D&D 4E Random/Wandering monsters in 4E

[NewJeffCT]

I agree - it does not necessarily have to be a combat encounter. If I were to come up with a list of possible random encounters, there might be something like, "3 trappers" or "7 pilgrims journeying from point X to point Y" or similar as well. That would mean it could be a friendly encounter, or a neutral one. (i.e., the 3 trappers could be thankful the party cleared out the nest of goblins nearby and then give them some info and/or a nice fur... or, the pilgrims could seeking somebody to point them in the right direction, or ask for a place they could rest for the night.)

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Odd.

As a player, I absolutely love having a combat encounter.

Skill encounters, meh.

In your campaign, my PC would purposely be missing his skill checks.

PC: (Hmmm, Stealth is my lowest skill.) "Ok, I use Stealth while walking through the woods. Darn, a 6.".

PC: "We're attacked by trolls 3 levels higher than us? Awesome!"

In fact, that tends to be the general consensus at our table. We have a PC Slayer where the player yells "Surrender!" at the start of every fight and roleplays her PC as disappointed if the NPCs actually ever do surrender. The player wants to kick ass and that's what she wants her PC doing as well.


Skill challenges replacing combat or to attempt to avoid combat is the most boring way to play D&D ever. zzzzzzzzzz

My PC is a hero damn it. BRING IT ON MR. DM!!! I don't want to skulk through no stinking woods.

Oh, you might not feel so bad about some of my SCs. How about the one where you run from the wildfire burning straight towards your camp. Succeed or die. Yeah, that would be dull!