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In my role as a Dungeon Master, I traditionally steered clear of heavy use of luck during my tabletop roleplaying games. My preference was for the plot and session development to be guided by player choice rather than random chance. Recently, I chose to try something different, and I'm incredibly pleased with the outcome.

The Inspiration: Observing a Custom Mechanic

A well-known streamed game utilizes a DM who regularly asks for "fate rolls" from the adventurers. He does this by picking a type of die and outlining consequences based on the number. While it's fundamentally no distinct from using a pre-generated chart, these are created spontaneously when a character's decision doesn't have a obvious conclusion.

I opted to test this technique at my own session, mainly because it seemed interesting and presented a departure from my normal practice. The outcome were eye-opening, prompting me to reconsider the ongoing dynamic between pre-determination and improvisation in a roleplaying game.

A Powerful In-Game Example

During one session, my party had survived a large-scale battle. Later, a cleric character wondered if two friendly NPCs—a pair—had survived. Rather than deciding myself, I asked for a roll. I told the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The stakes were: on a 1-4, both were killed; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; a high roll, they made it.

The die came up a 4. This resulted in a profoundly moving sequence where the adventurers discovered the corpses of their companions, still clasped together in death. The party performed funeral rites, which was particularly powerful due to previous roleplaying. As a parting reward, I chose that the NPCs' bodies were strangely transformed, showing a enchanted item. I rolled for, the bead's contained spell was precisely what the group needed to address another major situation. You simply orchestrate such perfect story beats.

Honing DM Agility

This incident made me wonder if improvisation and making it up are in fact the beating heart of this game. Even if you are a meticulously planning DM, your ability to adapt need exercise. Groups reliably take delight in upending the best constructed narratives. Therefore, a good DM has to be able to adapt swiftly and fabricate details in the moment.

Employing similar mechanics is a great way to develop these skills without venturing too far outside your comfort zone. The trick is to deploy them for low-stakes circumstances that won't drastically alter the overarching story. To illustrate, I would avoid using it to decide if the central plot figure is a secret enemy. But, I could use it to decide whether the PCs enter a room just in time to see a major incident takes place.

Strengthening Player Agency

Luck rolls also works to make players feel invested and create the impression that the adventure is responsive, progressing based on their choices immediately. It prevents the sense that they are merely pawns in a DM's sole story, thereby strengthening the collaborative foundation of storytelling.

This approach has always been integral to the core of D&D. Early editions were enamored with charts, which suited a game focused on exploration. While current D&D frequently prioritizes narrative and role-play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, this isn't always the only path.

Achieving the Healthy Equilibrium

Absolutely no problem with being prepared. Yet, equally valid no issue with letting go and letting the whim of chance to decide some things instead of you. Direction is a significant aspect of a DM's job. We require it to facilitate play, yet we often struggle to cede it, at times when doing so could be beneficial.

My final advice is this: Don't be afraid of temporarily losing your plan. Experiment with a little improvisation for minor story elements. It may find that the organic story beat is infinitely more rewarding than anything you might have scripted on your own.