Custom Dice Set with custom probability?

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 13:21

Hi there,

read on Obsidian Portal about Truly Random. I was wondering if you are planning to add custom probabilities for custom dice sets? Right now, every face of a custom dice has a probability of 1/number of faces. But I would like to create a dice where one face has a probability of 30%, the next has one of 10%, and so on.

Basically I'm looking for something like TableSmith (http://mythosa.net/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.TableSmith) for Android. It would be nice of Truly Random could incorporate some features of TableSmith and/or provide a converter for TS generators to Truly Random custom dice.

CU
FLo

ecscadmin

Fri, 07/01/2011 - 20:31

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You can simulate the probability by repeating faces in the custom dice. It's not elegant to be sure, but with the XML import feature, it should be a snap to copy/paste a few faces to provide the probability you are looking for.

For example, to simulate one face with a 40% probability and the rest at 20%, you could define them as such:

  1. Face 1 at 40%
  2. Face 1 at 40%
  3. Face 2 at 20%
  4. Face 3 at 20%
  5. Face 4 at 20%

Like I said, not pretty, but it is fairly easy to do.

That being said, I have added it to my list of feature requests.

I haven't used Table Smith and I am hesitant to do so only to copy its features. If there is a specific feature you can suggest, I would be happy to consider it.

Thanks for the tip (and fast, too), I implemented it and it works but as you said, it ain't pretty :) I'm creating a custom dice for critical errors and successes during a fight. The tables use a d100, so I have 100 faces per dice. Some faces have a probability of 20% so each time I want to edit the title, I have to copy it again 20 times.

One other feature that could be useful would be the ability to use a custom dice inside a custom dice. Let me give you an example:
I have one result where a combatant has to move from his position because of a critical defense error. The direction is decided by a d6 (it basically says: When rolling 1-2, go left, 3-4 right, 5 forward, 6 back). So I would like to create a dice "Direction" and then use an expression like
<expression>Direction</expression>
in a face of another dice so the title would be like
<title>You have to move 1 meter in direction %%</title>

And one more: It would be great to have some basic text formatting capability for the dice face title, like bold, underline, italic and a line break. And I haven't tried it yet, but does the title text support linebreaks? Like for example
<title><b>Stumble</b>
You stumble 1m %%.</title>
<expression>Direction</expression>

would result in
Stumble
You stumble 1m right.

CU
FLo

I've actually toyed with the idea of embedding custom dice. It's a great idea and could be very versatile.

The issue would be one of circular references (and figuring out how to do it in the parser). I would need ensure that a die can't end up referring to itself directly or indirectly.

This is definitely on my feature request list, I've just go to figure out a good way to do it.

The custom formatting is also an interesting idea. Unfortunately it isn't supported at the moment, although this could be a great addition to the next release or so.

Hi,

thanks, I just read about the update. I think I'll wait for Version 3.60 when the custom probability will be included, then do a rewrite of my custom dice so far.

CU
FLo

Thanks, I finally got around to give my custom dice a workover with the new features and it works like a breeze. Now, about those dice within dice... :) Kidding, I'm thankful you take the time to continue developing this app.

CU
FLo

Truly Random