins, drow, etc for a Monster Codex. I mean if NPC codex 2 is focused on the ARG/UM/UC classes and prestige classes, there really isn't going to be a whole lot of room for non core races as a separate section. In contrast, I think you could get a whole separate hardcover easily out of a codex for monster races
NPCs for the newer base classes, alternate classes
More different races from the Advanced Races Guide.
Maybe I can finally get more hobgoblin artwork (especially female!).Don't hold your breath on that. We'll be lucky to get non-CRB races for any of these, which makes me sad. I would enjoy seeing some races not get put into stereotype classes.
It would be nice to have even a small spattering of ARG races as an example of an NPC from one of the APG classes.
If they're going to do non-core classes, as we seem to expect them to, why not non-core races? At least perhaps a selection from the "Featured Races" section of the ARG.
I was thinking, actually, since there are also race-specific archetypes in the ARG, they might do at least some of the non-core races with the race-specific archetypes.
Speaking of archetypes, would be nice to see NPCs with some of those too, from the core classes and the splats. Really there's probably enough potential build material for several Codices.
Well, in the ACG iconics wishlist thread, people had expressed their desires for non-CRB races as iconics, and James Jacobs (and I think SKR and/or another dev person) stated that they don't have plans to use the non-CRB for anything like iconics. I am pretty sure that line of thought also applies to something like this (though the Inner Sea NPC Codex had non-CRB races, so there's a slight chance, but I wouldn't hold my breath). Believe me, I would love to have non-CRB races used for a few examples of these, but I just don't really see it happening.
They seem to be keen on continued support for the non-CRB classes, but similar to WotC, they seem to keep the non-CRB races at arm's length. Unfortunately.
It's doable to convert a race on the fly for an NPC (CRB to ARG).
It's not as easy to do classes: turn a 15th level cleric into an 15th level inquisitor or something.
I find the higher (5+) levels more useful. I can pretty much knock up a 3rd level rogue in my head. Items are what kill me.
I would find an optional BBEG section useful though, stating what treasure it would have if it used Paizo's AP trick of giving the boss monster PC level treasure (and changes to stats if so)
BBEG: Upgrade +1 armour to +2 armour (+1 AC), add Headband of Intellect +2 (+2 int, +1 AC, +1 2nd level spell/day).
That might take up too much room (especially on higher level characters) but would let you use the PC as a Boss, or at +1 CR. Cobine with dvanced for +1 CR and one NPC per 3 levels is quite doable.
NPCs for the newer base classes, alternate classes
More different races from the Advanced Races Guide.
Maybe I can finally get more hobgoblin artwork (especially female!).Don't hold your breath on that. We'll be lucky to get non-CRB races for any of these, which makes me sad. I would enjoy seeing some races not get put into stereotype classes.
It would be nice to have even a small spattering of ARG races as an example of an NPC from one of the APG classes.
If they're going to do non-core classes, as we seem to expect them to, why not non-core races? At least perhaps a selection from the "Featured Races" section of the ARG.
I was thinking, actually, since there are also race-specific archetypes in the ARG, they might do at least some of the non-core races with the race-specific archetypes.
Speaking of archetypes, would be nice to see NPCs with some of those too, from the core classes and the splats. Really there's probably enough potential build material for several Codices.
Well, in the ACG iconics wishlist thread, people had expressed their desires for non-CRB races as iconics, and James Jacobs (and I think SKR and/or another dev person) stated that they don't have plans to use the non-CRB for anything like iconics. I am pretty sure that line of thought also applies to something like this (though the Inner Sea NPC Codex had non-CRB races, so there's a slight chance, but I wouldn't hold my breath). Believe me, I would love to have non-CRB races used for a few examples of these, but I just don't really see it happening.
They seem to be keen on continued support for the non-CRB classes, but similar to WotC, they seem to keep the non-CRB races at arm's length. Unfortunately.
To me, iconics are quite a different case from NPCs. They are going to pick what they consider PC races for PC hero representatives. NPCs are... NPCs. And need to be more varied for a reason.
Mind, they may well not use ARG races for any number of reasons and I'm not going to be surprised if they don't--just think there's room and reason for them to do so--but I don't think guidelines for iconic creation is a factor.
Anyway, do we even know we'll get a second NPC Codex? I might have to resubscribe to the RPG line for that.
My reasoning behind what I said was looking through the NPC Codex already out, and everything is from the CRB, race-wise. I don't think there were any orcs, just half-orcs. And I agree, there's room and reason for them to use the ARG races, but I am almost absolutely positive all of the NPCs in an NPC Codex 2 would be CRB races.
And I have no idea if there will even be a second one. I think this is just wishful thinking in the offchance that they do make one (similar to the bestiary wishlists.
The first NPC Codex was entirely CRB, races and classes alike,to be newb friendly. And iirc, it came out prior to the ARG.
Any new codices I presume would include stuff from other rpg line books, and it would seem odd to include some and not others.
ARG came out June 2012, NPC Codex October 2012. With 4 months between them, I can see not including ARG races within. I would love for ARG races to be used for some, but Paizo's seeming reluctance to have any non-CRB races represented in anything makes me believe it won't happen. They could have used the various 0 HD humanoid monsters from the Bestiary in the first one, but kept it PC races only.
I do hope I am completely wrong on this.
Monster Codex, so we probably won't see an NPC Codex 2 this year.
Mutants from the mana wastes. Winged elves, 2 headed Half Orcs, ect. A lot of mutants are unique individuals so this is the place.
We might need 2 more codices to present all classes :P
Codex 2:
Alchemist
Antipaladin
Cavalier
Gunslinger
Inquisitor
Magus
Ninja
Oracle
Samurai
Summoner
Witch
(11 classes)
Battle Herald
Holy Vindicator
Horizon Walker
Master Chymist
Master Spy
Nature Warden
Rage Prophet
Stalwart Defender
(8 prestige classes)
11 iconics
Codex 3:
Arcanist
Bloodrager
Brawler
Hunter
Investigator
Shaman
Skald
Slayer
Swashbuckler
Warpriest
Kineticist
Medium
Mesmerist
Occultist
Psychic
Spiritualist
Vigilante
Shifter
(18 classes)
18 iconics