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As a DM, I historically avoided heavy use of randomization during my Dungeons & Dragons games. My preference was for story direction and session development to be determined by deliberate decisions rather than random chance. That said, I chose to try something different, and I'm incredibly happy with the result.

The Catalyst: Observing 'Luck Rolls'

A popular podcast features a DM who frequently asks for "chance rolls" from the players. He does this by selecting a polyhedral and assigning consequences based on the number. It's essentially no different from consulting a random table, these are created spontaneously when a player's action doesn't have a clear outcome.

I decided to try this approach at my own table, mainly because it appeared engaging and offered a break from my standard routine. The results were fantastic, prompting me to think deeply about the perennial dynamic between preparation and spontaneity in a roleplaying game.

A Powerful Story Beat

During one session, my players had survived a city-wide fight. When the dust settled, a player inquired after two friendly NPCs—a sibling duo—had made it. In place of choosing an outcome, I asked for a roll. I asked the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: a low roll, both would perish; on a 5-9, only one would die; on a 10+, they made it.

The player rolled a 4. This resulted in a profoundly emotional scene where the party discovered the bodies of their companions, forever holding hands in their final moments. The group performed funeral rites, which was especially powerful due to previous character interactions. As a final gesture, I chose that the forms were strangely transformed, revealing a enchanted item. By chance, the item's magical effect was exactly what the party lacked to address another pressing story problem. One just orchestrate this type of serendipitous moments.

Improving Your Improvisation

This experience led me to ponder if chance and making it up are actually the beating heart of this game. Although you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot can rust. Adventurers often excel at upending the most carefully laid plans. Therefore, a skilled DM must be able to adapt swiftly and create details in real-time.

Using luck rolls is a excellent way to practice these abilities without going completely outside your comfort zone. The trick is to apply them for low-stakes circumstances that won't drastically alter the overarching story. As an example, I would not employ it to determine if the king's advisor is a secret enemy. But, I might use it to determine if the PCs arrive just in time to see a major incident unfolds.

Empowering Shared Narrative

Spontaneous randomization also serves to keep players engaged and create the impression that the adventure is alive, evolving in reaction to their decisions as they play. It reduces the feeling that they are merely pawns in a pre-written story, thereby strengthening the cooperative aspect of the game.

This approach has historically been integral to the core of D&D. The game's roots were filled with encounter generators, which suited a game focused on exploration. Although contemporary D&D tends to emphasizes plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, this isn't always the required method.

Achieving the Sweet Spot

There is absolutely no issue with thorough preparation. Yet, it's also fine nothing wrong with letting go and letting the whim of chance to determine certain outcomes in place of you. Direction is a big factor in a DM's job. We need it to manage the world, yet we frequently find it hard to give some up, at times when doing so can lead to great moments.

A piece of recommendation is this: Do not fear of letting go of control. Experiment with a little randomness for minor story elements. The result could discover that the unexpected outcome is significantly more memorable than anything you would have scripted by yourself.