DMs: Random Encounters?

[Thornir Alekeg]

Yes and no. I may use the tables in a published adventure, but I don't use them randomly. I pick and choose from the table when and if I want an encounter.

 

[Nail]

If by "Random Encounter Tables" you mean "any of these encounters could occur", then sure. But if you mean "any of these monsters could attack", then no. The first is mildly useful. The second is just a 1980's video game.

 

[Nifft]

If by "Random Encounter Tables" you mean "any of these encounters could occur", then sure. But if you mean "any of these monsters could attack", then no. The first is mildly useful. The second is just a 1980's video game.

My PCs don't always distinguish.

DM: You see four slaad on the road up ahead.
PC: What are they doing?
DM: RIIIIIIIIBBIT!
PC: We start walking around them.
DM: Their eyes follow you. RIIIIIIBBIIIIIIIIT!
PC: Uh... FIREBALL!

Cheers, -- N

 

[Jack99]

I never use random encounters. All encounters are tailored to challenge my players to the maximum (or really close). Its what they want, so its what they get.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

The closest thing I've run to an actual random encounter in the past couple years happened when, while running an Eberron game set right before the bombs fell, a bunch of people couldn't make it [the game, that is].

So, instead of the party advancing ahead to the "dungeon," they instead ran into some horrid apes (because I wanted to give the Scout his moment to "Know something interesing") and some xorn (because the guy whose house we play at had just bought some D&D minis).

 

[Oryan77]

I use my own monster table that is setup per plane and what creatures exist on those planes. I don't randomly roll on it but I'll review it and pick monsters from it to use as 'random' encounters.

My random encounters are preplanned to spice them up.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

I only use Random Tables to threaten whiny players who want to just walk out into the forest to "Get experience." I usually ask if they are sure and whatever I roll is what is used, too hard tough luck, too easy good for you. If you die, not my problem your an XP whore.

 

[Nail]

My PCs don't always distinguish.

Ain't it the truth.

 

[RichGreen]

Hi,

I used to use them, but I've come to think they slow down the story too much. Instead, I pick out one or two interesting wilderness encounters ahead of time, maybe featuring a new monster I'd like to try out.

Cheers


Richard

 

[boerngrim]

When I do make use of random encounter tables, I use them during my prep time, and it's usually using a table from a sourcebook or module from Dungeon. I never use random encounter tables on the fly during play.

Ditto.