Step 6: Building Encounters

Encounters are the life blood of your game.

Story Structure: Test, Allies, Enemies, Ordeal & Reward

Creating engaging and memorable encounters is a crucial aspect of a successful tabletop role-playing game. Here are some steps that a game master can go through when creating an encounter.

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1. Identify the Hooks: Think about what elements will hook the players into the encounter. Will it be an interesting character, a mystery, a challenging fight, or a moral dilemma? Use these hooks to draw the players in and keep them engaged.

2. Create Backgrounds for the PC's: Make sure the encounter is tailored to the characters' backgrounds, motivations, and goals. If possible, weave in elements of their backstory to make the encounter more personal and impactful. Check out my blog where I build an NPC from scratch using ChatGPT.

3. Identify the Potential Outcomes: Before the session, think about the different ways the encounter could play out. Will the players negotiate with the enemy, fight to the death, or flee in terror? Anticipate these outcomes and prepare accordingly.

4. Determine Alignment with Regional Situations or Global Arcs: Consider how the encounter fits into the larger story of the campaign. Is it part of a regional situation or global arc? How does it contribute to the overarching narrative?

5. Outline the Scenes: Plan out the scenes of the encounter, including any important NPCs, monsters, or environmental elements. Consider pacing, tension, and surprise. Use evocative descriptions to create a vivid and immersive experience for the players.

6. Identify any Special Requirements: Determine if the encounter requires any special rules or mechanics, such as puzzles, riddles, traps, books or skill challenges. Decide if you want to use music, art, or props to enhance the experience. Plan for any secrets or clues that the players may discover.

7. Consider the Players' Abilities: Think about the players' strengths and weaknesses when creating the encounter. Make sure that everyone has a chance to shine and that the challenge level is appropriate for the party.

8. Playtest and Adjust: Run the encounter as a practice session with a group of friends or colleagues. Use their feedback to adjust the encounter as needed, making it more challenging, interesting, or fun. If you have time.

9. Keep it Dynamic: During the session, be prepared to make adjustments on the fly based on the players' actions and decisions. Keep the encounter dynamic and responsive to the players' choices.

10. Have Fun: Finally, remember to have fun! Encounters should be challenging and exciting, but they should also be enjoyable for everyone involved. Keep the mood light, engage the players, and make sure everyone has a good time.

In summary, creating a memorable encounter involves identifying hooks, tailoring the encounter to the PC's backgrounds and goals, anticipating potential outcomes, outlining the scenes, identifying special requirements, and considering the players' abilities. Remember to playtest, keep it dynamic, and most importantly, have fun!