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So I was thinking about scatter dice and a solution to a problem I think everyone has. Determining exactly what direction it was going. Its almost impossible to exactly determine the angle and that can be pretty important. So I had this idea that scatter dice are all about angles (really) what could I use to find better angles. well my first thought was lets get a protractor and calculate the angle the die is facing, but to there were way to many problems with this idea. Then I had another idea. What if I just used the protractor itself, or two to get a full 360 degrees. Just put them back to back. Then just like those old board games put a spinner arrow on it, flick it and see what angle it lands on. Then put a mark on your blast template, line up the zero degree mark and you have a perfect way of calculating scatter which is still equally as random as a scatter die.

Try Again Bragg wrote:So I was thinking about scatter dice and a solution to a problem I think everyone has. Determining exactly what direction it was going. Its almost impossible to exactly determine the angle and that can be pretty important. So I had this idea that scatter dice are all about angles (really) what could I use to find better angles. well my first thought was lets get a protractor and calculate the angle the die is facing, but to there were way to many problems with this idea. Then I had another idea. What if I just used the protractor itself, or two to get a full 360 degrees. Just put them back to back. Then just like those old board games put a spinner arrow on it, flick it and see what angle it lands on. Then put a mark on your blast template, line up the zero degree mark and you have a perfect way of calculating scatter which is still equally as random as a scatter die.

How do you roll "On Target" with a spinner?

Hmm, I actually quite like this idea. Not that I've ever had any huge problems with scatter dice, but i do have a few friends who tend to fudge the direction quite alot if it looks like a "close" miss.

You could roll a separate die to determine the hit or scatter step. 1-4 scatter, 5-6 hit.

A spinner may not be the best solution.

The scatter dice as it is right now is decent enough. Just roll near the unit. If it scatters, you can use one of those red measuring sticks that comes in the AoBR set to line up the direction and measure distance.

I know this is a problem for some people who tend to, sometimes inadvertently I'm sure, fudge the angles a bit. And I am willing to use a stick or possibly another simple solution. But taking 5 minutes to measure one angle may be a bit much for stuff like deamons and drop pod armies with a lot of scatters, and the game would take much longer than needed.

In the end, I want to be fair, but I also want to get to my turn in a somewhat efficient manner. The stick would work. The protractor/spinner stuff would probably be frowned upon by your opponent.

Just my honest opinion.

Cheers

I like this idea especially if all you have to do is place it over the squad being targeted. Then roll one die for scatter one to four scatter and five to six direct hit. Then if it scatters roll two dice and flick the spinner as long as it goes around fully once.

Vindicator#9 wrote:I like this idea especially if all you have to do is place it over the squad being targeted. Then roll one die for scatter one to four scatter and five to six direct hit. Then if it scatters roll two dice and flick the spinner as long as it goes around fully once.

But then you would be rolling for scatter twice. Why roll a die and spin, when all you have to do is roll one scatter die once?

Just for kicks, if the spinner idea was implemented, then you would get into what type of spinner is approved or OK to use in game and comps. You couldn't show up at a tournament with the spinner from candyland and expect it to be approved.

I'll stick to the red stick as its quick, easy, already available, and acceptable to my opponents.

I didnt say it was quicker i just said it was a good idea and i liked it for the reason being you cant fudge the direction. I agree with you and the red stick idea on being quick and easy.

or change the rule altogether and only spin (scatter) when you miss. (i know this is the way it used to be but i liked it)

Spinners a good idea but a die is more portable.

could always use a 3or6 sided dradle ...

write hit on 1/3rd of the sides and spin it if a hit isn't rolled move in the direction pointed.

You can also use a clockface with a d12.

Just print out a clockface, like this: .

Then whenever a scatter comes up, you roll a d12 and then you have an angle.

Meh I'm going to stick with the normal scatter dice since I don't have a problem with them.

But it's cool you guys are coming up with cool alternatives.

(Vladsimpaler, me being a D&D player, I really appreciated the d12 idea )