>A good, likable DMNPC
Is it even possible?
I once had a DMPC that the players were okay with, who disguised himself as another character and adventured with the party for a while, and he became their favorite NPC.
Then, when I revealed that it was the DMPC the entire time, he immediately became their least favorite.
It's actually pretty fucking easy, which is why I find it somewhat amusing the concept is so generally despised.
Here's the key to making a good DMPC/Prominent NPC- They never overshadow the PCs.
It's that simple.
Even if they would otherwise be capable in a fight, I go out of my way to keep them to one side- Have them in a side room fighting a smaller, weaker set of enemies than an individual PC could conceivably taken on, but ideally not a fighter at all.
I ran an AdEva game where one of the PCs classmates became a very prominent NPC. She was friendly, helpful, enthusiastic and kind... And could never pilot an Eva. As much as she wished she could, she would never be able to fight alongside the PCs. So she did everything in her power to help them in their day to day lives, and was a key part of the game without making anyone feel irrelevant or undermined.
What's the difference between a DMNPC and an NPC that the players like to keep around?
I once made "Charlie the cleric" because I had 1 wizard who refused to get a wand and 4 melee classes with no healing amongst any of them.
He was a literal heal bot. Warforged cleric with like 6 int and just enough wis to do his job. His healing was only ever used to bring people back from negatives in combat, otherwise he sat in back readying actions. Spoke in preprogrammed sentences. Never interacted in any way significant or interesting except when compelled by the players. I once had an enemy target him specifically to see how the players would react. They killed that motherfucker deader than dust.
If the campaign had gone on longer I was planning on having Charlie either malfunction or be kidnapped to deprive them of the heals they had become so dependent on to see what they would do.
ive done it twice
first was a cleric they hired so the group had a healer
the second was secretly the BBEG and used the party to gather the muggafin for him
>>44082672
One was chosen by the players, the other is a little-brother who tags along at best, and a self-insert at worst
>>44082672
Generally I'd say the line is
>Fully fleshed out unique statblock
>DM plays them in his own game as if he was a PC
The second being the reason why so few are done well. Most NPCs are either backdrop, have few interactions not initiated by the PCs or never enter into combat or dialogue considerations. A DMPC does all of these.
Generally they're minor npc's that the characters really liked and adopted into the party.
>>44082657
Did they ever tell you why they liked this NPC before you used the term DMPC?
>>44082611
Yes.
>>44082611
Managing one right now. Is a rogue cleric. Does the scouting so pcs don't need to split ip then heals them after they fight the baddies; every now and then drops a summon or bless to buff / save their arse otherwise is the friendly halfling servant
>>44082801
While disguised, he only used his weak magic ability instead of his weapon skills, and acted as a support mage during some of the most important and exciting battles they went through. He was also just a nice, friendly guy, who just wanted to help out.
So, when their masked ally revealed who he was, I guess it was a mix of not enjoying being deceived and also not liking the idea that they were never in any real danger that made them dislike the DMPC.
>>44082902
Did the party keep him around because they wanted him there?
Easy way to a good DMPC that the players care about: be the support crew. Drive the wagon, arrange the jobs, provide moral support, fence merchandise, and so on. Let the PCs do all the adventuring and hog all the glory.
>>44082611
I'm planning on a fortune teller DMNPC in my next campaign. Explicitly barred from combat and skill checks for lore reasons, as well as obvious reasons.
She'll just show up in all major towns and, other than the initial encounter, it's their choice whether they want to hear a hint or foreshadowing told in the form of a riddle. They don't want to interact with the fortune teller, fine. No hints then.
>>44082965
They sought him out to have him join on their adventurers after the first one.
>>44082611
No.
The elements which are required to make a DMPC good turn them into an NPC.
>>44083447
>pic
her head is fucking huge
>>44083683
She's leaning forward.
>>44083374
This.
I had a witch who tagged along and forced the players into RP (since they had to interact with her) - which they where otherwise reluctant to do, and they actually grew to enjoy it.
>>44082611
Yes. As long as it's not forced, it's fine.
My group wound up picking up a combat capable npc last session by pure chance, and we all like him a lot. Especially because none of us are particularly combat capable.
>>44082611
In my first campaign, we had a pretty cool DMPC. Since we only had three players and a DM, it was viewed as a necessity. The DM was the only one with actual /tg/ experience, and his character would guide us in the early stages while showing cool and exciting things later on. The DMPC never actually made party decisions, however, so he managed to stay in the background enough to keep the larger personalities in the group satisfied. It helped a lot that the DM was an all around cool guy.
Yes, but that won't do you any good if your party is from /tg/. People seem to hate GMPCs around here out of principle more than anything else.
>>44083447
That's an NPC you moron.
since it hasn't been posted yet
>>44083528
Pretty much this, DMPC can't exist without being shitty, a quality NPC that tags along but remains an NPC (which is what most people in this thread are saying makes a good DMPC) is not a DMPC by its very nature
I have a GMPC who provides intel and tactical support to the party in combat, and doubles as a plot device. The PCs are the ones who actually get shit done. I think that's good enough.
>>44085903
>Her only friends were a bunch of murderhobos who constantly exploited her kindness
I think that's the most tragic part here.
>>44082611
By its nature, a good DMPC is impossible.
What IS possible though is a helpful and interesting NPC who follows the PCs around and lends a hand while staying the fuck out of their limelight.
>>44086491
So... a good DMPC?
>>44082748
What if the DMPC was originally a PC, then their player got handed the reins because original GM couldn't come up with good story/plot hooks?
And is also the only healer/occult lore specialist?
