im new at DM and i have a question, if the PCs are wandering in the wilds i should roll for encounters, but what are the odds, the DMG says that in civilized areas is 12% per hour, but should i roll every hour (if they walk 2 days should i roll 48 times) or should i roll only when they walk (if they walk 3 hours since they stopped eating to build a camp, should i roll a 36% chance [12*3])
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- Thread starter sanches
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Murrdox
First Post
Random encounters can be a bane and a curse.
Officially, yes, it's per hour, and you should roll for each hour. However, each encounter is not necessarily hostile.
When I know the PC's are going to be traveling quite a bit, I roll when I'm doing prep work to see if they should run into something random, or I just DECIDE they're going to get a "random" encounter, and come up with it on my own.
Officially, yes, it's per hour, and you should roll for each hour. However, each encounter is not necessarily hostile.
When I know the PC's are going to be traveling quite a bit, I roll when I'm doing prep work to see if they should run into something random, or I just DECIDE they're going to get a "random" encounter, and come up with it on my own.
That's really entirely up to you and the type of game that you and your players wish to play. Many DM's (often including myself) never roll for random encounters. For myself, at least , this is because I prefer to look at combat as part of the storyline, rather than just the reason why averyone is here. If people were only intereseted in the combat encounters, which having unplanned, random encounters emphasizes and greatly increases the numbers of, then they could play a computer game like Diablo which has a much better and quicker engine for resolving combat.
I also prefer to plan the encounters ahead of time so that they can be more tailored to the area that the party is in and the power level/ability of the party.
This is not to say that I never use random encounters, just in specific situations. For instance, there may be a large swamp that has a shambling mound living in it. Quite a threat to a low level party. If the party spends a lot of time in the swamp then I may decide to let the dice choose whether or not they meet him. Likewise, if they are trying to sneak into a military encampment, I may roll the dice to determine if they walk near a patrol.
But these are all specific, predetermined encounters that I am simply deciding when and if they take place and I'm not worrying too much about the numbers.
As for the difference between rolling 12% 3 times or 36% once, it is certainly the former. If it were the latter then there would be a guaranteed encounter every 9 hours and that is far from realistinc.
Random encounters are a tool that the DMG gives to you, but you should use them or ignore them as you feel appropriate. If they add to your game, then make the best of them, but never let them run the game for you. Ultimately, it is your game, not the books.
I also prefer to plan the encounters ahead of time so that they can be more tailored to the area that the party is in and the power level/ability of the party.
This is not to say that I never use random encounters, just in specific situations. For instance, there may be a large swamp that has a shambling mound living in it. Quite a threat to a low level party. If the party spends a lot of time in the swamp then I may decide to let the dice choose whether or not they meet him. Likewise, if they are trying to sneak into a military encampment, I may roll the dice to determine if they walk near a patrol.
But these are all specific, predetermined encounters that I am simply deciding when and if they take place and I'm not worrying too much about the numbers.
As for the difference between rolling 12% 3 times or 36% once, it is certainly the former. If it were the latter then there would be a guaranteed encounter every 9 hours and that is far from realistinc.
Random encounters are a tool that the DMG gives to you, but you should use them or ignore them as you feel appropriate. If they add to your game, then make the best of them, but never let them run the game for you. Ultimately, it is your game, not the books.
KnowTheToe
First Post
I never use random encounters while traveling. I plan encounters and fake encounter rolls, that way the PCs don't know if it is directly tied into the storyline or just some random monsters looking to kill a few powerful hero's.
Drawmack
First Post
I use random encounters but the PCs don't know it. Most times they are actually mini adventures that take 30 - 120 minutes of game time.
What I do is I have tables with plot hooks, encounters, etc. on them for every 4 level span. i.e. 1-4,5-8,etc. (put a gazebo on every table just for kicks too)
Then when I know the PCs will be traveling I roll once on the appropriate table for each day (for long trips) or hour (for short trips). There is a 10% chance I will roll that they encounter nothing. There is a 90% chance they will encounter something. About 75% of the possible encounters are mini-adventure with only 15% simply being encounters.
So I come into the game with their entire journey planned as if it were just another adventure.
What I do is I have tables with plot hooks, encounters, etc. on them for every 4 level span. i.e. 1-4,5-8,etc. (put a gazebo on every table just for kicks too)
Then when I know the PCs will be traveling I roll once on the appropriate table for each day (for long trips) or hour (for short trips). There is a 10% chance I will roll that they encounter nothing. There is a 90% chance they will encounter something. About 75% of the possible encounters are mini-adventure with only 15% simply being encounters.
So I come into the game with their entire journey planned as if it were just another adventure.
KnowTheToe
First Post
Drawmack,
That is a good idea. I will have such a better chance of using more of my mini adventure ideas this way. It is so simple, but I never thought of it. I currently just put one in here or there, but now....
That is a good idea. I will have such a better chance of using more of my mini adventure ideas this way. It is so simple, but I never thought of it. I currently just put one in here or there, but now....
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