GM Shortcuts??

[Ronin84]

As I posted earlier I am trying to get back into Palladium and it has been a LONG time since I ran any of their games, though at one time I owned just about every book they had put out....

I am curious as to when it comes to bad guys what shorthand methods do you use for keeping track of various things such as HP/SDC and combat bonuses? I know in some other games you can just go look at a stat block and see everything in a nice neat arrangement, I am just looking for some book keeping help.

Thanks in advance!

[St. Evil]

Go to the cutting room floor and they have a NPC sheet that has 18 spaces on it. For most encounters you could use one of these. It also depends on how fleshed out you want the NPC. In my experience the NPC in the books are good for quick reference but they tend to be weaker than if you were to actually make the NPC from scratch. The Basilisk in the place of magic Caliph Alsto Stone if you made him as an adult dragon his HP would go up from 100 to a min of 340 +PE and SDC goes from 120 to a min of 80 but a max of 280+2d6/lvl. So what I am trying to say is you can make it as easy or difficult as you want. Also in the Old Ones book they have Firebrands' gang that I have used a few times just for quick stats, cause I was lazy.

[The Dark Elf]

+2 to strike parry dodge damage.
Half the players HP+SDC.

If theyre tougher +3.
Increase SDC.

NEVER let the players know what the NPC stats are - you may want to alter them up or down depending on some roles (I am a fan of chance but also of tension).

[Ronin84]

+2 to strike parry dodge damage.
Half the players HP+SDC.

If there tougher +3.
Increase SDC.

NEVER let the players know what the NPC stats are - you may want to alter them up or down depending on some roles (I am a fan of chance but also of tension).

NOW that is what I was talking about, great suggestion!!

Thanks Dark Elf!!

[The Dark Elf]

No problem, glad to be able to help and free up your time instead of rolling up npc fodder.

[Soldier of Od]

+2 to strike parry dodge damage.

Ah, the old 'plus two to everything' rule. A classic.

One thing I do in addition to this just to add some differentiation is the following racial modifications:

for humans and unless stated otherwise, all stats average.

If an elf, gnome or goblin, P.P. 18 (an extra +2 to strike, parry and dodge)
If an orc, ogre, wolfen or dwarf, P.S. 17 (an extra +2 to damage)
If a hobgoblin or changeling, M.E. 18 (+2 to save vs. psionics)

Keeping it simple.

[Ronin84]

+2 to strike parry dodge damage.

Ah, the old 'plus two to everything' rule. A classic.

One thing I do in addition to this just to add some differentiation is the following racial modifications:

for humans and unless stated otherwise, all stats average.

If an elf, gnome or goblin, P.P. 18 (an extra +2 to strike, parry and dodge)
If an orc, ogre, wolfen or dwarf, P.S. 17 (an extra +2 to damage)
If a hobgoblin or changeling, M.E. 18 (+2 to save vs. psionics)

Keeping it simple.

That is another good one! Keep 'em coming if anyone else wants to chime in!!

[Damian Magecraft]

+2 to strike parry dodge damage.

Ah, the old 'plus two to everything' rule. A classic.

One thing I do in addition to this just to add some differentiation is the following racial modifications:

for humans and unless stated otherwise, all stats average.

If an elf, gnome or goblin, P.P. 18 (an extra +2 to strike, parry and dodge)
If an orc, ogre, wolfen or dwarf, P.S. 17 (an extra +2 to damage)
If a hobgoblin or changeling, M.E. 18 (+2 to save vs. psionics)

Keeping it simple.

That is another good one! Keep 'em coming if anyone else wants to chime in!!

I use the randomizer...
a plus d4, d6 or d8 to combat bonuses
(sometimes depending on power level of the party a +d12 to damage)
Granted this is for Mooks
for the BBEG I actually write them out in long form.

[The Dark Elf]

+2 to strike parry dodge damage.

Ah, the old 'plus two to everything' rule. A classic. .

It never gets old.

[zyanitevp]

I have an excel spreadsheet for the common races, and some bases for the common occs (like mercenary). Put the 2 together, instant NPC.