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How to Roll in Roll20: A Comprehensive Guide

Rolling dice is fundamental to most tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), and Roll20 makes it easy to bring this essential mechanic to your online sessions. In short, to roll in Roll20, you can use either the text chat box or the Advanced Dice Roller tool. You’ll primarily be using commands in the text chat, employing a simple formula based on your game’s rules. Let’s break down how to do it step-by-step:

Using the Chat Command: The /roll Command

The most common method to roll dice in Roll20 is by using the /roll command directly in the text chat box. Here’s how it works:

Type /roll: Start by typing /roll (or simply /r) into the chat box. This tells Roll20 you want to perform a dice roll.
Enter your formula: Immediately after /roll, type the dice formula according to your game’s rules. This formula typically follows the format XdY+Z, where:
- X is the number of dice you want to roll.
- Y is the number of sides on each die.
- Z is any modifier you need to add or subtract.
Hit Enter: Press the Enter key to execute the command. Roll20 will then display the result of your roll in the chat, including each individual die result, any modifier, and the final total.

Examples:

1d20: Roll one 20-sided die. This is common for skill checks, saving throws, and attacks.
2d6+3: Roll two 6-sided dice and add 3 to the total.
3d8-1: Roll three 8-sided dice and subtract 1 from the total.

Understanding Crit Successes and Failures

Roll20 automatically flags critical successes and critical failures in its die rolls. If you roll a 20 on a d20, it will be shown in green, signifying a critical success. A roll of 1 on a d20 will be displayed in red, denoting a critical failure. You’ll see a notice in the chat box with the result of the roll.

Taking Advantage/Disadvantage

Roll20 is built to handle advantage and disadvantage. When advantage or disadvantage occurs, Roll20 will roll two dice, taking the highest roll when there is an advantage, and the lowest when there is a disadvantage. You can’t manually change the type of roll, the system determines based on the type of roll.

The Advanced Dice Roller

Roll20 also provides a visual Advanced Dice Roller for those who prefer a graphical interface. Here’s how to access and use it:

Locate the Dice Icon: Look for the d20 icon on the Toolbar to the left of the screen.
Hover and Click: Hover over the d20 icon, and a menu will appear. Click on “Adv. Dice Roller”.
Use the Interface: A window with various dice buttons will appear on your tabletop. You can click these buttons to quickly roll the respective dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20).
Custom Rolls: You also have the ability to type your own custom roll in the text box provided and click the roll button. The result will appear in the chat, just like the text command above.

Benefits of the Advanced Dice Roller

While the /roll command in the chat is faster for complex rolls, the Advanced Dice Roller is excellent for:

Beginners: It’s very user-friendly, especially for new users.
Simple Rolls: For quick and basic dice rolls, like a simple d20 check.
Visual Aid: Some players find the visual confirmation helpful.

Additional Roll20 Features to Know

Beyond basic rolling, Roll20 offers more complex functionalities:

Whispering: Use /w gm to send messages or rolls directly to the Game Master (GM). /gmroll allows for private die rolls between the player and GM.
Exploding Dice: Exploding dice are also possible through specific commands and the functionality of the system. If a die rolls its max value, the dice is rolled again. That new value is added to the max. This is automated as needed.
Greater than/Less Than: Roll20 allows for comparisons. Using > or < allows for the system to let you know whether a roll is greater than or less than a target value.

FAQs About Rolling in Roll20

Here are 15 common questions about dice rolling in Roll20:

1. What does “1d20cs” mean?

The code “1d20cs” means “roll one 20-sided die, and if the result is a 20 or higher, mark it as a critical success.” Crit successes are color-coded green in the Roll20 chat. The default setting for Roll20 is to provide that functionality automatically, but you can still use the term in your rolls.

2. Why does Roll20 sometimes make two rolls?

Roll20 rolls two dice when you have an advantage or disadvantage on a roll. With advantage, you take the higher result. With disadvantage, you take the lower result.

3. Is the Roll20 dice roller truly random?

No digital dice roller is truly random, but Roll20 strives for the highest level of randomness by using quantum fluctuations in the power of a light beam. However, like any electronic system, it’s pseudo-random.

4. Can I upload custom dice images into Roll20?

No, Roll20 does not allow the uploading of custom dice images. The dice visuals are standardized, and the system uses that to mark them when needed, such as critical rolls or advantage/disadvantage.

5. How do I whisper rolls to the GM in Roll20?

Type /w gm before your message or roll command, such as /w gm I'm attacking the Orc!. To whisper a roll, type /gmroll 1d20+3 for a roll visible only to you and the GM.

6. What are “exploding dice” in Roll20?

Exploding dice is a mechanic where if a die rolls its maximum value, it is rolled again and the result is added to the total. This can repeat, resulting in unexpectedly high rolls.

7. What are greater than/less than symbols in Roll20?

Roll20 uses the greater-than symbol > or greater-than or equal to >= to check when a roll meets or exceeds a target number. The less-than < or less-than or equal to <= symbols indicate a roll below or at the value.

8. Can I use physical dice with Roll20?

Yes, with certain connected dice. Products like GoDice D20 can connect to Roll20, automatically transferring your physical rolls to the online system, and giving the benefit of a physical die while playing online.

9. How do I handle dice modifiers in Roll20?

Modifiers are added as either + for positive or - for negative. For example, /roll 1d20+5 adds 5 to your d20 roll.

10. What does the ‘t d20’ icon do?

The ‘t d20’ icon on the Toolbar opens the Advanced Dice Roller for a visual interface for making rolls.

11. Can I make a secret roll in Roll20?

Yes, type /gmroll and the roll formula to make a roll that’s only visible to you and the GM.

12. What happens if I don’t specify the type of roll?

If you only enter the /roll command, Roll20 will return a result of the number of the dice, and that is all, making the roll fail. If you want to make a roll, you must include dice.

13. How do I repeat a roll in Roll20?

You can select the previous roll command in the chat box, or type the command again. You cannot click a previous roll in the chat to have the system re-roll that die.

14. Is there a limit to the number of dice I can roll at once in Roll20?

Roll20 doesn’t have a hard cap, but rolling a very large number of dice at the same time can take time for the system to calculate and display and may cause lag. If needed for your system, be ready for those types of rolls, and adjust accordingly.

15. Can I customize the appearance of the dice in Roll20?

You cannot customize the appearance of the dice in Roll20.

By understanding these commands and features, you can easily integrate dice rolling into your Roll20 games, whether it’s a simple d20 check or a complex set of calculations. Whether you use text commands or the visual Advanced Dice Roller, Roll20 provides the tools for all your RPG rolling needs. Happy rolling!

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