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In my role as a game master, I traditionally shied away from extensive use of chance during my tabletop roleplaying sessions. My preference was for story direction and what happened in a game to be determined by player choice rather than the roll of a die. Recently, I opted to alter my method, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

The Inspiration: Watching an Improvised Tool

A popular actual-play show showcases a DM who often asks for "fate rolls" from the participants. This involves choosing a type of die and defining consequences tied to the number. It's at its core no different from consulting a pre-generated chart, these get invented on the spot when a player's action has no clear resolution.

I opted to test this approach at my own game, mostly because it appeared interesting and provided a break from my normal practice. The outcome were remarkable, prompting me to think deeply about the perennial tension between preparation and improvisation in a D&D campaign.

An Emotional In-Game Example

During one session, my players had survived a massive conflict. When the dust settled, a cleric character asked about two friendly NPCs—a brother and sister—had lived. Rather than picking a fate, I asked for a roll. I asked the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: on a 1-4, both were killed; on a 5-9, only one succumbed; on a 10+, they made it.

The die came up a 4. This triggered a incredibly moving scene where the adventurers found the bodies of their companions, forever clasped together in their final moments. The party conducted last rites, which was particularly significant due to previous roleplaying. In a concluding gesture, I improvised that the remains were strangely restored, containing a enchanted item. I rolled for, the item's contained spell was perfectly what the party lacked to solve another critical situation. You simply script such magical moments.

Honing On-the-Spot Skills

This experience caused me to question if chance and making it up are in fact the beating heart of this game. Although you are a detail-oriented DM, your ability to adapt may atrophy. Adventurers reliably take delight in upending the best constructed plots. Therefore, a good DM needs to be able to think quickly and invent details in the moment.

Using luck rolls is a great way to practice these abilities without going completely outside your comfort zone. The key is to apply them for low-stakes decisions that have a limited impact on the session's primary direction. As an example, I wouldn't use it to determine if the king's advisor is a secret enemy. But, I could use it to determine whether the PCs enter a room moments before a major incident takes place.

Strengthening Player Agency

This technique also helps keep players engaged and cultivate the feeling that the game world is responsive, evolving based on their actions immediately. It combats the sense that they are merely pawns in a pre-written narrative, thereby strengthening the cooperative foundation of the game.

Randomization has historically been part of the original design. Early editions were reliant on encounter generators, which suited a game focused on exploration. Although current D&D frequently focuses on narrative and role-play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, that may not be the only path.

Striking the Healthy Equilibrium

It is perfectly nothing wrong with being prepared. Yet, there is also nothing wrong with relinquishing control and letting the rolls to determine certain outcomes in place of you. Direction is a major aspect of a DM's job. We use it to run the game, yet we often struggle to cede it, at times when doing so might improve the game.

The core recommendation is this: Do not fear of letting go of the reins. Try a little chance for inconsequential story elements. It may discover that the surprising result is infinitely more rewarding than anything you might have scripted on your own.