Creating NPCs

GM Reference

The world your PCs inhabit should be full of rich characters they can interact with. While most NPCs need only a name and description, those the party might fight alongside or against require full statistics. The process below covers seven steps — from concept to final details.

①

The Basics

Race, class & concept

②

Ability Scores

Basic or Heroic array

③

Skills

Simplified skill selection

④

Feats

By combat archetype

⑤

Class Features

Spells, talents & abilities

⑥

Gear

gp budget by level

⑦

Details

Attack, AC, HP & personality

Step 1 — The Basics

The first step is to determine the NPC's basic role: its race, class, and overall concept. This shapes every subsequent choice — an aristocrat negotiator has a very different stat block than a warrior guard even at the same level.

PC Classes (Heroic NPCs)

Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Wizard. Use when the NPC is a significant combatant or recurring character. Apply the Heroic ability score array.

NPC Classes (Basic NPCs)

Adept — spontaneous divine caster; village healer archetype.
Aristocrat — social skills, d8 HD; nobles, merchants, diplomats.
Commoner — d6 HD, 2 + Int skills; townsfolk, laborers.
Expert — 6 + Int skills; artisans, sages, thieves' guild members.
Warrior — d10 HD, full BAB; guards, soldiers, bandits.

Step 2 — Ability Scores

NPCs use one of two standard arrays. Apply racial modifiers after assigning scores. For every four levels the NPC has, increase one score by 1.

Basic NPC Array

Used for NPCs with NPC classes (Adept, Aristocrat, etc.).

13 12 11 10 9 8

Heroic NPC Array

Used for NPCs with PC classes (Fighter, Cleric, etc.).

15 14 13 12 10 8

Preset Ability Scores by Archetype

Assign scores to match the NPC's primary role. The Arcane column marks Intelligence and Charisma with an asterisk — swap them if the caster uses Charisma (Sorcerer, Bard).

Ability	Melee		Ranged		Divine		Arcane		Skill
Ability	Basic	Heroic	Basic	Heroic	Basic	Heroic	Basic	Heroic	Basic	Heroic
Strength	13	15	11	13	10	12	8	8	10	12
Dexterity	11	13	13	15	8	8	12	14	12	14
Constitution	12	14	12	14	12	14	10	12	11	13
Intelligence	9	10	10	12	9	10	13*	15*	13	15
Wisdom	10	12	9	10	13	15	9	10	8	8
Charisma	8	8	8	8	11	13	11*	13*	9	10
* If the arcane caster's spellcasting relies on Charisma (Bard, Sorcerer), exchange Intelligence and Charisma scores.

Racial Ability Adjustments

Ability	Dwarf	Elf	Gnome	Half-Elf*	Half-Orc*	Halfling	Human*
Strength	—	—	−2	—	—	−2	—
Dexterity	—	+2	—	—	—	+2	—
Constitution	+2	−2	+2	—	—	—	—
Intelligence	—	+2	—	—	—	—	—
Wisdom	+2	—	—	—	—	—	—
Charisma	−2	—	+2	—	—	+2	—
* Half-elves, half-orcs, and humans receive +2 to one ability score of your choice.

Step 3 — Skills

For a simplified approach, use the table below to find the number of skill selections for the NPC's class. The NPC receives a number of ranks in each selected skill equal to his total level. Choose skills mostly from the class skill list; apply the class-skill +3 bonus and the relevant ability modifier after all ranks are assigned.

Two-class NPCs: Start with the class that receives fewer selections — those skills gain ranks equal to total level. Then add the difference in selections from the second class, with ranks equal to that class's level only. Three or more classes require the precise rank-by-rank method.

PC Class Skill Selections		NPC Class Skill Selections
Barbarian	4 + Int mod	Adept	2 + Int mod
Bard	6 + Int mod	Aristocrat	4 + Int mod
Cleric	2 + Int mod	Commoner	2 + Int mod
Druid	4 + Int mod	Expert	6 + Int mod
Fighter	2 + Int mod	Warrior	2 + Int mod
Monk	4 + Int mod
Paladin	2 + Int mod
Ranger	6 + Int mod
Rogue	8 + Int mod
Sorcerer	2 + Int mod
Wizard	2 + Int mod
Humans receive one additional skill selection.

Step 4 — Feats

Assign class-granted feats first, then level feats (one per two levels beyond 1st; humans gain an extra at 1st level). Use the lists below as quick picks by combat archetype — you don't need to check prerequisites for NPCs built with these curated selections.

Arcane Caster

Arcane Strike, Combat Casting, Eschew Materials, Greater Spell Focus, Greater Spell Penetration, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, item creation feats (all), Lightning Reflexes, metamagic feats (all), Spell Focus, Spell Mastery, Spell Penetration, Toughness.

Divine Caster (with Channeling)

Alignment Channel, Channel Smite, Combat Casting, Command Undead, Elemental Channel, Extra Channel, Improved Initiative, Improved Channel, Iron Will, item creation feats (all), metamagic feats (all), Power Attack, Selective Channeling, Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Toughness, Turn Undead.

Divine Caster (without Channeling)

Cleave, Combat Casting, Eschew Materials, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, item creation feats (all), Lightning Reflexes, metamagic feats (all), Natural Spell, Power Attack, Spell Focus, Spell Penetration, Toughness, Weapon Focus.

Melee — Finesse Fighter

Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Dazzling Display, Deadly Stroke, Dodge, Greater Vital Strike, Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Trip, Improved Vital Strike, Mobility, Spring Attack, Shatter Defenses, Vital Strike, Weapon Finesse, Whirlwind Attack.

Melee — Unarmed Fighter

Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Gorgon's Fist, Improved Grapple, Improved Initiative, Improved Unarmed Strike, Medusa's Wrath, Mobility, Scorpion Style, Snatch Arrows, Spring Attack, Stunning Fist, Weapon Focus.

Melee — Mounted

Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Ride-By Attack, Skill Focus (Ride), Spirited Charge, Toughness, Trample, Weapon Focus.

Melee — Sword & Shield

Cleave, Great Cleave, Great Fortitude, Greater Vital Strike, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Improved Vital Strike, Power Attack, Shield Focus, Shield Master, Shield Slam, Two-Weapon Fighting, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus.

Melee — Two-Handed

Cleave, Great Cleave, Great Fortitude, Greater Vital Strike, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Improved Sunder, Improved Vital Strike, Power Attack, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus.

Melee — Two-Weapon

Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Double Slice, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Vital Strike, Improved Critical, Improved Initiative, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Vital Strike, Two-Weapon Defense, Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Rend, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus.

Ranged

Deadly Aim, Far Shot, Greater Vital Strike, Improved Initiative, Improved Vital Strike, Manyshot, Pinpoint Targeting, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Reload, Rapid Shot, Shot on the Run, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus.

Skill (most NPC classes)

Armor Proficiency (all), Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Run, Shield Proficiency, Skill Focus, Toughness.

Step 5 — Class Features

Fill in all class features — rage powers, rogue talents, channel energy, and spell selections. For spells, choose a variety for the highest two spell levels the NPC possesses; at all lower levels, pick a few reliable spells prepared multiple times. If the NPC is likely to appear in only one combat encounter, you may skip lower-level spells entirely and fill them in during play.

Step 6 — Gear

NPCs receive less gear than PCs of equal level. Use the table below as a budget; spend the listed amount per category, purchasing as few items as possible. Leftover gp from any category carries to another. Remaining funds represent coins and jewelry.

Campaign adjustments: Fast XP → treat NPC as 1 level higher. Slow XP → treat as 1 level lower. High fantasy → double values. Low fantasy → halve values.

Weapons

Normal, masterwork, or magic weapons; also offensive wands/staves (e.g. wand of scorching ray).

Protection

Armor, shields, and any item that augments AC or saving throws.

Magic

All other permanent magic items — most rings, rods, and wondrous items.

Limited Use

Alchemical items, potions, scrolls, wands with few charges, and charged wondrous items.

Gear

Standard nonmagical equipment; can be filled in during play. May also represent coins and jewelry.

Basic Lvl	Heroic Lvl	Total gp	Weapons	Protection	Magic	Limited Use	Gear
1	—	260 gp	50 gp	130 gp	—	40 gp	40 gp
2	1	390 gp	100 gp	150 gp	—	40 gp	100 gp
3	2	780 gp	350 gp	200 gp	—	80 gp	150 gp
4	3	1,650 gp	650 gp	800 gp	—	100 gp	200 gp
5	4	2,400 gp	900 gp	1,000 gp	—	300 gp	200 gp
6	5	3,450 gp	1,400 gp	1,400 gp	—	450 gp	200 gp
7	6	4,650 gp	2,350 gp	1,650 gp	—	450 gp	200 gp
8	7	6,000 gp	2,700 gp	2,000 gp	500 gp	600 gp	200 gp
9	8	7,800 gp	3,000 gp	2,500 gp	1,000 gp	800 gp	500 gp
10	9	10,050 gp	3,500 gp	3,000 gp	2,000 gp	1,050 gp	500 gp
11	10	12,750 gp	4,000 gp	4,000 gp	3,000 gp	1,250 gp	500 gp
12	11	16,350 gp	6,000 gp	4,500 gp	4,000 gp	1,350 gp	500 gp
13	12	21,000 gp	8,500 gp	5,500 gp	5,000 gp	1,500 gp	500 gp
14	13	27,000 gp	9,000 gp	8,000 gp	7,000 gp	2,500 gp	500 gp
15	14	34,800 gp	12,000 gp	10,500 gp	9,000 gp	2,800 gp	500 gp
16	15	45,000 gp	17,000 gp	13,500 gp	11,000 gp	3,000 gp	500 gp
17	16	58,500 gp	19,000 gp	18,000 gp	16,000 gp	4,000 gp	1,500 gp
18	17	75,000 gp	24,000 gp	23,000 gp	20,000 gp	6,500 gp	1,500 gp
19	18	96,000 gp	30,000 gp	28,000 gp	28,000 gp	8,000 gp	2,000 gp
20	19	123,000 gp	40,000 gp	35,000 gp	35,000 gp	11,000 gp	2,000 gp
—	20	159,000 gp	55,000 gp	40,000 gp	44,000 gp	18,000 gp	2,000 gp

Step 7 — Details

With gear assigned, fill in the combat statistics. Account for any magic items that affect ability scores or skills before calculating derived values.

Attack & Damage

BAB + Str/Dex mod + weapon bonus + size modifier. Damage = weapon dice + Str mod (+ 1½ Str two-handed).

CMB & CMD

CMB = BAB + Str mod + size mod. CMD = 10 + BAB + Str mod + Dex mod + size mod.

Armor Class

10 + armor + shield + Dex mod + natural armor + size mod + deflection + other.

Initiative

Dex mod + Improved Initiative (if taken) + other modifiers.

Hit Points

Use average HD result per level (d6→4, d8→5, d10→6, d12→7) + Con mod per level. NPCs do not max HP at 1st level.

Personality & Identity

Name, alignment, religion, and 2–3 personality traits. Even one-encounter NPCs benefit from a memorable hook.