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When I am a DM, I historically avoided heavy use of randomization during my Dungeons & Dragons sessions. I preferred was for the plot and what happened in a game to be guided by player choice instead of the roll of a die. Recently, I opted to try something different, and I'm very happy with the result.

The Catalyst: Seeing 'Luck Rolls'

An influential streamed game features a DM who frequently calls for "chance rolls" from the participants. This involves picking a polyhedral and assigning possible results contingent on the result. It's fundamentally no different from rolling on a pre-generated chart, these get invented in the moment when a character's decision has no clear conclusion.

I decided to try this approach at my own table, mainly because it looked interesting and presented a departure from my standard routine. The results were remarkable, prompting me to reconsider the perennial tension between pre-determination and randomization in a roleplaying game.

A Memorable In-Game Example

In a recent session, my group had just emerged from a massive fight. When the dust settled, a player inquired after two key NPCs—a sibling duo—had lived. In place of choosing an outcome, I asked for a roll. I asked the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: a low roll, both died; a middling roll, only one would die; on a 10+, they made it.

The die came up a 4. This triggered a deeply poignant scene where the adventurers found the corpses of their allies, forever united in their final moments. The party held funeral rites, which was particularly powerful due to previous character interactions. As a final reward, I improvised that the remains were miraculously restored, revealing a enchanted item. I rolled for, the bead's contained spell was perfectly what the party lacked to solve another pressing story problem. You simply orchestrate these kinds of perfect story beats.

Honing Your Improvisation

This experience caused me to question if randomization and spontaneity are truly the core of tabletop RPGs. While you are a meticulously planning DM, your skill to pivot can rust. Players frequently take delight in upending the best constructed narratives. Therefore, a good DM must be able to think quickly and create content on the fly.

Employing similar mechanics is a excellent way to develop these talents without venturing too far outside your usual style. The trick is to deploy them for low-stakes decisions that have a limited impact on the overarching story. For instance, I would avoid using it to establish if the main villain is a traitor. Instead, I could use it to figure out whether the party reach a location moments before a critical event occurs.

Enhancing Collaborative Storytelling

This technique also helps make players feel invested and cultivate the feeling that the adventure is alive, evolving according to their decisions as they play. It prevents the sense that they are merely pawns in a pre-written story, thereby enhancing the shared aspect of roleplaying.

This approach has always been integral to the core of D&D. Early editions were enamored with charts, which suited a playstyle focused on treasure hunting. While modern D&D tends to focuses on plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, that may not be the best approach.

Achieving the Sweet Spot

Absolutely no issue with thorough preparation. Yet, it's also fine no problem with stepping back and allowing the dice to determine certain outcomes instead of you. Direction is a major aspect of a DM's responsibilities. We need it to manage the world, yet we can be reluctant to cede it, even when doing so can lead to great moments.

The core suggestion is this: Have no fear of temporarily losing control. Experiment with a little improvisation for inconsequential details. The result could discover that the surprising result is infinitely more powerful than anything you would have scripted in advance.