diceless role-playing game
{{Short description|Role-playing game mechanic}}
{{RPG}}
A diceless role-playing game is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) which is not based on chance because it does not use randomizers to determine the outcome of events. The style of game is known as "diceless" because most TTRPGs use dice as a randomizer. However, some games use other randomizers such as playing cards instead of dice, and these are not considered "diceless."
One commentator described the introduction of diceless TTRPGs in 1991:
"They went 'diceless,' creating a rules system where everything was worked out by the Game Master via numerical comparisons and other (non-random) techniques. Amber Diceless (Phage Press) created quite a stir, and the great diceless debate had begun in full force. A debate that, ultimately, the dice fans would apparently win, at least in the marketplace."{{cite book |last=Fannon |first=Sean Patrick |authorlink=Sean Patrick Fannon |date=1999 |title=The Fantasy Role-playing Gamer's Bible|publisher=Obsidian Studios |isbn=9780967442907}}
Examples and nonexamples
=Diceless (no randomizers)=
- Amber Diceless Roleplaying Game uses no randomization, although secret information does create uncertainty for players.{{cite journal|title=Pyramid Pick: Amber|journal=Pyramid| url=http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/login/article.html?id=370| date=1993-08-01| last=Blankenship| first=Loyd|volume=#2|accessdate=2014-01-27}}
- Active Exploits, a diceless set of role-playing game rules by Precis Intermedia Gaming.{{Cite web |title=Review of Active Exploits Take 2 - RPGnet RPG Game Index |url=https://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11964.phtml |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=www.rpg.net}}
- Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine by Jenna Moran.{{Cite web |last=Zambrano |first=J. R. |date=2022-05-12 |title=RPG: 'Nobilis' & 'Chuubo's Wish Granting Engine' Star in Bundle of Holding |url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2022/05/rpg-nobilis-and-chuubos-wish-granting-engine-star-in-jenna-moran-bundle-of-holding.html |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Bell of Lost Souls |language=en}}
- Golden Sky Stories, a Japanese non-violent role-playing game, uses resource pools, called Wonder and Feelings, rather than dice.{{cite web|last=Chin|first=Cedric|title=Review of Golden Sky Stories|url=http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/16/16052.phtml|publisher=RPG.Net|accessdate=27 January 2014}}
- Lords of Olympus is inspired by Amber Diceless.{{cite web|last=Babb|first=Shelby|title=REVIEW OF LORDS OF OLYMPUS|url=http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/15/15797.phtml|publisher=RPG.Net|accessdate=26 January 2014}}
- Microscope and Kingdom are worldbuilding indie role-playing games that use diceless mechanics.{{Cite web |last=Cardosa |first=Rowan |date=2024-08-05 |title=9 TTRPGs That Let Players Build Worlds |url=https://www.thegamer.com/best-world-building-tabletop-rpg-ttrpg/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}
- Nobilis by Jenna Moran.{{cite web|last=Neumeier|first=Craig|title=Review of Nobilis: The Essentials (Volume 1: Field Guide to the Powers) - RPGnet|url=http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/15/15366.phtml|work=review|publisher=RPG.net|accessdate=27 January 2014}}
- Stalker{{cite web |title=Stalker (2012 Burger Games edition) - RPGnet RPG Game Index |url=https://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?editionid=21717 |website=index.rpg.net |access-date=21 June 2022}}
=Randomizers without dice=
- Fate of the Norns is a Viking RPG set during the dark age of Ragnarok. It uses the Futhark rune set to resolve all game mechanics.{{Cite web |date=2013-12-24 |title=The PA Report - How Fate of the Norns: Ragnarok came to be, and why the tabletop world needs Vikings |url=http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/how-fate-of-the-norns-ragnarok-came-to-be-and-why-the-tabletop-world-needs |access-date=2024-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224193812/http://penny-arcade.com/report/article/how-fate-of-the-norns-ragnarok-came-to-be-and-why-the-tabletop-world-needs |archive-date=2013-12-24 }}
- Dread (role-playing game) uses a Jenga tower or similar to determine the success of actions.{{Cite web |title=Why Dread Is A Heart Attack-Inducing Horror RPG |url=https://nerdist.com/article/why-dread-is-a-heart-attack-inducing-horror-rpg/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Nerdist |language=en-US}}
- Frankenstein Atomic Frontier, an Australian role-playing game, uses cards with players drawing a quantity equal to their trait, counting Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks and Jokers as a success.{{Cite web |title=And then Something Falls Off...: A Review of Frankenstein Atomic Frontier | Frankenstein Atomic Frontier |url=http://rpggeek.com/thread/1078996/and-then-something-falls-off-a-review-of-franke}}
Reception
{{No citations section|date=October 2024}}
Proponents of this solution argue that in all game systems, decisions are ultimately made by the GM, and rolling dice merely slows gameplay. Opponents may perceive diceless systems as more arbitrary and lacking the feeling of real unpredictability; for example, the potential death of a character as a result of bad luck in a die roll.