Line #20 Main/EncounterBait


1	A type of [[StandardRPGItems item]] or [[SkillScoresAndPerks ability]], Encounter Bait is used to attract enemies into RandomEncounters.
2
3	While this seems counterintuitive since random encounters are often seen as a nuisance, forcing more can be quite useful to speed up the LevelGrinding or MoneyGrinding processes. Some games also have bait that will increase the encounter rates of specific enemy types, which can be quite helpful in its own way. For example, hunting down a RareRandomDrop from a particular mook.
4
5	Combine with a RandomDropBooster to further increase the odds of getting that RareRandomDrop.
6
7	Compare DrawAggro.
8
9	Contrast EncounterRepellant (which makes the enemies stay away). Some games have both.
10
11	----
12	!!Examples:
13
14	[[foldercontrol]]
15
16	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
17
18	* Near the beginning of ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', Uryu uses a Hollow-summoning bait during a contest with Ichigo to determine who can destroy the most Hollows.
19	[[/folder]]
20
21	[[folder:Fan Works]]
22	* In ''Fanfic/MyHuntsmanAcademia'', Katsuki is a living example of this. His HairTriggerTemper and tendency towards ComicalOverreacting make him irresistible to the Grimm. For reference, he and Ruby had to fight their way through ''eleven'' Beowolves and an Ursa during Initiation.
23	[[/folder]]
24
25	[[folder:Literature]]
26	* ''Literature/ChillinInAnotherWorldWithLevelTwoCheatPowers'': Flio's Bottomless Bag that was gifted to him by the King of Klyrode is enchanted with Monster-Luring Magic as part of the king's attempt to have him killed. Flio manages to dispel it.
27	* ''Literature/IsItWrongToTryToPickUpGirlsInADungeon'': At one point, Lilliluka drops a few of them near Bell after she steals his equipment.
28	* ''Literature/VillainessLevel99'': Protagonist Yumiella used one for her obsessive LevelGrinding until she reached the level cap. Everyone else in the world considers this item cursed and completely insane to use at all.
29	[[/folder]]
30
31	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
32	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': over the years there have been a number of magic items that increase the chance of RandomEncounters. However, these are usually considered cursed items because randomly encountered monsters usually have less treasure than normal and the resulting fights either (a) just wear down the [[PlayerCharacter PC]] party for no gain or (b) interfere in the party's current mission.
33
34	[[/folder]]
35
36	[[folder:Video Games]]
37	* In ''VideoGame/{{APICO}}'', you can craft incenses that increase the spawn rate of butterflies and solitary bees nearby.
38	* ''VideoGame/TheBriefAndMeaninglessAdventureOfHeroMan'': The Bullhorn item, obtained by beating Lord Doldrum twice, can be used to force a random encounter in any map where they can occur.
39	* In the original ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'', you can purchase monster bait. It's mostly used as a [[GiveMeYourInventoryItem bribe]] to get past one of the dungeons, but if you use it on any other screen the monsters are drawn to it.
40	* There's a variety of ways to increase the rate of wild Pokémon encounters, most of which were added in ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver''. The move "Sweet Scent", items like "Sweet Honey" and the "White Flute", or tuning into the Johto Radio station while it's playing the Pokémon March; Pokémon with certain abilities [[note]]Arena Trap (in general), Compound Eyes (those with items), Cute Charm (those of the opposite gender), Hustle (higher level Pokémon), Illuminate (in general), Magnet Pull (Steel-types), No Guard (in general), Pressure (higher level Pokémon), Static (Electric-types), Sticky Hold (fishing only), Suction Cups (fishing only), Swarm (in general), Synchronize (those with the same nature as the Pokémon with that ability), and Vital Spirit (higher level Pokémon)[[/note]] also increase certain encounter rates, and even using the Bicycle or [[SprintShoes Running Shoes]] in games that have them will increase the encounter rate (an early NPC in [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver HeartGold and SoulSilver]] cautions that "the extra noise will attract them").
41	** Traveling in a zig-zag pattern (e.g. up, right, up, left, repeat) is also noted to increase the encounter rate in all generations including the first, because the player character turns to face that direction before taking an actual step. In fact, it is possible to generate RandomEncounters on demand by repeatedly tapping different directions on the control pad to turn the player character without taking any steps at all. This is especially useful in the Safari Zones, where the player has to leave after taking a certain number of steps.
42	** Gen V adds the Encounter O-Power,which also increases the encounter rate,albeit for a set time period.
43	** ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'': The Incense and Lure Module items attracts Pokemon to the user and a Pokestop respectively for 30 minutes.
44	* The Black Map in ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'', which not only increases the RandomEncounter rate, but also prevents enemies from running away from battle... very useful for grinding [[MetalSlime Loopers]].
45	* In ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'', you receive the Lure Cap as a prize for winning [[InevitableTournament Colosso]]. Naturally, wearing it will increase the number of monsters you find. To get it in ''The Lost Age'', you have to transfer it with [[OldSaveBonus the rest of your save file.]] In ''[[VideoGame/GoldenSunDarkDawn Dark Dawn]]'', you get it from killing a ChestMonster in the Craggy Peak Ruins.
46	* In ''VideoGame/NetHack'' you can use the Create Monster spell to create a hostile random monster to kill. However, only wizards who have the wizard quest artifact regenerate {{Mana}} quickly enough to make casting this spell over and over and over a viable tactic.
47	* The GBA version of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' has the Lure ability for Gladiators.
48	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' has a materia that raises encounter rates, and another that specifically allows Chocobos to spawn in battle (to facilitate catching and taming them).
49	* ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'':
50	** The "Whistle" skill always starts a battle.
51	** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII'': In the remakes, Jesters can learn the Whistle ability, which instantly triggers a random encounter.
52	** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV'' has Monster Munchies, which can be used to lure monsters in the field and distract them in battle.
53	* Many [[Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei Shin Megami Tensei games]] have this in both item and spell form, and the spell is often named Riberama. To note:
54	** "Enemy Welcome" and the higher-level "Enemy Challenge" in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney''. However, they're sub-applications [[PowersAsPrograms installed]] on the [[PoweredArmor Demonica]], so they remain effective for as long as they're installed.
55	** [[VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga Both Digital Devil Saga games]] only have it in item form as the Magic Reed. Being able to buy them requires selling a certain number of [[ShopFodder cells]] to a vendor in the first game or a high-enough rank in the second game's shop.
56	* ''VideoGame/{{Tradewinds}} Legends'' has an item that causes you to encounter fewer storms, but more pirates.
57	* ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}'' has a few of these items. The Battle Potion, which increases the spawn rate by 50% and doubles the maximum spawn limit (the amount of enemies on screen). Holding a water candle (in 1.2, also just being near a placed one) out also does a similar effect. There's also the Calming Potion and Peace Candle, which does [[EncounterRepellant the opposite]].
58	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' has Sirens, consumable items which force an encounter right then. Highly valued by completionists, as the encounter forced is fixed and is generally the rarest encounter in the area--which generally have the best treasures available as [[RandomlyDrops random drops]]. They're basically the only way to encounter Flan Princesses/Pink Puffs with any kind of regularity--ridiculously rare critters with ridiculously rare and valuable treasure.
59	* Dark Bottles in the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries''. Although the encounters are pretty frequent anyhow, they turn the fights from one every five steps to one every two steps in the games that utilize random encounters. In the games with visible monsters, they make defeated monsters respawn much faster, make them notice you from farther away, and increase their world map movement speed.
60	* In Zeboyd Games' ''VideoGame/BreathOfDeathVII'' and ''VideoGame/CthulhuSavesTheWorld'', the "Fight" command in the menu forces your party into a battle if you're outside a town. Since each zone has a finite number of RandomEncounters (20 for individual dungeons, and 200 for the OverworldNotToScale), this command can be used even if that cap has been used up, just in case you want to {{level grind\|ing}} just before a tough boss battle. Alternatively, it can be used near a HealingCheckpoint to grind out all the Random Encounters at once with a handy recharge between battles, as well as making exploration easier once the cap has been reached.
61	* ''[[{{VideoGame/SpaceRangers}} Space Rangers 2]]'' has the Transfactor Beacon, an artifact that causes the star system to be attacked by [[ForScience Kelleroid]] dominators -- useful both for LevelGrinding (until a [[ObviousRulePatch certain patch]], at least) and for causing EnemyCivilWar.
62	* ''VideoGame/ZanZarahTheHiddenPortal'' has the Ocean Conch, which you get fairly early in the game but works only on the water fairies (who are considerably less aggressive than other types), and Fairy Horn, which works on every wild fairy but is very well-hidden.
63	* ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'':
64	** The Oil Body, Fish, Battery, and Jungle programs increase the encounter rate for enemies of the corresponding elements -- handy when hunting for certain Battle Chips. A story quest in ''[[VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork3WhiteAndBlue Battle Network 3]]'' requires you to use the Fish program in particular to force a specific virus to spawn for that very purpose.
65	** The Sneak Run program is normally supposed to be EncounterRepellant, but will instead boost the overall encounter rate if it's causing a Navi Customizer glitch.
66	** Locate Enemy will increase the chance that the last specific {{Random Encounter\|s}} formation will spawn again. Nice for hunting some optinal bosses (which only appear as part of the random enemy table) to optimize their deletion time for your records.
67	* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' has the Reeking Box item, which causes a company of [[NightOfTheLivingMooks Risen]] to show up on the map.
68	* ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia'' has the Bad Luck Bell and briefly the Nemesis Gem, both of which are accessories that when equipped, increase the random battle rate.
69	* ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption'' features an item simply called bait, which increases the spawn rate of wild animals as well as drawing them towards the spot where you placed the bait. This is not always a safe item to use, as Marston takes much more damage from animals versus bullets, and the bait has a significant chance to attract carnivores. These predators will gladly forget about the bait that summoned them and start targeting ''you'' instead, which means that you may inadvertently end up summoning upwards of twenty wolves within minutes, or get blindsided by a ninja strike team of cougars.
70	* The Gold Necklace accessory appearing in the ''VideoGame/ShadowHearts'' trilogy. The FlavorText varies from game to game but it always mention an ancient Egyptian curse as the responsible for the increased encounter rate.
71	* ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' has potions, skills, and equipment that you can use to increase [[EncounterRepellant or decrease]] the rate of combat encounters. There are also skills and items that can be used mid-combat to temporarily attract more of whatever you're currently fighting, most [[ThatOneSidequest infamously]] Transcendent Olfaction. Since you only have a limited number of adventures per day, changing the encounter rate depending on what would help you reach your current goal faster is a regular part of the game's strategy.
72	* ''VideoGame/JimmyAndThePulsatingMass'': The out-of-battle ability of the Revolting Blob, when activated, summons one of the RandomEncounters of the area.
73	* Various ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' games have some item that draws the attention of thugs and lowlifes, usually described as a particularly flashy piece of clothing. A notable example is the "Mew Shoes" from ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza 0}}'', which generate cat meows every time Kiryu/Majima takes a step, and draw in thugs that get pissed off by the annoying sound.
74	* The ''Freetime'' expansion pack for ''VideoGame/TheSims2'' has an aspiration benefit reward for the Popularity Aspiration where the likelihood of bringing home a colleague or classmate from work or school is increased, where you can interact with them to befriend them. The Romance Aspiration meanwhile has a benefit that increases the chance Sims with higher chemistry (read: attraction potential) will walk by the house.
75	[[/folder]]
76
77	[[folder:Webcomics]]
78
79	* In ''Webcomic/AwfulHospital'', the 'Flenst Hoim' item is described as an 'attractant gland' that 'increases frequency of violent engagement with similar bioforms'. The [[InteractiveComic Buzzers]] eventually chose not to purchase it, so we have yet to see it in action.
80	[[/folder]]

Context Main / EncounterBait