multiple dice
- bloodymage
- Pathfinder
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multiple dice
I want to roll 18 d20's. Not [18d20], but discrete rolls.
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Re: multiple dice
You can do this:bloodymage wrote:I want to roll 18 d20's. Not [18d20], but discrete rolls.
Set 1: [1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20]
Set 2: [1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20]
Set 3: [1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20],[1d20]
Re: multiple dice
There is a limit of 6 different roll functions, represented by the open and closed square brackets, per dice rolling action, which is why dmw71 shows it as three separate actions with six rolls in each action.
Dragon foot. Bamboo pole. Little mouse. Tiny boy.
Re: multiple dice
Sorry, I shouldn't answer forum questions after driving for five hours and then having Guinness.Alethan wrote:There is a limit of 6 different roll functions, represented by the open and closed square brackets, per dice rolling action, which is why dmw71 shows it as three separate actions with six rolls in each action.
It is a length limitation and not the number of dice rolling commands in a roll.
(Thanks for the nudge, Dave.)
Dragon foot. Bamboo pole. Little mouse. Tiny boy.
Re: multiple dice
If all the dice rolls are targeting a specific number, you can also use [18d20sX], where X is the number needed. It will auto-tally the number of successful rolls.
This is quick but comes with a LOT of limitations:
1. For attack rolls, it's impossible to tell when rolls are 1s or 20s.
2. If there's a factor you don't consider in advance, or your math is slightly off, it's impossible to figure out how many successes you would have had with a slightly different target number.
3. If it matters which roll represents which roller, you need additional rolls to work out correlating the results which is almost as much work as the long string.
The main area I've seen this technique be useful is saving throw rolls of a large number of functionally identical npcs.
Since we're on the topic, how difficult would it be to add a verbose output that lists all the results using the [XdYsZ] format?
This is quick but comes with a LOT of limitations:
1. For attack rolls, it's impossible to tell when rolls are 1s or 20s.
2. If there's a factor you don't consider in advance, or your math is slightly off, it's impossible to figure out how many successes you would have had with a slightly different target number.
3. If it matters which roll represents which roller, you need additional rolls to work out correlating the results which is almost as much work as the long string.
The main area I've seen this technique be useful is saving throw rolls of a large number of functionally identical npcs.
Since we're on the topic, how difficult would it be to add a verbose output that lists all the results using the [XdYsZ] format?
Re: multiple dice
This is sort of related:
In a perfect world, it'd be really nice if there were a specific, single dice code that would allow us to see the individual results of each die in the group.
For example, in the Tunnels & Trolls game I'm running players often roll 2d6+modifiers, but get to roll again if they roll doubles. Right now we have two options:
Ideally, something like "[count 2d6+17]" would be perfect for adding up the dice and showing the individual results. However, even something like [1d6+1d6+17] would do just fine.
In a perfect world, it'd be really nice if there were a specific, single dice code that would allow us to see the individual results of each die in the group.
For example, in the Tunnels & Trolls game I'm running players often roll 2d6+modifiers, but get to roll again if they roll doubles. Right now we have two options:
- "[2d6+17]"… but that doesn't let us see whether doubles were rolled.
- "[1d6] [1d6] +17"… but that doesn't add up the results for easy computing.
Ideally, something like "[count 2d6+17]" would be perfect for adding up the dice and showing the individual results. However, even something like [1d6+1d6+17] would do just fine.
Re: multiple dice
This is interesting. I probably could code something like this, but I gotta admit that it will have to be low on my list of things to do.
Also interesting is how the roller responds to your [1d6+1d6] macro. I can't quite explain that but at least it doesn't break the code, just ruptures the spleen
Also interesting is how the roller responds to your [1d6+1d6] macro. I can't quite explain that but at least it doesn't break the code, just ruptures the spleen
"Sir, our research shows that the bird is equal to or greater than the word."
Re: multiple dice
Bwahahahaha!dmw71 wrote:Or this:ToniXX wrote:...just ruptures the spleen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvl_lfNyHuM
"Sir, our research shows that the bird is equal to or greater than the word."
Re: multiple dice
It seems like I want to roll six dice often, but I can't add much text and still have room to include six rolls. For example, this works:
- [1d20] [1d8]/[1d6] [1d20-2] [1d6]/[1d4]
- Cutlass: [1d20] [1d8]/[1d6] [1d20-2] [1d6]/[1d4]
- Cutlass & Boarding Axe (THAC0 20): [1d20] [1d8]/[1d6], [1d20-2] [1d6]/[1d4]
Re: multiple dice
I second this request!Zhym wrote:It seems like I want to roll six dice often, but I can't add much text and still have room to include six rolls. For example, this works:
<snip>
Would it be a lot of trouble to increase how long a roll can be?
Of course, I'd really like the dice roller to include if/then/else logic so I could enter something spreadsheet like:
Adama swings his sword and [if d20>8, "hits for " 1d6 " damage", "misses!"]
Character Stats
Re: multiple dice
Increasing the length of a roll would be doable, but it may take a fairly major change to the code and the database. I'd have to change the results field from a regular, 255 length text field to a memo field. This might slow things down and drastically increase the database size.Zhym wrote:It seems like I want to roll six dice often, but I can't add much text and still have room to include six rolls. For example, this works:
But this doesn't:
- [1d20] [1d8]/[1d6] [1d20-2] [1d6]/[1d4]
Much less what I really want, which is something like
- Cutlass: [1d20] [1d8]/[1d6] [1d20-2] [1d6]/[1d4]
Would it be a lot of trouble to increase how long a roll can be?
- Cutlass & Boarding Axe (THAC0 20): [1d20] [1d8]/[1d6], [1d20-2] [1d6]/[1d4]
I've also kicked around the idea of simply adding a second 255 length text field to hold the back half of longer macros, and then concatenating the two fields to display the results. I'll have to mull this all over for a bit and re-examine the code.
This is also an interesting concept. I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to implement it, though. The syntax would have to fit into how current macros work, and the 'if/then/else' syntax would have to be very rigid. But, adding new syntax would make the resulting macro longer, thus necessitating the first point of having longer macros in general.Eris wrote:Of course, I'd really like the dice roller to include if/then/else logic so I could enter something spreadsheet like:
Adama swings his sword and [if d20>8, "hits for " 1d6 " damage", "misses!"]
Any ideas on the syntax? Unfortunately, it can't be as simple as the example Eris made above. It would have to be something similar but more like:
Adama swings his sword and [if 1d20>8 then 'hits for ' [1d6] ' damage'; 'misses'] where the 'then' has to be present, as does the the ';', which acts as the 'else'. But, I'm not sure about having dice macros within dice macros...
"Sir, our research shows that the bird is equal to or greater than the word."
Re: multiple dice
I would caution against changing the data type, but think your idea of a second field would be really helpful!ToniXX wrote:I've also kicked around the idea of simply adding a second 255 length text field to hold the back half of longer macros, and then concatenating the two fields to display the results.
If the syntax would be required to be provided by the player in the macro... I don't know? That might just create more issues.ToniXX wrote:"Adama swings his sword and [if 1d20>8 then 'hits for ' [1d6] ' damage'; 'misses'] where the 'then' has to be present, as does the the ';', which acts as the 'else'."
With so many different games being played now, I'm sure the roller is being used for far more than simply to-hit and damage rolls, or d20 checks. Unless the current role functionality can be preserved, and the new functionality be added as an extra feature, I would be careful before tinkering with this too much. It would be nice, no doubt, but risky to implement.
Re: multiple dice
The more I think about it the more I agree on this point. Thanks for your input, Dave.dmw71 wrote:I would be careful before tinkering with this too much. It would be nice, no doubt, but risky to implement.
"Sir, our research shows that the bird is equal to or greater than the word."
Re: multiple dice
THere are some creative people in here, and I might have some thoughts of my own on it, but I'd be kind of shooting in the dark without knowing what is and what isn't possible.ToniXX wrote:The more I think about it the more I agree on this point. Thanks for your input, Dave.
Getting the second field would definitely be nice, though.
Re: multiple dice
In order for that specific macro to work, you'd have to know your target's AC.
So... maybe a somewhat useful function for a DM? But not really for a PC.
I suppose it would have other applications, but...
(Keeping in mind I am a usability analyst and my day job is to design software interface that is user friendly and efficient...)
Is it really easier to make a roll that has to follow somewhat obscure formatting (to any non-programmers or software developers) and that relies on data you might not have in order to save having to wait a few second after the To Hit roll to know if you need the Damage roll? And, depending on the roll, you might not even know if that roll is needed because, once again, you don't know the target AC.
I think a much easier solution would be to just make your To Hit and Damage rolls in the same roll. Easily done, as long as you don't add too much descriptive text.
The DM determines if your roll hit. If it does, then he applies the damage roll. If not, then he ignores the roll.
I just don't think the added complexity of the required formatting is going to save anyone any time or make the dice roller more efficient.
So... maybe a somewhat useful function for a DM? But not really for a PC.
I suppose it would have other applications, but...
(Keeping in mind I am a usability analyst and my day job is to design software interface that is user friendly and efficient...)
Is it really easier to make a roll that has to follow somewhat obscure formatting (to any non-programmers or software developers) and that relies on data you might not have in order to save having to wait a few second after the To Hit roll to know if you need the Damage roll? And, depending on the roll, you might not even know if that roll is needed because, once again, you don't know the target AC.
I think a much easier solution would be to just make your To Hit and Damage rolls in the same roll. Easily done, as long as you don't add too much descriptive text.
The DM determines if your roll hit. If it does, then he applies the damage roll. If not, then he ignores the roll.
I just don't think the added complexity of the required formatting is going to save anyone any time or make the dice roller more efficient.
Dragon foot. Bamboo pole. Little mouse. Tiny boy.
Re: multiple dice
Yeah, it's a neat idea, but I can't think right now of a situation in which you'd want to have conditionals in a roll that wouldn't be easily solved by just including rolls that might not be needed.