Another thread displayed an interesting variation in how folks liked (or didn't) random encounters, and I thought we might talk about random elements in general as it relates to D&D. Obviously, differnt editions and variants of D&D embrace randomness in different ways and to different degrees, so it seems most appropriate to consider the subject in "D&D general" rather than "5E" but feel free to focus on any given edition if you prefer.
There are lots of potential random elements in D&D: ability scores, hit points, secondary skills. Some versions make backgrounds random and there are even variants that make class or race random to some degree or another (like when being tied to random ability scores). Beyond character creation, there are random encounters, random rolls to determine reactions, morale, random dungeon generation and more. There are tons of resources out there for random tables to fill your dungeons, cities and castles with interesting and unexpected details. And, of course, the most powerful randomizer is that d20 you roll (almost) every time you want to accomplish something. Success or failure is rarely a foregone conclusion.
It is interesting when some people accept some random elements but not others (rolling ability scores is okay, but not hit points, for example). Some GMs rely heavily on random generators, while others eschew them entirely.
So, how do you feel about the various kinds of randomness in D&D? What do you use, and what do you reject? Do you think differently about it based on which version of the game you are playing, or what kind of campaign you are playing within a specific edition? If you are a GM, do you use random encounters, random hex or dungeon generation, or things like reactions and morale?
There are lots of potential random elements in D&D: ability scores, hit points, secondary skills. Some versions make backgrounds random and there are even variants that make class or race random to some degree or another (like when being tied to random ability scores). Beyond character creation, there are random encounters, random rolls to determine reactions, morale, random dungeon generation and more. There are tons of resources out there for random tables to fill your dungeons, cities and castles with interesting and unexpected details. And, of course, the most powerful randomizer is that d20 you roll (almost) every time you want to accomplish something. Success or failure is rarely a foregone conclusion.
It is interesting when some people accept some random elements but not others (rolling ability scores is okay, but not hit points, for example). Some GMs rely heavily on random generators, while others eschew them entirely.
So, how do you feel about the various kinds of randomness in D&D? What do you use, and what do you reject? Do you think differently about it based on which version of the game you are playing, or what kind of campaign you are playing within a specific edition? If you are a GM, do you use random encounters, random hex or dungeon generation, or things like reactions and morale?