Dice plays a crucial role in Dungeons and Dragons, so it's critical to understand how to read the results. Sometimes, players might interpret a d100 roll differently. This can lead to arguments that disrupt the game. This guide ends those arguments for good, teaching you how to read a d100. Let's dive in!
What is a d100 die?
A d100 is also known as a percentile die. It is common in tabletop role-playing games (RPGs). Players use it to roll a number between 1 and 100. A d100 die involves rolling two ten-sided dice (d10s). Each d10 serves a different purpose:
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Tens Die: This die is marked with multiples of 10, including 00, 10, 20, 30, and so on up to 90.
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Units Die: This die is numbered from 0 to 9.
When rolling these two dice, you combine their results for a percentile outcome.
There are also 100-sided dice available. They are large and resemble a golf ball. They show a number between 1 and 100 directly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reading a d100 Die
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Roll the Dice Together:
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Roll both the tens and units dice together at the same time.
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Read the result:
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Combine the numbers: Add the result of the tens die and the units die.
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For example, if the tens die shows 30 and the units die shows 7, the result is 37.
- If the tens die shows 00 and the units die shows 5, the result is 5.
- If the tens die shows 40 and the units die shows 0, the result is 40.
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Special Case - 00 and 0: If the tens die shows 00 and the units die shows 0, the result is 100.
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Percentile dice chart: To interpret the results of the D100 dice more clearly, we have created a table.
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Funny Mistakes When Reading a d100 Dice
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Misinterpreting 00 and 0 as 0.
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Mistake: Reading 00 and 0 as 0.
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Correction: 00 and 0 is 100. There is no 0 on a d100 roll.
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Treating Units Die 0 as 10.
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Mistake: Reading 00 and 0 as 10, or 20 and 0 as 30.
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Correction: The units die is a single digit. 00 and 0 is 100, and 20 and 0 is 20.
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Misreading 00 and 7 as 107.
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Mistake: Reading 00 and 7 as 107.
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Correction: 00 and 7 is 7. There is no 107 on a d100 roll.
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These are all very simple mistakes. If you are playing D&D 5e, the Player's Handbook explains how to interpret 2d10 as d% on page 6. As long as you read our previous content, you will not make this mistake.
Conclusion
To read d100 dice, roll two ten-sided dice (d10s) together: one for the tens (00, 10, 20, etc.) and one for the units (0-9). Combine their results to get a number between 1 and 100. For example, a roll of 30 on the tens die and 4 on the units die equals 34. The only special case is if you roll 00 and 0; the result is 100.
Tips: This blog covers the basics you need to know about reading D100 dice. If you have questions about reading D4 dice, click here.
