The Campaign Builder's Guild

I'm looking to create some generic NPC Feat Progressions, similar to the progressions provided in the PHB2 for the PC classes. But these will focus on the NPC classes, mainly the ones you'll see out and about: the Warriors (though I think a few roles, such as scout, and tracker, suit the expert just fine).

So, I would like help on two fronts. First, I'd like your opinions on if my list of warrior archetypes is both small enough and encompasing enough to be useful to DMs. Second, I would like help generating the actual feat progressions.

In the spirit of the PHB2, feats will be done thusly, signifying the level in which a human character will pick them up: H, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18. A non-human character will still follow the same general progression, but will start with H and select 1 at 3rd level instead.

So, to start things off, here are my warrior archetypes:

Archer: A longbowman, trained for fighting on open battlefields.
Cavalry: A mounted warrior; may have a ranged and melee path.
Destroyer: A strength based warrior who focuses on being the best at killing. Uses a two-handed weapon.
Guard: A warrior trained primarily in defense; must be alert.
Martial Artist: A warrior from a formalized environment who learns to use anything, even their hands, as a weapon (this will be the two-weapon fighter). Might be common as a peasent warrior in regions where peasents are not allowed to carry weapons of war.
Pikeman: A spear user, primarily trained in defense.
Skirmisher: A mobile melee and ranged warrior; might have a ranged and a melee path. Also could be noted as a Guerilla tactician.
Soldier: A warrior trained for mass combat and endurance; uses a weapon and shield.
Thug: A street fighter, uses underhanded and unarmed tactics (since many cities would look down on openly displaying a weapon).

In addition to feat progressions, a default array spread for ability scores (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and a skill spread (choosing a number of skills to maximize equal to 2+Int modifier, with one spare for humans) are also part of this system.

I believe I've completed the archer (with limetom's help), and I'll post empty slots for the others (and I'll fill them in as ideas filter out). Thanks in advance for your help.

Archer (Warrior)
Str: 14, Dex: 15, Con: 13, Int: 10, Wis: 12, Cha: 8
Spot, X, X
H   Weapon Focus (Longbow)
1   Point Blank Shot
3   Far Shot
6   Rapid Shot
9   Precise Shot
12   Improved Precise Shot
15   Improved Critical (Longbow)
18   Improved Rapid Shot

Cavalry (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

Destroyer (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

Guard (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

Martial Artist (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

Pikeman (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

Skirmisher (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

Soldier (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

Thug (Warrior)
Str: , Dex: , Con: , Int: , Wis: , Cha:
H   
1   
3   
6   
9   
12   
15   
18   

PS: I should note that none of these characters are meant to be heroic characters, they're meant to represent carrier warriors, or otherwise average people who make their living through force of arms. These characters are not meant to be unique.

I honestly think that certain of these styles are probably best suited as actual PC class characters.
Skirmisher possibly, martial artist probably, Cavalry absolutely.  Cavalry was always elite troops, which says Fighter to me.

My 2cp.

Well, I don't think farmer dude who learns karate really deserves to be a fighter. Skirmisher neither, they could be resistance warriors. Cavalry, sure, I can see that, but the rest?

Here's a mounted fighter.

Cavalier (fighter 6 )
STR, CON, WIS, CHA, INT, DEX
Hu - Animal Affinity
F1 - Mounted Combat
L1 - Skill Focus (Ride)
F2 - Ride by Attack
L3 - Power Attack
F4 - Improved Sunder
F6 - Spirited Charge
L6 - Skill Focus (Handle Animal)

He charges, moves on, rinses and repeats. At Lvl6, skill focus can be tossed for leadership if there's enough skill points for Diplomacy. Other wise the cavalier is stuck with continuously bigger and bigger animals, like dinosaurs, which are totaly cool. The Human bounus feat is entirely optional and non-esential. Past Lvl6, offence boosting feats like weapon focus and monkey grip are taken, as would multiclassing.

Now skirmishers.

Mounted Archer (fighter 8)
DEX, STR, WIS, CON, INT, CHA
Hu - Skill Focus (Ride)
F1 - Mounted Combat
L1 - Point Blank Shot
F2 - Mounted Archery
L3 - Far Shot
F4 - Rapid Shot
F6 - Precise Shot
L6 - Skill Focus (Handle Animal)

Again, the human bonus feat is non-essential, and leaderhip can be taken in lieu of Skill Focus (Handle Animal) if enough skill points are available for diplomacy. CON is of less imporatance as an archer type is always best kept out of harms way. Imp.Presice Shot can be taken at Lvl8 with DEX boosted race.

Guerilla (Rogue 1, Fighter 6, Rogue +)

DEX, STR, CON, WIS, INT, CHA
Hu - Alertness
L1 - Stealthy
F1 - Point Blank Shot
F2 - Dodge
L3 - Improved Initiative
F4 - Shot on the Run
L6 - Mobility
F6 - Quick Draw
L9 - Skill Focus (Tumble)

This character is a sneak at first, but training (multi-classing) greatly improves it's fighting ability. Get the drop on a guard, eliminate him, kill his friends, wreck some stuff, run away.Focus skill point into hide and silent step, then tumble, next listen, spot, and lastly jump, climb and swim.

I don't want fighter progressions, I want warrior progressions. Sorry.

Unarmed Martial Artist (Warrior)
Str: 12, Dex: 15, Con: 10, Int: 13, Wis: 14, Cha: 8
Jump, Climb, Intimidate
H Improved Unarmed Strike
1 Improved Grapple
3 Weapon Finesse
6 Combat Expertise
9 Improved Disarm
12 Stunning Fist
15 Improved Trip
18 Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike)

eh, i tried. i don't think warrior's gonna make the best martial artist. i think the best they could do is go for the non-damaging battlefield control stuff and ignore damage completely.

I don't think an effective two-weapon fighting + unarmed fighting warrior can be made. That's just too many feats and too many different stats.


Destroyer (Warrior)
Str: 15, Dex: 12, Con: 14, Int: 8, Wis: 10, Cha: 13
Intimidate, Bluff (cc)
H Power Attack
1 Weapon Focus (any two-handed melee weapon)
3 Cleave
6 Improved Overrun
9 Improved Critical (any two-handed melee weapon)
12 Improved Sunder
15 Great Cleave
18 Blindfight

Quote from: XeviatI don't want fighter progressions, I want warrior progressions. Sorry.

Ah...
Doesn't the DMG state that NPC usualy don't atain a Lvl beyound 3? Meh. Doesn't matter.

Professional soldiers take as their first feat Skill Focus (Profession - soldier). Then it's weapon focus.

Quote from: brainfaceUnarmed Martial Artist (Warrior)
Str: 12, Dex: 15, Con: 10, Int: 13, Wis: 14, Cha: 8
Jump, Climb, Intimidate
H Improved Unarmed Strike
1 Combat Expertise
3 Weapon Finesse
6 Improved Disarm
9 Improved Grapple
12 Stunning Fist
15 Improved Trip
18 Weapon Focus (Unarmed Strike)

eh, i tried. i don't think warrior's gonna make the best martial artist. i think the best they could do is go for the non-damaging battlefield control stuff and ignore damage completely.

It looks like you're trying to make a monk build. Allow me...

The career martial artist's path changes depending on his race.

Human/Gnome/Dwarf/Half-Elf Unarmed Martial Artist (Warrior)
DEX, STR, INT, CON, WIS, CHA
Profession (Soldier), Jump, Tumble, Climb
If not human, take the Shaky Flaw
Hu/Fl - Skill Focus (Proffesion - soldier)
L1 - Improved Unarmed Strike
L3 - Two-weapon Fighting
L6 - Combat Expertise
L9 - Improved Two-weapon Fighting
L12 - Improved Disarm/Trip or Imp.Combat Expertise
L15 - Improved Toughness
L18 - Greater Two-weapon Fighting

Half-Orc Unarmed Martial Artist (Warrior)
DEX, STR, CON, INT, WIS, CHA
Profession (Soldier), Intimidate
Fl - Skill Focus (Proffesion - soldier)
L1 - Improved Unarmed Strike
L3 - Two-weapon Fighting
L6 - Two-weapon Defence
L9 - Improved Two-weapon Fighting
L12 - Improved Two-weapon defence
L15 - Improved Toughness
L18 - Greater Two-weapon Fighting

Elf/Halfling Unarmed Martial Artist (Warrior)
DEX, STR, INT, CON, WIS, CHA
Profession (Soldier) Jump, Tumble, Climb
Shaky Flaw
Fl - Skill Focus (Proffesion - soldier)
L1 - Improved Unarmed Strike
L3 - Two-weapon Fighting
L6 - Improved Two-weapon Fighting
L9 - Combat Expertise
L12 - Greater Two-weapon Fighting
L15 - Improved Disarm/Trip or Imp.Combat Expertise
L18 - Improved Toughness

The reason for the shaky flaw is that training exclusively for melee combat is very demanding. Thuss, unamred warriors eschew ranged combat to perfect their primary combat ability. Since they're not intending to enter a battle field, retaliating with ranged attacks is unnescesary. Orcs get shafted in this archetype.

Quote from: brainfaceDestroyer (Warrior)
Str: 15, Dex: 12, Con: 14, Int: 8, Wis: 10, Cha: 13
Intimidate, Bluff (cc)
H Power Attack
1 Weapon Focus (Greatsword/Falchion/Greataxe)
3 Cleave
6 Improved Overrun
9 Improved Critical (Greatsword/Falchion/Greataxe)
12 Improved Sunder
15 Great Cleave
18 Blindfight

Don't forget scyths.

QuoteProfessional soldiers take as their first feat Skill Focus (Profession - soldier). Then it's weapon focus.

why[/i]? ;) It seems like that just sucks up a feat and a skill slot. I could see it for an expert, but no one wins a fight with their mad profession skill.

As for the warrior monks, i don't think two-weapon fighting's going to help unless they're doing something besides damage (grapple, trip, disarm, stunning attack). it just doesn't matter how many attacks they get a round if they're just gonna do 1d3+1.

Also: scythes? yeah, sure man. I'm just gonna edit it to "two-handed weapon" though.

Why are you using the elite array for NPC class characters?  Shouldn't you use the non-elite array (13,12,11,10,9,8) for NPC class guys?

I'm using the elite array for mooks because I'm using 32 point buy for the PCs and the Elites. And NPCs do reach levels higher than 3; look at the city generation guides (a city's highest level commoner's level is generated with a 4d6).

And thanks for the ones so far; I'll add them to the first post. Don't forget that you can use stuff out of PHB2 and the Completes.

NPCs purchase ranks in profession, craft and perform skills to make money. They're not going to be satisfied with just 1sp a day, they want multiple GP per week. It's how the profession skill works. Anybody without ranks in profession is going to be as a wealthy a cave man.
Also, Skill Focus in a proffesion, craft or perform wastses a feat like Improved Natural Attack.

QuoteNPCs purchase ranks in profession, craft and perform skills to make money. They're not going to be satisfied with just 1sp a day, they want multiple GP per week. It's how the profession skill works. Anybody without ranks in profession is going to be as a wealthy a cave man.

all[/i] their focus in combat would come dirt cheap, regardless of level. Also, correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't npc wealth (that is, equipment value) determined regardless of profession skills?

Quote from: brainface

QuoteNPCs purchase ranks in profession, craft and perform skills to make money. They're not going to be satisfied with just 1sp a day, they want multiple GP per week. It's how the profession skill works. Anybody without ranks in profession is going to be as a wealthy a cave man.

all[/i] their focus in combat would come dirt cheap, regardless of level. Also, correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't npc wealth (that is, equipment value) determined regardless of profession skills?

Actualy, the rules on proffesion are RAW.
Absolutely correct on that equipment is not based apon skill ranks. That's the stuff they get from adventuring/working for an overlord. Besides, what actual skills help combat aside from tumble, bluff and intimidate?
Maneuvers and bonusses granted from feats are not much of an improvement at all at higher levels. "I'm a Lvl 20 warrior with improved sunder. I can't stand up to a Lvl 16 barbarian, or a Lvl 13 mage. At CR 19, I'm free XP. My ass = meat." NPC classes are no challenge beyond lvl8, aside from the adept. PC classes make much more interesting and plausible chalenges.

I've always wondered, how are these guys aquiring XP at all if they're not fighting at they're EL. They can't fight ecounters of they're EL 'cause they're even crappier than regular martial classes. How are they doing it?
Superior numbers doesn't work. It leads to the dilution of XP being handed out. There's not enough adepts/druids/clerics to grant enough healing for their numbers, especialy with the commoner militia involved. High level ecounters usualy have area effects, wether it's an evil dragon or an enemy wizard in the other army.
They lose in strait one on one fights unless it's a very weak creautre, 'cause at Lvl 1 thru 14 they don't have the wealth to purchase resurection. Does the Lvl1 warrior acting as the castle guard fight squirels and cats to level up? WTF?!?

QuoteActualy, the rules on proffesion are RAW.

don't[/i] agree that profession is all that can get you money, or that a warrior class should be based around making money, first and foremost. an expert, sure: but not guy who slices things. I especially don't think he should spend his first feat on Skill Focus (skill that can't be used in combat).

QuoteI've always wondered, how are these guys aquiring XP at all if they're not fighting at they're EL. They can't fight ecounters of they're EL 'cause they're even crappier than regular martial classes. How are they doing it?

NPC classes are no challenge beyond lvl8, aside from the adept. PC classes make much more interesting and plausible chalenges.[/quote]do not[/i] need to ever use great cleave. i'll give that at level 15."