Diceless role-playing game

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A diceless role-playing game is a role-playing game which is not based on chance: it does not use randomisers to determine the outcome of events in its role-playing game system. The style of game is known as "diceless" because most games use dice as their randomiser; some games such as Castle Falkenstein use other randomisers such as playing cards as substitutes for dice, and are not considered "diceless".

One commentator described the introduction of diceless RPGs in 1991, They went "diceless," creating a rules system where everything was worked out by the Game Master via numerical comparisons and other (non-random) techniques. Amber Diceless (Phage Press) created quite a stir, and the great diceless debate had begun in full force. A debate that, ultimately, the dice fans would apparently win, at least in the marketplace.[1]

Proponents of this solution argue that in all game systems, decisions are ultimately made by the GM, and rolling dice merely slows gameplay. Opponents may perceive diceless systems as more arbitrary and lacking the feeling of real unpredictability; for example, the potential death of a character as a result of bad luck in a die roll.

Examples of diceless games[edit]

Randomizers without Dice[edit]

  • Everway uses diceless mechanics, but also has elements of chance through Fortune Deck, if the game master wishes to utilize them.
  • Fate of the Norns is a Viking RPG set during the dark age of Ragnarok. It uses the Futhark rune set to resolve all game mechanics.
  • Dread (role-playing game) uses a Jenga tower or similar to determine the success of actions.
  • Frankenstein Atomic Frontier, an Australian role-playing game, uses cards with players drawing a quantity equal to their trait, counting Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks and Jokers as a success.[2]

Non Probabilistic[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Fannon, Sean Patrick (1999). The Fantasy Role-playing Gamer's Bible. Obsidian Studios. ISBN 9780967442907.
  2. ^ "And then Something Falls Off...: A Review of Frankenstein Atomic Frontier | Frankenstein Atomic Frontier".
  3. ^ Blankenship, Loyd (1993-08-01). "Pyramid Pick: Amber". Pyramid. #2. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  4. ^ Chin, Cedric. "Review of Golden Sky Stories". RPG.Net. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  5. ^ Babb, Shelby. "REVIEW OF LORDS OF OLYMPUS". RPG.Net. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  6. ^ Neumeier, Craig. "Review of Nobilis: The Essentials (Volume 1: Field Guide to the Powers) - RPGnet". review. RPG.net. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Stalker (2012 Burger Games edition) - RPGnet RPG Game Index". index.rpg.net. Retrieved 21 June 2022.