Comments on: When Dice Go Bad http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad Game mastering advice, ideas & resources • Dedicated to helping GMs Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:46:31 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Martin http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-2#comment-7409 Martin Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:44:31 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-7409 X|S, that is truly bizarre -- it's definitely too bad that you lost that die! ;) X|S, that is truly bizarre — it’s definitely too bad that you lost that die! ;)

]]> By: XS http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-2#comment-7132 XS Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:31:06 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-7132 I remember a game in which, the 20-sided I was using rolled exclusively 1-2, or 18-20, thus either critically fumbling or hitting on attack rolls, and either sucking it up or blowing away skill checks. Nothing in between for this guy! After a while, my DM asked me to change to *his* 20. After four rolls of 20 in-a-row with my own, I had no objections, as I correctly presumed that the karmic balance was soon to come, and that my 20 would be rolling a bunch of ones to compensate for its generosity. Thus, on my next few rolls, I used both my die and my DM's die simultaneously, calling "your die" with each roll. (This, as his die is "called", it means that my die is being rolled just "for kicks".) My die did, in fact roll on its low end for the next couple of rolls, two ones, and a two. Of course, this didn’t matter when my DM's die rolled a 16, an 11 and a 19. :) Naturally, he took his die back promptly and after that point, insisted that I use my old green 20 again. Alas, it has been lost to the mists of time, and may never return again. This may be a blessing, but I'd still like to find it: If for no other reason than to make other DMs (and players) cry. -X|S I remember a game in which, the 20-sided I was using rolled exclusively 1-2, or 18-20, thus either critically fumbling or hitting on attack rolls, and either sucking it up or blowing away skill checks. Nothing in between for this guy!

After a while, my DM asked me to change to *his* 20. After four rolls of 20 in-a-row with my own, I had no objections, as I correctly presumed that the karmic balance was soon to come, and that my 20 would be rolling a bunch of ones to compensate for its generosity.

Thus, on my next few rolls, I used both my die and my DM’s die simultaneously, calling “your die” with each roll. (This, as his die is “called”, it means that my die is being rolled just “for kicks”.)

My die did, in fact roll on its low end for the next couple of rolls, two ones, and a two. Of course, this didn’t matter when my DM’s die rolled a 16, an 11 and a 19. :)

Naturally, he took his die back promptly and after that point, insisted that I use my old green 20 again. Alas, it has been lost to the mists of time, and may never return again. This may be a blessing, but I’d still like to find it: If for no other reason than to make other DMs (and players) cry.

-X|S

]]> By: The Google Page (beta) archive - all the old stuff. « Random Thoughts http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-2#comment-3810 The Google Page (beta) archive - all the old stuff. « Random Thoughts Mon, 04 Sep 2006 16:31:23 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3810 [...] We have had days like this, when simple things seem to rise up against us. [...] [...] We have had days like this, when simple things seem to rise up against us. [...]

]]> By: Martin http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3306 Martin Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:17:50 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3306 Thanks for the links, Brigid! :) Inept: No worries -- it was hard to tell, so erred on the side of caution. Thanks for the links, Brigid! :)

Inept: No worries — it was hard to tell, so erred on the side of caution.

]]> By: Inept http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3305 Inept Fri, 04 Aug 2006 12:37:22 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3305 Martin, dont think it was in any way personal, I wasn't offended and I hope Cliff/Frank weren't by my comments, I take on board that where the game has a concept of 'raises' then the dice rollinng itself is essential. I've played one or two such games and enjoyed them. I think all the comments made were interesting but - as you say, this thread might have come to a natural end. Brigid threads are quite interesting if folks havent checked them out, well worth it. Martin,
dont think it was in any way personal, I wasn’t offended and I hope Cliff/Frank weren’t by my comments, I take on board that where the game has a concept of ‘raises’ then the dice rollinng itself is essential. I’ve played one or two such games and enjoyed them. I think all the comments made were interesting but – as you say, this thread might have come to a natural end. Brigid threads are quite interesting if folks havent checked them out, well worth it.

]]> By: newsBreaks.net » Disgusted by dice, gamer buries them http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3301 newsBreaks.net » Disgusted by dice, gamer buries them Fri, 04 Aug 2006 06:01:30 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3301 [...] Link [...] [...] Link [...]

]]> By: Brigid http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3298 Brigid Fri, 04 Aug 2006 01:34:14 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3298 Here's a few links which are pertinent to this discussion: <a HREF="http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Dice-Rolling-Superstitions:-So,-Are-You-Feeling-Lucky?&id=225659" rel="nofollow">Dice Superstitions Article, by me. </a> <a HREF="http://www.advancinghordes.com/newsletters.php/faq_item/2" rel="nofollow">Fair Dice Article by L. Maynard (scroll down to bottom)</a> <a HREF="http://www.advancinghordes.com/about_gamescience.php/faq_item/5" rel="nofollow">What makes Gamescience Dice so Fair? </a> Enjoy! Here’s a few links which are pertinent to this discussion:

Dice Superstitions Article, by me.

Fair Dice Article by L. Maynard (scroll down to bottom)

What makes Gamescience Dice so Fair?

Enjoy!

]]> By: Martin http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3259 Martin Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:37:22 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3259 Cliff, Inept, let's leave the rolling dice vs. not rolling dice issue at that, unless you can keep it from being personal. They're both valid styles, and you've explained your points well. Cliff, Inept, let’s leave the rolling dice vs. not rolling dice issue at that, unless you can keep it from being personal.

They’re both valid styles, and you’ve explained your points well.

]]> By: Inept http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3258 Inept Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:53:41 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3258 Cliff, Suggest you and Frank get together and try roleplaying rather than dice roling, just try it one time and then tell me I'm wrong... I have been reading this thread with real interest I just cannot believe folks are so hung up on roling dice, you guys wanna role dice rather than roleplay try Yahtzee! If the dice make so much negative difference to the game then simply remove them altogether. Obviously I must be speaking some sort of heresay given the comments. Cliff,
Suggest you and Frank get together and try roleplaying rather than dice roling, just try it one time and then tell me I’m wrong…

I have been reading this thread with real interest I just cannot believe folks are so hung up on roling dice, you guys wanna role dice rather than roleplay try Yahtzee!

If the dice make so much negative difference to the game then simply remove them altogether. Obviously I must be speaking some sort of heresay given the comments.

]]> By: Yoda http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3241 Yoda Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:35:45 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3241 I can confirm that... Though I've never seen him empty the bag, we've had at most 4 groups of dice: 1. The Bag 2. The Pile Of Shame 3. The "Haven't Failed Yet" Dice 4. The "Not to Be Trusted" Dice Group 4 mostly consisted of those dice that rolled really well for a change. Group 2 produced "camping in the sea" as a good idea. And it is - no one expects it, you have water and food on hand... I can confirm that… Though I’ve never seen him empty the bag, we’ve had at most 4 groups of dice:

1. The Bag
2. The Pile Of Shame
3. The “Haven’t Failed Yet” Dice
4. The “Not to Be Trusted” Dice

Group 4 mostly consisted of those dice that rolled really well for a change.

Group 2 produced “camping in the sea” as a good idea. And it is – no one expects it, you have water and food on hand…

]]> By: Vykromod http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3240 Vykromod Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:31:18 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3240 When my dice go bad, I go with the Pile of Shame theory. Under this, a single poor roll is enough to get the offending dice pushed to one side, into a heap which grows to sadly epic proportions most days, usually with an exclamation involving the words Pile of Shame, from where they will not to be used again that session. Or next session if I remember them. It's pretty much the Endless Bag o' Dice mentioned earlier, but involves shouting "Shame! Pile of shame for you!" more often. When my dice go bad, I go with the Pile of Shame theory. Under this, a single poor roll is enough to get the offending dice pushed to one side, into a heap which grows to sadly epic proportions most days, usually with an exclamation involving the words Pile of Shame, from where they will not to be used again that session. Or next session if I remember them.

It’s pretty much the Endless Bag o’ Dice mentioned earlier, but involves shouting “Shame! Pile of shame for you!” more often.

]]> By: Drunk on Caffeine » Blog Archive » Bad dice? http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad/comment-page-1#comment-3235 Drunk on Caffeine » Blog Archive » Bad dice? Mon, 31 Jul 2006 21:12:39 +0000 http://www.treasuretables.org/?p=419#comment-3235 [...] http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad [...] [...] http://www.treasuretables.org/2006/07/when-dice-go-bad [...]

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