Random Encounter Calculator
Calculate expected encounter frequency from travel duration, check frequency, and danger level.
Inputs
%
%
Results
Expected Encounters
2.8
Prob. of At Least One94.8%
Day Encounters2.3
Night Encounters0.5
Total Checks20
Effective Day %15%
Time Lost to Encounters1.4 hours
Total Travel Hours41.38
How to Use This Calculator
- Set the terrain type (dungeon, wilderness, urban, sea) and the party level.
- Enter the encounter frequency: rolls per in-game hour or day.
- Set the encounter chance as a percentage or dice threshold.
- Review the Encounter Probability Per Day and the Expected Number of Encounters.
- Use the Encounter Type Distribution to pre-generate a table of appropriate encounters.
How the result changes with Travel Days
| Travel Days | Expected Encounters |
|---|---|
| 9.9 | 5.4 |
| 32 | 17.6 |
| 59 | 32.5 |
| 81 | 44.6 |
What each input means
- Travel Days
- Number of days of overland travel.
- Day Checks
- Random encounter checks per day (typically 2-4).
- Day Encounter Chance
- Base percentage chance per check (before danger modifier).
- Night Encounter Chance
- Chance of encounter during long rest.
- Danger Level
- Multiplier applied to base encounter chance.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersTravel Days = 5, Day Checks = 3, Day Encounter Chance = 15, Night Encounter Chance = 10 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Expected EncountersExpected Encounters2.8 = 2.8
- Calculate Prob. of At Least OneProb. of At Least One94.8 = 94.8
- Calculate Day EncountersDay Encounters2.3 = 2.3
Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.
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