Chance Rolls in D&D Are Able to Aid You Become a Better DM

In my role as a Dungeon Master, I historically avoided heavy use of chance during my D&D games. My preference was for narrative flow and what happened in a game to be shaped by character actions as opposed to random chance. However, I chose to try something different, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

The Spark: Seeing a Custom Mechanic

A popular podcast utilizes a DM who often calls for "luck rolls" from the participants. This involves selecting a polyhedral and defining possible results tied to the result. While it's essentially no distinct from using a pre-generated chart, these get invented on the spot when a player's action has no clear conclusion.

I decided to try this technique at my own game, primarily because it seemed novel and provided a change from my usual habits. The results were fantastic, prompting me to reflect on the often-debated balance between preparation and improvisation in a tabletop session.

A Memorable Story Beat

In a recent session, my group had just emerged from a massive fight. Afterwards, a cleric character asked about two beloved NPCs—a brother and sister—had lived. In place of deciding myself, I asked for a roll. I instructed the player to make a twenty-sided die roll. The stakes were: on a 1-4, both would perish; on a 5-9, only one succumbed; a high roll, they made it.

Fate decreed a 4. This resulted in a deeply moving moment where the adventurers found the corpses of their companions, forever clasped together in death. The party conducted a ceremony, which was uniquely significant due to earlier character interactions. As a final reward, I improvised that the NPCs' bodies were suddenly restored, revealing a magical Prayer Bead. I rolled for, the item's contained spell was perfectly what the party needed to resolve another pressing quest obstacle. One just plan such serendipitous moments.

Sharpening DM Agility

This event made me wonder if chance and spontaneity are in fact the essence of D&D. While you are a prep-heavy DM, your improvisation muscles need exercise. Adventurers frequently find joy in derailing the most carefully laid narratives. Therefore, a effective DM has to be able to adapt swiftly and fabricate scenarios in real-time.

Utilizing on-the-spot randomization is a great way to develop these skills without straying too much outside your preparation. The key is to deploy them for small-scale situations that don't fundamentally change the campaign's main plot. For instance, I would avoid using it to decide if the main villain is a secret enemy. However, I would consider using it to decide whether the characters enter a room right after a major incident occurs.

Strengthening Collaborative Storytelling

This technique also works to make players feel invested and create the feeling that the adventure is responsive, progressing based on their decisions as they play. It prevents the feeling that they are merely actors in a rigidly planned script, thereby strengthening the shared aspect of roleplaying.

This approach has always been part of the core of D&D. The game's roots were filled with encounter generators, which made sense for a game focused on treasure hunting. Even though contemporary D&D frequently emphasizes plot-driven play, leading many DMs to feel they must prep extensively, this isn't always the required method.

Achieving the Healthy Equilibrium

Absolutely no issue with thorough preparation. However, equally valid no issue with relinquishing control and allowing the rolls to decide some things instead of you. Direction is a big aspect of a DM's job. We require it to run the game, yet we frequently find it hard to release it, at times when doing so could be beneficial.

My final advice is this: Don't be afraid of relinquishing a bit of control. Experiment with a little improvisation for minor outcomes. You might just create that the organic story beat is significantly more powerful than anything you could have pre-written by yourself.