Having skipped a day to tell you about the Fenland Gamers monthly meet up and have some technical issues with the blog. It’s time to write a little bit as my contribution to day 17’s theme for #RPGaDAY2019.

Today’s theme is…

The number one has a special meaning in D&D particularly.

Roll a 1 in combat and this is what the Players Guide says happens…

“If the d20 roll for an attack is a I, the attack misses regardless of any modifiers ar the target’s AC.”

But roll a 1 in an ability check, contest, whatever. Despite any modifiers you have basically failed.

Personally I use the 1 to aid storytelling. A natural 1 means that not only have they failed, but they have failed royally. So I try and add a twist to the outcome. It could mean they get lost, or drop an item, or smash the lock. A dramatic twist that is not in the favour of the player.

Naturally there is an exception. There are always exceptions. This time my favourite race Halflings are the exception with their racial trait of lucky. This is what the Players Guide says about that trait…

“Lucky. When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.”

The times that trait has been a life saver. A second bite at the cherry. Ok roll a 1 again and you are foobar just like everyone else. But still you’d have to be a pretty unlucky halfling for that to happen.

I hope you all enjoyed these short and predictable words on today’s theme.