Dice mechanics
Dice pool basics in Shadowrun 6th Edition
Rolling multiple dice and counting successes.
Explanation
Shadowrun 6E rolls d6 dice pools: Attribute + Skill dice, counting 5s and 6s as hits against a threshold. Glitches (half or more 1s) complicate even successes, and Edge lets you reroll, add dice, or bend outcomes.
At the table (quick loop)
- Build your pool: relevant Attribute + Skill (plus modifiers), one d6 each.
- Roll and count hits: every 5 or 6 is a hit; meet the threshold (or beat the opposing roll) to succeed.
- Check for glitches: half or more of the dice showing 1s is a glitch (a critical glitch if you also scored no hits). Spend Edge to reroll failures or add dice when it matters.
Example: Agility 5 + Firearms 4 = 9 dice vs threshold 3: rolling three 5s and a 6 gives 4 hits, a clean success unless five or more dice came up 1s.
Examples
Example: build the pool
Pick the two traits that match your approach (often Attribute + Skill), roll that many d10s, then count successes.
Example: raise/lower difficulty
Instead of stacking small modifiers, change the difficulty (required successes) so the decision is readable.
Common mistakes (smallest fix)
- Mistake: Rolling without a clear pool. Fix: Say the approach, then pick the two traits that define the pool.
- Mistake: Counting successes inconsistently. Fix: Keep one quick reference open (cheat sheet) during play.
Shadowrun 6th Edition FAQ
How do dice pools work in Shadowrun 6E?
What are metatypes?
How does Edge work in SR6?
What is the difference between a decker and a technomancer?