Alternate Dice For Resolution [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternate Dice For Resolution [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
AesirRaven
11-04-06, 08:23 AM This post comes after some musing I've done on the growing frustration experienced not only by me but also by another member of my group. We both seem to have abysmal rolling luck, while our DM and one of our two other players roll well almost all the time.

I'm not kidding. It's so bad that I have my DM roll my HP for any new character I make. I'm never disappointed with the results.

UA features a section on converting d20 to use 3d6 for task resolution. I usually despise bell curves, but I find myself wondering -- would this help my fellow low-roller and me? Does anyone have experience with using this mechanic?

Two, I have thought of an alternate dice mechanic -- 4d6, treat 6s as 0s (effectively 4d6-4). This gives a 0-20 distribution with a roll-average of 10 (average on a die becomes 2.5). I sat around and rolled this for a while one night, and I was quite pleased with the results. Again, I usually hate bells, but I am so tired of failing miserably while watching the DM and this other player roll well that I might just change my mind. Any thoughts?
Xavon
11-04-06, 10:33 PM GURPS

If you limit Criticals to 3 and 18, they become much more rare; and should be buffed accordingly.

You'll also have to rework the DCs as well.

Personnally, I prefer d20 resolution to 3d6 resolution.
Mitchell
11-05-06, 05:06 AM Buy a deck or two of cards.
Remove every card except for aces-10s.
Shuffle deck thoroughly.
Whenever a die roll is called for, draw a card.
Red cards are the number drawn, black cards are number drawn +10 (or vice-versa, but once determined, every player would use that method from that point forward).
Put drawn cards aside.
Repeat until you have drawn all cards.
Reshuffle pile and start again, or, better yet, let the DM reshuffle.
All this does is guarantee that you will get all 20 results twice before you see any result a third time (with a single deck). Maybe you don't see the result you want when you really want it, but it is simply a matter of probability in the end.
As long as the cards are kept in plain view at all times, then I wouldn't have a problem with it. If I did suspect that a player was cheating, then I would just make my own little card tracker and make sure that everything was above board.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
AesirRaven 11-04-06, 08:23 AM	This post comes after some musing I've done on the growing frustration experienced not only by me but also by another member of my group. We both seem to have abysmal rolling luck, while our DM and one of our two other players roll well almost all the time. I'm not kidding. It's so bad that I have my DM roll my HP for any new character I make. I'm never disappointed with the results. UA features a section on converting d20 to use 3d6 for task resolution. I usually despise bell curves, but I find myself wondering -- would this help my fellow low-roller and me? Does anyone have experience with using this mechanic? Two, I have thought of an alternate dice mechanic -- 4d6, treat 6s as 0s (effectively 4d6-4). This gives a 0-20 distribution with a roll-average of 10 (average on a die becomes 2.5). I sat around and rolled this for a while one night, and I was quite pleased with the results. Again, I usually hate bells, but I am so tired of failing miserably while watching the DM and this other player roll well that I might just change my mind. Any thoughts?
Xavon 11-04-06, 10:33 PM	GURPS If you limit Criticals to 3 and 18, they become much more rare; and should be buffed accordingly. You'll also have to rework the DCs as well. Personnally, I prefer d20 resolution to 3d6 resolution.
Mitchell 11-05-06, 05:06 AM	Buy a deck or two of cards. Remove every card except for aces-10s. Shuffle deck thoroughly. Whenever a die roll is called for, draw a card. Red cards are the number drawn, black cards are number drawn +10 (or vice-versa, but once determined, every player would use that method from that point forward). Put drawn cards aside. Repeat until you have drawn all cards. Reshuffle pile and start again, or, better yet, let the DM reshuffle. All this does is guarantee that you will get all 20 results twice before you see any result a third time (with a single deck). Maybe you don't see the result you want when you really want it, but it is simply a matter of probability in the end. As long as the cards are kept in plain view at all times, then I wouldn't have a problem with it. If I did suspect that a player was cheating, then I would just make my own little card tracker and make sure that everything was above board.