The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Dice Rolling for D&D
Published on May 4, 2024
Why Use a Virtual D20 Roller?
The D20 is the most iconic die in Dungeons & Dragons. It determines success or failure for most actions in the game, from attacking monsters to convincing NPCs. A good virtual D20 roller should provide truly random results and support special features like advantage and disadvantage rolls.
Try our D20 roller to see how it handles these essential D&D mechanics.
Understanding Dice Notation in Digital Rollers
Dice notation is a standardized way to represent dice rolls in tabletop RPGs. Here's how to read and use it:
- Basic Format: [Number of dice]d[Number of sides] (e.g., 3d6 means rolling three six-sided dice)
- Modifiers: Add or subtract a fixed number after the dice (e.g., 1d20+5)
- Multiple Dice Types: Combine different dice with a plus sign (e.g., 1d8+2d6+3)
- Special Notation: Advantage (ADV) and Disadvantage (DIS) for D&D 5e
Most virtual dice rollers, including ours, use this standard notation to make it easy to roll exactly what you need for your games.
Common Dice Combinations in D&D
Different actions in D&D require different dice combinations. Here are some of the most common:
| Action | Dice Combination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Attack Roll | 1d20 + modifiers | Often with advantage or disadvantage |
| Ability Check | 1d20 + ability modifier | Sometimes with proficiency bonus |
| Dagger Damage | 1d4 + Strength/Dexterity modifier | Finesse weapon can use either modifier |
| Longsword Damage | 1d8 + Strength modifier | 1d10 if used with two hands |
| Greatsword Damage | 2d6 + Strength modifier | Two-handed weapon |
| Fireball Spell | 8d6 | Area damage spell |
| Ability Score Generation | 4d6 (drop lowest) | Standard method for new characters |
Advantage and Disadvantage in D&D 5e
Advantage and disadvantage are core mechanics in D&D 5th Edition that represent favorable or unfavorable circumstances:
- Advantage: Roll two D20s and take the higher result
- Disadvantage: Roll two D20s and take the lower result
A good D20 roller should automate this process, making it easy to apply these rules during gameplay.
Tips for Using Virtual Dice Effectively
- Save Common Rolls: Create presets for your character's attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws to speed up gameplay.
- Use Shared Sessions: When playing remotely, use a shared dice roller so everyone can see the results, building trust and excitement.
- Add Descriptive Labels: Label your dice rolls (e.g., "Fire Bolt Attack" or "Stealth Check") to keep track of what each roll represents.
- Roll All Damage Dice Together: For complex damage calculations (like sneak attack + weapon damage), roll everything at once to save time.
- Have a Backup Method: Technical issues happen, so always have an alternative dice rolling method available, like a physical set or another app.
Comparing Physical vs. Virtual Dice
Both physical and virtual dice have their place in modern tabletop gaming:
Advantages
- Tactile experience and tradition
- No technology requirements
- Collectible and personalized
Disadvantages
- Can be lost or forgotten
- Impractical for large dice pools
- Not usable for remote play
Advantages
- Always available on your device
- Handles complex calculations automatically
- Works for both in-person and remote play
- Shareable results for transparent gameplay
Disadvantages
- Requires a device and possibly internet
- Lacks the tactile experience
Conclusion
Virtual dice rollers have become an indispensable tool for modern tabletop gaming. Whether you're playing in person or remotely, having access to a reliable D20 roller and dice combination tool enhances your gaming experience.
Try our D&D Dice Roller to see these features in action.
Ready to Roll Some Dice?
Try our free online dice roller with all the features discussed in this guide.