AD&D 1E What does this (d8, d6) dice notation mean in the DMG?
- Thread starter A2Z
- Start date
Willie the Duck
Legend
I feel like it must be: --
d6:
1-3: roll 1d8 for result.
4-6: roll 1d8+8 for result.
...but it'd be nice if that was explained.
Given that 1E has things like monster damage and number appearing is often in ranges (2-8, 10-60) and lets you extrapolate how to arrive there, it's not entirely out of character for the edition.
d6:
1-3: roll 1d8 for result.
4-6: roll 1d8+8 for result.
...but it'd be nice if that was explained.
Given that 1E has things like monster damage and number appearing is often in ranges (2-8, 10-60) and lets you extrapolate how to arrive there, it's not entirely out of character for the edition.
Look at page 10 of the DMG.
The d4 can be used to generate 25% incremental probabilities, random numbers from 1 to 4, with + 1 it generates a linear 2-5, etc. It can be used to get 1 or 2 (1 or 2 = 1,3 or 4 = 2) or in conjunction with any other dice to get linear or bell-shaped probability curves. For example, 2d4 = 2-8, 3d4 = 3-12, d4 + d6 = 2-10, d4 + d20 (as d10) = 2-14. When rolled in conjunction with another die, the d4 can be used to determine linear number ranges twice that shown on the other die, thus: d4 reading 1 or 2 means that whatever is read on the other die is the number shown; but if the d4 reads 3 or 4, add the highest number on the second die to the number shown - so if d8 is the second die 1 to 16 can be generated, if a d12 is used 1 to 24 can be generated. If a d20 is used either 1-20 (assuming the use of a standard d20 which is numbered 0-9 twice without coloring one set of faces to indicate that those faces have 10 added to the number appearing) or 1-40 (assuming that one set of faces is colored) can be gotten by adding 0 if 1 or 2 is rolled on the d4 and 10 or 20 (depending on die type) if a 3 or 4 is rolled. Linear series above this are possible simply by varying the meaning of the d4 number; 1 always means add 0, but 2 can be interpreted as add the value (highest number) of the second die, 3 can be twice value, and 4 can be thrice value. Thus, a d4 reading 4 in con- junction with a d8 (linear curve 1-32) would mean 24 + d8, or 25-32.
The d4 can be used to generate 25% incremental probabilities, random numbers from 1 to 4, with + 1 it generates a linear 2-5, etc. It can be used to get 1 or 2 (1 or 2 = 1,3 or 4 = 2) or in conjunction with any other dice to get linear or bell-shaped probability curves. For example, 2d4 = 2-8, 3d4 = 3-12, d4 + d6 = 2-10, d4 + d20 (as d10) = 2-14. When rolled in conjunction with another die, the d4 can be used to determine linear number ranges twice that shown on the other die, thus: d4 reading 1 or 2 means that whatever is read on the other die is the number shown; but if the d4 reads 3 or 4, add the highest number on the second die to the number shown - so if d8 is the second die 1 to 16 can be generated, if a d12 is used 1 to 24 can be generated. If a d20 is used either 1-20 (assuming the use of a standard d20 which is numbered 0-9 twice without coloring one set of faces to indicate that those faces have 10 added to the number appearing) or 1-40 (assuming that one set of faces is colored) can be gotten by adding 0 if 1 or 2 is rolled on the d4 and 10 or 20 (depending on die type) if a 3 or 4 is rolled. Linear series above this are possible simply by varying the meaning of the d4 number; 1 always means add 0, but 2 can be interpreted as add the value (highest number) of the second die, 3 can be twice value, and 4 can be thrice value. Thus, a d4 reading 4 in con- junction with a d8 (linear curve 1-32) would mean 24 + d8, or 25-32.
fuindordm
Hero
@Willie the Duck is correct!
A2Z
Adventurer
Thank you! That makes sense, it's definitely an adventure trying to figure out some of the number ranges.
Well, it's good to know it is explained somewhere. Thank you!
GMMichael
Guide of Modos
aco175
Legend
Likely the same as just making the charts 1-20 since we have that die. The new editions all seem to know this.
Weapons were the same thing with some dealing 2-5 instead if just 1d4 or 1d6.
Parmandur
Book-Friend, he/him
That is pretty awesome. Gygax had a very Baroque approach to math.
Mannahnin
Scion of Murgen (He/Him)
I've encountered a few gamers over the years who used a d10 paired with a d6 (for high/low) in place of a d20.
I suspect that the practice originally evolved for the same reason Gygax talks about in that passage (the old icosahedron dice being numbered 0-9 twice, instead of 1-20), only d6s are more commonplace and roll better than a d4.
Separately, I also remember enjoying the old "D66" tables Games Workshop would include in some of their games to give a linear range of 36 possibilities using a pair of d6s. Reading one as the tens column and one as the digits column, like you would with percentile dice.
I suspect that the practice originally evolved for the same reason Gygax talks about in that passage (the old icosahedron dice being numbered 0-9 twice, instead of 1-20), only d6s are more commonplace and roll better than a d4.
Separately, I also remember enjoying the old "D66" tables Games Workshop would include in some of their games to give a linear range of 36 possibilities using a pair of d6s. Reading one as the tens column and one as the digits column, like you would with percentile dice.
Willie the Duck
Legend
Yes, glad to see they did cover it.
1d4+1d10 creates a heck of a flattened normal distribution. When do you suppose EGG thought it would see use?
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