Question if allowing players to run NPCs like a DM

[KILLGORE]

Was wondering if there was a way to enable a player at my FG table to be able to control NPCs in the combat tracker like I would as DM? I had a fantasy to have a couple players play in my game against a regular 4 or 5 person group at the same time. The other players would run the parties enemies and i could let the combat play out without me doing anything.
I got this idea from a Pathfinder AP where theres a group that plays the good guys, and another that plays the bad guys. But theres no way in FG to let a player control a NPC record in the combat tracker to do this. Unless I just dont know about it. Hence me asking.
Like if i wanted to pit off 2 groups of players in FG using the combat tracker but some of them are not using classic character sheets and instead a regular NPC tab.
This would also help with controlling summoned monsters, familiars, etc. Being able to make them npcs that the players can use in the tracker.

Like right clicking an npc in the tracker and assigning control to a particular player logged in currently type thing. Sort of like allowing a player to gain ownership of anothers character but this would be for an npc thats in the tracker.

I also have a huge battle arena mapped out with flooding floors and all. I wanted to do a PvP battle arena where monsters and animals could be brought in and controlled by players but still being targets for others.

Or say the group is about to fight a climactic battle with a dragon. Id like to be able to allow a guest players to play the dragon. Or a real NPC, where a real player plays an enemy NPC during the game and may enter the scene only at certain encounters. That type of thing is what I would like to know if its possible.

[Nylanfs]

Mark the NPC's as friendly (or that player as hostile), then drag the NPC's onto the player's portrait. They will be able to control them, if it's a regularly occurring NPC, or summons have the player make those as characters with the min info needed and they can switch back and forth.

[KILLGORE]

I was thinking of that. But doesnt everyone have to have a character sheet to control whats in the tracker? So when FG loads the combat tracker it going to load up 8 characters, ill have to delete them every encounter and then make all enemies flip flopped alignment. Thats alotta work per encounter especially if they are large.
I was wondering if i can retain the good, neutral, evil settings but still allow another player to control a specific npc. Also a druid or rangers or wizards familliar being able to be controlled by a player is a huge plus. Otherwise they have to create a character sheet with stats that arent meant to be on one as a familliar or combat pet and then have me roll the dice for it. Id rather be able to assign control to a player with a click or two in the combat tracker so that the player doesnt have access to every green dragon, just the one currently in the tracker.

Or like if I personally knew Chris Perkins and he wanted to come in a play a mind flayer for the epic end battle...it could happen...

[Zacchaeus]

To enable a player to control an NPC place the NPC on the CT and make it friendly; then place the NPC on the map and then drag the link icon from that NPC on the CT and drop it onto the player that you want to control the NPC. Players will be able to make attacks, roll damage and apply effects from the NPCs sheet. If you also want the player to be able to move the NPC then turn on Token: Party Vision and Movement in options.

There's not a way to designate a player as a DM; only the DM has full control of everything. You could potentially make the controlling player and the NPCs they control neutral but then I don't think the player could control their own character nor the NPCs (I haven't tested this); and as far as I know only the DM can control enemy characters or NPCs.

The best way to have players control multiple characters is to create them as PCs.

[KILLGORE]

To enable a player to control an NPC place the NPC on the CT and make it friendly; then place the NPC on the map and then drag the link icon fro that NBPC and drop it onto the player that you want to control the NPC. Players will be able to make attacks, roll damage and apply effects from the NPCs sheet. If you also want the player to be able to move the NPC then turn on Token: Party Vision and Movement in options.

There's not a way to designate a player as a DM; only the DM has full control of everything. You could potentially make the controlling player and the NPCs they control neutral but then I don't think the player could control their own character nor the NPCs (I haven't tested this); and as far as I know only the DM can control enemy characters or NPCs.

The best way to have players control multiple characters is to create them as PCs.

Thanks again! I kind of thought it was there i just didnt know how. Thanks for the help again!

[claedawg]

There is (or used to be) an extension that would allow a player DM control. It may not work anymore and I never tried it.

[Nyarly Dude]

There's a paid extension called "5E Extension: Assistant Game Master" ( https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/153/view ) that may be useful if you're playing 5E. I've never tried it personally, but it's part of the Grim Press family and (1) some devs who work with them are pretty active on the FGU discord and (2) Grim Press has its own Discord.

A free extension "Pets" ( https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/1960/view ) for 5E allows a player to control an NPC *if* the NPC is linked on the player's character sheet. This is useful for familiars and animal companions without needing to enable shared party vision. Off-hand, I don't know if it works if the player's character sheet is not actually on the Combat Tracker (e.g. maybe they're a guest player without a -real- PC).

A free extension "Cohorts and Companions" ( https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/shop/items/518/view ) offers similar functionality for a number of other rulesets.

[KILLGORE]

Yes I do use those for 5e but I mainly game Pathfinder 1e. Thats where I would be using this. Zacchaeus above nailed exactly what i wanted. Just a simple way to allow a player to control a monster or npc from the CT.

[LordEntrails]

The first mentioned extension was also for 5E. And it's very out of date, though the code is available if anyone wants to build on it. 5E Battle Royale Extension (https://fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?43776-5E-Battle-Royale-Extension)