I roll all my random encounters before the session so I can plan how to implement them and have the encounter feel more natural. I will also make sure to have the encounter leave leading hints toward the main goal or other beneficial side objectives. Like an ambush of bandits had a lead on the location of powerful magic item x. Along the way I can have more bandit encounters since they are following the lead, or have traps set that would be marked by symbols for those who understand thieves cant. I try to have the encounter be more than just a brief forgettable event, and include a rabbit hole for the party to crawl into.
When i build my RE tables, they are never greater than a D6, and i create a small story in my head for them. I'm happy to hear this is how you do it, too. Other the other rule I use (i wish i remembered where i heard it from), when we roll on the RE table, everyone rolls, if there is a matching number thats the encounter, some times the I also roll, if inwant to increase the odds it's any matches anyone, if i want to lower the odds its a player has to match me. I also really like the idea of adding the other two types of encounters.
Personally, I don't use random encounters. All encounters are planned, not rolled for at random. When the PCs are traveling overland, if it is applicable or merely interesting, I plan for them to encounter something. That doesn't always mean the PCs have to bite on the bait, but they do have options to bite or to avoid being bitten themselves. Traveling through Gnoll territory? Yeah, the Gnolls are almost certainly gonna notice ...are you doing something to avoid them, or bribe them, or just gonna brawl? Wandering through a particular area of town? You might draw the attention of the local gang ...but what will come of it? Are you gonna fight them, ignore them, or something else? What the gang does will depend on what the PCs do ~ and presumably vice versa.
We have had some great random encounters. The black dragon and 2 dire bears random encounters were more memorable than the adventures. And they were both high cr. And we lost our wagon both encounters. I like the forest/swamp encounters.
Random encounters should fold into the main story in some way or spark a new thread that leads to a smaller story. I have a chart with three columns of five different things: monster/threat, location, and death. What i include in the chart depends on where my party is at, if they’re in a tundra setting they’ll encounter tundra environment monsters. My small chart gives me an encounter I need on the fly with only a small downtime break. The biggest point is player investment, they have to buy into everything that goes on otherwise it means nothing to them, hence why random encounters have to tie back into something they have invested in.
I have a d20 pseudo table. The only things on the table are Very Bad, Bad, Neutral, Nothing, Good, and Very Good. I then have a number of encounters for each category and I just pick from the list.
The way I see it, encounters are already inherently random by nature, through both rolls of the dice, and the unpredictability of players. I personally don't see a need for random encounters, and would rather spend time handcrafting one encounter rather than making multiple and choosing one at random.
I stopped using "random" encounters a long time ago. I prepared encounters that could go anywhere to punctuate sessions if needed. But I stopped letting the dice decide which to do because I found that unnecessary. I can just pick what I'm in the mood to run or what fits the session best.
Ido have random encounters. I write some on paper, fold and put them in a drawer. If i need an encounter i put my Hand in the drawer and take one of them. They are prepared, I don't need to role and if it doesn't fit on the story I'll put it back and take another.
The title baits in those who make the mistake the Dungeon mentioned but who are too prideful to admit it. If they saw a title as you requested, they would scroll over. At least he provides good points and gets straight to the point. Next time when that super strong brain of yours thinks it's cool for calling out the most miniscule things, take some time to process if it helps at all or if it really needs to be said. Cause honestly you just sound like an ahole.
How do you use random encounters in your D&D campaigns? Leave your answer in the comments below!
I roll all my random encounters before the session so I can plan how to implement them and have the encounter feel more natural. I will also make sure to have the encounter leave leading hints toward the main goal or other beneficial side objectives. Like an ambush of bandits had a lead on the location of powerful magic item x. Along the way I can have more bandit encounters since they are following the lead, or have traps set that would be marked by symbols for those who understand thieves cant. I try to have the encounter be more than just a brief forgettable event, and include a rabbit hole for the party to crawl into.
When i build my RE tables, they are never greater than a D6, and i create a small story in my head for them. I'm happy to hear this is how you do it, too. Other the other rule I use (i wish i remembered where i heard it from), when we roll on the RE table, everyone rolls, if there is a matching number thats the encounter, some times the I also roll, if inwant to increase the odds it's any matches anyone, if i want to lower the odds its a player has to match me. I also really like the idea of adding the other two types of encounters.
Personally, I don't use random encounters. All encounters are planned, not rolled for at random. When the PCs are traveling overland, if it is applicable or merely interesting, I plan for them to encounter something. That doesn't always mean the PCs have to bite on the bait, but they do have options to bite or to avoid being bitten themselves.
Traveling through Gnoll territory? Yeah, the Gnolls are almost certainly gonna notice ...are you doing something to avoid them, or bribe them, or just gonna brawl?
Wandering through a particular area of town? You might draw the attention of the local gang ...but what will come of it? Are you gonna fight them, ignore them, or something else? What the gang does will depend on what the PCs do ~ and presumably vice versa.
We have had some great random encounters. The black dragon and 2 dire bears random encounters were more memorable than the adventures. And they were both high cr. And we lost our wagon both encounters. I like the forest/swamp encounters.
Just commenting far helping with the algorithm. You deserve more views :)
Can't say I agree with everything (and had to take some deep humbling breaths a few times), but you've made a good video here. Bravo.
Random encounters should fold into the main story in some way or spark a new thread that leads to a smaller story. I have a chart with three columns of five different things: monster/threat, location, and death. What i include in the chart depends on where my party is at, if they’re in a tundra setting they’ll encounter tundra environment monsters. My small chart gives me an encounter I need on the fly with only a small downtime break. The biggest point is player investment, they have to buy into everything that goes on otherwise it means nothing to them, hence why random encounters have to tie back into something they have invested in.
Again, excellent advice!
I have a d20 pseudo table. The only things on the table are Very Bad, Bad, Neutral, Nothing, Good, and Very Good.
I then have a number of encounters for each category and I just pick from the list.
Thanks for the content.
Thank you for supporting the channel!
The way I see it, encounters are already inherently random by nature, through both rolls of the dice, and the unpredictability of players. I personally don't see a need for random encounters, and would rather spend time handcrafting one encounter rather than making multiple and choosing one at random.
Good video. Btw, I think there is a typo in your video notes. It says, "Quantity Over Quality".
I stopped using "random" encounters a long time ago. I prepared encounters that could go anywhere to punctuate sessions if needed. But I stopped letting the dice decide which to do because I found that unnecessary. I can just pick what I'm in the mood to run or what fits the session best.
I improv a few encounters but most are planned. If the party does something off the wall I’ll have to improv
Which is why the uploader gives tips for planned "improv". Which is better than brain fart improv.
Ido have random encounters. I write some on paper, fold and put them in a drawer. If i need an encounter i put my Hand in the drawer and take one of them. They are prepared, I don't need to role and if it doesn't fit on the story I'll put it back and take another.
Solid system, thanks for commenting!
Because "Some People Do Random Encounters Wrong" is less click-baity?
The title baits in those who make the mistake the Dungeon mentioned but who are too prideful to admit it. If they saw a title as you requested, they would scroll over.
At least he provides good points and gets straight to the point. Next time when that super strong brain of yours thinks it's cool for calling out the most miniscule things, take some time to process if it helps at all or if it really needs to be said. Cause honestly you just sound like an ahole.