Random encounters when travelling. Is there a better way? Do you use 'em?

[dead]

In D&D 3E it seems a forgone conclusion that you'll have a monstrous encounter every day when you go travelling. If the chance of encounter is 5-10% per hour and there's 24 hours in a day, then you're gonna come across some beastie.

Not to mention, that rolling percentiles 24 times per day is long and tedious for the DM.

I don't mind the idea of rolling random encounters to stimulate ideas and to show that the world is dangerous and that the PCs are meeting stuff on their journey, but is there a more user-friendly way to do it?

I think in 2E it was done better. You'd roll for an an encounter only 3 to 6 times a day (see 2E DMG p. 101); but even this might be tedious to some.

Also, it might be nice to have encounter tables with other *non-monster* stuff in it like: a merchant wagon; travelling musicians; pilgrims; etc.

Has anyone come up with a better way to do random travelling encounters than presented in the core rules?

Thanks.

 

[Len]

I prefer these rules for random encounters.

 

[Starglim]

Encounters, yes. Random, no. I might make some rolls initially in prep time to keep my ideas fresh, but I would prepare and modify the encounter to harmonise with the game.

 

[Jdvn1]

I use random encounters sometimes. Depends on my mood.

 

[Bagpuss]

Encounters, yes. Random, no. I might make some rolls initially in prep time to keep my ideas fresh, but I would prepare and modify the encounter to harmonise with the game.

I'm pretty much like this chap, although I rarely use random encounter tables to roll up these prepared encounters. Most of the time, I look at the terrain, and pick a creature suitable to it, or use an encounter while travelling to foreshadow a future event or adventure. Or I get inspiration from sources like Flying Buffalo's "On the Road".

 

[ThirdWizard]

I havn't used random encounters in at least six years, probably more. I much prefer using stock encounters that I already have set up ahead of time, or pick whatever monster I'm in the mood for and makes sense with the current situation in the times when the party is exploring somewhere I don't expect them to go. Usually, though, I have encounters tie into something plot related (whether that plot has been introduced or will be introduced down the line). The trick is making it seem random when it actually has a purpose.

 

[Nisarg]

Not only do I use random encounters, they have at times formed the basis for an entire session's play. Of course, I do tend to run fairly improv games.

However, I usually only do 2 encounter checks every 24 hours of game time, one day, one night.

Nisarg

 

[IronWolf]

I use Random Encounters to a degree. If the characters are traveling through the wilderness, there is always the chance they will meet something along the way. To me the randomness is appreciated here, you just never know what you will run into (if you do happen to run into something). Sure sometimes its a pack of coyotes that mean you no harm, but next time it might not be the case.

 

[ender_wiggin]

I just that I haven't done random encounters for a really long time...

Every encounter the PCs have is fairly fleshed out, and almost all of them have something to do with the plot. What am I going to do? I'm a narrativist.

 

[Crothian]

I use the not random random encounter. I don't roll to see if it happens or what it is, I choose to use a previously planned encounter that is already plotted out. THe enounter is never about the main plot of the game, but it usually does include a local plot. An attack by giants will also se the PCs hearing rumors orf giants in the area and bothering travelers. An attack by treants will be foreshadowed or followed up by someone messing with druids. THos eare just simple examples that make "random encounters" a little less random and a lot more interesting. These side plots can be invesitagted if the party wnats or ignored.