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As a Dungeon Master, I traditionally avoided significant use of chance during my tabletop roleplaying sessions. My preference was for the plot and what happened in a game to be guided by player choice as opposed to pure luck. That said, I opted to alter my method, and I'm very happy with the result.

The Spark: Observing 'Luck Rolls'

An influential actual-play show showcases a DM who often calls for "chance rolls" from the participants. He does this by selecting a type of die and assigning consequences based on the roll. This is essentially no distinct from rolling on a pre-generated chart, these are devised spontaneously when a player's action has no clear conclusion.

I decided to try this method at my own table, mainly because it appeared novel and presented a departure from my usual habits. The results were remarkable, prompting me to reflect on the perennial balance between pre-determination and spontaneity in a roleplaying game.

A Memorable Story Beat

At a session, my group had just emerged from a city-wide fight. Later, a cleric character wondered if two friendly NPCs—a brother and sister—had survived. Instead of choosing an outcome, I handed it over to chance. I asked the player to roll a d20. I defined the outcomes as: a low roll, both were killed; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; on a 10+, they survived.

The player rolled a 4. This triggered a profoundly poignant sequence where the characters discovered the remains of their companions, forever clasped together in death. The party conducted last rites, which was uniquely significant due to prior roleplaying. As a final reward, I chose that the NPCs' bodies were strangely restored, revealing a enchanted item. I randomized, the item's contained spell was perfectly what the group needed to address another critical quest obstacle. You simply script such serendipitous moments.

Sharpening Your Improvisation

This event led me to ponder if improvisation and making it up are truly the essence of this game. While you are a detail-oriented DM, your improvisation muscles need exercise. Adventurers frequently excel at upending the most detailed plans. Therefore, a skilled DM needs to be able to think quickly and fabricate scenarios on the fly.

Using on-the-spot randomization is a fantastic way to train these skills without venturing too far outside your usual style. The strategy is to use them for low-stakes decisions that have a limited impact on the session's primary direction. For instance, I would avoid using it to determine if the central plot figure is a secret enemy. But, I would consider using it to decide if the PCs arrive moments before a major incident unfolds.

Enhancing Collaborative Storytelling

Luck rolls also serves to keep players engaged and foster the impression that the story is alive, progressing based on their actions immediately. It combats the perception that they are merely characters in a DM's sole script, thereby enhancing the cooperative aspect of roleplaying.

Randomization has historically been part of the game's DNA. Original D&D were reliant on random tables, which made sense for a playstyle focused on dungeon crawling. Although contemporary D&D frequently focuses on plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, that may not be the only path.

Achieving the Healthy Equilibrium

There is absolutely no issue with doing your prep. However, equally valid no problem with stepping back and permitting the rolls to determine certain outcomes instead of you. Direction is a big factor in a DM's job. We require it to run the game, yet we frequently find it hard to cede it, in situations where doing so could be beneficial.

The core recommendation is this: Have no fear of relinquishing a bit of the reins. Embrace a little randomness for smaller details. It may create that the surprising result is significantly more memorable than anything you could have pre-written in advance.