A table for determining the XP goal of a random encounter in 4E D&D.

Roll 3d6 and consult the table below. PL = Party Level experience goal based on DMG recommendations.

3: PL + 100%

4-5: PL + 50%

6-7: PL + 25%

8-13: PL

14-15: PL + 25%

16-17: PL + 50%

18: PL + 100%

This gives a chance of getting a stupidly hard encounters that players ~really shouldn't~ try to fight. I like this because then players think about whether they should even be in an encounter or not. I also have areas that are pretty consistent monster levels, so parties could go to an area they ~really shouldn't~ be in. These two things go well with each other. :D