Interesting Encounter Tools

In this post I am sharing my thoughts on the needs for interesting tabletop roleplaying game encounters. Below are some tables that can help structure and add to them in order for them to have points of interest. These are ongoing steps taken to write the Rift Master guide for my game Rift Walker, now currently in play test. I want to take this moment to note that I have shared some rules on Campaign, World and Map Generation for download on my Resources page.

Monuments

Monuments are points of interest that can be added to encounters or maps to give things for players to explore and find out about the campaign world.

Monument tables

Effect

1. Boon to character ability

2. Bane to character ability as trap

3. Lore information direct or indirect to scene

4. Exchange of Boon for bane or change to character

5. Environmental scene impact

6. A test of player choice or agency

Descriptions

1. Obelisk or shrine

2. Magical Sigil

3. Futuristic Technology or power source

4. Ancient Artifact

5. Environmental element

6. NPC influence (deity, arcane, contact point etc)
   
   

Use

1. All characters

2. NPCs and Foes actively seek use

3. Hidden until found

4. Controlling the environment

5. Encounter side point

6. Specific Players (narrative)

Encounters

Below are some ways to vary up the approach of needing to just fight a bunch of enemies until one side are all killed.

Encounter tables

Terrain table

1. Elevation (high/low) (advantage/movement)

2. Slowing (grabbing/difficult/gaps/barriers)/skipping areas (chandelier)

3. Damage/healing

4. Cover/weapons

5. Linear path/multiple approaches

6. Breakable (statues)/buildable (totem)/interactable (dials/vision)
   

Important element tables

1. Timers (main objective, rewards, information)

2. Distractions (environment, alt objectives, disruptions)

3. Danger (hazards, foes, consequences)

4. Excitement (wonder, interest, dynamism)

5. Goodies (treats, treasure, advantages)

6. Choice (engagement, approaches, options)
   
   

Alternate objectives table

1. Collect items

2. Protect/hunt specific NPC

3. Activate weakness/protection

4. Area control/avoid an area

5. Uncover information/unlock doors

6. Stop an event