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When I am a DM, I usually shied away from extensive use of chance during my D&D games. My preference was for narrative flow and what happened in a game to be guided by character actions instead of random chance. That said, I chose to try something different, and I'm truly glad I did.

The Catalyst: Watching 'Luck Rolls'

A well-known streamed game features a DM who regularly calls for "chance rolls" from the players. The process entails selecting a type of die and defining consequences contingent on the roll. It's essentially no different from using a random table, these are devised in the moment when a course of events has no obvious conclusion.

I decided to try this technique at my own table, primarily because it seemed interesting and presented a break from my normal practice. The results were remarkable, prompting me to reconsider the perennial dynamic between preparation and randomization in a tabletop session.

A Memorable Story Beat

At a session, my group had just emerged from a large-scale conflict. When the dust settled, a player asked about two key NPCs—a sibling duo—had survived. In place of choosing an outcome, I handed it over to chance. I told the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: a low roll, both died; a middling roll, only one succumbed; a high roll, they both lived.

Fate decreed a 4. This triggered a incredibly poignant moment where the adventurers discovered the remains of their allies, forever united in their final moments. The cleric conducted last rites, which was particularly powerful due to earlier roleplaying. As a parting reward, I decided that the forms were suddenly transformed, containing a spell-storing object. By chance, the item's contained spell was exactly what the party needed to resolve another pressing situation. It's impossible to plan such serendipitous story beats.

Improving DM Agility

This event caused me to question if randomization and making it up are truly the core of D&D. While you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot may atrophy. Groups reliably find joy in derailing the most detailed narratives. Therefore, a effective DM has to be able to think quickly and invent content in real-time.

Using on-the-spot randomization is a fantastic way to practice these talents without straying too much outside your preparation. The trick is to apply them for minor circumstances that won't drastically alter the overarching story. To illustrate, I wouldn't use it to decide if the main villain is a traitor. However, I could use it to decide whether the PCs reach a location moments before a critical event occurs.

Strengthening Shared Narrative

Spontaneous randomization also serves to maintain tension and foster the impression that the adventure is dynamic, progressing in reaction to their choices as they play. It reduces the perception that they are merely characters in a pre-written narrative, thereby bolstering the collaborative nature of the game.

This approach has long been embedded in the original design. Early editions were reliant on encounter generators, which fit a game focused on dungeon crawling. While contemporary D&D frequently prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they require detailed plans, that may not be the only path.

Finding the Right Balance

Absolutely no issue with doing your prep. Yet, equally valid nothing wrong with letting go and allowing the rolls to determine certain outcomes instead of you. Authority is a major factor in a DM's responsibilities. We use it to facilitate play, yet we frequently find it hard to cede it, at times when doing so could be beneficial.

A piece of suggestion is this: Do not fear of relinquishing a bit of your plan. Experiment with a little improvisation for smaller outcomes. You might just create that the surprising result is far more powerful than anything you might have scripted by yourself.