Classic random encounters don’t work very well in 4e. With average combat length so long (60 minutes per the core rules), it’s usually not worth the time to include them. Why focus an entire hour of a session in a pointless fight that does not advance the adventure, the player’s quests or their motivations at all?
Previous editions of D&D included many opportunities for random encounters, both in the dungeon and the wild. However, average combat length was significantly shorter, allowing for, if not encouraging a smattering of random encounters in every D&D session and adventure.
4e’s combat system is rich, with a level of tactics and teamwork like no edition before it, making it quite enjoyable from this perspective. This encourages more set-piece and “always significant” sorts of encounters that advance the adventure. The downside? Over-long combats mean less time during your sessions for multiple encounters, combat or otherwise – never mind the simple and mindless fun of an occasional random encounter. Said simply, adventure pacing can often be destroyed by just one or two long tactical fights.
However, if you’re still looking for ways to include the essence of a quick random encounter in 4e, try the following:
- Minions Only. Thrilling scenes of heroes defeating hordes of monsters. Cinematic. Fast. Easy to manage. Low time cost.
- Don’t Make it So Random. Include an event, item or personality along the lines of a “minor quest” or easter egg tied to a character’s backstory or motivations.
- Future’s Treasure. Include treasure that will specifically help in the upcoming “main” adventure, perhaps the ultimate encounter, or in the next adventure.
- It Only Looks Like a Fight. Have what looks like a fight quickly turn into something else by round 2 – a negotation or parlay, a trap, a diversion, etc.
- Environmental Challenges. Weather and travel matter sometimes and can include a quick skill challenge. Surviving a savage freezing rainstorm, for example.
For my games, in the rare event I use random encounters, the classic “mindless hack and slash” random encounter approach is the one I use and enjoy most, whether I’m playing or DMing – not just more, but all minions! Most D&D playgroups appreciate the occasional simple and visceral fun of a quick, bloody battle where you just “slay some orcs.”
Do you use random encounters in your D&D 4e game? How long do yours take? Do you enjoy them as a DM or as players? Do you think they’re worth the time? Do your sessions include enough encounters?
Some additional sources of inspiration for faster, engaging and cinematic encounters in 4e – random, minions-only or otherwise:
- Designing 30 Minute Skirmishes in 4e
- Critical Hits Podcast #27: The Out
- Cinematic Combat
- Wilderlands and Dragons
- Daily Encounter
- Dungeon Master’s Guide 2
Kilsek
Most of the time, I just breeze through my reader. But I saw your title and had to stop. I remember random encounters, and I completely agree with you on this one.
Oh to go back to the days of rolling a 20 sider for every day of travel, hoping for the “1” to indicate that a random encounter pops up.
Tourq recently posted..Calis- Avian Demon – Steal this Monster
Time and travel use to matter more in previous editions, and it’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about over the last couple of months. The random encounter is both an element related to that and, well, improv. 4e doesn’t do a great job focusing on any of these, though with Wilderlands and Dragons and the improv skills sections in the Rules Compendium, that’s slowly starting to change. There’s something magical about these exploration and improv elements – and it’s important we don’t forget them!
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