- d20 redirects here. For the game system, see d20 System.
Dungeons and Dragons, on which NWN2 is based, uses die rolls to determine the outcome of many events. With NWN2, dice are no longer rolled on a table, but they're still used throughout the game.
Notation[]
Die rolls are written as XdY.
- X = represents the number of dice rolled
- Y = represents the highest face-value of the die (the lowest value is 1)
For example, 4d8 means four 8-sided (values between 1 and 8 inclusive) dice are rolled (giving a weighted random number of 4-32).
When the number of dice is not indicated, it means one die is rolled; e.g. d20 means 1d20.
The d100 is sometimes written as d% or d00 and is also referred to as percentile dice.
Common types[]
Tabletop DnD uses polyhedral dice. The d20 System -- the underlying rules used by DnD and NWN -- is named after the d20 die. The d20 is used with many of the most important rolls in the game: attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, ability checks, etc.
Other dice are used for damage rolls, hit dice, and other uses.
In general, a high roll is more benefitial than a lower roll, e.g., better chance to hit or save, more damage, etc.
Automatic hits and misses[]
An automatic hit is an attack that hits regardless of target AC. Automatic hits occur on an attack roll of natural 20 or as a result of certain spells. A natural 20 attack roll is also a threat -- a possible critical hit.
An automatic miss is an attack that misses regardless of target AC. Automatic misses occur on an attack roll of natural 1.
Die Roll & Damage[]
Certain damage in NWN2 is based on dice rolls such as a weapon attack or sneak attack. Some of the damage done through die rolls can be increased if a critical hit is landed while some dice rolls aren't. Having a lot of die rolls doesn't guarantee more damage. The more die rolls you have means you are capable of doing burst damage. Think of having multiple die roll on a attack as trying to hit lottery. For example, a Barbarian 29/Fighter 1 build using a Bastard sword who has both Overhwhelming Critical and Thundering Rage feats will have three die rolls when landing a critical hit. First, the Bastard sword damage is calculated, which will be 2d10 on a critical for 2 to 20. Secondly, the Overwhelming critical of a 1d6 for 1 to 6 damage. Finally, Thundering Rage will add 1d8 for 1 to 8. The outcome will be 4 to 34 + Strength bonus. Depending on your strength score/bonus, your strength will be doing the majority of damage based on the number of times you swing.