+===================================================================+
| DICE ROLLING MECHANICS |
+===================================================================+
V5 uses d10 dice pools to resolve actions. This guide explains how
rolls work and when to use them.
BASIC ROLL STRUCTURE:
Roll Attribute + Skill dice vs. Difficulty
Example: Sneak past a guard
- Pool: Dexterity 3 + Stealth 2 = 5 dice
- Difficulty: 2 successes (set by ST or situation)
- Roll 5d10, count successes
SUCCESS & FAILURE:
Success: 6, 7, 8, 9 on any die = 1 success
Critical: 10 = 1 success AND pairs of 10s grant +2 successes
Failure: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 = no success
Example: You roll: [3, 6, 7, 10, 10]
- Successes: 6, 7, 10, 10 = 4 successes
- Critical: Two 10s = +2 bonus = 6 total successes
- You succeed spectacularly!
Margin of Success:
- Beat difficulty by +0: Bare success
- Beat difficulty by +1-2: Solid success
- Beat difficulty by +3+: Exceptional success
HUNGER DICE:
When you roll, Hunger dice replace normal dice based on your
current Hunger level (0-5).
Example: 5 dice pool, Hunger 2
- Roll: 3 normal dice + 2 Hunger dice
Key Mechanics:
- Hunger dice count successes normally (6+)
- 10s on Hunger dice can cause Messy Criticals
- Total failure with Hunger dice = Bestial Failure
MESSY CRITICAL:
When you score a critical (pair of 10s) and at least one is a Hunger die:
- You succeed spectacularly
- BUT the Beast takes over
- Your success is violent, obvious, or dramatic
- May threaten Masquerade or create complications
Example: Using Dominate to calm a guard
- You roll a Messy Critical
- The guard obeys, but you break his mind
- He becomes a drooling vegetable - obvious supernatural effect
BESTIAL FAILURE:
When you score 0 successes and rolled Hunger dice:
- You fail the task AND your Beast asserts control
- Your clan Compulsion activates
- You act on your vice temporarily
Example: Brujah trying to calmly negotiate
- Bestial Failure triggers Rebellion Compulsion
- You lash out verbally at perceived authority
- Negotiations break down
DIFFICULTY GUIDELINES:
0-1: Trivial (automatic success in most cases)
2: Simple task (routine action under pressure)
3: Standard task (requires skill)
4: Challenging task (skilled professionals struggle)
5: Difficult task (experts only)
6+: Near-impossible (legendary difficulty)
MODIFIERS:
Circumstances modify your dice pool:
Bonus Dice (+1 to +3):
- Favorable conditions
- Superior equipment
- Assistance from others
Penalty Dice (-1 to -3):
- Poor conditions (darkness, noise, distraction)
- Improvised equipment
- Wounds or fatigue
TYPES OF ROLLS:
Simple Roll: One action, one roll
- Picking a lock, jumping a gap
- Command: +roll <pool> vs <difficulty>
Contested Roll: Opposing another character
- Arm wrestling, debate, chase
- Both roll, higher margin wins
- Command: +contest <your pool> vs <their pool>
Extended Roll: Multiple rolls over time
- Research, crafting, investigation
- Accumulate successes over multiple rolls
- Command: +check <pool> vs <target successes>
SPECIALTY MECHANICS:
Specialties: Add +1 die when applicable
- Example: Academics (History) gives +1 die for history rolls
Teamwork: Multiple characters assist
- Leader rolls full pool
- Helpers roll, contribute successes
- Command: +teamwork
Willpower: Spend 1 Willpower to re-roll up to 3 dice
- Use for critical moments
- Command: +roll <pool> vs <difficulty>/willpower
DICE ROLLING COMMANDS:
+roll <attribute>+<skill> vs <difficulty>
- Basic roll
- Example: +roll dexterity+stealth vs 3
+check <pool> vs <difficulty>
- Quick roll (shorthand)
- Example: +check 5 vs 2
+contest <your pool> vs <opponent name>
- Contested roll against another PC
- Example: +contest manipulation+persuasion vs John
+rouse
- Rouse check (for discipline use)
- Increases Hunger on failure (1-5)
ROLEPLAYING ROLLS:
Describe first, then roll:
✓ "I climb the fire escape silently, avoiding the window." +roll dex+stealth vs 3
✗ +roll dex+stealth vs 3 "I climb up."
Narrate results: Don't let dice tell the whole story
- Success: Describe how you succeed
- Failure: Describe what goes wrong
- Messy Critical: Embrace the bloody horror
+===================================================================+
See also: help hunger, help rouse, help willpower, help disciplines