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In my role as a Dungeon Master, I usually steered clear of heavy use of luck during my tabletop roleplaying sessions. I preferred was for the plot and what happened in a game to be determined by character actions rather than pure luck. However, I opted to alter my method, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

The Catalyst: Observing a Custom Mechanic

A popular podcast features a DM who often calls for "fate rolls" from the adventurers. The process entails choosing a type of die and outlining potential outcomes contingent on the result. While it's fundamentally no distinct from consulting a random table, these are devised on the spot when a player's action lacks a predetermined conclusion.

I chose to experiment with this technique at my own game, mainly because it looked engaging and presented a break from my normal practice. The outcome were fantastic, prompting me to think deeply about the ongoing tension between planning and improvisation in a tabletop session.

An Emotional In-Game Example

In a recent session, my party had survived a massive conflict. Afterwards, a cleric character wondered if two beloved NPCs—a sibling duo—had lived. In place of choosing an outcome, I asked for a roll. I asked the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The stakes were: on a 1-4, both would perish; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; on a 10+, they both lived.

The die came up a 4. This led to a profoundly moving moment where the adventurers came upon the bodies of their companions, forever holding hands in death. The group conducted last rites, which was uniquely powerful due to previous story developments. In a concluding gesture, I decided that the NPCs' bodies were strangely transformed, containing a magical Prayer Bead. I randomized, the bead's contained spell was precisely what the group needed to resolve another pressing quest obstacle. It's impossible to orchestrate these kinds of serendipitous story beats.

Sharpening On-the-Spot Skills

This incident caused me to question if randomization and thinking on your feet are in fact the beating heart of tabletop RPGs. While you are a detail-oriented DM, your ability to adapt may atrophy. Players frequently take delight in derailing the best constructed plots. Therefore, a skilled DM needs to be able to pivot effectively and create scenarios on the fly.

Using similar mechanics is a fantastic way to practice these skills without straying too much outside your usual style. The strategy is to use them for small-scale decisions that don't fundamentally change the overarching story. To illustrate, I would avoid using it to decide if the king's advisor is a secret enemy. But, I could use it to decide if the characters arrive just in time to see a major incident occurs.

Empowering Shared Narrative

This technique also serves to keep players engaged and foster the sensation that the game world is dynamic, evolving based on their choices immediately. It prevents the sense that they are merely actors in a DM's sole script, thereby bolstering the collaborative foundation of the game.

This philosophy has always been integral to the game's DNA. Early editions were filled with random tables, which suited a game focused on treasure hunting. Even though current D&D frequently prioritizes plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, that may not be the only path.

Striking the Healthy Equilibrium

There is absolutely no problem with doing your prep. But, equally valid no issue with stepping back and allowing the dice to guide minor details instead of you. Control is a big part of a DM's responsibilities. We need it to run the game, yet we can be reluctant to give some up, at times when doing so can lead to great moments.

A piece of recommendation is this: Don't be afraid of letting go of your plan. Try a little chance for smaller story elements. The result could discover that the organic story beat is significantly more powerful than anything you could have planned on your own.