Random Encoutners

[Go Dorito]

Wow, I Didn't think there were any other Lobot fans . I'll switch to avoid confusion. I just thought it was a safe bet

Yes, forests and dangerous regions of space make sense. That is a good suggestion.

[Matthias777]

[Vanion]

In my D&D games, I love rolling for encounters... even in town. Also, encounters for my groups don't always mean they are hostile to the PCs. Sometimes an encounter has turned out very fortunate for the group.

However... although I like rolling for encounters in my star wars campaigns, they never seem to add anything to the game and often just bog down the game's pace. My players have often just gotten frustrated and tired of surprise Imperial checkpoints and random "galactic scum".

Often, I just throw an encounter at the group as needed to pick up the game's pace or story progression.

As far as outer rim encounters... I can only say that the frequency of encounters shouldn't change. In the absence of organized law or Imperial presence, there would be just as many "galactic scum" to take their place and you can always use the occasional "natural" encounter... as in, an uncharted debris or astroid field, creature, or even strange natural phenomenon (like an electromagnetic storm).
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"Life is not measured in years, but by deeds"

[awfulalex]

Random enounters are awesome, but I believe in "planned random" encounters. I would create a few encounters with triggers that sets them off and NPCs, etc. And then while we are playing when the triggers come up so does the encounter.
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[K21DUBIE]

I use both methods, and as long as the action is going or the pace of the game is moving I do not use these very often, but when it does slow down and I can tell the characters are getting bored. you just have to know what method works well for your group. I had a guy that was always getting bored if someone else in the group was getting the attention and he would run off and cause trouble. So with that group I almost never had random enconunters because I did not need them.

[Jedi Skyler]

Yeah, your 'random' encounter was your PC! hehehe

Random encounters are very helpful, but only if used in moderation, and then only when it makes sense. Even if you're only throwing one or two at your players during a game, if they're not placed properly they'll cause the cinematic feel to stumble, and that can potentially throw off the rest of the game.

[Ray]

Just throw Squibs at them.

You don't get more Random than that!

[Jedi Skyler]

Hehehe...

More words of wit and wisdom from the Far Orbit, Ray?

[ifurin]

squibs, they're what's for dinner!

[Ray]

No, more words of "OH DEAR GOD NO! Ray's THINKING AGAIN!".

[awfulalex]

[Go Dorito]

Back in HS one of the players chose a squib quixotic jedi.

he ran around with a stick and made humming noises. It made us all laugh every time. his partner was a Jawa bounty hunter. And the third was a Wookie. It was the weirdest party ever.

[Aries Bachen]

I don't care for random encounters at all. They can seriously mess up the flow of your run. Really the only randomness I use in my games comes from the dice. All encounters aren't always preconceived, but far from random. I think it's important to have a good mix of story and combat. Ofcourse if the players go looking for trouble, they'll probably find it. Use yer own judgement, but do it by design.