NPC's and New Errata and Clarification

[daedel]

In the Errata and Clarification document is estated that monsters now add their attribute value to the damage on a great success and double that value on a extraordinary success. Does this apply also to a NPC described as a fighter?

[Hermes Serpent]

There are three sorts of NPC's, Adversaries, LM Characters and Named LoreMaster characters.

A named LM Character is one that is important to the story, an unnamed LM character is generally unimportant to the story - someone met of the road and Adversaries are the bad guys.

If you are talking of a named LM character then they should add the AL to any Favoured skill p26 LMB. No mention of adding it to damage.
If you are talking about an unnamed LM character they don't even get any stats assigned.
p26 LMB suggests Attribute Levels for various sorts of NPC but doesn't mention adding the AL to damage.

If you mean an Adversary then they do get the AL added as the Clarifications document suggests.

[daedel]

On page 25 of the LmB, under "Atribute Level", it's stated that an adversary or a character described as a fighter adds his/her attribute level to the damage. In the Errata and Clarifications mentions only page 64, which refers exclusively to adversaries. I guess, by logic, that a character described as a fighter gets this bonus too?

[Hermes Serpent]

That section is referring to named LM Characters which is a cut above the usual NPC. If indeed you are dealing with a named LM character they get _a_ Damage Bonus but the original Monster damage text said much the same thing before the Clarification. As they didn't change that text (referring to named LM Characters) in the Clarifications document you could go either way with your ruling.

Why is this named LM character fighting? Is it on the side of the Company or against the Company?

Bear in mind if you boost NPC's then that takes the spotlight away from the heroes and that generally isn't a good thing (almost along the lines of GM PC's which always get a bad rap).

[daedel]

I think I see what you mean. I was thinking of the NPC as an adversary to the fellowship, rather than a companion. But in that case, it might be better to just create an adversary with hate points and special abilities. I haven't thought about taking spotlight away from the company but yes, I agree it sounds like something to avoid. Thank you!

[Hermes Serpent]

If you have any of the supplements take a look at the various opponents or allies presented in those. You'll see they all use the abbreviated stat block common to named LM characters if they are are neutral but always use the Adversary stat block if they are intended to oppose (and probably fight) the Company.

Example:
HotW - Amfossa and Hwalda both have named LM character stat blocks and are obviously not intended to be used in melee combat. The same for Frar and Tholin and Thranduil. The list of Notable Characters for the various areas that are intended as combatants are usually listed with full Adversary stats in the back of the book.

[Murcushio]

My own GM often stats out really important NPCs as "full" characters, with a complete statblock and list of skills, and using the same Hope mechanics that the PCs do.

Last session I got into a drinking contest with Bombur, for example, and we were both spending Hope like mad fools to try and one-up each other.

[Stormcrow]

In the Errata and Clarification document is estated that monsters now add their attribute value to the damage on a great success and double that value on a extraordinary success. Does this apply also to a NPC described as a fighter?

Don't be distracted by a pedantic interpretation of the rules. The errata doesn't specify Loremaster characters described as fighters, but I believe that is just an oversight, not an exclusion. Fighter-types SHOULD get the damage bonus as described in the errata document. Whoever compiled the clarifications document simply forgot that fighter-types get the damage bonus too, and thus neglected to mention them.

[aramis]

Any hostile NPC who is in a fighting role is an adversary, simply due to the meaning of the word in English.

And so, when I run, ANY NPC opponent gets to add their AL to the damage on a great or exceptional success.

[Hermes Serpent]

Aramis, You've no doubt noticed I capitalise those terms that I'm using in context of their meaning within the rules. There's a specific reason for that. It identifies when I'm using that term for that specific meaning. I don't honestly care what you do in your game, I'm trying to provide some help to someone who asked for it not someone who want's to play the pedant card.