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In my role as a Dungeon Master, I traditionally shied away from heavy use of luck during my tabletop roleplaying games. My preference was for story direction and what happened in a game to be guided by player choice as opposed to random chance. Recently, I chose to try something different, and I'm truly pleased with the outcome.

The Spark: Seeing an Improvised Tool

A popular actual-play show features a DM who often asks for "chance rolls" from the players. He does this by choosing a type of die and outlining potential outcomes contingent on the result. This is fundamentally no different from rolling on a pre-generated chart, these are created in the moment when a character's decision lacks a obvious resolution.

I decided to try this approach at my own game, mostly because it appeared novel and presented a departure from my usual habits. The results were eye-opening, prompting me to reconsider the ongoing balance between pre-determination and improvisation in a roleplaying game.

A Powerful Session Moment

At a session, my group had concluded a massive battle. When the dust settled, a cleric character wondered if two key NPCs—a pair—had made it. Instead of picking a fate, I let the dice decide. I asked the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The possible results were: a low roll, both would perish; on a 5-9, only one succumbed; on a 10+, they both lived.

The die came up a 4. This led to a profoundly poignant moment where the characters discovered the remains of their companions, still clasped together in their final moments. The group held a ceremony, which was especially powerful due to earlier story developments. In a concluding touch, I improvised that the NPCs' bodies were strangely restored, showing a enchanted item. By chance, the item's contained spell was exactly what the group lacked to solve another major situation. One just orchestrate such serendipitous story beats.

Honing Your Improvisation

This experience made me wonder if improvisation and spontaneity are truly the beating heart of D&D. While you are a meticulously planning DM, your skill to pivot need exercise. Adventurers frequently take delight in ignoring the most carefully laid plans. Therefore, a effective DM needs to be able to pivot effectively and create scenarios in real-time.

Employing similar mechanics is a excellent way to train these abilities without going completely outside your preparation. The key is to use them for low-stakes situations that won't drastically alter the campaign's main plot. For instance, I would not employ it to determine if the king's advisor is a traitor. But, I would consider using it to decide whether the PCs enter a room just in time to see a key action unfolds.

Enhancing Shared Narrative

This technique also serves to make players feel invested and foster the feeling that the adventure is dynamic, evolving in reaction to their decisions as they play. It combats the sense that they are merely actors in a rigidly planned story, thereby strengthening the collaborative foundation of the game.

This philosophy has always been part of the core of D&D. Early editions were enamored with charts, which suited a game focused on treasure hunting. Even though modern D&D tends to emphasizes plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, this isn't always the best approach.

Achieving the Sweet Spot

There is absolutely no issue with doing your prep. But, there is also no issue with stepping back and letting the rolls to decide some things rather than you. Control is a significant aspect of a DM's role. We use it to facilitate play, yet we frequently find it hard to cede it, in situations where doing so could be beneficial.

My final suggestion is this: Do not fear of letting go of your plan. Experiment with a little improvisation for minor outcomes. The result could find that the unexpected outcome is infinitely more rewarding than anything you would have pre-written on your own.