Dice+Adds in inverse

[Pseudonym]

I don't think it is mentioned anywhere, but it seems intuitive, but I still feel the need for a clarification: Does the optional rule for modifying Dice+Adds work for large negative modifiers?

Let's say two examples:
2d+5 = 2d+1d+1 = 3d+1
Does the inverse also apply?
2d-5 = 2d-1d-1 = 1d-1

And similarly
5d+12 = 5d+2d+1d+1 = 8d+1
Does this apply in inverse?
5d-12 = 5d-2d-1d-1 = 2d-1

[ericbsmith]

Officially, Dice+Adds only apply for adding extra dice. Of course it's already an optional (=house) rule to use Dice+Adds, so as a house rule you could certainly apply it to negative damage modifiers as well, however this can result in some odd results.

I've always used a more advanced Dice+Adds myself, but never applied it to negative damage mods.
+3 = +1d-1
+4 = +1d
+5 = +1d+1
+6 = +2d-1
+7 = +2d

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Pseudonym

I don't think it is mentioned anywhere, but it seems intuitive, but I still feel the need for a clarification: Does the optional rule for modifying Dice+Adds work for large negative modifiers?

Let's say two examples:
2d+5 = 2d+1d+1 = 3d+1
Does the inverse also apply?
2d-5 = 2d-1d-1 = 1d-1

And similarly
5d+12 = 5d+2d+1d+1 = 8d+1
Does this apply in inverse?
5d-12 = 5d-2d-1d-1 = 2d-1

As far as the math behind it goes, sure. +7 or -7 is the average damage done by +2d and -2d respectively. +4 and -4 are the rounded off values of +3.5 and -3.5, which are the average damage done by 1d and -1d respectively, and using 4 instead of 3.5 will move the average damage up or down by half a point which probably isn't worth worrying about.

However, you do need to be aware that using Dice + Adds changes the range of values for damage and also changes the minimum and maximum damage possible on any given hit.

2d+5 has a range of 7 - 17; while 3d+1 has a range of 4 - 19.
5d+12 has a range of 17- 42; while 8d+1 has a range of 9 - 49.
You're trading the possibility of lower damage for a chance at higher damage than would be possible without Dice + Adds.

The reverse is true for Dice - Adds.

2d-5 has a range of -3 - 7, effectively 0 - 7; while 1d-1 has a range of 0 - 5.
5d-12 has a range of -7 - 18, effectively 0 - 18; while 2d-1 has a range of 1 - 11.

If you're comfortable with the lowered maximum damage possible, go for it.