[I've been looking around for some advice on this topic both online and in the 2nd Ed PDF, but no luck so far, so I'm starting a new thread. If anyone can point me to a thread where this has already been discussed, I'm cool with that.]

I've got a question about friendly NPCs, as in NPCs that stick around and can actually help the PCs do stuff (in addition to playing the normal role of a Threat and providing plot complications). I may be missing something in the MC or Threats sections, how is this represented? Do they just have Hx with the PCs or something?

Background: In our current group we have three PCs: A Savvyhead, a Chopper, and a Driver (that's me), and the MC created two additional characters (a Skinner and a Gunlugger) that they are playing as supporting characters. IOW, mechanically they're PCs in that they have sheets and Hx and all that, but they have taken a decidedly background role in deference to our characters. We have talked about adding more actual players to the group, and if that happens, the MC will convert the other two characters to regular NPCs. So I'm basically looking for advice on how to facilitate that, but not inadvertently nerf the NPCs in the process.

-- Ben