How to roll a whole dice pool with a single die
Sept 28, 2013 19:13:00 GMT -8
Post by Grog on Sept 28, 2013 19:13:00 GMT -8
Abstract: I've created a table that allows a Storyteller or (rarely) player to simulate a roll of a dice pool with the roll of a single d20.
Details: For some time, I've been trying to put my fingers on what I like about white wolf, and I've come to the conclusion that part of it is the ability to drop a huge mound of dice on the table. When you are a total badass sword-fighter you might have as much as 13 dice. When you started mounding up the dice for the roll the other players all look around and start murmuring, "oh, shit. This dude is about to be toast." Also, when you get reduced to that lonely chance die it feels awfully small and light in your hand, especially after all the pools.
But....I love Savage Worlds because it gives me a way to roll a whole bunch of mook rolls all at once. I've gone back and forth and one of my friends pointed out that in the end it's all just probability and which numbers you are trying to roll. So....
I created a table that takes the probability of rolling a given minimum number of successes with a given die pool, and converted it to d20 values. It took the upward probability out to three natural 20s in a roll. At that point, I figure that you should do what you want anyway. In the higher dice pools a success is essentially guaranteed 5% of not rolling at least one success. However, since this is mostly designed for mooks, a roll of a one should probably just be interpreted as a failure. Also, with dice pools that high, the storyteller should probably be rolling the actual pool.
Anyway, here it is if anyone is interested. Screenshot in post, excel attached.
Grog
Details: For some time, I've been trying to put my fingers on what I like about white wolf, and I've come to the conclusion that part of it is the ability to drop a huge mound of dice on the table. When you are a total badass sword-fighter you might have as much as 13 dice. When you started mounding up the dice for the roll the other players all look around and start murmuring, "oh, shit. This dude is about to be toast." Also, when you get reduced to that lonely chance die it feels awfully small and light in your hand, especially after all the pools.
But....I love Savage Worlds because it gives me a way to roll a whole bunch of mook rolls all at once. I've gone back and forth and one of my friends pointed out that in the end it's all just probability and which numbers you are trying to roll. So....
I created a table that takes the probability of rolling a given minimum number of successes with a given die pool, and converted it to d20 values. It took the upward probability out to three natural 20s in a roll. At that point, I figure that you should do what you want anyway. In the higher dice pools a success is essentially guaranteed 5% of not rolling at least one success. However, since this is mostly designed for mooks, a roll of a one should probably just be interpreted as a failure. Also, with dice pools that high, the storyteller should probably be rolling the actual pool.
Anyway, here it is if anyone is interested. Screenshot in post, excel attached.
Grog