Dice in TTRPGs: Tools That Shape Play

Dice in tabletop RPGs are more than mere randomizers. They set the tone of gameplay, define the rules of engagement, and guide storytelling. Whether you’re leveraging dice as narrative levers, world simulation tools, or answer oracles, each approach uniquely impacts the experience at your table. Beyond just mechanics, dice become an active participant in shaping the stories we tell and the worlds we explore.

Each approach, while interconnected, emphasizes a different aspect of play. Narrative levers prioritize storytelling momentum and player involvement. World simulation tools ground the game in consistency and logical outcomes. Answer oracles spark creativity and open-ended interpretation. Here’s the magic: once you get how these approaches work, you’ll see dice aren’t just deciding outcomes, they’re secretly shaping your game’s whole personality. Wanna dig deeper? We’ll tear open each category to see what makes them tick, and why they’re nothing alike at the table.

Narrative Levers: When Dice Become Storytellers

Ever played PbtA (Powered by the Apocalypse) games or Blades in the Dark? Here, dice rolls detonate plot bombs. They’re not just resolving “did I hit?”, they’re rewriting the next scene live at the table. That “mixed success” in Blades? Yeah, that’s the sound a narrative twist bursting into the room. Success and failure aren’t binary; instead, they add layers of complexity:

• Rolling a “10+” in PbtA might mean unambiguous success, moving the story toward player goals.
• A “7-9” adds drama, introducing complications or choices that deepen the story.
• A failure invites the GM to twist the plot, often in unexpected and exciting ways.

This approach makes dice feel like they’re alive, co-authoring a tale alongside the players. Every roll becomes an opportunity for narrative twists, making these systems excellent for collaborative storytelling. These mechanics reinforce player agency while embedding unpredictability into the tale.

Adding extra emphasis, games in this category blur the lines between player and GM roles, often encouraging co-authorship of the story’s direction. By doing so, they offer a sense of shared ownership that enhances player engagement and emotional investment.

Narrative levers are distinct in how they ensure the dice directly propel the story forward. Unlike world simulation, which often focuses on fidelity to the setting, narrative levers prioritize drama, pacing, and the interplay of character motivations. The emergent narrative becomes not just a backdrop but the driving force of the game.

Dice as World Simulators: Grounding in Reality

Dice as simulation tools shine in games like Dungeons & Dragons or GURPS. Here, rolls replicate the logical and physical rules of the game world. They determine whether actions succeed or fail based on character abilities and environmental challenges:

• Attack rolls simulate combat uncertainty.
• Skill checks reflect the balance between player expertise and task difficulty.

This method offers predictability within the rules of the game world, creating a grounded sense of immersion. While the outcomes might seem less narrative-focused, they provide a structure that players can depend on, fostering strategic planning and investment in their characters’ capabilities. By anchoring the story in a consistent system, simulationist mechanics lend credibility to the world.

Furthermore, this predictability creates opportunities for player growth. Mastering mechanics like attack rolls or saving throws offers a sense of achievement, which appeals to gamers who thrive on measurable progress and tactical depth.

What sets simulation apart is its focus on fidelity to the game’s logic and world-building. Unlike narrative levers that prioritize story momentum, simulation emphasizes realism and consistency. This approach draws players who enjoy solving problems within a defined framework, creating a satisfying sense of coherence and strategy.

Dice as Answer Oracles: Co-Creators of Story

Solo RPGs and GM-lite systems like Ironsworn or the Motif Story Engine elevate dice to a different role: answering questions instead of resolving tasks. These “oracles” inject creativity, surprise, and collaboration into gameplay. For example:

• Prompt: Is the forest safe?
• Roll: Yes, but…
• Interpretation: The forest is free of predators, but its twisting paths make navigation dangerous.

Oracles provide flexible prompts, encouraging players to interpret results and weave them into the narrative. This method is ideal for emergent storytelling, where the dice guide discovery rather than dictate outcomes. It fosters a sense of collaborative play (even for solo players!) by turning the mechanics into a creative partner.

An added benefit is the ability to surprise even the GM or solo player. By delegating narrative twists to the dice, oracles enhance replayability and maintain freshness during longer campaigns.

What distinguishes oracles is their open-endedness and reliance on interpretation. While narrative levers and simulation mechanics provide more structured paths, oracles thrive in ambiguity, making them ideal for discovery and emergent storytelling.

Exploring a Cave Through Different Dice Styles

Let’s illustrate how these approaches differ with a single scenario: exploring a cave.

• Narrative Lever: Roll to find out what happens next in the story. Success moves the group closer to their goal; failure introduces an unexpected challenge, such as a hidden trap.
• World Simulation: Roll to check perception. If the player fails, they miss a clue, leaving the cave’s mysteries unsolved until they retry or investigate further.
• Answer Oracle: Ask, “Is there something unusual here?” and roll for an open-ended response. “Yes, but it’s buried beneath debris. Clearing it will take time and caution.”

Each method reshapes gameplay uniquely, suiting different groups and narrative goals. That cave exploration? It’s a lens revealing your game’s priorities. Dice can anchor collaborative storytelling, simulate a consistent world, or ignite creative interpretation. But they are a large part of what defines the experience for players and GMs alike.

Oracles Can Work in Group Play

Though often associated with solo RPGs, oracle mechanics are incredibly versatile for group play. When groups interpret dice together using open-ended questions, they co-author the world and story. This shared responsibility deepens player investment and spreads narrative agency across the table.

GMs also gain from oracles, offering some structure for improvising when prep time is limited. By embracing ambiguity, groups can create dynamic and surprising stories that feel fresh and organic. This adaptability ensures oracles remain a valuable tool for a variety of play styles, from tightly structured campaigns to looser, experimental ones.

Reflecting on Your Dice Preferences

Tabletop RPGs thrive on adaptability. How you use dice (whether prioritizing narrative momentum, simulationist logic, or creative sparks) shapes what makes your sessions sing. Whether you prefer the dramatic beats of narrative levers, the immersive logic of simulation tools, or the creative flexibility of oracles, the choice shapes the kind of stories you tell.

Maybe you mix and match these methods, blending systems to fit the mood and needs of your game. Or perhaps you’re experimenting with a completely new approach. Whatever your preference, the ways we roll dice are as diverse as the players at the table.

Share your perspective with us on Bluesky. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how the smallest tools, our dice, become the heart of the stories we love.