"Battle Dice" Odds?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I once RPG'd with a guy who rolled "battle dice" in place of using a d20. He probably picked it up from some other gaming system.

In short, he would roll a d10 and a d6. If the d6 result was 1-3, his "roll" would be whatever was on the d10. If he rolled 4-6 on the d6, he would add 10 to the d10 roll.

My questions are:

1) Statistically, is this any different from using a d20?

2) If so, is it significantly different?

 

[Enkhidu]

...

IGNORE ME!

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Identical.

A full count give 3 ways to get each number.

20 results, from 1-20 with an equal chance of each.

 

[kenobi65]

Works the same as a d20.

Back in the early days of D&D, d20s were numbered 0-9 twice (the same way d10s are now), and what you describe is exactly how it was suggested you determine the result of a d20 roll.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

3) Why?

 

[Delta]

Statistically identical (assuming fair dice -- the oddity of him doing this would make me want to check the dice -- there's lots of fakery/novelty crooked d6's on the market, not so many of other types).

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

It was actually the DM at the time and he was an odd guy so it wasn't all that surprising. It didn't matter which dice he used either.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Statistically identical (assuming fair dice -- the oddity of him doing this would make me want to check the dice -- there's lots of fakery/novelty crooked d6's on the market, not so many of other types).

There's crooked d20s, too. Of course, they're not available in that many colours, but still.

He probably did it only in order to be different, I guess.

 

[kenobi65]

He probably did it only in order to be different, I guess.

Or because he decided that that die, or that system, was "lucky". Never underestimate the superstitiousness of gamers, esp. when it comes to their dice.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Or because he decided that that die, or that system, was "lucky". Never underestimate the superstitiousness of gamers, esp. when it comes to their dice.

You're blurting utter nonsense. "Lucky" dice aren't, and you're probably the only roleplayer who buys into this nonsense.

Why am I even talking to you? I have better things to do. Which reminds me: I'll have to take that d20 out of the Dice Dungeon. That will teach him going jinxy on me in the end fight!