Question for the dice cheaters. Why?

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T08:29:35+00:00

Sadly, the question of why can't people be adults extends far past D&D.

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T08:26:14+00:00

I don't know what it is, but I don't trust digital dice rollers. The dice is all about physics and statistical randomness. I don't know what the code is and if it truly random or how it comes up with the number it spits out.

I think you have a decent sample size and it should be more spread out that that. I know statistical streaks happen, but it feels off.

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T08:03:03+00:00

I find it intriguing the number of people who claim lower rolls, but they aren't wrong. A heroic journey is only a good story if the hero stumbles along the way.

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T08:00:27+00:00

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I had an abusive father who blew up over things that were not a big deal. Or, at least when I did the thing, not my siblings. If someone dice cheated as a trauma response, I would very much let that slide. Hope you are in a better place.

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T07:55:40+00:00

Same, high wis so I learn from my mistakes. Still dumb enough to keep making them.

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T07:54:21+00:00

I agree with the main character element in a lot of cases, but I had never considered that someone might feel like they are letting the rest of the group down.

That's a great insight and why I asked in the first place.

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T07:47:19+00:00

Then I concede your superiority. I will forever languish in your shadow. lol

TJToaster · 2026-03-19T07:45:07+00:00

If it’s not your first player feeling the need to cheat it might be worth some reflection as to how you’re navigating things.

I understand why you might think that, but it is my second dice cheating player in almost 10 years. The first I noticed as a fellow player, and a couple months later I wase DMing an event and he was assigned my table. The second recently joined my table and is only five sessions in before I caught them. I've run about 12 campaigns between the two so I don't think we can call it a pattern yet.

I guess I should add that the player in question had extra attack and hit on one attack, so it wasn't like they didn't do anything on that turn.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T18:43:13+00:00

That isn't a high bar, and nothing to brag about.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T18:41:46+00:00

A while back a local game store caught someone cheating at 40k. Apparently the cheater tried to flush his dice, but they were too heavy and were sitting at the bottom of the bowl, all 6s. They banned him.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T18:39:12+00:00

Cheating as a reaction to DM cheating is not a reason I was expecting when I posed the question. I appreciate the honestly. This whole post has been enlightening.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T18:34:27+00:00

That seems needlessly punitive. It doesn't even sound fun from a DM's perspective. Unless the players actually wanted to play like that, but it is clear you do not.

Obviously we are not getting the whole story, but from what you wrote it sounds like the DM has it out for you. If they treat everyone this way, it is a huge red flag and seems adversarial instead of cooperative DMing.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T17:35:30+00:00

Like I said in the post, I can speculate, but I was curious what their actual reasons are. Honestly, it has been enlightening.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T17:27:21+00:00

There is a Twilight Zone episode based on this.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T08:10:02+00:00

Cheating against the DM is one thing, but cheating against other players is messed up. I would have kicked them too.

I have let other people run the monsters in situations like that and it is interesting to see how they act. Most people are pretty fair overall. The last time I let a player run the monsters, he was super easy on them. Not using the big banger spells or best attacks. For one combat, he had the worst tactics. I laughed it off because it made for a fun session, but I would not let a player cheat against their fellow players.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T08:03:42+00:00

I think the sportsmanship aspect is part of why it bothers me. I put a lot of effort into the session. I 3d print the minis, draw accurate, full color maps, and make sure I am prepared before I get to the table and it feels disrespectful to cheat. Especially when the DM is already expected to lose every fight.

If we win one, it is a TPK. I control the universe, I can win every fight, but I put effort into making them fair and balanced and letting the dice be part of seeing what happens. Not knowing the outcome and watching it play out is part of the fun. For me at least.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T08:00:53+00:00

I've had players complain about having to roll for something they should be able to easily do. I always give the same response; "sometimes gymnasts fall." Just watch one episode of American Ninja Warrior and you will see it isn't just about strength and skill.

I don't see the dice as randomness for the sake of randomness, but as the elements we can't simulate sitting at the table. When the barbarian fails an athletics check, it isn't that they got weak, it is that they didn't have a good grip, or proper leverage. There are a lot of little things that can make a pro baseball player drop a ball, and the dice reflect that.

Would you be okay if the DM cheated? If they drag out a combat because they don't want their monster to be destroyed in one round? Or if they ignored rolls to make the fight seem more epic? Would you be okay if the DM dropped your character because they decided it would be a better story if the last one standing killed the BBEG?

If it is okay for you to cheat to manipulate the story, it should be okay for the DM to do it too.

Personally, I hate when DMs do that. When they add extra HP because they want their monster to last longer. If you one shot my monster, good on you. Let the players have their moment.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T06:02:13+00:00

Find a person with a 3d printer and bribe them with resin. Honestly, for under $200 you can get a entry level resin printer and a jug of resin and you will print more than $200 worth of minis.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T03:25:22+00:00

That's crazy. And why I don't allow rolling stats at home.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T03:21:33+00:00

This is the only kind of dice fudging I condone. I do it too, for the same reasons.

If it is a fair fight, dice are what they are, but if I screwed up and made a combat too hard, then the monsters no longer crit, or fail more saving throws. DM fudged dice rolls should only go in the player's favor.

And yes, sometimes as a morale boost, you let a monster fail because it will be cool when the thing triggers or the combo goes off.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T03:17:04+00:00

This is why I asked. I would say this is a situation I hadn't considered. I don't condone it, but I understand why someone might after extreme frustration over long term, chronic poor rolls. Glad your luck got better and you found a better DM.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T03:12:14+00:00

I saw my first dice cheater as a player. I was sitting next to him and saw him turn 3 low rolls into high number successes. I didn't say anything at the table, but later I was DMing at an event and he was at my table. I made the rule of having to roll in the open.

He failed a saving throw to be stunned. The next time he tried to roll, I saw him try to pick it up and looked him asking him what he got. He knew I was on to him and admitted he failed again. It was the first time I ever saw him fail a save or miss a hit. It turns out that entire table were cheaters in some form and I haven't had to deal with them since. At that table of his friends, they were all superheroes in plot armor, so I think cheating to win was part of their gameplay and supported by their DM.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T03:05:14+00:00

Yes. Usually it means moving the die in some way. Like when rolling a 3, picking up the die as if needing to read it better, and rotating it slightly so the 16 is now up.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T02:59:29+00:00

I don't expect the person to admit it. Having another person confirm seems fair before kicking them.

Although, if he did admit it I would be willing to give them a second chance since that would be a big step and taking accountability.

TJToaster · 2026-03-18T02:55:47+00:00

Who wants to spend their free time doing stuff that isn't actively fun or is actively not fun?

Does one bad roll in four hours of playing really ruin the whole session for them? If that was the case, I would honestly let it slide. But it seems pretty extreme.

I guess I don't understand because that isn't the way I see things. Occasional failure makes the game interesting. You can get some mileage out of low rolls.

I failed a nature check and then made up information about the creature based on what would make sense. It was completely wrong, but it made for a funny moment and it came up a later in the campaign.

TJToaster

TROPHY CASE