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Question about simplifying adding NPC's to the game

October 21 (7 years ago)
So started to run a 3.5e campaign, and have been learning how to use many parts of roll20 to make things easier, but would like to take things even farther.

I discovered how it was possible to link tokens with character sheets, but with NPC's that causes a problem, since I can put 5 goblins on the board, but they would be linked to the same sheet. This means I have to keep the token and character disconnected. Aside from making a character for each goblin is there anyway around this?

For bonus points, is there any way when rolling for initiative to have that number auto assigned to a token instead of manually keeping track which one is which on the turn counter?
October 21 (7 years ago)
GiGs
Pro
Sheet Author
API Scripter
You have encountered the number one issue that hits all GMs when they start using roll20.

For NPC groups connected to a single character sheet, here's what you do:
1) add a token
2) in token settings, link it to the NPC/Monster, and set the HP bar (and any other bars you need) to the appropriate stats. (This grabs the stats from the character sheet)
3) Save it.
4) Go back to settings and set the HP bar link to none. (This severs the link, but leaves the stats alone)
5) Save it
6) Now open the character sheet, and set this token as default.

Now you can drag any number of tokens from the that character, and they'll all use the same stats, and any macros, etc., will work, but HPs will be tracked separately.

If you want to have a group of NPCs all with different rolled HPs, though, you have to roll them each individually.
October 21 (7 years ago)

Edited October 21 (7 years ago)
Pretty much what I am doing now then, but good to know I am not missing anything big, Thanks for the info.

Any thought on rolling for initiative? Or do I need to track that on a per token basis?

And while I have this nagging post up I might was well ask one final question, on 3.5e NPC sheets, does anyone know a way to add more attack macros? (Or just more macros for that matter.)
October 21 (7 years ago)
GiGs
Pro
Sheet Author
API Scripter
I cant help with 3.5e sheets, I don't use them. But for initiative, have you seen

https://wiki.roll20.net/Turn_Tracker

You can automate adding characters to the turn tracker with a macro, see here:
https://wiki.roll20.net/Macros#Rolling_For_Initiat...

Something like:
@{selected|token_name}'s Initiative Check: [[1d20+@{Init} &{tracker} ]]
Create a macro with this text, and click Show as Token Action.
Then whenever you click a token, you'll have a pop button to click to roll initiative, and add it to the turn tracker automatically.

Change @{Init} to whatever the initiative stat is called in your game.

If DEX is used to break ties, this will order them properly (substitute for whatever stat is used to break ties in your game):
@{selected|token_name}'s Initiative Check: [[1d20+@{Init}+(@{DEX/100})/10 &{tracker} ]]
You need the turn tracker open before you use these macros.