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When I am a DM, I historically avoided heavy use of luck during my tabletop roleplaying adventures. My preference was for narrative flow and session development to be determined by character actions as opposed to random chance. That said, I opted to alter my method, and I'm truly pleased with the outcome.

The Spark: Watching 'Luck Rolls'

An influential actual-play show showcases a DM who often calls for "fate rolls" from the adventurers. The process entails selecting a polyhedral and assigning possible results contingent on the number. While it's at its core no distinct from consulting a pre-generated chart, these are created on the spot when a course of events doesn't have a clear resolution.

I opted to test this method at my own session, primarily because it seemed novel and presented a change from my usual habits. The outcome were remarkable, prompting me to reflect on the often-debated tension between pre-determination and improvisation in a roleplaying game.

A Memorable In-Game Example

At a session, my group had survived a massive battle. When the dust settled, a player inquired after two friendly NPCs—a pair—had survived. Instead of choosing an outcome, I let the dice decide. I told the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: a low roll, both were killed; a middling roll, only one would die; on a 10+, they both lived.

The player rolled a 4. This led to a deeply poignant moment where the party came upon the corpses of their friends, still clasped together in death. The group held a ceremony, which was uniquely meaningful due to previous roleplaying. In a concluding reward, I chose that the forms were suddenly transformed, revealing a enchanted item. I randomized, the bead's contained spell was perfectly what the party needed to address another pressing quest obstacle. It's impossible to orchestrate such serendipitous moments.

Honing On-the-Spot Skills

This event caused me to question if randomization and thinking on your feet are truly the essence of this game. While you are a detail-oriented DM, your improvisation muscles can rust. Players frequently excel at ignoring the most carefully laid plots. Therefore, a good DM has to be able to think quickly and create scenarios in real-time.

Utilizing similar mechanics is a fantastic way to practice these abilities without venturing too far outside your preparation. The trick is to apply them for low-stakes situations that have a limited impact on the session's primary direction. To illustrate, I wouldn't use it to establish if the central plot figure is a secret enemy. Instead, I would consider using it to figure out whether the characters reach a location moments before a major incident unfolds.

Empowering Shared Narrative

This technique also works to keep players engaged and foster the impression that the story is responsive, progressing based on their decisions as they play. It prevents the feeling that they are merely characters in a rigidly planned narrative, thereby bolstering the cooperative nature of roleplaying.

This approach has long been embedded in the core of D&D. Original D&D were reliant on encounter generators, which fit a playstyle focused on exploration. Although current D&D tends to focuses on plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, this isn't always the best approach.

Striking the Sweet Spot

Absolutely no problem with thorough preparation. But, there is also nothing wrong with relinquishing control and letting the whim of chance to guide minor details rather than you. Control is a significant part of a DM's responsibilities. We require it to manage the world, yet we often struggle to release it, in situations where doing so can lead to great moments.

The core suggestion is this: Don't be afraid of relinquishing a bit of control. Try a little randomness for smaller details. It may find that the unexpected outcome is far more powerful than anything you could have scripted on your own.