D-Total™
by
Dr. A. F. Simkin
“Seventeen
Dice in One”
The revolutionary D-Total™ performs the functions of 17 different
dice!
|
Die you want to roll |
How to read the face: Each die face is laid out like a clock face,
so turn the die so all numbers (on the face rolled) are right-side up to you.
|
|
D2 |
In
the middle of the face, there is a number between 1 and 24. If 12 or less, the d2 has rolled a 1. If 13 or higher, the result is a 2. |
|
D3 |
The
number of pips (spots) in the 3 o’clock position is the d3 result. |
|
D4 |
Result
lies in a triangle (traditional d4 shape) at 4 o’clock position. |
|
D5 |
Result
is a Roman numeral (I-V) at 5 o’clock.
If numeral is not there, re-roll. |
|
D6 |
Result
is in the square (traditional d6 shape) at 6 o’clock. |
|
D7 |
At
7 o’clock (bottom left) there may be a number (1-7) between the square and
diamond shapes. If not, re-roll to get
the d7 result. |
|
D8 |
Result
lies within a diamond (traditional d8 shape) at 8 o’clock. |
|
D10 |
In
the middle of the face there is a number (1-24). Roll until it lands on 1-20, and use the
final digit for the d10 result. (A roll of 5 or 15 is considered a 5; a roll
of 10 or 20 is considered a 10) |
|
D12 |
Result
lies within the pentagon (traditional d12 shape) at 12 o’clock |
|
*To read D20 and
higher outcomes (except D24), re-roll the die if 21-24 is rolled.* |
|
|
D20 |
Result
is the number in the center of the face* |
|
D24 |
The
middle number on the face is the d24 result. |
|
D30 |
Uses
D3 pips for 1st digit (1 pip=1-10, 2=11-20 and 3=21-30). Re-roll,
using D10 method* for the 2nd digit. 1st roll (d3=2
pips) + 2nd roll (d10=7 or 17)=17 This
method is also used for the D40 – D80, except for the additional ranges of
tens. |
|
D40 |
Uses
D4 triangle for 1st digit, with the method described above (but
adding 4=31-40). Re-roll using D10 method*
for 2nd digit. [(d4=4)+(d10=16)=36] |
|
D50 |
Uses
D5 (Roman numerals) for 1st digit (V=41-50), and D10 method* for 2nd
digit (3 or 13=3). For example, a III
and re-roll of 3 equals 23. |
|
D60 |
Uses
D6 square for 1st digit & D10 method* for 2nd
digit. [(d6=6)+(d10=9)=59] |
|
D70 |
Uses
D7 position for 1st digit & D10 method* for the 2nd.
[(d7=7)+(d10=8)=68] |
|
D80 |
Uses
the D8 diamond for 1st digit (8=71-80) and D10 method* for 2nd. For example, when D8=8 and the D10 re-roll
=4 or 14, the result is 74. |
©Dr.
A. F. Simkin, 2007. Edited by GameScience, 2008.
The
D-Total™ Story
In 2005, Dr. A. F. Simkin mailed a
beautifully hand-crafted prototype of a new 24-sided shape to Louis
Zocchi. Dr. Simkin explained that if
this shape were produced, he could generate an imprinting pattern which would
allow the die to simulate the rolling of seven other shapes. At the same time,
Kevin Cook, who holds the Guiness World Record for having the world’s largest
dice collection, was telling Zocchi about a new 24-sided dice shape he had
received from France.
Zocchi
asked Franck Dutrain, the Frenchman owning the 24-sided dice mold, to send him
a sample. When it arrived, it was the
same shape Dr. Simkin had chosen for his D-Total™ project! Because Dutrain had made his die 1 ¾ inch
tall, its faces were just the right size for Dr. Simkins project. Simkrin did not yet know of Dutrain or his
dice-molding tool.
After
Zocchi suggested to Dr. Simkin that the numbers on the new die should be laid
out like the numbers found on the face of a clock, Dr. Simkin redesigned his
layout and expanded it to eleven faces.
Zocchi discovered that Simkin’s innovative layout could generate the
results of dice shapes which had 2, 3, 4, or 5 sides, on up to 24, 30 or even 80
sides. Because the distortion-free
imprint on each face was so critical, it took close to three years to learn how
each die could be imprinted by eight different passes before it was finished
and welded shut with a sonic process.
Kevin
Cook can be found on-line at DiceCollector.com.
Although Mr. Cook does not sell dice, he is always looking for unusual
dice to add to his collection, and he usually knows who is making which unique
shapes, colors, imprints, etc. and is willing to direct people to places that
do have such dice for sale.
Additional
D-Total™ information
This amazing dice can generate outcomes for
every shape up to 24 by using Dr. Simkin’s idea of ignoring numbers which are
not applicable. To simulate the result
of a D23, just re-roll if you get a 24.
For a D21, re-roll if you get a 22, 23 or 24. Use Dr. Simkins method to generate other dice
outcomes.
Many gamers don’t know that, generally
speaking, dice are numbered so that the total of faces on opposite sides is one
point higher than the total number of faces on the die. The opposing faces on most 6-sided dice will
total 7 (1+6, 2+5, and 3+4). Dr. Simkin
has followed this tradition by making opposite sides of the D3 spots always
total 4, opposite sides of D4 total 5 and so on up to the numbers in the center
of the 24-sided die, which always total 25.
Notice
to Game Designers
Because the rolling of numbers higher than
24 requires two to four re-rolls, we are seeking a better solution. If you can determine how to generate the
higher number outcomes without re-rolling the die, please contact us for a
reward for your solution. In addition, if
you can design an easy to learn, fast playing game which uses all or most of
the numbers on this die, please contact Mr. Zocchi at
(228) 392-4177
GAMESCIENCE
7604 Newton Drive
North Biloxi, MS 39532-2830