User:Toothless100/Sandbox/Random Encounter Ideas

I will be using this sandbox to brainstorm ideas for how we could do Random Encounters (RE) in AOM.

Map Grids
Similar to most RPGs, we could have map grids made of squares/hexagons/etc with co-ordinates to tell each other where we are. Having a grid would help somewhat with RE as we could designate locations for enemies prior to playing on the board.

Line of Sight (LOS)
Another thing we could do is use LOS. As an added 'statistic' each class and monster could have a LOS, which could be measured in Number of Squares. If a monster came into your LOS, you take measures to avoid it, but if you entered a monster's LOS, it would most likely run up to you.

If we use this method, only the Dungeon master should be aware of the enemies/monsters' locations. When they enter your LOS, the DM would tell you.

Others things to consider about using LOS:
 * We would have to take into account obstacles (e.g, trees, buildings)
 * If we were to use squares, we would have to decide whether LOS works diagonally too.

Illustration
This image demonstrates some things about Grids and LOS. This uses a square grid for movement, and has a family of Ogros, pack of Hyaeners, river and Ogro house marked on it.

Even if LOS worked diagonally, the Hyaeners are not connected to you via one straight line, so you would be unable to see them and they would be unable to see you. If you had an LOS of 6 and the Ogro of 5, you could see the closer Ogro but it couldn't see you.

If you had a LOS of 9 and moved one square North, you still couldn't see the other Ogro, as its house is in the way. It would be unable to see you for the same reason.

Revised LOS
In the above diagram, I mentioned whether or not my LOS idea should work diagonally as well. In the above diagram, even if it did, you couldn't see the Hyaeners and they couldn't see you as there was no straight line between them. I have now revised the LOS idea to make it more realistic.

The diagram (left) helps explain it. If your LOS is 2, you can see two squares in any direction, making a square between them (the light green squares represent your LOS). Thus, you can see the Hyaener. The Hyaener has a LOS of 1 in this example, so it can see one square in any direction. The red squares represent its LOS and the brown squares represent where yours and the Hyaener's cross.

This means you can the Hyaener, but the Hyaener can't see you.