(PF) NPC Player Party

[Rhody]

Hi. I am new. Both to Giant In The Playground and Pathfinder (and D&D, for that matter.)
So, I am thinking of starting an adventure with my sister, brother, and his friend. I kind of wanted to do an adventure with the following NPC classes: Expert, Aristocrat, Adept, and Warrior. I know it's not the greatest idea, but it works with a story that I started (it's my own setting, pretty standard fantasy though), and the other players kind of like the idea.

So, I am looking for advice on builds.
Any ideas?

The only (basic) concept I have so far is the Expert.
I have his 10 skills as:
UMD
Acrobatics
Disable Device
Escape Artist
Perception (Of course!)
Stealth
Sleight of Hand
Bluff
Intimidate
Diplomacy

A charisma and dex heavy build
Also, I use a 22 point buy system, and dumping is not allowed.

[AttilaTheGeek]

First and foremost, welcome! :smallsmile:

I'd change that "not the greatest idea" to a "very bad idea". Playing NPC classes forces players to rely on their ingenuity and knowledge to find creative solutions to problems, because they can't solve problems with their class features. While also learning the basic rules of the game, I wouldn't toss them into a situation where they need a great idea to survive.

I'd instead begin with the PCs being asked by an NPC to go put a stop to something. It's generic, which might give a little familiarity. There's a roleplay element, and when it inevitably turns to combat you can have that too. You might even have them escorted into the BBEG's base and then they have to escape the dungeon-like base of operations. The goal of a first session with new players is to expose them to as many different elements of the game as possible to see what they like best, not to choose a game type in advance and play that, because often it's not what you expect it to be.

[Rhody]

First and foremost, welcome! :smallsmile:

I'd change that "not the greatest idea" to a "very bad idea". Playing NPC classes forces players to rely on their ingenuity and knowledge to find creative solutions to problems, because they can't solve problems with their class features. While also learning the basic rules of the game, I wouldn't toss them into a situation where they need a great idea to survive.

See, what you describe regarding ingenuity instead of class features, that's what appeals to me. I would scale back the adventure and CR's of enemies, but I feel like the game would be more simple for us if it was more basic. And, I also really want to give it a shot. It would not be a full-scale campaign...

And besides, even if I don't do it yet, I'd like to try it eventually, so build ideas would still be appreciated.

[Blyte]

How about an aristocrat spy. He/she was seduced by an agent of a rival kingdom and now they have dirt on him/her. They are in too deep and reluctantly, yet effectively (for self preservation), serve as eyes and ears for an enemy in a cold war. They enjoy hawking and hunting, but often must use the hunt as a cover to meet enemy agents.

traits-
rich parents
reactionary

1 weapon focus spear
3 skill focus bluff

skills- bluff, diplo, handle animal, perception, survival, ride

str 14
dex 12
con 12
int 14
wis 12
cha 14.... i didn't do the point buy math

masterwork spear
scale mail
light shield
dagger
light crossbow
20 bolts
court clothing (3 sets)
adventuring pack
riding horse
light war horse
leather barding
saddle
2 hounds
2 trained hawks

[Rhody]

How about an aristocrat spy. He/she was seduced by an agent of a rival kingdom and now they have dirt on him/her. They are in too deep and reluctantly, yet effectively (for self preservation), serve as eyes and ears for an enemy in a cold war. They enjoy hawking and hunting, but often must use the hunt as a cover to meet enemy agents.

1 weapon focus spear
3 skill focus bluff

str 14
dex 12
con 12
int 14
wis 12
cha 14.... i didn't do the point buy math

masterwork spear
Really cool concept. However, Aristocrat can use martial weapons, so I'm not quite sure why you recommended spear. Furthermore, he is one of a group of four, so maybe his ability scores should be a little more...specialized?

[Slipperychicken]

If using NPC classes, remember that they'll be much weaker in combat than PC-classed characters of the appropriate level. They will be much less versatile than PC classes, possessing no meaningful class features. Also, they will have almost no access to healing, unless they have the system mastery to get their Adept a Wand of CLW. Consider this when creating encounters.

Also, I've seen DMs claim to desire ingenuity from their players, then not give them any opportunities for it and generally have a boring game. It's on you to create situations with dynamic and useful environments, and give them the opportunity to plan encounters out beforehand.

For a martial type, Half Orc (Toothy and Skilled alternates) Warrior. 20str, 10 Dex, 14 Con, 10Int/wis/cha. Max ranks in Intimidate, Ride, and something else. One trait in Reactive. Take Power Attack, a greatsword, and the heaviest armor you can get (scale mail?). Take a whetstone and sharpen the sword so it does +1 damage on the first swing each combat. 12 hp, 15 AC.

At level 1, Greatsword +6 for 2d6+7, Bite +6 for 1d4+5

Power Attacking: Greatsword +5 for 2d6+10, Bite +5 1d4+8

[Blyte]

Really cool concept. However, Aristocrat can use martial weapons, so I'm not quite sure why you recommended spear. Furthermore, he is one of a group of four, so maybe his ability scores should be a little more...specialized?

because he is a hunter, not a specialized adventurer hoping to fill a nitch within a group who was genetically engineered by a lab. I thought the point was to make NPCs that can suboptimally serve as adventurers for a toned down CR session.

[Rhody]

because he is a hunter, not a specialized adventurer hoping to fill a nitch within a group who was genetically engineered by a lab. I thought the point was to make NPCs that can suboptimally serve as adventurers for a toned down CR session.

Alright, alright. Fair enough. The lab part was a bit hurtful... Kidding.
Ok, so in order to make his (actually, probably her) role cohere with her character and story, with her role probably being something of a skill-monkey and possibly close-quarters combat...any ideas?
Maybe more focus on the spy and less on hunting?
And yes, that is essentially the point. I still want it to be pretty effective though...