Why did I not know about these?
Someone around here is failing to provide proper intel!
Not only do they have 12-sided d6s, they also have 12-sided d4s which is even more fantabulous!
They currently have a 20% Off code for the snow delays and Free Shipping on orders over $15. Couldn't turn that down!
QuoteBLIZZARD SPECIAL: use coupon code SNOWZILLA for 20% off until the local post office reopens.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.shopify.com%2Fs%2Ffiles%2F1%2F0818%2F7041%2Ft%2F4%2Fassets%2Fslide_1.jpg%3F18257112670832618035&hash=23fa4c154253b46db344c23f4d12e6c10c6c9983)
http://www.doublesixdice.com/
What's the advantage over regular D6's? Do they generate more random numbers?
Seems that it's just two D6s in one with the 12-sided version. Two 1s, two 2s, two 3s, etc., all on the same die.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 29, 2016, 07:47:13 AM
Seems that it's just two D6s in one with the 12-sided version. Two 1s, two 2s, two 3s, etc., all on the same die.
Yep.
Or three sets of d4 for the other.
Just rolls better. ^-^
I've always disliked having to roll only a
single d6. Despite having large dice trays to add some decent force, it didn't always feel like the cubes were spinning enough to be properly randomized for my taste. Like it lends result streaks too often.
Probably just OCD of me, but I can't be the only one who think the old bones don't shake & rattle as much as they should. Even more an issue with the d4 situation.
Having grown up playing Star Fleet Battles and Traveller a lot I still like the old classic d6.
I don't mind rolling LOTS of d6 at once. Dice pool mechanics are great.
But repeatedly rolling just a single d6 bothers me. Some games have you doing that quite a bit. I feel the need to shake & throw like a madman to get it to roll well. :tickedoff: In comparison, you can get a good roll from a d12 with little effort.
At about 12:08 in the following vid is an example of the solution. :)
https://youtu.be/AiXcK7PIAKI?t=12m7s
It's true, I usually threw several d6 at a time in both the games I mentioned. And I am really starting to miss rolling any kind of physical dice since I've been forced to use Vassal. :(
Strangely shaped dice = moar better.
Quote from: bbmike on January 29, 2016, 05:20:08 PM
It's true, I usually threw several d6 at a time in both the games I mentioned. And I am really starting to miss rolling any kind of physical dice since I've been forced to use Vassal. :(
I thought there was a way to physically roll dice and enter the results in Vassal?
Maybe I'm thinking of a different program.
I don't think the die roll function in VASSAL is tied to the games at all. It's a separate function, just there as a convenience. You can click it as many times as you want and it won't impact anything in-game.
You could certainly roll the dice yourself right there in front of your monitor, if you want.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 31, 2016, 03:58:10 PM
I don't think the die roll function in VASSAL is tied to the games at all. It's a separate function, just there as a convenience. You can click it as many times as you want and it won't impact anything in-game.
You could certainly roll the dice yourself right there in front of your monitor, if you want.
True. I guess that makes sense if you're playing single-player.
I tried using real dice with Vassal but it just isn't the same.
And damn you, Nefaro! I ordered not only the blue one but the red one as well!
Quote from: bbmike on February 01, 2016, 04:47:53 PM
And damn you, Nefaro! I ordered not only the blue one but the red one as well!
>:D
I almost bought three of these (http://www.doublesixdice.com/collections/triplefours/products/triplefour-the-monty-1) as well. I think they would be great to play Traveller with. 8)
Well, for 2-player VASSAL games, doesn't it keep track of everything you click and do in the game? So, if you rolled twice instead of once, the game file would record that.
Quote from: bbmike on February 02, 2016, 06:36:22 AM
I almost bought three of these (http://www.doublesixdice.com/collections/triplefours/products/triplefour-the-monty-1) as well. I think they would be great to play Traveller with. 8)
I especially loathed "rolling" pyramid-shaped d4s.
I picked up three of their blue 12-sided d4s (the ones with the pyramid-shaped results, oddly enough) and they ended up also sending me an extra white & red yin/yang style one for free. O0
I'll post a pic of the ones I got. Their website pics don't make them look quite as good as they actually are. Must've been prototype pics they put up there..?
Rolling a single double d6 vs. a single d6 seems like cheating to me. I don't recall my probabilities math course clearly but let me try to figure this out.
Say I need to roll an unmodified 5. Using a single d6 that gives me a 1 in 6 chance that I'll get the number I need. Using a double d6 that is a 2 in 12 chance. In essence the same thing right?
I'm not so sure though. It seems to me that I can roll 5's faster thus more often using a single double d6 because of the shape of the die itself. One would just have to develop their die throwing skillz.
Quote from: W8taminute on February 02, 2016, 03:49:40 PM
Rolling a single double d6 vs. a single d6 seems like cheating to me. I don't recall my probabilities math course clearly but let me try to figure this out.
Say I need to roll an unmodified 5. Using a single d6 that gives me a 1 in 6 chance that I'll get the number I need. Using a double d6 that is a 2 in 12 chance. In essence the same thing right?
Actually it yields a probability that is 4 in 24.
Probably the best way to ensure the results you're getting are even are to throw 6d6, add the result, then divide by six. Do the arithmetic by hand so you don't introduce any electronic error.
Without getting too math-y, how is 4 in 24 not the same as 1 in 6?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kappit.com%2Fimg%2Fpics%2F201509_1635_afece_sm.jpg&hash=b0e9a6d83c92dd3fdbe3f1fb328cb78f9fa8b45d)
Super helpful! Thanks, B_C!
I've heard of Common Core but honestly had no idea what it was. I just did a little searching, and holy crap. WHY.
http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/education-2/the-top-ten-most-ridiculous-common-core-problems-so-far
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthefederalistpapers.integratedmarket.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2FBX3iu-YCIAAcMLS.jpg&hash=3fa6800361a334864dbb4e2eec3c6e59a064d638)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthefederalistpapers.integratedmarket.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2FBazvwhtCQAAprio.png&hash=11c2e2c8a5524755ecedd54fd7b899c095e97538)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthefederalistpapers.integratedmarket.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2F834730630.jpg&hash=297634f0528d374d4b104a0dabf6e840558c8780)
WHY NOT JUST BLOODY MEMORIZE WTF 6 x 9 AND 7 x 5 IS, YOU HAIRY C&NTS?!?!?!?!?!?!?
and my personal favorite
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthefederalistpapers.integratedmarket.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2FBjKnf9CIcAAuiqz.jpg&hash=9565d2fde39a5f0c275df33e29f3cc50f3dc92fe)
::)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/04/confusing-math-homework-don-t-blame-the-common-core/360064/
and
https://christopherdanielson.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/5-reasons-not-to-share-that-common-core-worksheet-on-facebook/
QuoteThe strategy shown on this particular worksheet is counting back.
This is how many people count change: You gave me $20.00 for a $3.18 item, so you get $17 minus $0.18 in change...that's $16.90 minus $0.08...$16.82.
The number line Jack drew captures this thinking.
[For the record, in this case Jack's error was forgetting to subtract the 10 in 316. He counted back three hundred, then six ones. The result is that his answer (indicated on the left-hand end of the number line) is too big by 10. He gets 121. The correct answer is 111.]
and
QuoteThere is nothing in the Common Core State Standards that requires students to use number lines to perform multi-digit subtraction. In fact, standard 4.NBT.B.4 requires students to "Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm".
The standard algorithm, of course, is what the frustrated parent suggests that Jack use.
and also...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/28/viral-common-core-homework_n_5049829.html
key quote:
QuoteThe writing component is also problematic. "The standards don't require essay writing in mathematics," Zimba said.
someone wrote a shitty worksheet for what they were trying to teach; that's not an indictment of an entire standard.
ditto this one
Quote[/img]http://thefederalistpapers.integratedmarket.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/BazvwhtCQAAprio.png[/img]
That's a shitty question no matter what the standard they're aiming for. Unless there's something that was clipped out of the image telling us how many friends or how many stickers in each bag, the correct answer is "it depends". But I also wouldn't put it past some extremist political crusader to clip out some key information in an intro paragraph that was to be shared by several questions, and then claim this one f'ed up because it suits their narrative.
Common Core lists the
outcomes based on
standards. It does
not tell you how to get there. The fact that shitty teachers wrote shitty questions on shitty exams doesn't mean the standard is f'ed up. As noted above, the
standard says
Quote"Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm".
It doesn't say f'-all about
how to teach it, so shitty teachers write shitty questions to get there.
This whole subject is a very sore one for me b/c one of my aunts is a high school math teacher and deals with this shit all the time. Just because there's some underpaid, under appreciated moronosaur stuck teaching math because it's the only job she could get and has to work at Sears on the side to pay the bills doesn't mean the
standard - again, focused on outcome not process - is wrong.
Fair enough, Brant. Thanks for the clarifications.
What's f&cked about it all is how opinion in general is against it. Like I said, I've not encountered it with my kids, so I knew little about it, but just about every reference I've heard to Common Core is disparaging or degrading.
The current teaching methods for math are abysmal. My kids struggle with math because the questions and methods are utterly ridiculous. This shit has been going on for decades. Revamp the curriculum to use the latest whackadoo teaching methods and theories, watch it fail miserably over 5-10 years, blame it on lack of funding, scrap the whole thing and go on to the next bullshit thing. It keeps a lot of people employed, but it does little to educate students.
Quote from: MetalDog on February 02, 2016, 10:44:34 PM
Without getting too math-y, how is 4 in 24 not the same as 1 in 6?
It's identical. Sorry, apparently my round sense of humor didn't fit into this square hole of a post.
At least some of you guys picked up on my jest at over-complicating rolling a d6 or a d12 with double sixes. If the die is properly constructed (which polishing may disrupt, but that's another story) then rolling a d12 that has double sixes or rolling a d6 will produce exactly the same results. Except that IMHO rolling a d12 is more fun because you do it less often.
My apologies for any confusion caused by my poor choice of wit.
Can you put all this into an eye-catching graph?
Quote from: mirth on February 03, 2016, 11:02:33 AM
Can you put all this into an eye-catching graph?
(https://tsanity.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/eye-catching-graph.jpg)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on February 03, 2016, 11:11:19 AM
Quote from: mirth on February 03, 2016, 11:02:33 AM
Can you put all this into an eye-catching graph?
(https://tsanity.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/eye-catching-graph.jpg)
Much better. Thank you.
Quote from: mirth on February 03, 2016, 11:02:33 AM
Can you put all this into an eye-catching graph?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FGrogHeads%2FGrogheads%2520Pie%2520Chart_zps7w76ohdy.jpg&hash=98d735bfd9c886e0ae2fec19cf5b899a0abd7206)
Quote from: mirth on February 03, 2016, 09:33:48 AM
The current teaching methods for math are abysmal. My kids struggle with math because the questions and methods are utterly ridiculous. This shit has been going on for decades. Revamp the curriculum to use the latest whackadoo teaching methods and theories, watch it fail miserably over 5-10 years, blame it on lack of funding, scrap the whole thing and go on to the next bullshit thing. It keeps a lot of people employed, but it does little to educate students.
It's not just math right now.
There is stuff left out. For instance, they don't teach Roman numerals or how to read hands on a clock, here, anymore. That's just the tip.
Also.. English started solely being taught as visual word recognition. No phonics ("sounding" it out) or associative interpretation. I've begun seeing quite a few kids who are borderline illiterate, and teens who can't read a sentence aloud without calling at least one word something completely different. Sometimes they catch it, fairly often not, but it's obvious the curriculum has had quite a few detrimental shortcuts added since my school days.
The brain tends to recognize the overall shape of the word, rather than the specific spelling, when reading quickly. Solely teaching word recognition makes them just plug in what is the likeliest, or first, word to come to mind which is shaped similarly. It's painful to watch them read something aloud.
Doesn't lend much faith in where our public education is heading. "Dumbed down" and "cutting corners" describes it well.
Quote from: LongBlade on February 03, 2016, 12:14:08 PM
Quote from: mirth on February 03, 2016, 11:02:33 AM
Can you put all this into an eye-catching graph?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FGrogHeads%2FGrogheads%2520Pie%2520Chart_zps7w76ohdy.jpg&hash=98d735bfd9c886e0ae2fec19cf5b899a0abd7206)
That is fabulous O0
School districts are much more worried about bad publicity and being sued than they are about quality education. That's my experience, anyway, having been married to an educator that's been in the business for almost 30 years now.
Would make me wanna draw knives & guns on my notebooks.
:))
Quote from: Nefaro on February 03, 2016, 05:46:50 PM
Would make me wanna draw knives & guns on my notebooks.
I shudder when I think of some of the things I wrote in my textbooks. I was an artist and loved defacing them, but not with silly things. That was far too easy, to write "KKK" or some other ridiculously offensive thing. I usually changed portraits to look like other people...I remember I made MLK look like Stevie Wonder in one book. In another, I made someone look like Phil Collins (can't remember who it was originally, offhand). I was rather proud of that. (This was long, long before this would have been something to have me expelled.) This got to a point to where word of my talents in my history books got to my senior-year history teacher, whom I recall physically checking my book page for page before giving it to me to ensure none of the portraits had "artistic impressions made to any of them." I had arrived, I guess.
Fortunately, I was never directly caught being an idiot kid, at least not in that regard. But goodness knows once in a while I drew some dumb shit too. One in particular, I just had a flashback with. It wasn't one of my more "proud" moments of defacing school books. We were studying MacBeth in 10th grade and the books had several of the woodcut pictures in them. This one in particular:
(https://okstateshakespeare.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/macbethwoodcut.jpg)
I CLEARLY remember drawing a speech bubble for the guy on the horse, with him saying, "YOUNG VARLETS...GIVETH ME A ROYAL BLOWJOB."
Whether or not I also drew a 6' cock on him too to highlight his demand for servicing the royal shaft, or perhaps just an overwhelming interest in fellatio in general, from a nebulously female trio or not, is somewhat cloudy. :buck2:
I recall very clearly too that for some odd reason (probably Munchhausen Syndrome), I brought the book to my teacher's attention saying, "Look what someone drew in my book! I need a different one." She was speechless and proceeded to give the class a good lecture, because she had previously found another copy of MacBeth with swastikas written in it (and some other offensive crap, and NO, that was something she had in her desk) and used both of them to highlight her little speech. That poor woman. I remember seeing her when I was in line waiting for my degree at the ceremony and she looked 20 years older.
And boy oh boy, we went from 12-sided d6s to woodgrain pornographic defacings. I love Grogheads. :smitten:
With a quick stop at Pie Chart Gardens!
Sorry I missed the humor, LB. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed sometimes.
Back on topic...these arrived today! Very nice dice. Can't wait to try them out with either Traveller, Star Fleet Battles, Federation Space, Fleet Commander Nimitz, GURPS Prime Directive...
Quote from: bbmike on February 08, 2016, 05:41:25 PM
Back on topic...these arrived today! Very nice dice. Can't wait to try them out with either Traveller, Star Fleet Battles, Federation Space, Fleet Commander Nimitz, GURPS Prime Directive...
There are so many that use d6s.
I'm fine with big d6 dice pools, when you roll a big handful of them. They bounce around off each other pretty well. But when I roll 1d6 for some life-or-death event check... UGH!
First test will be with
Silent Victory. Definitely some 1d6/2d6 life-or-death rolls there which will feel like they actually
rolled my death. :)) But there are plenty more games that will get them substituted.
Goddamn OCD. ;)