Can you add items to NPC (custom monsters)? PF2E

[dustinjuerling]

I created a copy of a -1 LVL Skeleton in order to create easy NPCs for a bar room brawl. Fiddled the stats a bit, but I wanted to give it an unarmed attack. I can't figure out how to add the weapon "Fist" to it though. I did a work around and deleted the text under its Skeleton attacks and altered the damage. But is there a way to add items/weapons/armor to Custom NPCs on PF2e?

[ShadeRaven]

Hey dustin, welcome to the PF2 Forums!

Adding items to creatures is more about adding their net effect to creature's stat block. In other words, it's not so much about adding the item (although, you can certainly indicate the items they are using in the Items section in their stat block), but adding how those weapons effect the creature. So what you did, in creating an unarmed attack in the Melee section is exactly how to go about it.

The only way you could have a creature/npc with the full functionality of items would be to make them into a full character like PCs do (though you certainly don't have to go through the whole character creation process, just filling in the pieces you need to round them out). Occasionally, this is worthwhile for very important NPCs or constant companion types, but in general, that's a lot of work to go through for something you probably don't need to be that in depth or complete.

What you did, though, is what I would suggest as a great way to go. Most NPCs like that just need their core abilities and it's easy to adjust things like AC or even just change a few fields in a weapon attack to change the weapon to have a "new" creature quickly, ready to literally roll. :)

[Trenloe]

I can't figure out how to add the weapon "Fist" to it though. I did a work around and deleted the text under its Skeleton attacks and altered the damage.
This is the way to do it. Copy an existing entry, edit the weapon traits in brackets and adjust the damage. For example: fist +6 (agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed), Damage 1d4+2 bludgeoning

[dustinjuerling]

Thanks for quick response all.