This may be a dumb question, but... why do NPC's have a lower CR than a PC? I cannot find an answer in the Corebook...
They have less money.
Do you mean NPC classes or NPCs in general?
Do you mean NPC classes or NPCs in general?
Both
NPC classes are far less powerful than PC classes.
NPCs - even those with PC classes - have less spendable monetary resources for item optimization than PCs of a similar level.
Regardless of class, all NPCs tend to use a lower stat-array system than a PC's point-buy/average dice roll usually produces. (That said, this really isn't that big a difference.)
These things combine to create weaker creatures on-average.
The CR is a combination of these rough generalities to give you the gist of an idea.
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NPC classes are far less powerful than PC classes.
NPCs - even those with PC classes - have less spendable monetary resources for item optimization than PCs of a similar level.
Regardless of class, all NPCs tend to use a lower stat-array system than a PC's point-buy/average dice roll usually produces. (That said, this really isn't that big a difference.)
These things combine to create weaker creatures on-average.
The CR is a combination of these rough generalities to give you the gist of an idea.
Ok, thanks. However,I did not find such a info in the Corebook (at least regarding the spendable money and the related low CR)
I couldn't find an explicit reference, but sleuthing at the NPCs in the bestiary and the APs I have gives a very consistent CR calculation:
1) PCs have a CR equal to their character level.
2) NPCs have a CR 1 lower than the equivalent PC (due to less wealth).
3) NPCs with NPC class levels have a CR 1 lower than PC class levels.
4) In combination, a standard NPC will have a CR 2 lower than the number of levels they possess (NPC class levels and less wealth). Thus, a human commoner 3 has a CR of 1.
some NPCs break these rules, either because they have greater wealth (+1 CR) or are deliberately extremely suboptimal in combat design (-1 CR). It is also worth noting that class levels are extremely variable when it comes to CR: technically a commoner 3 optimised for fishing and warrior 3 optimised for killing are both CR 1, but clearly the warrior is a much greater threat in an actual game (unless the session involves a fishing competition!).
This may be a dumb question, but... why do NPC's have a lower CR than a PC? I cannot find an answer in the Corebook...
They have less gold, but also lower attributes. The freedom of NPCs is that you can use "interesting" builds with them, throwing weapon builds, for instance, are horrible in terms of optimization and power.
Normal NPCs do not use point-buy, but instead use a stat array. This forces them to not be optimal in the sense of super damaging or with indomitable spell DCs. NPCs are about as powerful as "Double Standard" treasure monsters of their CR.Look under Gamemastering, I think it is there, on the same page as the multiple monsters per CR table, I have it but I wont reference it since I don't want to look it up. Basically the paragraph is this
Adding NPCs: Creatures whose Hit Dice are solely a factor of their class levels and not a feature of their race, such as all of the PC races detailed in Races, are factored into combats a little differently than normal monsters or monsters with class levels. A creature that possesses class levels, but does not have any racial Hit Dice, is factored in as a creature with a CR equal to its class levels –1. A creature that only possesses non-player class levels (such as a warrior or adept) is factored in as a creature with a CR equal to its class levels –2. If this reduction would reduce a creature's CR to below 1, its CR drops one step on the following progression for each step below 1 this reduction would make: 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8.
So, to put this in plain english:
NPCs—
—with NPC class levels only (Basic) are treated as CR-2. This is because NPC classes are incredibly weak compared to PC class levels.
—with any PC class levels (Heroic) are treated as CR-1.
—With PC gold are identical to PCs in build (meaning you can roll or use point buy instead of the statistic arrays). These are your bosses that are terrifying.
So, about NPCs. Each CR in the game has an internal difficulty system called the "Treasure Standard." Easy monsters drop "None," as these monsters are usually put in to pad the treasure for more dangerous monsters. Standard monsters drop "Standard," treasure, more dangerous creatures drop "Double Standard" and NPCs are in this category, and then there is the elusive "Triple Standard" which is reserved for monsters that will thoroughly ruin your players day.
Treasure Standards:
None—Animals, Oozes, Skeletons, Zombies.
Standard—Most monsters, Basic NPCs.
Double Standard—More dangerous monsters, Heroic NPCs.
Triple Standard—Extremely dangerous monsters, Dragons, PC Gold NPCs.
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So, to offer a simple question to a complex concept: NPCs are garbage compared to PCs, and these are why they are lower CR.