How to use the command 'roll' (with examples)

The roll command is a versatile utility designed to simulate rolling dice, a common mechanic found in various tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. This command caters to users who want to automate and enhance their dice rolling experience with custom sequences and outcomes. It features a range of powerful options that allow players to roll multiple dice, sum results, apply modifiers, and simulate complex scenarios. Let’s explore some specific use cases.

Roll 3 6-sided dice and sums the results

Code:

roll 3d

Motivation:

Imagine you’re playing a tabletop role-playing game where your character’s success depends on the roll of three six-sided dice. You need a quick way to calculate the combined roll result without manually adding each die’s outcome. This is where the roll command comes in handy, allowing for seamless execution of repetitive tasks.

Explanation:

• 3d: The command requests the rolling of three six-sided dice. The d is shorthand for dice, and the numeral preceding it specifies the quantity. The default die if not explicitly specified is a six-sided one.

Example Output:

Result: 14 (5, 6, 3)

Roll 1 8-sided die, add 3 and sum the results

Code:

roll d8 + 3

Motivation:

In certain game mechanics, there might be modifications or bonuses that should be applied after a die roll. For instance, your character’s skill level might grant an additional bonus to any roll outcome. This scenario demonstrates how to incorporate such bonuses using the roll command.

Explanation:

• d8: This command rolls a single 8-sided die. The numeral following the d indicates the die’s sides.
• + 3: This is the modifier added to the result of the die roll. In gameplay, modifiers correspond to bonuses or penalties.

Example Output:

Result: 10 (7 + 3)

Roll 4 6-sided dice, keep the 3 highest results and sum the results

Code:

roll 4d6h3

Motivation:

Some games emphasize selecting only the highest dice results from multiple rolls. This technique can be useful when determining special abilities or outcomes that depend on favorable rolls. This feature improves gameplay by distilling the best possible results from several attempts.

Explanation:

• 4d6: This signifies rolling four six-sided dice.
• h3: The ‘h’ denotes ‘high,’ implicating that only the three highest-roll outcomes will be considered for summing.

Example Output:

Result: 14 (5, 6, 3, with 2 discarded)

Roll 2 12-sided dice 2 times and show every roll

Code:

roll --verbose 2{2d12}

Motivation:

There may be instances where a player or DM wants to see every roll from a series rather than merely the summed results. This detailed view can be useful for auditing rolls, making it invaluable for creating transparency or analyzing luck over multiple attempts.

Explanation:

• --verbose: This option enables detailed output, displaying individual roll outcomes.
• 2{2d12}: The braces indicate repeating the roll sequence within it two times, each time rolling two 12-sided dice.

Example Output:

Roll 1: 10, 3
Roll 2: 9, 11

Roll 2 20-sided dice until the result is bigger than 10

Code:

roll "{{2d20>10}}"

Motivation:

Achievement of specific criteria—like rolling above a certain threshold—is common in game mechanics that determine success. This command effectively automates repeated dice-rolling, stopping as soon as the desired condition is satisfied.

Explanation:

• 2d20: This rolls two 20-sided dice.
• {}: The double curly brackets denote that the operation within should be repeated until the condition is met.
• >10: This specifies that the combined result of both dice should be greater than 10, thus continuing the roll until this condition is fulfilled.

Example Output:

Roll 1: 8
Roll 2: 11 (stopped as it exceeded 10)

Roll 2 5-sided dice 3 times and show the total sum

Code:

roll --sum-series 3{2d5}

Motivation:

For prolonged sequences where the total outcome matters more than individual rolls, summing an entire series can provide a quick overview. This is particularly effective when assessments depend on cumulative performance over time.

Explanation:

• --sum-series: This option accumulates the total sum of all roll results in the series.
• 3{2d5}: The braces repeat the rolling of two five-sided dice three times in sequence.

Example Output:

Total Sum: 27 (Rolls: 8, 10, 9)

Conclusion:

The roll command is a versatile and comprehensive tool that empowers tabletop role-playing enthusiasts to streamline their gaming sessions with robust dice-rolling capabilities. Whether seeking precision with individual rolls or achieving complex, game-specific conditions, these use cases underscore the command’s potential to cater to any player’s needs.