Adding PCs to Combat Tracker as Foes (5e ruleset)

[BlazingAzureCrow]

I've been running weekly Fantasy Grounds streams for a long while, and for one reason or another I often have to make a PC sheet for NPCs due to complexity, wanting to keep track of certain tools, etc. A problem I bump into is that when you add a PC sheet to the combat tracker, even a DM-owned PC, it's always added as friendly. Often when preparing for an encounter or acting like an NPC isn't super relevant I like to add creatures invisibly, especially since with our streaming setup the addition gives things away quickly.

My ultimate question is: is there any hidden functionality or workaround for adding DM-owned PC sheets under the foe or neutral factions that I've been missing, or is there any mods/extensions that can add this kind of functionality? I feel like it should be a relatively simple thing (such as just registering that any DM-owned PC is a foe when adding them) coding-wise but I'm not well versed in coding. For the sake of the question let's assume asking players to close their combat trackers or just using NPC sheets isn't an option.

(If this doesn't exist it's something I'd honestly care enough to pay someone to code)

[Zacchaeus]

I'm not aware of anything like that. PCs are always friendly no matter who places them or owns them.

[JohnD]

Any PC always enters the CT as friendly. ALternatively, add them before you start your game and switch them to hostile and then make sure they're hidden.

[esmdev]

I know that in the 2E ruleset there is a quick converter that lets you turn a PC into an NPC card. Not sure exactly how it's done but maybe Celestian might be able to shed some light. So you can basically edit the PC sheet with whatever information you want on it, convert the PC sheet to NPC card, then use the NPC card in the actual combat. It's really a useful function that would be great to have in 5E.

[JohnD]

I know that in the 2E ruleset there is a quick converter that lets you turn a PC into an NPC card. Not sure exactly how it's done but maybe Celestian might be able to shed some light. So you can basically edit the PC sheet with whatever information you want on it, convert the PC sheet to NPC card, then use the NPC card in the actual combat. It's really a useful function that would be great to have in 5E.

Yes, you can make a PC and then clone it into an NPC sheet. It's quite beautiful and elegant, just make a sanity pass on each tab of your NPC to make sure everything you need is there.

[LordEntrails]

Can you add a PC to an encounter? You can set faction in an encounter and that might work if you can add a PC to an encounter....

[Zacchaeus]

Can you add a PC to an encounter?

Nope, you can't.

[BlazingAzureCrow]

Any PC always enters the CT as friendly. ALternatively, add them before you start your game and switch them to hostile and then make sure they're hidden.

That's certainly what we tend to do, but due to the nature of our games it's not always predictable what's going to be needed over entire sessions. The main element that I want achieved is being able to add things invisibly on the fly. I'm aware of why it doesn't work presently, which is why I was rather hoping an extension or something to address it might have existed. It does seem like it should be kinda easy (having a GM-only "faction" indicator on PC sheets on the notes tab for example), but I get that it's probably not a common enough need for this to be implemented.

Ah well. Such is life. Thank you for your help!

[Trenloe]

I'm aware of why it doesn't work presently, which is why I was rather hoping an extension or something to address it might have existed. It does seem like it should be kinda easy (having a GM-only "faction" indicator on PC sheets on the notes tab for example), but I get that it's probably not a common enough need for this to be implemented.
Extensions tend to get created by community developers who want some kind of functionality that isn't there in standard FG. Very often that functionality can then make its way into the standard product - (prime example (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?28728-GM-PC-Ownership-Extension)) but niche functionality (like this) probably won't be developed by the main FG devs.

So, yeah, look at developing (or convincing someone to develop - don't look at me) an extension to do something like this.

[Beemanpat]

I'm interested in this so following it. Be nice to get that PC to NPC converter for 5e. Sorry I dont know how to write code so I'm useless there but I am cheering from the sideline for somebody����

[BlazingAzureCrow]

Extensions tend to get created by community developers who want some kind of functionality that isn't there in standard FG. Very often that functionality can then make its way into the standard product - (prime example (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?28728-GM-PC-Ownership-Extension)) but niche functionality (like this) probably won't be developed by the main FG devs.

So, yeah, look at developing (or convincing someone to develop - don't look at me) an extension to do something like this.

Looking that way. Honestly most of the time when I ask things on here I already know there's no answer to my question, but ask just in case my fallible self missed something super useful.

Where might I post if I'm looking to possibly hire someone with a knowledge of coding to make something like this? As I mentioned before, it's something I'm invested enough to pay fairly for.

[Trenloe]

Where might I post if I'm looking to possibly hire someone with a knowledge of coding to make something like this? As I mentioned before, it's something I'm invested enough to pay fairly for.
This sub-forum is appropriate.

[Beemanpat]

Yes, you can make a PC and then clone it into an NPC sheet. It's quite beautiful and elegant, just make a sanity pass on each tab of your NPC to make sure everything you need is there.

Is this an extension? I'm not sure how to do this if its built into fg already.

[LordEntrails]

Is this an extension? I'm not sure how to do this if its built into fg already.

No, it is built into the 2E (and maybe Savage Worlds) ruleset. It is not in most other rulesets because its is often a very subjective process.

[Beemanpat]

No, it is built into the 2E (and maybe Savage Worlds) ruleset. It is not in most other rulesets because its is often a very subjective process.

Ok. Thanks LE.