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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Golroc" data-source="post: 9124297" data-attributes="member: 7042497">For me there are a number of benefits from randomizing some element of gameplay (using one or more tables, or some other random method):1) Uncertainty and excitement. Regardless of whether it is rational or not, most humans react to random elements differently than elements at the discretion of the GM. Knowing that something was generated randomly affects our perception.2) Simulation. While hardly realistic, a random table can simulate the chance of various events / elements. This adds a greater feeling of verisimilitude for the players so inclined.3) Emergent creativity. Using randomly generated components as a springboard we can sometimes come up with something more interesting than we might otherwise have been able to - or simply come up with something outside of the usual tropes we draw on.4) Ritual value. RPGs have a ritual side that I believe is often overlooked. Rolling a die and consulting a table is a ritual which can have significance to the participants and enrichen the game experience simply by being observed.There are downsides too - tables are often limited in variety and scope. They can result in unfair / problematic outcomes. They can result in nonsensical results. It might not be clear how much discretion can/should be applied by the GM.But as for agency? No, I don't believe they detract from agency as a default. Some players may prefer to minimize random elements - or to limit them to specific parts of the system. For those players using random tables will reduce agency. For some GMs using tables may reduce agency (if they replace GM discretion). But overall, I think the use of tables is likely to be part of the social contract, and thus either neutral or positive in regard to agency.</blockquote>

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