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In my role as a DM, I historically steered clear of heavy use of chance during my Dungeons & Dragons adventures. My preference was for story direction and what happened in a game to be determined by deliberate decisions instead of the roll of a die. That said, I opted to try something different, and I'm very glad I did.

The Catalyst: Watching an Improvised Tool

A well-known actual-play show features a DM who regularly asks for "luck rolls" from the players. This involves choosing a polyhedral and outlining potential outcomes tied to the result. It's at its core no distinct from rolling on a random table, these get invented spontaneously when a course of events has no predetermined conclusion.

I opted to test this technique at my own table, primarily because it looked novel and presented a break from my standard routine. The outcome were eye-opening, prompting me to reconsider the perennial tension between preparation and spontaneity in a roleplaying game.

A Powerful In-Game Example

At a session, my group had survived a city-wide conflict. Later, a cleric character asked about two friendly NPCs—a pair—had made it. Rather than deciding myself, I asked for a roll. I instructed the player to roll a d20. I defined the outcomes as: a low roll, both would perish; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; a high roll, they survived.

The player rolled a 4. This resulted in a profoundly poignant scene where the party discovered the remains of their allies, still holding hands in death. The group held last rites, which was uniquely meaningful due to earlier roleplaying. In a concluding gesture, I improvised that the NPCs' bodies were suddenly transformed, revealing a spell-storing object. I randomized, the item's magical effect was precisely what the party lacked to solve another major quest obstacle. One just script such magical story beats.

Sharpening Your Improvisation

This incident caused me to question if randomization and making it up are in fact the beating heart of tabletop RPGs. Although you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot can rust. Players frequently find joy in ignoring the most detailed narratives. Therefore, a effective DM needs to be able to think quickly and create scenarios on the fly.

Using similar mechanics is a great way to practice these skills without straying too much outside your preparation. The strategy is to apply them for minor situations that have a limited impact on the overarching story. As an example, I would not employ it to determine if the king's advisor is a traitor. However, I would consider using it to decide if the party arrive just in time to see a critical event occurs.

Empowering Player Agency

Luck rolls also serves to make players feel invested and foster the sensation that the adventure is responsive, shaping according to their choices in real-time. It prevents the perception that they are merely actors in a DM's sole script, thereby enhancing the collaborative aspect of roleplaying.

Randomization has historically been embedded in the original design. Original D&D were reliant on encounter generators, which suited a game focused on treasure hunting. Although modern D&D tends to prioritizes plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they must prep extensively, that may not be the required method.

Finding the Healthy Equilibrium

There is absolutely nothing wrong with thorough preparation. However, it's also fine nothing wrong with stepping back and letting the whim of chance to guide minor details instead of you. Authority is a big part of a DM's job. We use it to facilitate play, yet we frequently find it hard to cede it, at times when doing so can lead to great moments.

A piece of advice is this: Have no fear of temporarily losing your plan. Experiment with a little improvisation for inconsequential outcomes. You might just find that the unexpected outcome is far more powerful than anything you would have planned on your own.