Running Encounters
[-] Table of Contents
The information on this page is a shorthand of a information found in the DMG or other sources that I've compiled for my reference, and may contain oversimplifications or alterations to published information. Unlike the other pages on this website, it is not intended to be a verbatim reference for official information.
Encounter Distance
| Terrain | Encounter Distance |
|---|---|
| Arctic, desert, farmland, grassland | 6d6 x 10 feet |
| Forest, swamp, or woodland | 2d8 x 10 feet |
| Hills or wastelands | 2d10 x 10 feet |
| Jungle | 2d6 x 10 feet |
| Mountains | 4d10 x 10 feet |
Audible Distance
| Trying to be quiet | 2d6 x 5 feet |
| Normal noise level | 2d6 x 10 feet |
| Very loud | 2d6 x 50 feet |
Visibility Outdoors
| Clear day, no obstructions | 2 miles |
| Rain | 1 mile |
| Fog | 100 to 200 feet |
| From a height | x 20 |
Social InteractionΒΆ
Source: Dungeon Master's Guide, p. 244
Each social interaction goes through four phases:
- Starting Attitude. Determine the starting attitude of the NPC: friendly, indifferent, or hostile.
- Conversation. This covers all RP the players have with the NPC, and may adjust the attitude of the NPC by at most one step in most circumstances. A player may make an Insight check as part of their interaction with an NPC to determine the NPC's traits, bonds, flaws, and other things that might help the player figure out how to influence the NPC.
- Charisma Check. At the end of the conversation, the players must make a Charisma check (Persuasion, Intimidation, etc.). The NPC's reaction to the conversation is based on the Conversation Reaction tables below.
- Repeat? Once a Charisma check has been made, further attempts to influence the target of the interaction might be fruitless or run the risk of upsetting or angering the subject creature, potentially shifting its attitude toward hostility.
Conversation Reaction
| DC | Friendly Creature's Reaction |
|---|---|
| 0 | The creature does as asked without taking risks or making sacrifices. |
| 10 | The creature accepts a minor risk or sacrifice to do as asked. |
| 20 | The creature accepts a significant risk or sacrifice to do as asked. |
| DC | Indifferent Creature's Reaction |
|---|---|
| 0 | The creature offers no help but does no harm. |
| 10 | The creature does as asked as long as no risks or sacrifices are involved. |
| 20 | The creature accepts a minor risk or sacrifice to do as asked. |
| DC | Hostile Creature's Reaction |
|---|---|
| 0 | The creature opposes the adventurers' actions and might take risks to do so. |
| 10 | The creature offers no help but does no harm. |
| 20 | The creature does as asked as long as no risks or sacrifices are involved. |