Got any Dice Questions?

[Kevin_Cook]

If you are not interested in new or rare dice that were inventoried this month ... Please ignore this post



Click on the Smart Pencil Designs D12 above for highlights of dice added in September 2012

[Yora]

Simple Dice Math question:

The distribution for d100 should be linear and not bell-shaped, as the two dice aren't really added together, doesn't it? If you round ever number down to the next 5% increment, you should get the same distribution as for a d20, right?

[Kevin_Cook]

If you are not interested in new or rare dice that were inventoried this month ... Please ignore this post



Click on the Noble Dice D128 above for highlights of dice added in October 2012

[Ksheep]

Just wondering, what are your thoughts on the Dice Rings kickstarter? Do you think they'd be "random" enough to substitute for actual dice?

[Razanir]

Have you found an actual use for d12s? (besides barbarians, dragons, undead and greataxes)

[Ksheep]

Have you found an actual use for d12s? (besides barbarians, dragons, undead and greataxes)

Killer Bunnies uses d12s extensively, as does the OotS board game.

[Knaight]

Simple Dice Math question:

The distribution for d100 should be linear and not bell-shaped, as the two dice aren't really added together, doesn't it? If you round ever number down to the next 5% increment, you should get the same distribution as for a d20, right?

The distribution is linear. However, you want to round every number up to the nearest 5% increment, then divide by 5 to replicate a d20 (this makes 1-5 all read as one, whereas 1-4 would have read as 0 prior, which causes problems).

[Kevin_Cook]

Just wondering, what are your thoughts on the Dice Rings kickstarter? Do you think they'd be "random" enough to substitute for actual dice?

I have several of this type or ring dice ... I suppose I should included them on the site ... The ones I have do freewheel well enough to be randomizers ... what they lack is the arrow pointing to a specific outcome ... which the kickstarter seems to have :)

Have you found an actual use for d12s? (besides barbarians, dragons, undead and greataxes)

Truth ... I seldom focus on use ... but now that you mention it ... I have not seen too many game systems that use d12's ... I know Button Men does

[Kevin_Cook]

Just wondering, what are your thoughts on the Dice Rings kickstarter? Do you think they'd be "random" enough to substitute for actual dice?

I have several of this type or ring dice ... I suppose I should included them on the site ... The ones I have do freewheel well enough to be randomizers ... what they lack is the arrow pointing to a specific outcome ... which the kickstarter seems to have :)

Have you found an actual use for d12s? (besides barbarians, dragons, undead and greataxes)

Truth ... I seldom focus on use ... but now that you mention it ... I have not seen too many other (non D&D) game systems that use d12's ... I know Button Men does ... in addition ... they are excellent for determining time of day ... when used with another die to indicate AM/PM (assuming a 24 hour day of course)

[Morghen]

I haven't dug through all 11 bazillion pages of this, so I apologize if this has been asked before:

I assume for the purposes of your collection you don't particularly care if a particular brand of dice is wonky (or misweighted or whatever), but being a dice aficionado you probably learn things.

(Here's the actual question.) Do you know which brands I should avoid if I care about sticking close to a really random die?

[Jay R]

Here's the actual question.) Do you know which brands I should avoid if I care about sticking close to a really random die?

If you want the best random variables, get your d6's from a casino, and everything else from Gamescience.

[Morghen]

How about "pretty good" distribution?

Maybe this is a better way to ask:

Should I avoid any of the major brands?

[Teflonknight]

I finally made it through all the pages and have a couple of questions for you.

1) I have seen it asked what you would grab if your collection were being destroyed...Do you have your collection insured? If it were destroyed would you start again?

2) Are you married? How does you Wife/GF feel about this hobby?

If either of these questions are too personal please feel free to ignore.

[Kevin_Cook]

I haven't dug through all 11 bazillion pages of this, so I apologize if this has been asked before:

I assume for the purposes of your collection you don't particularly care if a particular brand of dice is wonky (or misweighted or whatever), but being a dice aficionado you probably learn things.

Yep ... I sure do

(Here's the actual question.) Do you know which brands I should avoid if I care about sticking close to a really random die?

None at present ... but certain styles should be avoided

Crystal Caste Dwarven Stones are often not completely regular .. but they are extremely beautiful

Older Q-Workshop dice (1994-1995) were also imbalanced until they managed to perfect (truly) their manufacturing processes

If you want the best random variables, get your d6's from a casino, and everything else from Gamescience.

This is my opinion as well

How about "pretty good" distribution?

Maybe this is a better way to ask:

Should I avoid any of the major brands?

I <think> I answered that above ... if not ... please ask again

I finally made it through all the pages and have a couple of questions for you.

1) I have seen it asked what you would grab if your collection were being destroyed...Do you have your collection insured? If it were destroyed would you start again?

Yes ... and Probably not ... 35 years is a long time to catch up :)

2) Are you married? How does you Wife/GF feel about this hobby?

No .. and GF's in the past have been mostly indifferent ... ie not particularly interested

If either of these questions are too personal please feel free to ignore.

No Worries

[Kevin_Cook]

If you are not interested in new or rare dice that were inventoried this month ... Please ignore this post



Click on the Ulrich Vogt's Book above for highlights of dice added in November 2012

[Paragon468]

I've been thinking of purchasing some GameScience precision dice (the blue moonstone ones). I've seen a lot of mixed opinions about them, and most either say they're really great or really terrible. Nothing in between.

Do you know if they're worth buying?
Thanks,

Paragon468

[Togath]

How do you read a spindle d20?, The specific one uses triangular wedges for each face, reversing direction each other number.

Also, how viable are the dice within a die dice?(a clear shell with two or more dice inside it), When just rotating it in my hand the tiny ones inside seem to stick, but when rolling it they seem to move around fine.

I got a few dice as a present from a friend this year, and was having trouble figuring out how useful they were(I ended up with a spindle d6, d8, d10 and d20, as well as two dice with a die dice[a 2d6 and a 3d6])
edit: the d6, d8, and d10(and the d20 uses the basic concept) are the style of this one you have, if that helps with identifying them

[Paragon468]

How do you read a spindle d20?, The specific one uses triangular wedges for each face, reversing direction each other number

People ask me this all the time when they see mine. Just read the number on the top face. With the D20s you have to look closely to see which one it is, which is one of the reasons I don't usually use them. They're definitely interesting dice to have though.

[Nepenthe]

I've been thinking of purchasing some GameScience precision dice (the blue moonstone ones). I've seen a lot of mixed opinions about them, and most either say they're really great or really terrible. Nothing in between.

Do you know if they're worth buying?
Thanks,

Paragon468

I like my set. I got a discontinued color (pumpkin orange) off Amazon for under $2. Keep in mind you will have to file the sprue off yourself, and it's hard to do without scuffing that face (or maybe I just suck at it). Also, I never found a really reliable way to ink the numbers (best so far is a .005 micron pen), so the ink does come up and smudge the faces and I have to re-ink every few months. All this amounts to dice that are butt-ugly. However, they roll amazingly well and don't ricochet all over the table, and that easily outweighs any cosmetic factors for me.

P.s. some sets come pre-inked now so that eliminates part of the cons.

[Paragon468]

I like my set. I got a discontinued color (pumpkin orange) off Amazon for under $2. Keep in mind you will have to file the sprue off yourself, and it's hard to do without scuffing that face (or maybe I just suck at it). Also, I never found a really reliable way to ink the numbers (best so far is a .005 micron pen), so the ink does come up and smudge the faces and I have to re-ink every few months. All this amounts to dice that are butt-ugly. However, they roll amazingly well and don't ricochet all over the table, and that easily outweighs any cosmetic factors for me.

P.s. some sets come pre-inked now so that eliminates part of the cons.

Yeah, I'm hearing a lot about the sprue mark. Some don't mind it, others hate the dice for it. How bad is it? I've got no problem removing a small mark.

As for the inking, the ones I'm looking at are pre-inked.

[Nepenthe]

It's extremely noticeable--even after filing. Doesn't effect the rolls at all, but you probably want to mention it if your table isn't familiar with precision dice. You don't want to be accused of loading the dice.

[Paragon468]

It's extremely noticeable--even after filing. Doesn't effect the rolls at all, but you probably want to mention it if your table isn't familiar with precision dice. You don't want to be accused of loading the dice.

Ah, a little blotch won't do any harm. Thanks for the information.

[rakkoon]

happy New year! got ninety New dice for New years. yay father in laws ! I have one I don't recognise: green with golden numbers 762 ,564 ,960 ,168 ,366 663. any ideas ?


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[Kevin_Cook]

Thanks all for helping answer

As to the Gamescience die ... I first file then polish using a dremel and jewelers rouge ... that polishes it back up

As to double dice being random ... I would think that they were

As to the Crystal Caste dice ... I think this has already been answered ... if not ... please let me know ... or let me know if I missed any questions

[Paragon468]

As to the Gamescience die ... I first file then polish using a dremel and jewelers rouge ... that polishes it back up

I went ahead and got some. I'm not sure if it was just this set, but the blemish didn't need filed or polished at all: the cut was very clean, and while there was still a mark it didn't protrude at all.

The only problem with them is that the D8 and D12 have incorrect numbering. Luckily, my D&D group doesn't mind and my DM will let me use them.

[rakkoon]

if you could help me identify the die with the weird numbers that would be great?
also, are there any conventions in Europe where dice collectors can get their fix?


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[Kevin_Cook]

If you are not interested in new or rare dice that were inventoried this month ... Please ignore this post



Click on the Hand Painted Shapeways LG Designs die above for highlights of dice added in December 2012

[Kevin_Cook]

happy New year! got ninety New dice for New years. yay father in laws ! I have one I don't recognise: green with golden numbers 762 ,564 ,960 ,168 ,366 663. any ideas ?

Likely they are from a number trick ... I have a few sets similar ... and just purchased another yesterday

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121043081068...84.m1439.l2649

are there any conventions in Europe where dice collectors can get their fix?

Based on the number of dice that I see European collectors displaying ... Spiel at Essen (Germany) seems to be the Mecca for Dice Collectors in Europe

I went ahead and got some. I'm not sure if it was just this set, but the blemish didn't need filed or polished at all: the cut was very clean, and while there was still a mark it didn't protrude at all.

The only problem with them is that the D8 and D12 have incorrect numbering. Luckily, my D&D group doesn't mind and my DM will let me use them.

Incorrect numbering? ... How so?

As to the clean marks ... since the company has changed hands ... a new method of separating the dice from the sprue has been used ... they now use hot snips to melt the dice off of the sprue

[Paragon468]

[color=blue]
Incorrect numbering? ... How so?

A few of the numbers are in the wrong places. It seem that rather than following the rule of the number and its opposite being 1+the vale of the die, they tried to make it add up to the value alone, and as a result some of them add up to too much or too little.

I noticed it at first only because on both dice the 1's were not placed opposite the highest value, as they should be.

[Nepenthe]

Well it shouldn't matter on a fair die anyway. The only advantage to that system of numbering is to average out not-quite regular dice (e.g. a die that rolls a lot of 20's will also roll a lot of 1's).