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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mkletch" data-source="post: 410515" data-attributes="member: 3396">I've seen variants where people also use 4d6-4.  This leads to an even tighter bell curve, and anything more than 4 dice is effectively a small variance plus a big bonus (20d6 is nearly the same as 2d4+65).I took the opposite approach in 2E, and I'm thinking of applying it in my next campaign.  Bonuses are backwards converted into dice, and handfulls of dice are backwards converted into either a few dice of large value or two dice.  20d6 is approximately the same as 6d20, though a little short on average and minimum possible value.  So, 6d20+4.The other option would be to roll 1d6x19 + 1d6.  So, yes, roll two dice, one is multiplied by 19 and added to the other.  Much wider variance, though not a bell curve.  If that is important, roll (2d6)x9 + 2d6.Large numbers of dice are effectively a noisy fixed value, and large fixed values, especially bonuses, are boring.  If you look at the Sultans of Smack thread, it's whole point is maximizing fixed bonuses and critical multipliers.  Boring; there is no need to roll anything other than an attack roll - the damage is nearly a fixed quantity.Other than spell balance and how it relates to the magic item system, this would be my second choice.  High-level combat against soft (low AC and/or low SR) opponents can be effectively resolved in a diceless manner.  THAT is not D&D to me.-Fletch!</blockquote>