Random Generation vs. Random Assortments

[robertsconley]

So we are on the same page about what I am talking about.

Random Generation - a set of random table used to generate what type of monster appear in the area as well what treasure they have and detals like are they living in their lair, what they are doing, etc. These tables often have multiple levels of sub tables you roll on to generate the complete result.

Random Assortment - a random table that consist of the results of the above. The classic example are the monster and treasure assortment where a 100 results for monsters and treasure are presented for Dungeon Levels 1 to 9. Usually has little to no sub tables.

I am bringing this up because I found random tables of all kinds to be very useful a idea generators to broaden a setting, adventure, or dungeon. I found that assortment proved to be more useful in keeping up with a weekly campaign than the full blown random generation that most RPGs have. I use random generation for special case or items. I also found that a good assortment needs have dozens of results for variety.

So I post this to spark some discussion and thoughts on the idea of random generation vs. random assortment. I don't think assortment don't get the attention they ought to get and are view as just another type of random table. I think RPG would have better utility if they include both kinds of tables. Write up the full blown random generation of whatever. Then use that 100 or so time to generate an random assortment table, curate the random assortment to correct any obvious bias, and present both in your book.

[hengest]

...have I ever seen random assortment used systemstically? Maybe not.

Sounds cool to me. I'd expect that random assortment tables presented and used more often could be helpful not only in a weekly campaign, but also for one-shots and 1-player pickup games.

[ffilz]

I have been using the M&TA in my CSIO campaign for dungeon encounters. I may have rolled a treasure or two from them, but mostly just used the monster encounters. I either re-roll hp or fudge them since I don't use Greyhawk hit points and M&TA uses d8 for monster HD.

Frank

[Admin Pete]

Sept 12, 2016 10:39:03 GMT -5 robertsconley said:

... Random Generation ... ...
Random Assortment ...

Bitd I started out using tables we created for both of the methods above and then I gradually quit using them up until today where I visualize the tables in my head and roll the dice and seldom if ever use the written tables.