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API to combine a Token and an NPC character sheet?

September 28 (4 years ago)

Is there an API that allows you to combine a Token with an NPC stat block?

Allow me to elaborate.

I'm looking for a way to eliminate the need for an additional Character Sheet to track NPC stats, and to combine the current NPC character sheet with the token associated with it.

I find that having a token for an NPC, and an additional Character Sheet Handout, converted into an NPC stat block, is bulky and often times to much to deal with, especially when attempting to run large scale combat with a large party of PCs and large groups of enemies/NPCs.

Currently, and while not the best option, is that I am generating a stat block using an outside resource, and copy/pasting that information into the GM Notes section of each token. While this helps, it is not intuitive and I have to manually roll for attacks, damage, abilities, saving throws, etc etc. because there is no linked NPC sheet available for it. 

With every token, when you double click it, the bottom of the first Basic tab, has a section for GM notes. Is there an API that can either add a new section above this, or utilize the GM notes section itself to create an NPC stat block with all the accompanying NPC options that come with the actual NPC character sheet, AND have it link properly so that rolls can be made directly from the token itself?

I essence, all I want to do is create the Token, and then make the NPC from inside the token itself and have it work exactly like an NPC character sheet does now, eliminating the need for the additional character sheet handout.

September 28 (4 years ago)
keithcurtis
Forum Champion
Marketplace Creator
API Scripter

To be clear, if you have 20 goblins, say, you are not currently creating 20 separate sheets? Because that would be cumbersome and is unnecessary.

You could set up a chat menu of sorts from the GM notes, but without a sheet to link abilities to, it would be very limited. If you could give some more concrete examples of exactly the issues you are having, it might help to gather better suggestions.

For example, in my own game, I have 4-5 generic blocks equating roughly to commoner, guard, thug, and veteran. Most "normal" (non adventuring) NPCs are linked to one of these, with anything unique about them listed in the GM notes or indicated by the choice of token art.

September 28 (4 years ago)


keithcurtis said:

To be clear, if you have 20 goblins, say, you are not currently creating 20 separate sheets? Because that would be cumbersome and is unnecessary.

No. I am definitely not doing that. However...I tend to make many of my NPC's unique and, I have a tendency to run larger scaled battles. My current gaming group consists of 6 Players and myself. While I can and do use a single template for multiple NPCs that I can consider the same (1 generic stat block with 1 or more associated tokens) often times I will have multiple unique individuals/NPCs on the field of battle. 

So for example if 6 PCs are in combat with 12 creatures, I may have 4 orcs that are the same, but a Troll as well, 2 different casters, 1 Boss, 1 lieutenant, and 3 other unique monsters, the number of NPC sheets could get out of hand.

I was hoping to totally eliminate the need to create a new character sheet (and subsequently convert it to a NPC sheet), by finding an API that would add an NPC character sheet, to a token. Thus I would only have to make a new token, and I could have all of the relevant NPC stats on that token. Rather than having to open a specifically made NPC sheet for a token.


For example, a token that looks like this when you double click it:



This combined token/NPC stat sheet would work as both. You can set all of the token properties as usual, and in the NPC stat block you can click on the dice to roll for initiative, or click on the weapon to make an attack, or click on a skill, and each of these items would be linked to show up in the chat box, rolling appropriately for what was clicked, just like as if it was clicked on a completely separate NPC sheet.

September 28 (4 years ago)
keithcurtis
Forum Champion
Marketplace Creator
API Scripter

I don't know of any API that could do that. The only advantage I could see would be reducing clutter in the Journal Tab (which could otherwise be addressed with organization). Such a token would effectively be a character sheet in terms of game impact. The game would still need to track the same amount of data, but in a less efficient fashion(requiring an additional layer of abstraction).

Other than not being listed in the Journal tab, what would be the advantage of such a system?

September 28 (4 years ago)

Well, the advantage would be less clutter in the journal. Organization aside, as it stands now running an NPC requires 2 separate and distinct resources: the token, and the NPC character sheet. All actions taken for an NPC must ne either clicked on the sheet itself or rolled manually. One then moves the token or makes adjustments to the token.

I find that the "less clutter" option to be greatly desirable, especially since I would not have to open a separate sheet to do all of the work for the NPC. All of that information would be right there, on the token, for easy access, and work just like the NPC sheet "handout".

So my questions would be this: Why? Why do I have to have 2 separate assets to run a single NPC?

I can see the reasoning for a player. There is far more information that a player has access to and needs, than most NPCs. An NPC doesn't need traits, ideals, bonds, flaws (d&d 5e), exhaustion, etc etc.

What the NPC does need, is exactly what's on the NPC sheet with the ability to roll what is needed right from the sheet. If I can ELIMINATE that sheet, and do all that work from the token itself, that's a win for everyone all around.

September 28 (4 years ago)
Kraynic
Pro
Sheet Author

If you have the funds, you may find it worth upgrading to pro for the api access.  There are a couple api scripts that can easily generate menus of actions available to an npc just by having the token selected and clicking a button.  You wouldn't need to open the sheets at all (Universal Chat Menu allows me to do exactly this with the Pathfinder by Roll20 sheet).  You would also have access to the transmogrifier, which would allow you to easily move any npcs you don't currently need to a "library" game, allowing you to just keep monsters you currently need in your active game journal.  You can also prep special creatures/npcs in that other game, allowing you to test rolls without spoiling anything in your active game, but still being able to bring that sheet over with just a few clicks through the transmogrifier.

Combining enemies to one sheet that will have different attacks, saves, and skills with different bonuses would be hard to do.  If I was going to try, I would just use a bunch of ability macros with a chat menu macro set as a token action for each monster type so that it would print out buttons in chat to roll for saves, attacks, and any skills or stat rolls that might be used for that specific creature type.  That pretty much avoids using the sheet at all.  Or I would use the sheet for one type and all the others would just be ability macros.

September 28 (4 years ago)
Andrew R.
Pro
Sheet Author

I keep my Journal uncluttered by using the Library Campaign tip to keep all my monster Journal entries, etc., 

September 28 (4 years ago)
keithcurtis
Forum Champion
Marketplace Creator
API Scripter

I don't have a solution that collapses everything into one asset. Once a token is assigned to a sheet it pretty much becomes one asset. There are solutions that do not require sheets to be open in order to run them though. They are better with the API, but this one is free and might be worth a look.

NPC Statblock Chat Menu for D&D 5e sheet — No API required!


If you do ever decide to upgrade to Pro, here are two better API solutions:

Universal Chat Menus

-- My Menu Macros


Token Action Maker


PS. You had asked for an API solution, are you running a game with API access?

September 28 (4 years ago)


PS. You had asked for an API solution, are you running a game with API access?

Nope, but I figured if there was something that accomplished what I was looking to do, it would be an API, and I would upgrade my sub to acquire and use it.


In any case, thank you all for the help and the various solutions. I really appreciate it. :)