Or they can have lasting consequences that affect the characters and the world as a whole.
Wild cackles, raised eyebrows, and nefarious plans await in Evil Dungeons & Dragons.
What Does It Mean, “Fudging” Rolls?
Why Would You Want To Fudge A Roll?
Even all the different motivations a DM could have would differ from person to person.
You’re then faced with the question: do I want to TPK (Total Party Kill)?
Stick Together by Dave Greco
Do I really want their adventure to end here?
So, it’s possible for you to instead say that the enemy rolled a 19.
This still maintains that heightened sense of urgency and fear for the players.
Stick Together by Dave Greco
When Should You Fudge A Roll?
In a moment like this, it can not only benefit you to fudge a roll.
Saving your bad guy is probably what you want to do.
Bloodboil Sorcerer by Bartek Fedyczak
However, it can also impact the players.
Master D&D foreshadowing & weave a campaign your players won’t forget.
How Do You Successfully Fudge Rolls?
Xanathar, Guild Kingpin MtG Art from Adventures in the Forgotten Realms by Kieran Yanner
Some DMs love to display what they roll for the players to see in high-intensity moments.
Nothing really beats sitting around a table all holding your breath to see what’s going to happen next.
However, you might’t take that roll back once it’s happened.
This allows you to see the result and decide in the moment to say it was something else.
Will a Natural 1 on the dice mean the death of a beloved NPC?
Then you’ve got the option to just say that it was two.
Imoen, Mystic Trickster by Alix Branwyn
Or go ahead and let them roll what they need to save themselves.
To be as successful as possible, you should also practice or keep a poker face on.
After all, if your expression changes, your players can catch on that there’s fudging afoot.
Sly Instigator MtG Art from Commander 2021 by Justine Cruz
What If You Play Online?
If you’re using a client like Roll20, there are options for you to hide your rolls.
Should Players Fudge Their Rolls?
Via Wizards of the Coast
Meaning,the DM needs access to all of the information around the table, digital or otherwise.
There’s no reason why, at times, players can’t keep their rolls from other players.
Likewise, there may be times when a DM wants a player to roll something secretly.
Besieged castles and sprawling camps await in Dungeons & Dragons invasions.
