Stop Preparing for D&D. Just Use Random Tables!

[@idleghawkeye1414]

You trying to start a riot

[@FiresplitterSpeedrun]

Random tables are good for monster of the week/dungeon crawl, but Idk how well it would work for a more story driven campaign compared to actual planning things out a little.

[@sjonnieplayfull5859]

There is a random table for events that happen in a town. While my party was searching for clues and taking way too much time interrogating all people three times, I thought it was about time for a bit of action and rolled on the random event table, so they got recruited into the town watch which turned out to be a trick of some muggers to ambush them. Looting their weapons triggered another series of choices they made and the ensuing events fit well with the story I had prepared, so it worked out great. When used with understanding and in moderation, random tables can really help when you are have lots of stuff to do and never enough time to do it

[@jackrogers5712]

I feel like random tables are great for the sessions that go in between the more plot heavy ones. I'd never resort to a pure random table method, but it has some utility for sure. I think I might look up some random tables for the next game I run.

[@gurugru5958]

I like this. I want to try this in my next campaign. Would definitely take a load off my back.

[@jancatperson8329]

Rolling for all sorts of things is a great idea. In session 1 of our new campaign (started at the beginning of February), the guy who hired us to find something took us to his warehouse and gave each of us a magic item, usually a weapon, to help us. Our DM rolled off tables to determine what was or was not in stock. Everyone got something, not always what they wanted. Several sessions later, the thing the druid had to settle for (immovable rod; she wanted a bag of holding) came in very handy blocking a door some bad guys were about to come through, giving us more time to finish off the bad guys we were already fighting instead of having to take on all of them together. I am not a DM, but in the solo game I run just for myself, random generation tables are absolutely necessary. I’m both running a campaign and playing in it, and sometimes I like not knowing what’s going to happen next until it happens.

[@crowhaveninc.2103]

I think this is a great analysis regarding random generation. A lot of people seem to miss the point, but you've explained this quite well. I think this video combined with Dungeon Masterpiece's video about 2d6 tables can really elevate a lot of games.

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

I like random tables I use that for random treasure and I’ve used it for my character creation too.

[@the-first-joe]

This is a great step toward not needing tables either and running in the moment. RNG makes it easier for a GM to choose a direction, item, encounter, etc. but getting to the point of not needing those tables is pretty darn freeing.

[@patrickwilson8432]

I've been kicking around the idea of an elemental Tarot deck for some randomization; I was thinking it might be immersion-breaking, but (as mainly a wargamer) wasn't thinking about how tables are already used for this. Do you think if a GM were drawing cards to decide what to do with NPCs and locations and encounters it would be a distraction? As an example, I have the 3 (communication) of Stone as a Cairn, which could confirm the players are still on the path, or that they've come across a path they could follow, or mark a danger that befell some other heroes in the past. Usually for a Tarot reading people draw three cards (past, present, future), but as a game aid obviously people could do whatever they want, including removing cards from the deck. It's a lot more vague than a random table, since it's only presenting concepts that the GM would have to interpret, so it might not be useful at all.

[@nickischilling]

I often have one of my players roll for the random encounter instead of me, so I can tell you immersion will not be broken! I could also definitely see it being useful for creating NPC’s or locations on the spot. I actually like that it would require interpretation, it really would help DM’s think in ways they wouldn’t otherwise do without some random inspiration 😁

[@edenromanov]

Oh you ballsy ballsy man, much respect XD

[@idleghawkeye1414]

Ok for magic item yes random is good encounters i do random pick but i do so by keywords to fit the area and story and dungeons are best being randomises but the campain itself should be fairly planned

[@thespawner]

Shout out to the poop golem.