Roll Attacks With a Special d12 - Not a d20

[varden]

I'm the DM from a previous post http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/325626-dont-add-up-damage-use-blank-d6.html planning to roll damage using a specially marked d6 with some of the actual damage totals written on it.

If a monster deals 2d6+5 damage, I'd mark a blank d6: 9 12 12 12 12 15.
I'll do this because I can't add quickly and my goal is an immersive, fast-paced game.

I haven't talked to my players about this yet, but I'm thinking about doing it with attack rolls too, but using a d12 - not a d20.

The reason is logistical - 40% fewer labels to make, plus the triangles on a standard-size d20 are too small to work with while the pentagons on a d12 are big enough.

As for the math, I'll assume a base d12 numbered 2 3 5 6 8 10 11 12 15 16 18 19. This sequence is evenly distributed, and averages 10.5 just like a d20.

Next, I'd mark stick-on labels with the attack bonus added to the base numbers. If a monster has a +15 to hit, I'd mark one label "+15/17" (so I know what die it is) and mark the rest of the d12: 18 20 21 23 25 26 28 30 31 33 34.

I'd instantly know if I'd hit without taking the time to do any math or look on any tables - the number is just right there in front of me.

The occasional +2 or -2 isn't an issue - I'd just apply it to the defense. "The paladin's AC is 24, but I'm flanking, so I'll think of it as 22."

Criticals? They would come up 8.3% of the time instead of 5%, so to be fair, I would still roll a regular d20 and only call a critical miss or hit if it came up 1 or 20.

Speaking of fair, I await your responses.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Well this seems like a good way to solve a problem I am not having in my games, so I do not really need to pursue it.

 

[Jhaelen]

Sounds good, should work. Definitely talk to your players first, though. I've made attempts in the past to streamline certain things, and some players simply enjoy rolling (tons of) dice too much to be in favour of such ideas.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Less work just to randomly pre-generate a list of numbers, and then cross them off as you use them.

 

[DnD_Dad]

Personally I love rolling lots of dice. It adds a level of epicness sometimes to get the hit an then be able to literary roll a handful of dice.

 

[varden]

The group says "sure, what the heck."

The dice are fun to roll. Made ones for +11 thru +19.

Put them in one of the compartmented floss cases I had my Dragon Dice in, so if I put them back in order, I can keep them straight.

Still waiting to DM - we play slow - will let you know how it turns out

 

[DM Howard]

The group says "sure, what the heck."

The dice are fun to roll. Made ones for +11 thru +19.

Put them in one of the compartmented floss cases I had my Dragon Dice in, so if I put them back in order, I can keep them straight.

Still waiting to DM - we play slow - will let you know how it turns out

Interested to see how it goes. I think the only way you'll see if it works is by doing it.

 

[john112364]

While this isn't a problem for me, because I like to roll dice, it seems like a very creative solution. And if your players are cool with it, then by all means go for it!

The only problem I would have with it is that there is no possibility of and automatic miss (a"1"), or an automatic hit (a "20") not to mention no Crits. I guess that would definitely work for the players though.



Hey I rolled a 17. Did I hit?