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As a Dungeon Master, I usually shied away from heavy use of luck during my D&D games. My preference was for narrative flow and what happened in a game to be determined by deliberate decisions rather than pure luck. That said, I opted to change my approach, and I'm very glad I did.

The Inspiration: Seeing a Custom Mechanic

An influential actual-play show showcases a DM who frequently calls for "fate rolls" from the players. He does this by choosing a polyhedral and defining potential outcomes contingent on the number. While it's essentially no different from consulting a pre-generated chart, these are devised on the spot when a course of events doesn't have a predetermined outcome.

I opted to test this technique at my own game, primarily because it looked engaging and presented a change from my standard routine. The results were fantastic, prompting me to think deeply about the ongoing tension between planning and randomization in a D&D campaign.

An Emotional In-Game Example

During one session, my players had survived a city-wide battle. Afterwards, a player asked about two key NPCs—a pair—had made it. In place of picking a fate, I asked for a roll. I asked the player to roll a d20. I defined the outcomes as: on a 1-4, both would perish; on a 5-9, a single one would die; a high roll, they made it.

The die came up a 4. This triggered a incredibly moving moment where the characters discovered the bodies of their allies, still holding hands in their final moments. The cleric conducted last rites, which was especially meaningful due to previous story developments. In a concluding reward, I decided that the forms were strangely transformed, containing a spell-storing object. I rolled for, the bead's magical effect was precisely what the party required to solve another major story problem. One just script these kinds of magical story beats.

Improving Your Improvisation

This incident led me to ponder if improvisation and thinking on your feet are in fact the beating heart of this game. Even if you are a meticulously planning DM, your skill to pivot need exercise. Players reliably find joy in upending the best constructed narratives. Therefore, a skilled DM must be able to adapt swiftly and create content in the moment.

Using on-the-spot randomization is a excellent way to develop these talents without straying too much outside your comfort zone. The strategy is to deploy them for minor situations that have a limited impact on the campaign's main plot. For instance, I would not employ it to determine if the king's advisor is a secret enemy. Instead, I could use it to figure out if the PCs arrive just in time to see a major incident unfolds.

Empowering Shared Narrative

This technique also serves to make players feel invested and cultivate the sensation that the adventure is alive, progressing in reaction to their choices immediately. It reduces the sense that they are merely actors in a DM's sole narrative, thereby strengthening the cooperative nature of the game.

This philosophy has always been integral to the core of D&D. The game's roots were enamored with encounter generators, which suited a playstyle focused on dungeon crawling. Although modern D&D often focuses on plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they must prep extensively, this isn't always the best approach.

Striking the Right Balance

It is perfectly nothing wrong with being prepared. But, equally valid no issue with relinquishing control and allowing the dice to determine certain outcomes rather than you. Authority is a big factor in a DM's job. We require it to facilitate play, yet we can be reluctant to cede it, in situations where doing so can lead to great moments.

My final recommendation is this: Do not fear of relinquishing a bit of the reins. Embrace a little randomness for smaller outcomes. The result could create that the unexpected outcome is significantly more powerful than anything you would have planned by yourself.