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Trizzdal 08-09-06, 02:07 PM

I'm a bit confused as to how to determine encounter distance for random wilderness encounters. The rules say vague things about using a Spot check and the distances given in the terrain descriptions in the DMG, but other than that I can't find a thing. In 3.0 there were tables and whatnot offering modifiers to Spot checks. +2 to spot a group of six or more, for example, or -4 to spot a naturally camo'd enemy. No such table exists in 3.5 though, so I'm confused as to how, exactly, DMs are to determine surprise and encounter distance. What I have now is to simply calculate the distance (X) and call for everyone (beasties included) to make a Spot or a Listen check vs. DC = X/10. Spot and Listen checks both take a -1 for every 10 feet of distance and I'm assuming if a manticore is all up in your face the Spot DC is 0, so it logically follows that a manticore (or whatever) 150 ft. away that's not trying to hide would have a Spot DC of 15. Anyone else care to weigh in on how Spot checks determine encounter distance (and vice versa)?