Username:    Password:      Remember me       
Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group Forum Index Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group
Discussion Forum for PEG/GWG
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Alternate dice Mechanic?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group Forum Index -> SW Home-brew Settings & Conversions
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
LordOrlando
Novice


Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:07 am    Post subject: Alternate dice Mechanic? Reply with quote

I really like the many types of polyhedrals used in SW, but some of my players find this dice mechanic confusing and/or too random. So my question is: Is there a simple alternate dice mechanic out there (=simple to convert to), like for example a fudge dice or a d6 pool system, to be used with SW? Would be very grateful, TIA!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Timon
Heroic


Joined: 21 Feb 2011
Posts: 1090
Location: Haarlem in the Netherlands

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forums! #1xyxwave

Are your players new to RPGs or are they used to a different system?

The dice in SW are rather "swingy" if you are used to some other systems, but that is actually part of the design: it represents the wild luck and crushing misfortune of high adventure. The problem with replacing the dice mechanic is that you then need to revise how skills, attributes and modifiers apply in the game. It changes so many things that you end up with a different game.

Are your players having difficulty knowing what dice to roll, or are they unhappy with the results they get? I assume that you know about the wild die and the use of Bennies....
_________________
Biting! It's like kissing but there's a winner!
The Doctor's Wife
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
LordOrlando
Novice


Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello and thanks for the warm Welcome!

Well, after 8 or so sessions thery arent complete newbies anymore. Now they know rpg from WoW Smile Just kidding, they really seem to enjoy p&p,always asking when the next session would be.

But yes, some of them still have troubles finding the right dice, and for some the results feel a bit too random or binary. A sentiment i can understand.
Since im reading a lot on many different rpg systems, i stumbled upon a fate game using a dice step mechanic similar to SW(heck, even the TN is 4!),where fate games usually use fudge dice. I found that fudge dice produce nice bell shaped probability curves,( but are a little bit...boring, you know.)

Anyway, i was wondering if someone has done just that with SW, ie toyed with different mechanics, so i gave it a shot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jpk
Legendary


Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 2178
Location: Tazewell, East Tennessee, USA

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As far as getting the right dice more easily, I'd suggest you go somewhere you can buy individual dice and outfit the table with dice sets that are identical and color-coded. Say all d4s are red, all d6s are blue, all d8s are yellow, and so on.

At that point, it's probably worth it to print the character sheets in color or use highlighters on the die notations on the sheet.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Wiggy
Legendary


Joined: 03 Sep 2003
Posts: 5600
Location: TAG me. I dare you!

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jpk wrote:
As far as getting the right dice more easily, I'd suggest you go somewhere you can buy individual dice and outfit the table with dice sets that are identical and color-coded. Say all d4s are red, all d6s are blue, all d8s are yellow, and so on.


Seconded. My wife still has problems telling dice apart after years of gaming, so she has different color dice. Only takes a second for me to say "The red one, dear."
_________________
Wiggy
Creative Director Triple Ace Games

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
marshal kt
Legendary


Joined: 13 May 2003
Posts: 2403
Location: west palm beach, fl

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

most of the SW character sheets had th shape of the dice on them.

Just circle the correct shape for the die to roll.
_________________
"I'm Hotep"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Timon
Heroic


Joined: 21 Feb 2011
Posts: 1090
Location: Haarlem in the Netherlands

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I introduced a bunch of teenagers to RPG, so my first action was to make them each a present of cool-looking dice. I depends on your budget, but you can get exceedingly attractive dice on-line from, for instance, Q-Workshop.

Though I agree that colour coding can be useful, most people become handy with dice once they have their own set. It is kind of a gamer right of passage and for some a life-long rotten, bad, addiction. #1eek1

Remember also that you can minimize the rolls they need to make by not having everybody roll notice to hear the funny sound and not letting everyone try to defuse the bomb.
_________________
Biting! It's like kissing but there's a winner!
The Doctor's Wife
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
xxlgeeklord
Seasoned


Joined: 21 Nov 2011
Posts: 249

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If your players are having problems telling dice apart get them their own dice sets. As the timon said once a player has his own set of dice it becomes like an addiction: a familiar pain.

But seriously, it would probably help.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bavix
Seasoned


Joined: 06 Aug 2009
Posts: 111
Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For new players, I also try to limit the dice they have in front of them to the ones they actually need. If their character has no attributes or skills at say d10 or d12, then there's no reason for the player to have those. Heck, I once made some convention characters that used nothing except d6s and d8s. The entire session ran with two dice.
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Other Mike
Seasoned


Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 314
Location: Rochester, NY

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chuckle, that's good advice for us old time players as well. I usually put away the dice I don't need, just to save space and to keep them from distracting me. Wink
_________________
My delusions of grandeur are way bigger than yours!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group Forum Index -> SW Home-brew Settings & Conversions All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum