Forum > Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion
Favorite dice system?
Thondor:
--- Quote from: Lunamancer on May 18, 2021, 10:09:00 AM ---I've raised the point that while old school D&D is thought of as not having a unified mechanic, that it really does have just two mechanics. 1) Assign a probability and dice against it. 2) Roll on a matrix.
If I had to stick to just one die type, I prefer percentile for dicing against a probability since it just calls for articulating a percent chance of something happening. For checking a matrix, it doesn't matter too much, except if I will ultimately be using arithmetic as a shortcut in lieu of actually doing a table look up, I would prefer d20 as a good balance between graininess and easy maths.
--- End quote ---
This is a really good point. And I think it touches on our desire to "hack" or tweak systems. It's not really hacking if your system is 1) and we are just giving a different probability.
Lunamancer:
--- Quote from: Thondor on May 25, 2021, 04:00:15 PM ---
--- Quote from: Lunamancer on May 18, 2021, 10:09:00 AM ---I've raised the point that while old school D&D is thought of as not having a unified mechanic, that it really does have just two mechanics. 1) Assign a probability and dice against it. 2) Roll on a matrix.
--- End quote ---
This is a really good point. And I think it touches on our desire to "hack" or tweak systems. It's not really hacking if your system is 1) and we are just giving a different probability.
--- End quote ---
Even more so when you take a step back and look at the numbers AD&D 1E in particular does provide.
Take the 1 in 6 chance to find a secret door is the standard check for non-elves, for example. Doesn't that imply something about how difficult the secret door is to find? Almost all of the #1 type rules in 1E are just like that.
I think this is why I like 1E so much. It feels like it has such a strong, visceral spirit to it. And I think it's because the majority of the "rules" in 1E are actually more like world building. Compare this to, say, GURPS, where the basic mechanic is roll-under your character's skill. While the majority of the rules in GURPS (and the vast majority of RPGs) are obsessively describing the character. 1E is obsessively describing the fantasy world.
But to circle back to your point, yeah, I think most people would agree. Tweaking and/or homebrewing the game world--the monsters, the magic, and so on--is something GMs are expected to do, and is not really considered changing the rules. Well, what if most of the rules of the game really are just defining the game world?
Chris24601:
--- Quote from: Lunamancer on May 18, 2021, 10:09:00 AM ---If I had to stick to just one die type, I prefer percentile for dicing against a probability since it just calls for articulating a percent chance of something happening. For checking a matrix, it doesn't matter too much, except if I will ultimately be using arithmetic as a shortcut in lieu of actually doing a table look up, I would prefer d20 as a good balance between graininess and easy maths.
--- End quote ---
For me, the single die choice would be a d20 because;
A) It’s generally “good enough” at emulating a percentage to the degree most people are able to discern a difference (is there a difference between 78% and 80%? Yes. Enough of a difference for a GM adjudicating on the fly to pick either 75 or 80% practically every time? Not that I’ve seen).
B) it can also “close enough” to all the other dice in terms of odds... d4 and d10 precisely, everything else within 2.5% of actual (1-in-6 or 18+, 2-in-6 or 14+, etc.).
C) if you’re using modifiers the numbers are still mostly single/low double digit addition/subtraction so kids have an easier time with it.
D) Easy to roll multiple checks at once without needing to match dice afterwards (required for percentage dice, a 2d10, 3d6 or similar resolution systems).
My second choice would probably be d10 with smaller bonuses... less granular for emulation of other dice (within 5%) but smaller numbers which is useful for C and larger battles under D (which is why I like it for mecha combat games).
Jam The MF:
There is something to be said for the almost worldwide availability of d6 dice. It is the die of the common man. It keeps things simple, and +1 on a d6 is really meaningful.
Jason Coplen:
I don’t think I have one. A single d20 for combat. Other than that I’m not picky. It’s in combat where I want the chaos a linear roll delivers. All IMO, of course.
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