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When I am a game master, I usually shied away from extensive use of luck during my tabletop roleplaying games. I tended was for narrative flow and what happened in a game to be determined by deliberate decisions as opposed to random chance. That said, I opted to change my approach, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

The Catalyst: Observing 'Luck Rolls'

A popular streamed game showcases a DM who regularly calls for "chance rolls" from the players. This involves selecting a type of die and outlining possible results tied to the roll. It's at its core no distinct from using a pre-generated chart, these get invented spontaneously when a character's decision has no predetermined resolution.

I chose to experiment with this approach at my own table, mostly because it appeared interesting and provided a break from my standard routine. The results were eye-opening, prompting me to reconsider the perennial balance between planning and randomization in a roleplaying game.

An Emotional Story Beat

During one session, my players had just emerged from a large-scale fight. When the dust settled, a cleric character inquired after two key NPCs—a sibling duo—had made it. In place of picking a fate, I asked for a roll. I told the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The stakes were: a low roll, both died; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; a high roll, they survived.

The die came up a 4. This led to a deeply moving scene where the party came upon the corpses of their allies, still holding hands in death. The party conducted last rites, which was uniquely significant due to earlier roleplaying. As a final reward, I decided that the remains were suddenly transformed, revealing a enchanted item. I rolled for, the item's contained spell was perfectly what the party needed to solve another critical quest obstacle. It's impossible to script these kinds of perfect moments.

Improving DM Agility

This experience made me wonder if randomization and spontaneity are truly the essence of tabletop RPGs. Even if you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot can rust. Players frequently find joy in derailing the best constructed narratives. Therefore, a good DM has to be able to adapt swiftly and fabricate content on the fly.

Utilizing on-the-spot randomization is a excellent way to practice these skills without straying too much outside your preparation. The strategy is to use them for small-scale decisions that don't fundamentally change the session's primary direction. To illustrate, I would not employ it to determine if the main villain is a secret enemy. Instead, I might use it to determine whether the party reach a location right after a major incident takes place.

Empowering Player Agency

Spontaneous randomization also works to keep players engaged and create the sensation that the story is dynamic, evolving according to their actions as they play. It combats the feeling that they are merely characters in a pre-written story, thereby bolstering the cooperative nature of roleplaying.

This approach has historically been part of the game's DNA. Original D&D were filled with encounter generators, which suited a game focused on treasure hunting. Even though modern D&D often prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, it's not necessarily the best approach.

Striking the Sweet Spot

There is absolutely nothing wrong with thorough preparation. But, it's also fine nothing wrong with relinquishing control and letting the rolls to guide minor details in place of you. Control is a big part of a DM's role. We need it to facilitate play, yet we can be reluctant to give some up, even when doing so might improve the game.

The core advice is this: Don't be afraid of relinquishing a bit of your plan. Embrace a little improvisation for minor outcomes. You might just create that the organic story beat is infinitely more memorable than anything you might have pre-written on your own.