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When I am a game master, I historically avoided extensive use of luck during my Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I preferred was for the plot and session development to be shaped by player choice rather than the roll of a die. That said, I chose to alter my method, and I'm very glad I did.

The Spark: Watching 'Luck Rolls'

A popular podcast showcases a DM who frequently requests "fate rolls" from the participants. This involves selecting a type of die and assigning possible results tied to the number. While it's fundamentally no distinct from rolling on a random table, these get invented on the spot when a player's action has no obvious conclusion.

I chose to experiment with this technique at my own game, mainly because it looked novel and provided a change from my usual habits. The experience were remarkable, prompting me to reconsider the ongoing tension between planning and improvisation in a roleplaying game.

A Powerful In-Game Example

During one session, my players had concluded a large-scale battle. Afterwards, a player inquired after two beloved NPCs—a sibling duo—had survived. Rather than picking a fate, I asked for a roll. I told the player to roll a d20. I defined the outcomes as: a low roll, both would perish; a middling roll, a single one would die; on a 10+, they both lived.

Fate decreed a 4. This led to a deeply emotional scene where the party found the corpses of their companions, forever united in their final moments. The cleric held funeral rites, which was especially significant due to prior roleplaying. As a final touch, I chose that the remains were strangely restored, containing a enchanted item. By chance, the item's contained spell was perfectly what the group lacked to resolve another critical story problem. You simply script this type of magical moments.

Honing DM Agility

This experience caused me to question if chance and making it up are actually the essence of this game. While you are a detail-oriented DM, your improvisation muscles can rust. Groups often excel at ignoring the most detailed plans. Therefore, a effective DM must be able to pivot effectively and invent content on the fly.

Utilizing similar mechanics is a great way to develop these abilities without straying too much outside your comfort zone. The strategy is to apply them for small-scale decisions that don't fundamentally change the session's primary direction. As an example, I wouldn't use it to establish if the central plot figure is a secret enemy. But, I could use it to decide if the characters arrive just in time to see a major incident takes place.

Strengthening Player Agency

This technique also works to maintain tension and create the impression that the game world is dynamic, shaping according to their choices as they play. It prevents the feeling that they are merely actors in a pre-written narrative, thereby bolstering the shared foundation of storytelling.

This philosophy has long been embedded in the game's DNA. Early editions were enamored with encounter generators, which fit a playstyle focused on treasure hunting. Even though contemporary D&D frequently prioritizes story and character, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, this isn't always the best approach.

Striking the Sweet Spot

There is absolutely no issue with thorough preparation. Yet, equally valid no problem with relinquishing control and letting the rolls to guide minor details rather than you. Direction is a big part of a DM's job. We need it to facilitate play, yet we can be reluctant to release it, in situations where doing so could be beneficial.

A piece of suggestion is this: Do not fear of relinquishing a bit of control. Try a little randomness for inconsequential story elements. You might just create that the surprising result is infinitely more rewarding than anything you might have scripted by yourself.