oudeis
2013-06-19, 02:50 AM
I'm thinking of finally putting an idea into form that has been kicking around in my head for... damn, has it really been that long?!?!
Sorry. Anyway, I've had this system involving custom dice in my head for quite some time, but I don't know how to evaluate its worth from a statistical perspective and I'm hoping someone here can help. Before I actually place the order through Gamestation.net I'd like to get your(pl.) feedback.
I've always preferred rolling dice to the point-buy system, though I understand PB's virtues (getting the character you want, keeping lucky players from dominating the early game, preventing envy/resentment, etc). I like the sense of anticipation, the mystery, the fear of random results :smallbiggrin:. However, the character generation methods I've seen either have too much range and downside potential or not enough: 3d6 and its variations can result in a hamstrung and even worthless character and 2d+6 tends to produce overpowered specimens, at least in my experience, and it just feels like the risk and uncertainty have been removed. So I started to wonder how you could retain the excitement of the roll while diminishing the possibility of junk character, yet give the player some of the control of the point build. Here is where my idea comes in.
At character creation, each player would given a pool of dice to roll. In place of the standard d6, s/he rolls customized six-sided d3s with the following possible face values:
Type A: 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3
Type B: 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3
Type C: 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3
Type D: 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3
Instead of rolling 3d6, players will have 6d3 to allocate to each characteristic. This will lessen the chance of an unusably poor result. Of the pool of 36 total dice they can roll, some would be type A and have the standard probability. Most would be type B and skew the results slightly upward (?), because heroes should be exceptional. For the stats the player wants to have a better chance of buffing up (no more than two) s/he would allocate some of the small pool of C dice. I still haven't fully fleshed out the role of the Ds, but I like the idea of the terror they might create. :smallamused:
So, could this work? What is the difference in probability of the various types above, and how many of each would have to be included in the total pool to have the desired effect, assuming it's even possible? Thanks.
PS: It's after Midnight when I write this so it might not be completely coherent or clear. I will re-read this in the morning and make any clarifications necessary.
Sorry. Anyway, I've had this system involving custom dice in my head for quite some time, but I don't know how to evaluate its worth from a statistical perspective and I'm hoping someone here can help. Before I actually place the order through Gamestation.net I'd like to get your(pl.) feedback.
I've always preferred rolling dice to the point-buy system, though I understand PB's virtues (getting the character you want, keeping lucky players from dominating the early game, preventing envy/resentment, etc). I like the sense of anticipation, the mystery, the fear of random results :smallbiggrin:. However, the character generation methods I've seen either have too much range and downside potential or not enough: 3d6 and its variations can result in a hamstrung and even worthless character and 2d+6 tends to produce overpowered specimens, at least in my experience, and it just feels like the risk and uncertainty have been removed. So I started to wonder how you could retain the excitement of the roll while diminishing the possibility of junk character, yet give the player some of the control of the point build. Here is where my idea comes in.
At character creation, each player would given a pool of dice to roll. In place of the standard d6, s/he rolls customized six-sided d3s with the following possible face values:
Type A: 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3
Type B: 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3
Type C: 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3
Type D: 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3
Instead of rolling 3d6, players will have 6d3 to allocate to each characteristic. This will lessen the chance of an unusably poor result. Of the pool of 36 total dice they can roll, some would be type A and have the standard probability. Most would be type B and skew the results slightly upward (?), because heroes should be exceptional. For the stats the player wants to have a better chance of buffing up (no more than two) s/he would allocate some of the small pool of C dice. I still haven't fully fleshed out the role of the Ds, but I like the idea of the terror they might create. :smallamused:
So, could this work? What is the difference in probability of the various types above, and how many of each would have to be included in the total pool to have the desired effect, assuming it's even possible? Thanks.
PS: It's after Midnight when I write this so it might not be completely coherent or clear. I will re-read this in the morning and make any clarifications necessary.