Exploding Dice
Exploding dice refers to a tabletop roleplaying game mechanic where dice that roll a certain value, usually their highest, add an additional die of that type to the roll. It's an exciting occurrence with an exciting name that adds an element of unpredictability and possibility to every roll. Even a desperate situation unlikely to succeed can explode into an extraordinary success with a little bit of luck. Typically, dice can explode indefinitely, meaning dice added to the roll by explosion can also themselves explode, creating the possibility (however remote) of infinite dice! At some point, however, you'll certainly roll enough successes or a high enough total to completely succeed at the action being rolled for. Depending on the game, dice might be summed together or rolled to achieve "hits" or "successes" of some number or higher. In either case, an explosion represents an additional chance to succeed. Sometimes, dice added by explosion cannot explode themselves. Exploding dice usually, though not always, exist in a dice pool system, where explosions add to the pool. In some cases, though, exploding dice systems only typically roll one or two dice, allowing explosions to produce otherwise impossible levels of success, much like critical hits in other games. In any case, exploding dice are a great way to add some extra excitement to the already fun process of rolling dice! Popular systems with exploding dice include Savage Worlds, Deadlands, and the Kids on... series, including Kids on Bikes and Kids on Brooms. Games like Legend of the Five Rings, Rolemaster, Star Wars d6, the Cyberpunk series, older editions of World of Darkness games and Shadowrun, and many more also use exploding dice.
Popular RPGs using Exploding Dice
Kids on Bikes
Kids on Bikes is a Collaborative Storytelling RPG set in small towns with big adventure! In Kids on Bikes, you take on the roles of everyday people grappling with strange, terrifying, and very, very powerful forces that they cannot defeat, control, or even fully understand. Kids on Bikes even allows you to create a communally controlled Powered Character to add another dimension of gameplay to your games! Jump right into the action quick and create your own band of rag-tag mystery solvers today!
Kids on Brooms
Kids on Brooms is a collaborative role-playing game about taking on the life of a witch or wizard at a magical school you all attend- a place full of mystery, danger, and thrilling adventure. From dealing with strict professors to facing down mythical beasts, players will get the opportunity to ride brooms, brew potions, and cast powerful magic as they uncover the incredible secrets their school and its inhabitants hold. Built using the ENnie Award-Winning Kids on Bikes framework, it is a rules-light, narrative-first storytelling game perfect for new players and gaming veterans alike!
Savage Worlds
Savage Worlds is a Fast! Furious! and Fun! rules system for any genre of roleplaying game. Create your own setting, convert an existing one, or pick up one of Savage Worlds' amazing settings like Deadlands, Rippers, or 50 Fathoms. If you’re looking for a game that’s fast and easy to set up, run, and play, Savage Worlds is for you! Savage Worlds handles pulp action, gritty noir, supers, hard scifi, space opera, horror, and anything you can imagine!
Cyberpunk Red
You’ve played the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, you’ve watched all of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, what comes next? Cyberpunk RED is a different take on Night City, one that you play with your imagination and with friends. Cyberpunk RED is a tabletop RPG, or TTRPG, game. In it, you and friends create characters that try to survive and thrive in the dark world of Cyberpunk. You can wield weapons, hack, and augment yourself with implants just like in the video game. In fact, Cyberpunk 2077 takes a lot of inspiration from the TTRPG. Cyberpunk RED bridges the gap between the classic Cyberpunk 2020 TTRPG and Cyberpunk 2077 by placing its adventures largely in the 2040s.
Frequently asked questions about Exploding Dice
Blog links about Exploding Dice
How to Make a Character for Kids on Bikes
Play kids roaming around their neighborhood, solving mysteries and stopping monsters in Kids on Bikes. This guide will walk you through creating your intrepid young hero.
The Best Place to Find a Group for Savage Worlds
If you're looking for a group of like-minded RPG players into fast-paced pulp action gaming, StartPlaying can help your search.