PC vs NPC rulings

[Thorkhammer]

How do you rule, BTB?

Example, in the PhB p.17, it states

As player characters, it is assumed that any of the sub-races of the race of halflings can be considered as that of the halfling character in question. Complete information on halflings is found in ADVANCED DUNGEONS * DRAGONS MONSTER MANUAL

...so, to me, everything that applies to halflings in the MM apply equally to PC halflings.

The problem: MM p.50 refers to Tallfellow/Stout types as (capable of) being exceptionally strong (17,18); I assume that figure is referring to STR, because it relates directly to the PhB p.14

I'm pretty sure this subject has been hacked to death previously many times. The above is merely a "setting up" to the following that I extracted from the MM the other day; amazing how after decades one can still read things for the first time!

In a conflict of texts, which do you use as the RS! (rule supreme)? MM came first, then PhB, then DMG. That said, check out this quote from the MM, p.67 regarding pilgrims

If the pilgrims are lawful good, fighters will be paladins. If the (party) is chaotic good the fighters will be rangers

Okay, sounds reasonable. But how do you reconcile the problem that there may be 10 rangers accompanying a band of pilgrims to some destination? What rule do you use? Why? Do you Fiat the matter?

I'm just curious to know what folks define BTB as.

[T. Foster]

Where there's a contradiction between the rules in the books I tend to make the later-published book take precedence, especially where one of the books in question is the MM1, which was clearly written and published while the rules that would become the PH and DMG were still in flux (various spell names, humanoid armor classes/move rates, 5 vs 9 alignments, the huge mess that is the psionics ratings, etc.).

That said, I'm also of the opinion that the rules in the PH only really apply to PCs and associated NPCs (henchmen, etc.) and that other NPCs aren't necessarily bound by those rules in the same way - so I wouldn't have a problem with something like an NPC paladin with a Charisma score lower than 17 (see, for instance, module D2) or a group of NPC pilgrims accompanied by more than 3 rangers.

[BlackBat242]

Exactly... the PHB rule is for Rangers as adventurers... working together for their own purposes and profit without outside intervention.

I can easily see 10+ Rangers together in a group if higher-level Rangers order them to work together.

Its that "uncontrolled free-agent" vs "organized part of a greater whole" contrast which separates adventurers from a military unit, etc.



Similarly, the difference between all halflings getting +3 with bow & sling and saving at 4 levels higher in the MM, and PC halflings getting missile bonuses by dex and saving throw bonuses by con, is simply a matter of fineness of detail.

The MM is applying an average of the whole, while the PHB is dealing with divergent individuals.

[genghisdon]

I reconcile them as I see fit.

The CG pilgrims will get up to 3 rangers, the rest are CG fighters. I don't see CG folks as being overly fond of taking orders to boot.

the hobbit subraces can have 18 str is fine, 18-1 race+1 age(mature)=18. No%, but it's still +1 damage more than 17.

I prefer the "save as 4 levels higher" MM demi-human resistance MORE than the con base + to save vs a few categories. I apply it to ALL dwarves, gnomes & hobbits (PC or NPC), and drop the con based bonus.

ect

[prespos]

I'm just curious to know what folks define BTB as.

Basically, MM+PH+DMG.

Within that starting framework, a DM will have to make his/her own interpretations and decisions...