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When I am a DM, I historically avoided significant use of luck during my D&D games. I preferred was for story direction and session development to be guided by player choice rather than the roll of a die. Recently, I opted to alter my method, and I'm very happy with the result.

The Catalyst: Seeing an Improvised Tool

An influential podcast features a DM who regularly asks for "chance rolls" from the participants. He does this by picking a polyhedral and assigning potential outcomes contingent on the roll. While it's essentially no unlike consulting a pre-generated chart, these are created on the spot when a character's decision lacks a clear conclusion.

I decided to try this technique at my own game, primarily because it looked novel and offered a break from my usual habits. The outcome were eye-opening, prompting me to reconsider the perennial balance between preparation and spontaneity in a D&D campaign.

An Emotional Session Moment

During one session, my players had just emerged from a large-scale battle. Afterwards, a cleric character asked about two friendly NPCs—a pair—had survived. Rather than picking a fate, I let the dice decide. I told the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: a low roll, both died; on a 5-9, only one succumbed; a high roll, they both lived.

The player rolled a 4. This triggered a incredibly poignant sequence where the party discovered the bodies of their companions, still clasped together in their final moments. The party performed last rites, which was particularly meaningful due to earlier character interactions. In a concluding touch, I improvised that the remains were suddenly transformed, revealing a enchanted item. I rolled for, the bead's magical effect was perfectly what the group lacked to resolve another pressing story problem. One just orchestrate such magical story beats.

Sharpening Your Improvisation

This incident caused me to question if randomization and thinking on your feet are actually the core of tabletop RPGs. Even if you are a meticulously planning DM, your improvisation muscles may atrophy. Adventurers reliably find joy in ignoring the most carefully laid plans. Therefore, a effective DM needs to be able to pivot effectively and fabricate details in the moment.

Using on-the-spot randomization is a great way to train these abilities without going completely outside your usual style. The trick is to apply them for minor situations that have a limited impact on the session's primary direction. To illustrate, I would not employ it to determine if the central plot figure is a traitor. However, I would consider using it to figure out whether the characters reach a location moments before a major incident occurs.

Empowering Collaborative Storytelling

Spontaneous randomization also works to make players feel invested and cultivate the impression that the adventure is dynamic, evolving based on their actions as they play. It combats the feeling that they are merely actors in a rigidly planned story, thereby bolstering the collaborative aspect of roleplaying.

Randomization has historically been embedded in the game's DNA. Original D&D were reliant on charts, which suited a game focused on treasure hunting. While modern D&D frequently prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, it's not necessarily the best approach.

Achieving the Sweet Spot

It is perfectly nothing wrong with doing your prep. Yet, it's also fine nothing wrong with stepping back and letting the dice to determine certain outcomes rather than you. Authority is a significant part of a DM's role. We require it to facilitate play, yet we can be reluctant to give some up, even when doing so can lead to great moments.

The core recommendation is this: Do not fear of letting go of your plan. Embrace a little randomness for inconsequential story elements. You might just find that the surprising result is significantly more memorable than anything you could have pre-written on your own.