You’re running a combat encounter. The owlbear’s turn comes up, and you think, “Uh… it attacks the nearest player character. Again.” Three rounds later, you’re still just rolling to hit and damage. At that moment you realize the monster has become a hit point sponge with claws.
Find some great encounters that go beyond HP and flat attacks in Horror at Yishusu Landing:
Dragonbane, from Free League Publishing, has a simple solution that makes combats interesting and keeps you, the GM, from going into autopilot. And the best part is that it takes almost zero prep.
What Are Monster Action Tables?
In Dragonbane, many creature stat blocks have simple actions numbered 1–4, 1–6, or 1–8. When a monster’s turn comes up, you either choose an action from the list or roll randomly to determine the creature’s behavior.
Here’s an example for a hypothetical low-intelligence troll:
Six options that completely change how the troll behaves in combat. Instead of “the troll attacks,” you get a far more interesting encounter that makes the troll feel menacing, instinctive, and dynamic.
The best part is what it does for GMs running the game. Random rolls allow you to be effective without bogging your brain down with tactical thinking. The dice give you permission to have the huge beast waste a turn posturing instead of using its big attack. But for intelligent creatures, you can still choose strategically from the list and have it do whatever feels appropriate for the round.
Why This Transforms Combat
Not having to constantly think about tactics, especially when running more than one creature, keeps your sanity as a GM. Rolling on the action table allows creatures to behave naturally.
Players remember “that orc who kept throwing his buddies at us” instead of “we fought another orc.”
Players can’t memorize the creature’s optimal rotation and instead have to react to whatever happens on a given round.
Instead of planning out complex tactics, jot down 6 actions that feel appropriate and you’re done.
Adapting Action Tables to Your Game
Start small with creatures that feel one-dimensional.
Pure Instinct
Roll randomly every time. A dire wolf uses instinct instead of strategy. Whatever the die says, that’s what the creature does.
Tactical Cunning
Choose from the table based on the situation. The list still constrains you, but you pick whatever makes the most sense for the round, giving the creature a sense of strategy without requiring you to think like a tactician.
Controlled Chaos
Have a mix of rolling and choosing. Roll for general behavior, then choose the specifics. You roll to see that it breathes fire, then choose which direction. The randomness drives the drama; your choice shapes the consequence.
Building Your Own Tables
Keep tables short, about 4 to 8 actions. Every action should be different, not just attacks with different bonuses or damage types.
Be sure to include non-attack options. “Circle cautiously,” “protect young,” “issue challenge,” and “feint” make creatures feel alive. Some of the best entries are things you would have never done tactically, but that create memorable moments.
Match the die size to a creature’s complexity. Simple creatures get d4 tables (bite, pounce, howl, flee). Moderate threats get d6 tables. Legendary monsters with signature moves get d8 or d10 tables.
Write actions that reflect the nature of the creature. Mindless undead might have “stand still and long for life” or “mindlessly move in a random direction.” Fey might have “vanish and reappear” or “twist words into truth.” These flavor options can also help you seamlessly roleplay the creature’s behavior.
One important note: you don’t need a table for every creature. Use them sparingly to add dynamic elements to your encounters. They work best in fights against smaller groups (five or fewer foes). In a battle with ten goblins, the extra rolls can bog down enemy turns and turn the whole combat into a slog.
The Real Magic
Action tables make combat more interesting and they make GMing easier. We’ve reduced encounter-running to “roll die, describe cool thing.” Your brain can focus on narration, pacing, and reacting to player creativity.
And when players ask “what’s the owlbear doing?” you can say “let’s find out” and mean it. That keeps things spontaneous and memorable, keeping everyone guessing.
Steal this mechanic. Your next combat will run smoother and feel wildly fun.
