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In my role as a DM, I traditionally steered clear of significant use of luck during my Dungeons & Dragons games. My preference was for the plot and session development to be guided by player choice as opposed to the roll of a die. That said, I chose to change my approach, and I'm very happy with the result.

The Spark: Watching an Improvised Tool

A popular streamed game showcases a DM who regularly requests "fate rolls" from the players. He does this by picking a type of die and assigning consequences tied to the roll. This is fundamentally no different from rolling on a pre-generated chart, these get invented in the moment when a player's action has no obvious resolution.

I chose to experiment with this approach at my own game, mostly because it seemed engaging and offered a departure from my normal practice. The outcome were fantastic, prompting me to reconsider the perennial dynamic between preparation and randomization in a tabletop session.

A Memorable Session Moment

At a session, my group had survived a large-scale conflict. Later, a cleric character inquired after two key NPCs—a pair—had lived. In place of choosing an outcome, I let the dice decide. I asked the player to roll a d20. I defined the outcomes as: a low roll, both died; a middling roll, only one succumbed; a high roll, they survived.

The die came up a 4. This triggered a incredibly poignant sequence where the adventurers discovered the bodies of their friends, forever clasped together in their final moments. The group conducted funeral rites, which was uniquely powerful due to prior story developments. As a final reward, I chose that the forms were strangely transformed, containing a magical Prayer Bead. I rolled for, the item's magical effect was precisely what the party lacked to solve another pressing situation. You simply plan this type of perfect moments.

Improving DM Agility

This experience made me wonder if chance and making it up are in fact the core of tabletop RPGs. Even if you are a detail-oriented DM, your skill to pivot need exercise. Groups frequently find joy in derailing the most detailed plots. Therefore, a skilled DM needs to be able to think quickly and invent details in the moment.

Using similar mechanics is a excellent way to develop these skills without going completely outside your preparation. The key is to apply them for minor decisions that have a limited impact on the overarching story. For instance, I would avoid using it to decide if the central plot figure is a traitor. However, I could use it to determine if the PCs arrive moments before a key action takes place.

Empowering Shared Narrative

This technique also helps keep players engaged and cultivate the feeling that the game world is alive, shaping based on their choices as they play. It combats the sense that they are merely actors in a DM's sole narrative, thereby enhancing the cooperative aspect of storytelling.

This philosophy has long been part of the game's DNA. The game's roots were reliant on random tables, which fit a game focused on treasure hunting. Even though modern D&D frequently emphasizes plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, it's not necessarily the required method.

Finding the Right Balance

Absolutely nothing wrong with being prepared. However, it's also fine no problem with relinquishing control and letting the dice to guide minor details rather than you. Direction is a significant factor in a DM's role. We need it to manage the world, yet we often struggle to cede it, even when doing so could be beneficial.

The core recommendation is this: Don't be afraid of relinquishing a bit of your plan. Try a little randomness for inconsequential story elements. It may discover that the organic story beat is significantly more memorable than anything you might have pre-written by yourself.