Tips for making monster encounters more interesting

[Dr Zaius]

Boredom is the greatest sin of all in roleplaying gaming, so let's share a few tips of how to make monster encounters more interesting.

1. Encounters with a monster -- or group of monsters -- don't always have to end in combat. Monsters sometimes want things and might be willing to bargain for it. There is even a chance the monster(s) are preoccupied with other matters and/or threats, thus they might not be terribly interested in the party.

 

[Aries]

Monsters are not just numbers.

DM's repeat the above line till you actually believe it.

They will have a personality.
They will expect to see tomorrow.
They will have skills too.
They don't want to die.
They CAN negotiate just as much as PCs.

Furthermore, it doesn't always have to be an epic save the world calibre event. Sometimes monsters are just having one of those days.

You see a giant storming down a path, he looks damned angry.
Now, if anyone in the group spoke his language, they might hear something like "that heartless bitch, she new tonight was game night with the guys".
Immediately the cliche scary giant is not merely an angry set of walking hit points, he's a pissed off husband that can't go bowling

Stuff like this, makes a game more "real" to the players.

 

[Dr Zaius]

You see a giant storming down a path, he looks damned angry.

Now, if anyone in the group spoke his language, they might hear something like "that heartless bitch, she new tonight was game night with the guys".

A "giant bitch" eh? I bet there won't be any negotiating with her! :scream: