DMs: Random Encounters?

[Melan]

Yes, I use random encounter tablesall the time, both to get inspiration for fixed encounters and randomly in-game. Not always in a "gnolls pop out from behind some trees" way, though... even if the resulting encounter will definitely include those gnolls. I also use random tables for ruins, mysterious islands, jewelry, etc. etc. etc.

In the past, I used the tables from the 1e DMG's appendices (which I put into a handy excel file and printed as a booklet for reference). Since then, I have made my own and use those instead, both for cities and the wilderness. It is great fun. One day, I would like to use the tables from City State of the Invincible Overlord by the book, where you can get attacked by a god or get a sexual proposition from a mindflayer.

 

[Li Shenron]

I don't use random encounters in the sense that I randomly determine what they encounter...

But I do use wandering monsters which the PCs have a random chance to encounter. The difference is that I always choose what monsters they are, and the randomness is only to see if they meet the monster or not.

 

[ThirdWizard]

All encounters are predetermined before the session begins.

 

[exile]

Wow, I pretty much fall in line with everyone else. I do use random encounters, but tend to roll to see if they will actually happen (and what they are) during adventure prep time. I also roll on tables, but if I don't like the result, I just pick one that I do like.

Chad

 

[kensanata]

I use random encounter tables in my prep time. Thus, when the session begins, I already know what is happening.

I use random encounter tables for several reasons:

• Impress upon the players that they are moving into dangerous territory. That's why encounters in the hills, at night, are the most dangerous, while encoutners on the road, during the day, are usually patrols, villagers, merchangts and the like.
• Foreshadowing: If the table lists stirges (something I'd never use), then there's a source for the stirges plague in the next forest. This one is from the Crucible of Freya web supplement I think. Similarly, if we fighting a gnoll army in the next adventure (The Distraction, Dungeon #145), then I'll make sure to include some gnolls in the random encounter table long before we're actually getting there. Crucible of Freya already had gnolls in the table, and the web supplement had a little ruined waystation held by gnolls, so it provided excellent foreshadowing.
• Something to challenge me as a DM. Being forced to incorporate a random encounter such that it makes sense from an in-game perspective is a neat little DM challenge I enjoy every now and then.
• Keep the Kick-Butt players happy, as mentioned by awayfarer

Some more thoughts on random encounter chart design at the beginning of a recent session summary. Basically I like using a random encounter chart from a published product and I'll keep swapping entries as the party moves along.

 

[Henrix]

I use random encounters that are "random" from the players' (or at least their characters') point of view. Generally I've planned them ahead and throw them in when it feels right. Sometimes I roll on a table to spark it off.

 

[GlassJaw]

No. Random encounters are teh suck.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Every event is planned out, so I do not use them and I have found they may distract players from current campaign.

 

[The_Gneech]

"Sometimes." It depends on the scenario! For wandering across the wilderness, very useful. For sneaky intrigue, not so much.

-The Gneech

 

[Drowbane]

No

Random Encounters? Yes.

Tables? No... that would mean having to *prep* them.

I'm not a huge fan of DM prep