Understanding Percentile Dice re: random encounters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Understanding Percentile Dice re: random encounters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Solphyr
02-22-08, 10:41 PM Hello everyone,

I'm a fairly new DM, and I'm having an issue understanding how to read the percentile dice roll for random wilderness encounters. For example, the party is traveling through wilderness that has an 8% chance per hour of a random encounter. So I'm supposed to roll the d%, but how do I correlate the 8% with what I role?
Does the 8% chance mean I need to roll an 8?

I'm really confused here. I understand the d% when the roll relates directly (such as rolling a 53 on a random item list), but not with this.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you :)

Solphyr.
runestar
02-22-08, 10:47 PM Say you roll a 100-sided die, 1-8 would mean 8%.

Though in theory, you could just designate any 8 numbers, and if your result is the same as any of those 8 numbers chosen, a random encounter would occur.
Solphyr
02-22-08, 11:00 PM :lightbulb heh... so simple!

Thank you kindly for your prompt reply!!

Solphyr
Kouk
02-23-08, 02:00 PM I find that the best system for using percentile dice to determine whether there is a random encounter in overland travel, is to roll the dice behind a screen, and just choose whatever I want to happen. This way there are "random" encounters when the players are restless, and no encounters when it would just be boring or I want the story to move on.

But yeah, you're looking for 1-8, so 00 on the "tens" die and 1-8 on the "ones" die. Remember 100 is "00-0" (most of the time).
jaspercrey
03-04-08, 10:46 PM I find that the best system for using percentile dice to determine whether there is a random encounter in overland travel, is to roll the dice behind a screen, and just choose whatever I want to happen. This way there are "random" encounters when the players are restless, and no encounters when it would just be boring or I want the story to move on.

And therein, good folks, lies the wisdom of a sound DM.

The DM's job, in it's most basic and raw element, is to facilitate his/her players enjoyment and participation in the game.

You gotta know how to read your players and read what is happening at the table and respond accordingly.

While 'random' encounters can be fun and often add a bit of the unexpected to the game, there are times when you just gotta say "screw the dice" and go with your gut.
runestar
03-06-08, 06:28 AM What then is the point of even bothering to roll dice if you will just adjudicate the result anyways?:confused:
zortax4484
03-06-08, 09:56 AM Keep your players wondering... It's funny to see the reactions on their faces when I start rolling a couple dice for no reason. It keeps them on their toes and makes the game a bit more interesting, especially when paranoia sets in.
Kouk
03-06-08, 07:25 PM What then is the point of even bothering to roll dice if you will just adjudicate the result anyways?:confused:

Sometimes I use percentiles to determine things, like whether the Shadow happens to wander into this room or that, etc.

I roll other dice almost exclusively as they are, for combat results and such, but things like random combats can take a hell of a long time and it may not be good for the pacing of the session.

For example, if the session is half an hour from being over, starting up a random encounter (or two) right before they get back to town would probably make the game run overtime. So, maybe I roll to keep them on their toes, and not feel like the trip back to town is always safe.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Solphyr 02-22-08, 10:41 PM	Hello everyone, I'm a fairly new DM, and I'm having an issue understanding how to read the percentile dice roll for random wilderness encounters. For example, the party is traveling through wilderness that has an 8% chance per hour of a random encounter. So I'm supposed to roll the d%, but how do I correlate the 8% with what I role? Does the 8% chance mean I need to roll an 8? I'm really confused here. I understand the d% when the roll relates directly (such as rolling a 53 on a random item list), but not with this. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you :) Solphyr.
runestar 02-22-08, 10:47 PM	Say you roll a 100-sided die, 1-8 would mean 8%. Though in theory, you could just designate any 8 numbers, and if your result is the same as any of those 8 numbers chosen, a random encounter would occur.
Solphyr 02-22-08, 11:00 PM	:lightbulb heh... so simple! Thank you kindly for your prompt reply!! Solphyr
Kouk 02-23-08, 02:00 PM	I find that the best system for using percentile dice to determine whether there is a random encounter in overland travel, is to roll the dice behind a screen, and just choose whatever I want to happen. This way there are "random" encounters when the players are restless, and no encounters when it would just be boring or I want the story to move on. But yeah, you're looking for 1-8, so 00 on the "tens" die and 1-8 on the "ones" die. Remember 100 is "00-0" (most of the time).
jaspercrey 03-04-08, 10:46 PM	I find that the best system for using percentile dice to determine whether there is a random encounter in overland travel, is to roll the dice behind a screen, and just choose whatever I want to happen. This way there are "random" encounters when the players are restless, and no encounters when it would just be boring or I want the story to move on. And therein, good folks, lies the wisdom of a sound DM. The DM's job, in it's most basic and raw element, is to facilitate his/her players enjoyment and participation in the game. You gotta know how to read your players and read what is happening at the table and respond accordingly. While 'random' encounters can be fun and often add a bit of the unexpected to the game, there are times when you just gotta say "screw the dice" and go with your gut.
runestar 03-06-08, 06:28 AM	What then is the point of even bothering to roll dice if you will just adjudicate the result anyways?:confused:
zortax4484 03-06-08, 09:56 AM	Keep your players wondering... It's funny to see the reactions on their faces when I start rolling a couple dice for no reason. It keeps them on their toes and makes the game a bit more interesting, especially when paranoia sets in.
Kouk 03-06-08, 07:25 PM	What then is the point of even bothering to roll dice if you will just adjudicate the result anyways?:confused: Sometimes I use percentiles to determine things, like whether the Shadow happens to wander into this room or that, etc. I roll other dice almost exclusively as they are, for combat results and such, but things like random combats can take a hell of a long time and it may not be good for the pacing of the session. For example, if the session is half an hour from being over, starting up a random encounter (or two) right before they get back to town would probably make the game run overtime. So, maybe I roll to keep them on their toes, and not feel like the trip back to town is always safe.