Random Encounter Percentages Based on Terrain

[Shaun]

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question but I've looked in the Core Rule book, the Game Mastery book and the Bestiary and cannot find it.

I'm looking for a table that gives the percentage likelihood of a random encounter based on terrain. I'm not looking for a table the determines what kind of encounter happens, but rather whether an encounter happens or not.

[EWHM]

Shaun,
That's the sort of information you normally find in GM notes or in modules. You could also steal the rules from the 1st edition DMG on wilderness adventures lock stock and barrel. I don't think there's any official PF wandering encounter table by terrain for universal application (although if I recollect, Kingmaker has one for large areas of the Stolen Lands).

[Krodjin]

I normally do it based on experience - as in do my PC's need to be next level by the time they reach their destination? If yes, it's an eventful trip!

If you really want to eave to the dice, I second using the old 1st Ed. Stuff.

[Grimmy]

In my hex-crawl I use a 1 in 6 chance every 4 hours. I have custom tables for different geographical areas, and modifiers to the table for night time or distance from the road/settlement/edge of the woods.

[4saken1]

The 1st Edition DMG breaks it down into 2 factors.

The first is by population density. In relatively densely populated areas, the chance of encounter is 1 in 20. Moderate to sparse/patrolled areas, it's 1 in 12. Uninhabited/wilderness is 1 in 10.

The second factor is how frequently you check for encounters. Without getting too detailed regarding the times of day they have listed, here's a breakdown of the different terrains: Mountains - twice/day. Desert, hills, or plains - 3 times/day. Scrub - 4 times/day. Forest or marsh - 6 times/day.

[Grimmy]

I was hoping more people weigh in on this topic. I've never run an AP, do GM's use random encounters in them usually? I imagine they must at least be important in Kingmaker.

[Krodjin]

I have not played or read kingmaker. What I can say is that the AP's I have done will often have a general outline of what level your PC's should be at the start of a given book or chapter.

So a GM can make a decision on if random encounters are needed to reach a set level.

That said I find that more often than not I modify some of the encounters or optional encounters and kind of personalize the AP by adding my own elements and encounters - which means random encounters are not necessary, but always an option.