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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Blue" data-source="post: 6974734" data-attributes="member: 20564">There's a difference between "what is in this town square where the players are and I need to have access to it now" vs. "where is every group of humanoids, including ones I haven't thought about".  Are their merchants, travelers or pilgrims on the road?  Is there a bandit lair nearby, I was thinking maybe of running an adventure of them next.  Oh, I know there's a thieves' guild but hadn't detailed where they meet - is it in something like the sewers or other place a group of humanoids would stand out?It's not that it's overly powerful, it's that it requires information the DM may not have at their fingertips and may not want to take the time to detail mid-session.A related common complaint I've seen is "I roll random encounters - I don't know if there is an X in the area".I'd suggest nerfing it slightly - not because it's too good, but to limit what the DM needs to have immediately available.  Or at least reduce the scope of what they need to improv.Instead of all groups in a 5 mile radius, it's closest or largest group within 5 miles.  But allowing the ranger to narrow their search parameters however they want.  "Where are the closest goblins ahead of us?"  "Where's the largest group of beasts besides the farm?"  "Are there any dragons with a mile of use above ground level?"In other words, reduce by intent and it greatly reduces the burden on the DM.</blockquote>