This is a little technique I put into my games to help drive interesting play.
I'll tell the player, "Make a story roll". They roll the D20 then THEY choose an attribute or skill, many times not knowing what the roll is for. I'll build plot points or events around the choices they made. Maybe they roll a 17 and attribute it to nature, they'll encounter a helpful creature or notice a natural phenomenon, or if they roll a 3 and attribute it to acrobatics, they might trip over a rock, and then a beggar might help them up and that's a plot point. Low rolls don't necessarily mean something bad happens, only that they fumble around in some way.
Another way of completing story rolls (when the player knows what it's about, maybe in combat, etc), is if it's even the player gets to make a minor DM initiated choice or free action based on the result of the roll, and if it's odd, I determine what happens (That way I control 1's and they control 20's).
This playstyle I feel increases player DM trust and works towards a more collaborative game where players are personally invested. If you have a player that doesn't roleplay allot, it's a way to help them get into that aspect of the game as well.
That can work, but I feel like doing it behind the screen completely removes the purpose of the roll. It's a mechanism to increase player involvement. They also love picking weird skills to see what will happen:
"I roll an 8.... I'll use Performance"
"That's a 16 for medicine!"
but they have no idea what they're rolling FOR lol
That could work too, this gives them a chance to decide a skill based on what they roll, so they feel like they have more control. They also seem more willing to pick weird skills that way lol
I think both have their merits! If you have them choose an ability color, and they choose acrobatics, getting a nat 20 could be much more exciting, and getting a 1 might be more stressful lol
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This is a little technique I put into my games to help drive interesting play.
I'll tell the player, "Make a story roll". They roll the D20 then THEY choose an attribute or skill, many times not knowing what the roll is for. I'll build plot points or events around the choices they made. Maybe they roll a 17 and attribute it to nature, they'll encounter a helpful creature or notice a natural phenomenon, or if they roll a 3 and attribute it to acrobatics, they might trip over a rock, and then a beggar might help them up and that's a plot point. Low rolls don't necessarily mean something bad happens, only that they fumble around in some way.
Another way of completing story rolls (when the player knows what it's about, maybe in combat, etc), is if it's even the player gets to make a minor DM initiated choice or free action based on the result of the roll, and if it's odd, I determine what happens (That way I control 1's and they control 20's).
This playstyle I feel increases player DM trust and works towards a more collaborative game where players are personally invested. If you have a player that doesn't roleplay allot, it's a way to help them get into that aspect of the game as well.
What do you all think?
I like this variant, but maybe just do it by yourself behind the DM screen if the inspiration is lacking.
Darkest Dungeon-like DnD Insanity System
Let's put a meter to that foolish bravery, for both you and the NPCs.
(and help give the INT stat more uses)
That can work, but I feel like doing it behind the screen completely removes the purpose of the roll. It's a mechanism to increase player involvement. They also love picking weird skills to see what will happen:
"I roll an 8.... I'll use Performance"
"That's a 16 for medicine!"
but they have no idea what they're rolling FOR lol
I really like this. Seems like it'd be more groans and cheers worthy if they pick the ability before the roll, yes?
That could work too, this gives them a chance to decide a skill based on what they roll, so they feel like they have more control. They also seem more willing to pick weird skills that way lol
I think both have their merits! If you have them choose an ability color, and they choose acrobatics, getting a nat 20 could be much more exciting, and getting a 1 might be more stressful lol