In tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), D20 dice are one of the most commonly used dice. Knowing how to use D20 dice correctly is essential to improving the experience of role-playing games.
1. Basic rules of D20 dice: dice determine fate
D20 dice are often used to determine the results of various actions of characters in the game, such as attacks, skill checks, and exemption checks. Understanding its basic rules is the key to mastering D20 dice.
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| DND D20 dice for skill checks and saving throws |
Attack check
In many role-playing games, D20 dice are used to determine whether the character's attack hits the enemy. Generally speaking, you need to roll D20 and then add the character's attack bonus. If this result is higher than the enemy's defense value or AC (armor class), the attack will succeed.
For example:
The character rolls a 15, the attack bonus is +5, and the enemy's AC is 18, then the total result is 15 + 5 = 20. Since 20 is greater than 18, the attack is successful.
Skill Checks
D20 is also widely used in skill checks, such as stealing, swimming, climbing, etc. Players roll a D20 and add the bonus of the corresponding skill to determine whether they can successfully complete the task. Each action in the game has a difficulty (DC), and the result of the roll must be greater than or equal to the DC to succeed.
For example:
When the player rolls a 12 while sneaking, the skill bonus is +3, and the target's DC is 14. At this time, 12 + 3 = 15, which exceeds DC14, and the player successfully sneaks.
Saving Throws
Saving Throws are used to resist adverse effects, such as poisoning, fear, etc. Players need to roll a D20 and add the relevant saving throw bonus to determine whether they have successfully avoided a certain state.
For example:
If the character is attacked by poison, the DC of the poison effect is 12, and the character's saving throw bonus is +4, then the D20 result plus the bonus (for example, if you roll an 8, the result is 8 + 4 = 12), which is exactly equal to the DC, and the character successfully resists.
2. Advanced Application of D20 Dice: Tactics and Strategies
After mastering the basic rules, players can use some strategies and techniques to improve the effect of using D20 dice, making the game experience richer and more interesting.
Improve Hit Rate
In some role-playing games, the result of rolling the D20 dice determines whether you can successfully hit the enemy. Therefore, players can increase the chance of hitting by increasing the character's attack bonus or choosing the right weapon. In some games, there is also the option of enhancing the attack with skills or magic, and players can choose the most appropriate bonus according to the battle situation.
Reasonable use of advantages and disadvantages
In many role-playing games (such as Dungeons and Dragons), there may be "advantage" or "disadvantage" rules when rolling dice. Players with advantage can roll two D20s and take the higher result, while the disadvantage is the opposite, taking the lower result. In some cases, using advantages or disadvantages can significantly increase the chance of success.
For example:
If the character has advantage when attacking and rolls 15 and 18, the attack result will be 18, increasing the chance of hitting the enemy.
Predicting Failure or Success
Sometimes, the result of a D20 roll may put players in a critical moment of decision. In these cases, the story background and character development strategy of the game become very important. Players can prepare various response plans in advance by predicting the results of battles or tasks, such as magic, props or tactics to make up for possible failures or maximize possible success.
3. D20 dice and teamwork: collaborative decision-making
Although the D20 dice is a tool used to determine the results of individual actions, the spirit of cooperation is equally important in role-playing games. The D20 dice can also be used to reflect the interaction and cooperation between teams, especially in multiplayer games, where players need to face strong enemies and overcome obstacles together.
Collaborative skill checks
In some cases, team members may need to perform certain skill checks together. For example, players may need to climb walls, open locks or defeat powerful enemies together. In these situations, team members can cooperate with each other and increase the success rate through teamwork. Although each player's D20 dice roll determines their individual actions, in the process of collaboration, the team's strategy and joint efforts will have a significant impact on the final result.
Sharing resources and support
In addition to dice rolling, team members can also support each other by using magic, potions, and other items. For example, a player may use healing spells or buff magic to improve the skill check results of teammates, indirectly affecting the overall performance of the team.
4. Tactics and game depth of D20 dice
D20 dice is not just a tool for randomly determining fate, it also provides players with a huge tactical and strategic depth. Players need to carefully design the order of each action in each round of the game, predict the enemy's reaction, and use the results of the dice to support their own strategies.
Simulate the diversity of different results
D20 dice can simulate a variety of different results and possibilities, which makes every game full of variables. Players not only have to rely on intuition and luck, but also need to make the most appropriate decisions based on the character's ability, the enemy's weaknesses, and the changes in the battlefield.
Reasonable allocation of actions
Sometimes, there will be multiple goals or multiple action options in the game, and players need to reasonably allocate the actions of each character when rolling the D20 dice. By ensuring that each action is as efficient as possible, players can greatly increase their chances of success and make the entire game process smoother.
