Dice Help

[Kansas_Jones 0]

Okay, I figure this is the safest place to post this sort of topic and not get laughed of the boards.

 

Recently, I've started to re-familiarize myself with table top role play and the dice system. This is purely a personal research thing, also intending to further expand and have fun with my current STSF characters and character logs. I table top role played back in the mid 90's, but never really got the dice down properly, usually getting some help along the way from fellow players.

 

The current products I'm using as an RPG spring board are Deciphers Star Trek Player Hand Book along with a few supplements such as the "Creatures" and "Operations" expansions, and the Serenity-Firefly Player Hand Book and the "Into the Black" expansion, just 'cause Firefly rocks and its Western/ Sci-Fi (woo!).

 

Can someone point me to an online chart somewhere, showing a sort of conversion and how too, as well as a chart showing which dice are what? Oh sure, I can count the sides, but I'd like to have a chart reference showing the D2, D10, and all if possible.

 

Overall, I guess I'm looking into general dice, the D20, D10, D2, D6 systems etc. used for D&D, Vampire, and scores of other games.

 

Thanks all!

 

Kansas >^..^<

Edited September 12, 2006 by Kansas_Jones

[will_marx 0]

Okay, I figure this is the safest place to post this sort of topic and not get laughed of the boards.

 

Recently, I've started to re-familiarize myself with table top role play and the dice system. This is purely a personal research thing, also intending to further expand and have fun with my current STSF characters and character logs. I table top role played back in the mid 90's, but never really got the dice down properly, usually getting some help along the way from fellow players.

 

Can someone point me to an online chart somewhere, showing a sort of conversion and how too, as well as a chart showing which dice are what? Oh sure, I can count the sides, but I'd like to have a chart reference showing the D2, D10, and all if possible.

 

Overall, I guess I'm looking into general dice, the D20, D10, D2, D6 systems etc. used for D&D, Vampire, and scores of other games.

 

Thanks all!

 

Kansas >^..^<

 

D2- are simple enough, Kansas. Reach into your pocket and pull out a coin-- quarter preferably.

 

D4- in D&D, were for mage hit points, if I remember correctly, certain 1st level combat spells, and weapons.

 

d6- are your general dice, weapons, stats, etc.

 

d8- hit points, and weapons damage

 

d10- more hit points, percentages (critical hit/fumble charts) 18+ strength for fighters

 

d12- spell effects. Never really used 'em.

 

d20- combat/save dice.

 

d30- large scale weapons dice (ie. dragon's breath)

 

d100- percentage rolls. Plus they look kinda cool.

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

Based on the "count the sides" comment, let's see if I understand the first bit of your question...

 

d4 -- pyramids

d6 -- your basic cubes

d8 -- diamonds, and the only other really pointy kind in the basic set

d10 -- diamonds again, but circular around the middle instead of square like the d8s

d12 -- almost spherical, all faces are pentagons

d20 -- very spherical, all faces are triangles

 

d100s are just really big, nearly-perfect looking spheres.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...nD_Dice_Set.jpg -- left to right, d4, d6, d8, d12, d20, and 2 d10s.

 

http://www.dicecollector.com/diceinfo_polyhedral.html -- your basic roleplay types

 

http://www.dicecollector.com/diceinfo_how_many_shapes.html -- information overload on shape types

[Travis Kroells 0]

Mmm, for being the geek I am, I just recently got into D&D this summer with some friends. We also have tons of D20's and D6's for when we play magic. One of my friends had a cilindrical D20 that you spun like a top until it rested on its side. It frustrated the hell out of me and everyone that used it. :P

 

I've never had the need to use a D100, but I'd sure like one day.

[WxMurray 0]

D2- are simple enough, Kansas. Reach into your pocket and pull out a coin-- quarter preferably.

Ah, yes, my favorite forecasting tool. :P

[will_marx 0]

Ah, yes, my favorite forecasting tool. :P

 

No wonder the weather forecasts for New Jersey are so screwed up some days. Like the whole state in a flood watch, except for the northeastern 5 counties (where I live).

[Atragon9 0]

D2- are simple enough, Kansas. Reach into your pocket and pull out a coin-- quarter preferably.

D4- in D&D, were for mage hit points, if I remember correctly, certain 1st level combat spells, and weapons.

d6- are your general dice, weapons, stats, etc.

d8- hit points, and weapons damage

d10- more hit points, percentages (critical hit/fumble charts) 18+ strength for fighters

d12- spell effects. Never really used 'em.

d20- combat/save dice.

d30- large scale weapons dice (ie. dragon's breath)

d100- percentage rolls. Plus they look kinda cool.

 

For a d100, I would just use two d20's (d10's don't really roll well) and one would stand for each digit. After all, it's "percentile dice" so it's not that you really need a 100-sided die (and unless it's huge, how do you read it?) Yup, I played table top D&D for years and had many different sets of dice, but the ones we always used were d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and d20. From there, you can always make the other equivalents (it's easy to have a 50-50 spin, just choose even or odd on a d6, etc.)

[Guest STSF Lebowski]

I'm a pretty big D&Der, and I have friends who play other kinds of table top dice games. Did you want to know about identifying the dice themselves, or did you want to know how the rolling systems work? If the latter, I could fill you in on the basics of a few of the major systems. For instance, the Firefly game is based off of the 3rd edition D&D system, I think (most non White Wolf (who does Vampire) games are based off the D&D system).

And for the record I must say that yes, Firefly totally rocks.

[Travis Kroells 0]

Also Kansas, seeing as how I got you into KOTOR, I figure I'll give you away for it to teach you.

 

Under your recent converstations menu, there should be a button (I'm thinking X) that allows you to toggle dialogue options. One of these options should be your battle script.

 

KOTOR battle system is a direct copy of a D20 system, basically D&D.

 

After every battle, and even during it you can rummage through every piece of information that tells you why Malak is tearing you a new one.

 

I used it a lot as I got into D&D recently. It really helped me learn the dies, and other things needed for all your attacks, saving throws, criticals and whatnot.

[Kansas_Jones 0]

Did you want to know about identifying the dice themselves, or did you want to know how the rolling systems work? For instance, the Firefly game is based off of the 3rd edition D&D system, I think (most non White Wolf (who does Vampire) games are based off the D&D system).

 

A yes to both. I am mainly interested in learning the D&D rules again as a basic start, and then going from there, since "most" RPG's are based on these rules from the grandaddy of them all. I always had issues wrapping my head around the dice, how they factored into damage, what points your character had for whatever skill. The Dungeons and Dragon / Vampire group that I started RPGing with were veterans, and it was just easier (for them) to skip the basic learning course and plop me right into an adventure, attempting to learn along the way. Had fun, but as a result I just never understood all the ins and outs of the rules, rolling, and points. That changes now. :P

 

Also Kansas, seeing as how I got you into KOTOR, I figure I'll give you away for it to teach you. KOTOR battle system is a direct copy of a D20 system, basically D&D. After every battle, and even during it you can rummage through every piece of information that tells you why Malak is tearing you a new one.

 

Yep! And, Jamie, I've recently started KOTOR 1, and while I really liked KOTOR 2, the first game is even better. If someone ever told me I'd enjoy Star Wars RPG video games, I'd have said no way. It's all Kroells's fault. :D But, thanks Jamie - I will check out that little cheat sheet on the game moves.

[Travis Kroells 0]

No problem, I need to start my Sith Empire somewhere.

[will_marx 0]

No problem, I need to start my Sith Empire somewhere.

Nice quote, there Travis. Although it's frightening to see the parallels between ROTS and everyday normalcy.

 

Of course, I can just picture Dubya trying to ape some of Palpatine's mannerisms.

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Heh....they've obviously not played on one of my sims...and I have special dice too.

 

Bear dice for Kbear factors

 

Skull and Crossbones for death factors

 

other random factors too

[LeftEar JoNs 0]

For a d100, I would just use two d20's (d10's don't really roll well) and one would stand for each digit.

 

While gaming with the D&D / Vampire group, there was an occasion for the GM to break out the D100 dice. I remember just sitting there thinking "Now THAT is a really big die/dice".

 

 

Heh....they've obviously not played on one of my sims...and I have special dice too.

 

Bear dice for Kbear factors

 

Skull and Crossbones for death factors

 

other random factors too

 

I remember having a cool die/dice with a skull on it. Wish I still had it! KBear has her own special dice? Is that good or bad? :P

[Kansas_Jones 0]

Okay, let me throw this out there: Lets say my level 10 fighter, with a strength of 12, goes to strike at a zombie with a longsword with a damage factor of 8. What dice are used? And where/how do the points factor in, do I subtract the dice roll result from the strength, and whatever this number is, if this figure is lower then the strength the fighter misses? Is there division involved, and if so should I just go hide now?

 

Just try and give me a general rundown in simple terms. I tell ya, numbers, factoring and myself have always had issues. Math - the bane of my existence. :P

 

Thanks!

Edited September 16, 2006 by Kansas_Jones

[Travis Kroells 0]

My Hobbit wouldn't hit a Zombie. Zombies freak me out.

[will_marx 0]

Okay, let me throw this out there: Lets say my level 10 fighter, with a strength of 12, goes to strike at a zombie with a longsword with a damage factor of 8. What dice are used? And where/how do the points factor in, do I subtract the dice roll result from the strength, and whatever this number is, if this figure is lower then the strength the fighter misses? Is there division involved, and if so should I just go hide now?

 

Just try and give me a general rundown in simple terms. I tell ya, numbers, factoring and myself have always had issues. Math - the bane of my existence. :P

 

Thanks!

 

D20 for the attack, and 1 d8 for the damage if you hit.

[Chell Reno 0]

I played my first table-top rpg today!(the D20 rules, Star Wars RP) 2 other guys from school and myself went out and bought all the crap we needed to play last night and did some spead reading 'till like 5 AM lol. We then played through a Part 1 of a campaign we found on the internet. Its pretty sweet, I didnt expect the battle system to be so addictive xP

Edited September 17, 2006 by Chell Reno

[Philip Carst 0]

I was never into table top RPGs. I did some Star Wars card games, and D&D looked interesting to me a few years ago. But I found that late night poker games are more interesting.

 

Not actual gambling, mind you. But we do bet with chips.

[Atragon9 0]

Okay, let me throw this out there: Lets say my level 10 fighter, with a strength of 12, goes to strike at a zombie with a longsword with a damage factor of 8. What dice are used? And where/how do the points factor in, do I subtract the dice roll result from the strength, and whatever this number is, if this figure is lower then the strength the fighter misses? Is there division involved, and if so should I just go hide now?

 

Just try and give me a general rundown in simple terms. I tell ya, numbers, factoring and myself have always had issues. Math - the bane of my existence. :P

 

Thanks!

 

Here it is in the simplest terms. Your DM will hand you the correct dice and you roll it/them. They have record of any enhancements in your weapon/armor/personal hygiene/special training with a mountain-top guru and they will tell you if you were successful. That way, THEY have to do the math.

[KhreRiovtRex 0]

Oh, by the way and fair warning......I've given most of the forum GM's a nice set of matching

D&D dice to help decide your fates!!! Muhahahha

[Kansas_Jones 0]

Anyone familiar with a table top RPG called Shadowrun? From what I gather, it was started in the early nineties, and there is currently a game in the works, blending FPS and RPG elements.

 

Set in modern times, fifty + years from now. Magic has reawakened on Earth, and certain genetic codes have reawakened as well - new bloodlines are now formed with some humans becoming or being born as orcs, trolls, elves. Fun blend of magic, modern, swords, cars, motorcycles, the internet and such.

 

I can't speak for the RPG aspect (never played it), but I recommend the novels (stumbled onto them a few months back) - Born to Run, Poison Agendas, Fallen Angels, Drops of Corruption, and Aftershock. Drops of Corruption I wasn't too thrilled with, and Aftershock I am reading now, but the other three are A OK.

 

>^..^<

[John_Anderson 0]

::Has a sudden flash back of work:: NOOO! NO MORE DICE! IT BURNS US!!!

 

AHHHHHHHHH!!

 

<~~~~ Hates anything that isn't a D6

[will_marx 0]

 

 

<~~~~ Hates anything that isn't a D6

 

 

::starts pelting John with D2s, D4s, round D6s, D8s, D10s, D12s, D20s, D30s, and D100s::

 

Shame on you, non-D&D type!