Alternative to D16 for the Blood Bowl Board Game

Blood Bowl 2020 introduced the Prayer to Nuffles Table and changed the Injury Table, which utilizes a 16-sided die (d16) for determining results. However, this creates a challenge since 16-sided dice are relatively rare in board gaming. The scarcity of d16s makes them difficult to find and even harder to replace. The only other popular game that uses a d16 is Magic: The Gathering, which employs a spin-down die. Additionally, the d16s included in official sets from Games Workshop (GW) are also spin-down dice, likely chosen to reduce costs, further complicating the situation.

The Drawbacks of Using a Spin-Down Die

Using a d16 spin-down die, where the numbers are arranged sequentially, is generally less effective for generating truly random results compared to a d16 with alternating numbers. In a spin-down die, numbers are placed next to each other in order (1, 2, 3, etc.), which increases the likelihood of certain areas landing face-up more frequently due to subtle weight imbalances and reduced variability. In contrast, a d16 with alternating numbers spreads high and low values across different sides, enhancing the chances of achieving a truly random roll. This even distribution reduces the likelihood of favoring specific ranges of numbers, ensuring a fairer outcome—an essential factor in games that rely on randomness.

A Viable Replacement Option: Using a D6 and D8

Fortunately, there is a straightforward replacement option: use a d6 and a d8, similar to how the original game functioned but in a modified way. In this approach, the d6 serves as a coin flip to represent the high and low sides of the d16 numbers, while the d8 represents the number itself.

Example:

• D6 Rolls 1-3: d8 rolls 1-8 (results range from 1 to 8)
• D6 Rolls 4-6: d8 rolls 1-8 + 8 (results range from 9 to 16)

Breakdown of Rolls

1. D6 for Tens Place:
   • When the d6 rolls "1-3," the outcome is in the range 1-8.
   • When the d6 rolls "4-6," you add 8 to the d8 result, giving a range of 9-16.
2. D8 for Ones Place:
   • When the d6 is "1-3," the d8 rolls between 1 and 8, yielding results from 1 to 8.
   • When the d6 is "4-6," the d8 rolls between 1 and 8, and adding 8 shifts the range to 9-16.

Example of Adjusted Results

• D6 = 2: d8 rolls 1 through 8, resulting in outcomes from 1 to 8.
• D6 = 5: d8 rolls 1 through 8, and adding 8 gives results from 9 through 16.

Final Range and Probability

This setup effectively produces results from 1 to 16, just like a d16, covering the full range of possible outcomes. Each number from 1 to 16 has an equal probability of being rolled. Since the d6 splits outcomes into two ranges (1-8 for d6 "1-3" and 9-16 for d6 "4-6"), and the d8 generates numbers evenly within those ranges, the overall probability for each result remains at 1/16 (6.25%).

Conclusion

Using a d6 for the tens place and a d8 for the ones place, while adding 8 to the d8 result when the d6 shows "10," replicates the probability distribution of rolling a d16. This method ensures that each outcome from 1 to 16 is equally likely, matching the behavior of a standard d16. Additionally, this approach simplifies gameplay by reducing the number of dice needed and allows for greater variability in dice used.

 

Note: I created this article because I sometimes receive requests to produce a d16 for Blood Bowl. However, I don't manufacture a d16 since the market for this specialty die is too small to justify making it out of wood. Instead, I wanted to provide an alternative solution for those seeking to use a d16 in their games. I use this same solution when I play Blood Bowl as I'm not too fond of the Games Workshop dice.