That’s what I mean though. If they are even somewhat aware of the characters you are borrowing from, they’ll know the NPCs are rip-offs, regardless of a name swap. I feel like you would have to do more than just change their name. Perhaps combining characters to make 1, or modifying character traits so they’re not 1:1.
I suppose it also depends on whether or not your players care about that sort of thing though, and if you as the DM don’t come clean about your shenanigans when caught.
That’s what I mean though. If they are even somewhat aware of the characters you are borrowing from, they’ll know the NPCs are rip-offs, regardless of a name swap. I feel like you would have to do more than just change their name. Perhaps combining characters to make 1, or modifying character traits so they’re not 1:1.
I suppose it also depends on whether or not your players care about that sort of thing though, and if you as the DM don’t come clean about your shenanigans when caught.