Who uses Wandering Monsters?

[dren]

How important are wandering monsters to your gaming/DM style? One of my players, who DMs his own campaign has told me he has never used wandering monsters, so it got me wondering, how many others only use prepared encounters?

In heavy wilderness, the odds are usually anywhere from a 10 - 25% on a D20 which I have the players roll 4 hours. Around large towns, the likelihood stays the same, but they usually encounter npc and low-level humanoids (merchants, pilgrims, patrols) over monsters.

How does everyone else handle this aspect of the game?

 

[Crothian]

I have encounters that may or may not happen depending on chance, but it's not like I use a chart or anything like that.

 

[Wormwood]

Always use 'em, players hate 'em.

Well, to clarify, the characters hate wandering monsters, since they embody increased risk (more combat) with reduced reward (less treasure).

Still, they help me maintain the tempo of the game.

 

[alsih2o]

my tuesday night players are currently in a vast open grassy plain, i roll frequently, and make use of the "spotting each other" rules liberally.

i am waiting to see what kind of tactics they come up with for deaing with bad guys in a wide open field that spans hundreds of miles......

 

[Tonguez]

I use planned random encounters by making a list of about 4-6 possible encounters for each location. Each possible encounter (always including 1-2 rp opportunities (non-hostile encounters) then gets planned in general outline and often either provide more info about the surrounding area or plot hooks for further adventure.

 

[der_kluge]

Wandering monsters are so 2nd edition.

 

[Harlock]

I use wandering monsters. I usually create my own tables based on the party, adventure, region etc. Most of the adventures I write are written with an eye to share (though I never do) so I include tables, shaded text, various story awards based on expectations and even ideas for not so random encounters should XP be needed or a goal not met that needs to for the metaplot to flow on in a later adventure.

 

[Chauzu]

I use Wandering Monsters. They are fun.

 

[Dark Eternal]

Definately use them. In fact, I have the whole wandering monster/random encounter angle deeply worked into the basic plot of my game. My players know to be ready for anything at anytime, and you never will know if any given 'random' encounter is just to feed the group xp (either combat or rp xp, depending on the nature of the encounter and the party's reaction to it) or whether it's part of a past, present or future dangling plot hook. Best of all, it's always possible that a simple random encounter will change the entire storyline - and well do they know it!

Keeps the story non-linear and interesting, and keeps them on their toes.

 

[WanderingMonster]

I don't feel that I'm "being used." At least I've always enjoyed it as much as the PCs. Why pretend otherwise? As long it's consensual and doesn't hurt anybody...right?