What rules do you use to determine the distance of an encounter?

[dreaded_beast]

In the 3.0 DMG, there were rules to govern the distance an encounter started: the type of terrain, the number of people in a party, lighting, etc.

In the 3.5 DMG, there were similar rules, but I believe it is more tied into the terrain type since I just discovered the location of these rules within my 3.5 DMG this morning.

Anyway, I don't entirely understand these "encounter distance" rules and haven't really made use of them. So far, in my adventures, I just "guesstimate" how far away my player is and how far away the NPCs are.

I guess if I prepared my encounters better, I could make use of the "encounter distance" rules, but I'm a newbie DM and I'm still trying to get the hang of this.

So what do you do?

 

[Vaxalon]

There's no substitute for preparing encounters beforehand.

I use whatever method fits the situation. Sometimes, it's clear what distance the encounter happens at, but often it's rolled.

 

[Eldragon]

I never use the encounter distance rules. In fact, I don't think I ever read them. I use good ol' common sense. The following is a basic encounter system that is easy to remember and even easier to implement. And it works for every terrain, and can easily be reversed if the party is trying to sneak up on an enemy, or if two groups happen to run into eachother.

Those PCs "on watch" get 3 spot/listen checks. The first check represents long range (240'), the second medium range (120'), and the third close (60 ft').

The DC is based on the hide/move silently checks of the attacking creatures, modified by terrain and the range of the creatures (range is denoted above). e.g. Its harder to spot an approaching band of gnolls in the deep woods than in a desert.

If the PCs on watch fail on all 3 spot/listen checks the party is ambushed and the encounter starts at 30 ft.

Of course I often have fake spot/listen rolls to keep the PCs from meta-gaming.

 

[FireLance]

I generally use "freeform" Spot checks and encounter distances. I use a battlemat and miniatures, so encounter distance generally depends on where I place the monster minis (the player minis would usually already be on the mat).

If you want a more "realistic" method, one possibility is the reverse Spot check. Roll Spot check - roll Spot vs Hide, and the spotter sees the spottee at a distance of 5 feet per point that the Spot check beats the Hide check (subject to minimum encounter distance for terrain). Creatures who aren't actively trying to hide are assumed to be "taking 0" with their Hide check. Listen vs Move Silently can also be used, but in this case, the listener only hears instead of seeing the other creature. Once one party interacts with the other (speaking, attacking, etc), Spot and Listen checks are usually no longer necessary.