When you're putting stats together for your NPCs in 5e, what method do you use? Do you try to stick close to the way player characters are built, or do you build them more like monsters? How accurate do you think the CR calculations are for either method?

If it's a party NPC, I build a full character.
Everything else, I have a look at the NPCs in the MM and use that or something like that.

I like to keep NPC allies simple. I'm not a very thorough Game Master: I hate tracking too many stats. So I abstract them a bit:

Stats

• Advantage: has an Advantage to rolls using this ability score
• Disadvantage: has a Disadvantage to rolls using this ability score
• Skills (+X): Gets to use Proficiency bonus (equal to average of party) on checks using these stats (not individual skills, just 1 or 2 ability scores)

Roleplaying

• Talent: Something (not combat-related) that the NPC is very good at doing (usually always succeeds; no roll needed)
• Mannerism: A physical quirk
• Interaction: A social quirk

Background

• Ideal: what they strive for (affects Loyalty)
• Bond: what matters to them (affects Loyalty)
• Flaw: what could cause problems for the party

Equipment

• Weapon: listed first, their main form of attack
• Other stuff, kept brief (main outfit, things of worth etc…)

As for Combat, the NPC lasts a number of rounds equal to the average party level. That means that after X number of rounds, they are taken out either due to exhaustion, wounds, bad morale or whatever.

Example on my blog:
http://nemoslounge.com/?p=2768

NPC character card prototype:
http://nemoslounge.com/?p=2872

If it is a group member I may work it as a character. But usually I just jot down the bare basics needed. AC, HP, equipment. Sometimes not even that if is a shop keeper or other non-com.

I build them like the ones at the back of the MM, except I ignore the CR-based Proficiency Bonus rule. I generally count 3 hd = 2 levels for purposes of Profiency.

Usually? Just make shit up.

The amount of effort that goes into an NPC depends on how important they are.

Many NPCs are just given descriptions, personalities, notable exceptional abilities, and goals and a generic stat block is used for them.

Important NPCs get a full stat block like those in the MM.

I build them as if they had PC classes but give them monster-style stat blocks. For example, a 5th level wizard NPC could look like this:
AC 9; MV 12; HD 5; hp 14; THAC0 19; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4 (dagger); SA magic; SZ M; ML 12; AL N-N; XP 270
Spells memorised: Detect Magic, Charm Person, Shield, Shocking Touch, Spider Climb, Know Alignment x2

I don't roll any of this up or worry about CR, just assign whatever stats are appropriate for the NPC. For high ranking individuals I tend to subscribe to the Julius Caesar had 14 hit dice school of thought.

For unclassed schlubs, which is most of my NPCs, I use the standard "monster" stats for their race.

I give everyone PC-style proficiencies/skills where appropriate and non-obvious. I don't bother noting a blacksmith has blacksmithing for example, but if he also knows mountaineering and that's somehow meaningful to the adventure I'll add it.

All this largely incidental to the important characteristics of my NPCs, which is occupation, name, race, age, sex, appearance, behaviour and what they can do for and to the PCs.

There are a very few NPCs that I bother to stat up according to the rules, rather than just winging it.  But this is usually reserved for NPCs that are going to spend an inordinate time with the PCs: travelling companions, henchmen, etc.

Quote from: Necrozius;840440I like to keep NPC allies simple. I'm not a very thorough Game Master: I hate tracking too many stats. So I abstract them a bit:

I'm with you, Necrozius.  My daughter is fleshing out a large town and wanted it "fully" populated . . . dread!  But, as with your technique (eerily similar to mine), I kept it simple and adapted from the MM with a little re-skinning.  

250 people of various races (including an LN lich and a crazy beholder who hosts dinner parties!) fleshed out in about 25 pages of a PDF.  

I recommend keeping window dressing simple, but if the NPC is to be used as a party character, created it as if you would a regular PC.