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As a DM, I usually steered clear of extensive use of chance during my D&D adventures. I preferred was for story direction and what happened in a game to be guided by deliberate decisions instead of random chance. That said, I decided to try something different, and I'm incredibly pleased with the outcome.

The Catalyst: Observing an Improvised Tool

A well-known streamed game features a DM who regularly calls for "chance rolls" from the participants. The process entails selecting a polyhedral and assigning consequences tied to the number. While it's essentially no distinct from rolling on a pre-generated chart, these are created on the spot when a course of events has no predetermined outcome.

I opted to test this technique at my own table, mostly because it looked interesting and offered a break from my standard routine. The experience were remarkable, prompting me to reflect on the perennial balance between preparation and improvisation in a D&D campaign.

A Powerful Story Beat

In a recent session, my players had just emerged from a massive fight. When the dust settled, a cleric character asked about two key NPCs—a brother and sister—had made it. Rather than deciding myself, I asked for a roll. 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 made it.

The player rolled a 4. This triggered a incredibly emotional sequence where the party found the corpses of their allies, still holding hands in their final moments. The group held a ceremony, which was especially powerful due to prior story developments. As a parting touch, I decided that the remains were strangely restored, showing a enchanted item. I rolled for, the item's magical effect was exactly what the party needed to solve another pressing quest obstacle. It's impossible to orchestrate these kinds of perfect moments.

Sharpening Your Improvisation

This event made me wonder if chance and making it up are actually the core of this game. While you are a prep-heavy DM, your skill to pivot may atrophy. Groups frequently take delight in ignoring the best constructed narratives. Therefore, a good DM has to be able to think quickly and fabricate content in real-time.

Employing similar mechanics is a great way to practice these abilities without straying too much outside your comfort zone. The trick is to use them for low-stakes circumstances that won't drastically alter the campaign's main plot. As an example, I would avoid using it to determine if the king's advisor is a traitor. However, I could use it to figure out if the characters reach a location right after a critical event takes place.

Empowering Shared Narrative

This technique also works to keep players engaged and cultivate the feeling that the adventure is responsive, progressing based on their choices in real-time. It reduces the feeling that they are merely characters in a DM's sole script, thereby enhancing the shared foundation of storytelling.

Randomization has always been part of the original design. Original D&D were reliant on encounter generators, which suited a game focused on exploration. While modern D&D tends to prioritizes narrative and role-play, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, it's not necessarily the required method.

Achieving the Right Balance

There is absolutely no problem with being prepared. Yet, equally valid no issue with stepping back and allowing the whim of chance to decide some things in place of you. Direction is a significant aspect of a DM's job. We require it to facilitate play, yet we can be reluctant to cede it, even when doing so can lead to great moments.

My final suggestion is this: Have no fear of temporarily losing control. Experiment with a little improvisation for minor story elements. You might just discover that the unexpected outcome is infinitely more rewarding than anything you might have pre-written in advance.