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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 tabletop roleplaying game of strange adventures in small towns. Inspired by coming-of-age stories like Stranger Things, The Goonies, and E.T., players will solve mysteries, escape the authorities, and defeat monsters to save their hometown!

Kids on Brooms

Kids on Brooms is a collaborative role-playing game about students at a magical school. Players ride brooms, brew potions, and cast powerful magic to uncover the incredible secrets their school and its inhabitants hold!

Savage Worlds

Savage Worlds is a fast, furious, and fun rules system for any genre of roleplaying game. Savage Worlds handles pulp action, gritty noir, supers, hard scifi, space opera, horror, and anything you can imagine!

Cyberpunk Red

The year is 2045. Megacorporations, gangs, and politicians carve up the neon sprawl of Night City. You're a cyberpunk—a biohacked, cybernetic deniable asset living on the edge of society. Do you have what it takes to claim a piece of it for yourself?

Dungeon Masters using Exploding Dice

4 years on StartPlaying

1068 games hosted

Average response time: 5 hours

Response rate: 100%

BIMPOC
Veteran
Published Writer
Voice Actor
Game Designer

2 years on StartPlaying

460 games hosted

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

LGBTQ+
Game Designer

4 years on StartPlaying

724 games hosted

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Voice Actor

2 years on StartPlaying

70 games hosted

Streamer
Podcaster
Cosplayer
Women/Femme Identifying

4 years on StartPlaying

38 games hosted

Artist
Game Designer

4 years on StartPlaying

732 games hosted

Average response time: 5 hours

Response rate: 100%

Disabled
Neurodivergent
Published Writer
Artist
Voice Actor

4 years on StartPlaying

421 games hosted

Average response time: 7 hours

Response rate: 100%

1 year on StartPlaying

456 games hosted

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Frequently asked questions about Exploding Dice

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