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When I am a DM, I traditionally shied away from heavy use of luck during my Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I tended was for narrative flow and what happened in a game to be determined by character actions rather than random chance. That said, I opted to alter my method, and I'm very happy with the result.

The Catalyst: Seeing 'Luck Rolls'

A well-known actual-play show features a DM who frequently calls for "fate rolls" from the adventurers. The process entails selecting a type of die and assigning consequences contingent on the roll. It's at its core no different from using a random table, these are created spontaneously when a course of events lacks a obvious resolution.

I chose to experiment with this method at my own game, mostly because it seemed novel and presented a departure from my usual habits. The experience were fantastic, prompting me to reflect on the perennial balance between planning and spontaneity in a roleplaying game.

A Powerful Story Beat

At a session, my group had survived a city-wide battle. When the dust settled, a player asked about two key NPCs—a brother and sister—had made it. Rather than picking a fate, I let the dice decide. I told the player to roll a d20. I defined the outcomes as: on a 1-4, both were killed; a middling roll, only one succumbed; on a 10+, they made it.

The die came up a 4. This triggered a profoundly poignant scene where the party found the corpses of their allies, forever united in their final moments. The group performed funeral rites, which was particularly meaningful due to previous character interactions. In a concluding touch, I improvised that the forms were miraculously transformed, containing a spell-storing object. I randomized, the item's magical effect was precisely what the party required to address another critical quest obstacle. It's impossible to orchestrate such magical coincidences.

Honing Your Improvisation

This event made me wonder if chance and spontaneity are in fact the beating heart of this game. Even if you are a detail-oriented DM, your skill to pivot need exercise. Players frequently find joy in ignoring the best constructed plots. Therefore, a skilled DM needs to be able to adapt swiftly and invent details on the fly.

Employing on-the-spot randomization is a fantastic way to practice these talents without going completely outside your preparation. The key is to deploy them for low-stakes decisions that won't drastically alter the campaign's main plot. To illustrate, I wouldn't use it to determine if the king's advisor is a traitor. But, I could use it to decide if the party arrive moments before a critical event occurs.

Strengthening Shared Narrative

This technique also works to maintain tension and create the feeling that the adventure is alive, progressing based on their actions immediately. It reduces the perception that they are merely characters in a rigidly planned script, thereby strengthening the shared aspect of roleplaying.

This approach has always been integral to the original design. Early editions were filled with random tables, which fit a playstyle focused on treasure hunting. Although current D&D frequently prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, this isn't always the best approach.

Finding the Healthy Equilibrium

There is absolutely no issue with thorough preparation. Yet, it's also fine no problem with letting go and allowing the dice to determine certain outcomes rather than you. Authority is a big factor in a DM's responsibilities. We use it to facilitate play, yet we can be reluctant to cede it, at times when doing so can lead to great moments.

A piece of advice is this: Do not fear of letting go of control. Try a little improvisation for minor outcomes. It may find that the organic story beat is significantly more memorable than anything you could have scripted by yourself.