Dice pool
Encyclopedia
In some role-playing game
systems, the dice pool is the number of dice
that a player is allowed to roll when attempting to perform a certain action.
and skills, and compare the resulting number with a difficulty rating. However, in some systems the character's attributes and skills determine the number of dice to be rolled.
Dice pool systems generally use a single type of die, the most common being six- or ten-sided dice (d6s or d10s), though in some games a character's Attributes or Skills may determine the size of the dice in the pool, as well as their number (Deadlands
is an example). While such games may require different sized dice for different rolls, the dice in a given pool are usually all of the same size.
The results on each die may be added together and compared to a target number (as in Over the Edge
), or the player may count the number of dice which roll higher than a specified target number, and compare that to a required number of "successes" (as in early editions of Shadowrun
or the Storyteller System). In systems using the latter method, the target number required for a success may be fixed (the same for every roll) or variable (assigned depending on the difficulty of a task); the number of successes required may indicate the degree of success, or a minimum number of successes may be required as another means of determining difficulty. Another variation is that a number of dice are rolled, but only some are added together (as in the "Roll and Keep" system used by Legend of the Five Rings
and 7th Sea).
Penalties may temporarily reduce the dice pool for one or more skills (for example, a leg wound may reduce the dice pool for actions such as running, climbing, and jumping), and are usually fixed numbers (i.e. the leg wound may reduce a pool by two dice).
Bonuses may temporarily increase dice pools, and usually represent beneficial circumstances (e.g. a character may have a powerful computer to aid her in a database search) or some special effort on the character's part (an effort of will, a strong desire to succeed, or even a supernatural power). Circumstantial bonuses are also usually fixed numbers - the computer above might grant two additional dice, for example - while character traits which grant bonuses are usually an expendable resource, representing special effort. This may take the form of "points" (e.g. "Willpower points" in the Storytelling System
), or an extra pool of dice which may be allocated to other pools to augment rolls (e.g. the Combat and Karma pools of earlier edition Shadowrun).
Other complications may be used to simulate luck, superhuman ability or other conditions; a common one is to allow high (or low) rolling dice to be rolled again, the second roll counting as if it were an additional die.
Famously, early versions of the Storyteller System sometimes made rolling botches (critical failures) more likely the higher your skill or attribute was, since a critical failure would occur if any of the dice came up as a "1"; the probability that at least one "1" will be rolled increases the more dice are rolled, and so highly-skilled characters would botch surprisingly frequently, whereas poorly-skilled characters could frequently get away scot-free. This problem was eliminated in the Revised version of the system and later derivatives by stating that a botch only occurred if a no normal successes were scored, and one of the dice came up "1".
's Star Wars Role-Playing Game (1987), developing a system pioneered the year before in the Ghostbusters RPG
by Greg Stafford
, Lynn Willis
, and Sandy Petersen
. (Both games were published by West End Games
; Costikyan consulted on Ghostbusters.)
Shadowrun
(1989), designed by Bob Charrette, Paul Hulme, and Tom Dowd
, was probably the first game to use the "success" mechanic rather than adding the dice together. Vampire: The Masquerade
(1991) and Over the Edge
(1992) followed, which were written by Ars Magica
designers Mark Rein-Hagen and Jonathan Tweet
respectively, the pair having been impressed by the potential of the dice pool mechanic and each having decided to make their own game based on dice pools. The majority of White Wolf Publishing's subsequent games use variations on Vampires Storyteller System, and so also make use of the dice pool mechanic.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
systems, the dice pool is the number of dice
Dice
A die is a small throwable object with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers...
that a player is allowed to roll when attempting to perform a certain action.
Mechanics
In most RPG systems, most non-trivial actions require dice rolls. Most RPGs roll a fixed number of dice, add a number to the die roll based on the character's attributesAttribute (role-playing games)
An attribute is a piece of data that describes to what extent a fictional character in a role-playing game possesses a specific natural, in-born characteristic common to all characters in the game. That piece of data is usually an abstract number or, in some cases, a set of dice...
and skills, and compare the resulting number with a difficulty rating. However, in some systems the character's attributes and skills determine the number of dice to be rolled.
Dice pool systems generally use a single type of die, the most common being six- or ten-sided dice (d6s or d10s), though in some games a character's Attributes or Skills may determine the size of the dice in the pool, as well as their number (Deadlands
Deadlands
Deadlands is a genre-mixing alternate history roleplaying game which combines the Western and horror genres, with some Steampunk elements. It was written by Shane Lacy Hensley and published by Pinnacle Entertainment Group....
is an example). While such games may require different sized dice for different rolls, the dice in a given pool are usually all of the same size.
The results on each die may be added together and compared to a target number (as in Over the Edge
Over the Edge (role-playing game)
Over the Edge is a surreal role-playing game of secrets and conspiracies, taking place on the mysterious Island of Al Amarja. It was created by Jonathan Tweet with Robin Laws, and published by Atlas Games...
), or the player may count the number of dice which roll higher than a specified target number, and compare that to a required number of "successes" (as in early editions of Shadowrun
Shadowrun
Shadowrun is a role-playing game set in a near-future fictional universe in which cybernetics, magic and fantasy creatures co-exist. It combines genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy and crime, with occasional elements of conspiracy fiction, horror, and detective fiction.The original game has spawned...
or the Storyteller System). In systems using the latter method, the target number required for a success may be fixed (the same for every roll) or variable (assigned depending on the difficulty of a task); the number of successes required may indicate the degree of success, or a minimum number of successes may be required as another means of determining difficulty. Another variation is that a number of dice are rolled, but only some are added together (as in the "Roll and Keep" system used by Legend of the Five Rings
Legend of the Five Rings
Legend of the Five Rings is a fictional setting created by the John Wick and published by Alderac Entertainment Group in 1995. The setting primarily involves the fictional country of Rokugan, though some additional areas and cultures have been discussed. Rokugan is based roughly on feudal Japan...
and 7th Sea).
Modifying the dice pool
In dice pool systems it is common to add or subtract dice from the pool to represent different circumstances.Penalties may temporarily reduce the dice pool for one or more skills (for example, a leg wound may reduce the dice pool for actions such as running, climbing, and jumping), and are usually fixed numbers (i.e. the leg wound may reduce a pool by two dice).
Bonuses may temporarily increase dice pools, and usually represent beneficial circumstances (e.g. a character may have a powerful computer to aid her in a database search) or some special effort on the character's part (an effort of will, a strong desire to succeed, or even a supernatural power). Circumstantial bonuses are also usually fixed numbers - the computer above might grant two additional dice, for example - while character traits which grant bonuses are usually an expendable resource, representing special effort. This may take the form of "points" (e.g. "Willpower points" in the Storytelling System
Storytelling System
The Storytelling System, formerly Storyteller System, is a role-playing game system created by White Wolf, Inc. in 1991 that premiered in Vampire: The Masquerade, a part of the World of Darkness series.-Storyteller System:...
), or an extra pool of dice which may be allocated to other pools to augment rolls (e.g. the Combat and Karma pools of earlier edition Shadowrun).
Other complications may be used to simulate luck, superhuman ability or other conditions; a common one is to allow high (or low) rolling dice to be rolled again, the second roll counting as if it were an additional die.
Advantages and Problems
Dice pool systems allow a greater number of variables to affect a roll, which can be an advantage or a problem depending on the complexity desired by designers and players. One major drawback is that games using dice pools require a large number of dice, meaning a larger outlay for players on equipment, and the need for more room when making a roll. For this reason some games have rules placing a cap on the number of dice that can be rolled, usually granting other bonuses to the roll for each extra dice that would otherwise be granted. Such rules are often optional.Famously, early versions of the Storyteller System sometimes made rolling botches (critical failures) more likely the higher your skill or attribute was, since a critical failure would occur if any of the dice came up as a "1"; the probability that at least one "1" will be rolled increases the more dice are rolled, and so highly-skilled characters would botch surprisingly frequently, whereas poorly-skilled characters could frequently get away scot-free. This problem was eliminated in the Revised version of the system and later derivatives by stating that a botch only occurred if a no normal successes were scored, and one of the dice came up "1".
History
The first widely successful game to feature dice pools was Greg CostikyanGreg Costikyan
Greg Costikyan, sometimes known under the pseudonym "Designer X" , is an American game designer and science fiction writer.Costikyan's career spans nearly all extant genres of gaming, including hex-based wargames, role-playing games, boardgames, card games, computer games, online games and mobile...
's Star Wars Role-Playing Game (1987), developing a system pioneered the year before in the Ghostbusters RPG
Ghostbusters (role-playing game)
Ghostbusters is a comedy role-playing game designed by Sandy Petersen, Lynn Willis and Greg Stafford and published by West End Games in 1986. It is based on the 1984 film Ghostbusters....
by Greg Stafford
Greg Stafford
Francis Gregory Stafford , usually known as Greg Stafford, is an American game designer, publisher and shaman.-Glorantha and gaming:...
, Lynn Willis
Lynn Willis
Lynn Willis is a wargame and role-playing game designer who has done work for Metagaming Concepts, Game Designers' Workshop, and Chaosium.Willis began by designing science fiction wargames for Metagaming, starting with the Godsfire in 1976. He also designed the microgames Olympica and Holy War...
, and Sandy Petersen
Sandy Petersen
Carl Sanford Joslyn Petersen is a game designer.Petersen was born in St. Louis, Missouri and attended University of California, Berkeley, majoring in zoology....
. (Both games were published by West End Games
West End Games
West End Games was a company that made board, role-playing, and war games. It was founded by Daniel Scott Palter in 1974 in New York, but later moved to Honesdale, Pennsylvania...
; Costikyan consulted on Ghostbusters.)
Shadowrun
Shadowrun
Shadowrun is a role-playing game set in a near-future fictional universe in which cybernetics, magic and fantasy creatures co-exist. It combines genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy and crime, with occasional elements of conspiracy fiction, horror, and detective fiction.The original game has spawned...
(1989), designed by Bob Charrette, Paul Hulme, and Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd was an American recording engineer and producer for Atlantic Records. He was credited with innovating the multi-track recording method. Dowd worked on a virtual "who's who" of recordings that encompassed blues, jazz, pop, rock and soul records.- Early years :Born in Manhattan, Dowd grew...
, was probably the first game to use the "success" mechanic rather than adding the dice together. Vampire: The Masquerade
Vampire: The Masquerade
Vampire: The Masquerade is a role-playing game. Created by Mark Rein·Hagen, it was the first of White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness role-playing games, based on the Storyteller System and centered around vampires in a modern gothic-punk world....
(1991) and Over the Edge
Over the Edge (role-playing game)
Over the Edge is a surreal role-playing game of secrets and conspiracies, taking place on the mysterious Island of Al Amarja. It was created by Jonathan Tweet with Robin Laws, and published by Atlas Games...
(1992) followed, which were written by Ars Magica
Ars Magica
Ars Magica is a role-playing game set in Mythic Europe, a quasi-historical version of Europe around AD 1200 with added fantastical elements. The game revolves around wizards and their allies...
designers Mark Rein-Hagen and Jonathan Tweet
Jonathan Tweet
Jonathan Tweet is a game designer who has been involved in the development of the role-playing games Ars Magica, Everway, Over the Edge, Talislanta and the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as the Collectible Miniatures Game Dreamblade.-Early life:Jonathan Tweet started playing D&D in...
respectively, the pair having been impressed by the potential of the dice pool mechanic and each having decided to make their own game based on dice pools. The majority of White Wolf Publishing's subsequent games use variations on Vampires Storyteller System, and so also make use of the dice pool mechanic.