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As a DM, I historically steered clear of significant use of luck during my tabletop roleplaying sessions. My preference was for narrative flow and what happened in a game to be shaped by deliberate decisions as opposed to the roll of a die. Recently, I decided to alter my method, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

The Catalyst: Watching an Improvised Tool

An influential actual-play show utilizes a DM who regularly calls for "chance rolls" from the players. The process entails picking a type of die and assigning possible results based on the roll. It's at its core no unlike consulting a random table, these get invented on the spot when a character's decision lacks a clear outcome.

I opted to test this method at my own session, primarily because it looked novel and offered a break from my usual habits. The experience were remarkable, prompting me to reconsider the often-debated dynamic between preparation and randomization in a D&D campaign.

An Emotional Session Moment

In a recent session, my group had survived a massive conflict. Afterwards, a cleric character inquired after two friendly NPCs—a pair—had survived. Instead of picking a fate, I handed it over to chance. I instructed the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: on a 1-4, both died; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; a high roll, they both lived.

The player rolled a 4. This led to a profoundly moving moment where the characters came upon the bodies of their allies, still holding hands in their final moments. The party held last rites, which was especially powerful due to earlier character interactions. As a final touch, I improvised that the remains were strangely transformed, revealing a enchanted item. By chance, the bead's magical effect was perfectly what the group lacked to resolve another pressing situation. One just script these kinds of serendipitous moments.

Improving Your Improvisation

This incident caused me to question if chance and thinking on your feet are in fact the essence of this game. Although you are a meticulously planning DM, your skill to pivot can rust. Adventurers reliably take delight in ignoring the best constructed plans. Therefore, a effective DM needs to be able to pivot effectively and create content on the fly.

Utilizing similar mechanics is a great way to develop these skills without straying too much outside your comfort zone. The trick is to apply them for low-stakes situations that don't fundamentally change the session's primary direction. As an example, I wouldn't use it to decide if the main villain is a traitor. Instead, I might use it to decide if the party enter a room just in time to see a critical event occurs.

Enhancing Shared Narrative

Luck rolls also works to maintain tension and create the feeling that the story is dynamic, evolving according to their choices as they play. It prevents the feeling that they are merely characters in a rigidly planned narrative, thereby enhancing the shared nature of storytelling.

Randomization has long been part of the core of D&D. Original D&D were reliant on random tables, which fit a playstyle focused on treasure hunting. Even though contemporary D&D often prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, this isn't always the best approach.

Achieving the Healthy Equilibrium

It is perfectly nothing wrong with thorough preparation. Yet, there is also nothing wrong with stepping back and allowing the rolls to decide some things in place of you. Authority is a major part of a DM's role. We require it to run the game, yet we frequently find it hard to cede it, in situations where doing so could be beneficial.

My final suggestion is this: Have no fear of letting go of the reins. Experiment with a little improvisation for minor story elements. The result could discover that the surprising result is far more powerful than anything you could have planned in advance.