Reading the numbers
A hit comes up one time in three, so a pool averages one hit per 3 dice: a threshold of 2 is easy with 8 dice (80.5%), and a threshold of 4 is a coin flip with 11 dice (52.7%). The Edge plans after the roll are used only when the first roll falls short. For live play, the Shadowrun dice roller shows the same odds for the dice in front of you.
Questions
How many hits should I expect from my dice pool?
One hit for every 3 dice on average, because 5 and 6 are 2 faces out of 6. 12 dice average 4 hits. When 6s explode, each die averages 0.4 hits, so 10 dice average 4.
Is it better to add Edge before the roll or reroll after?
Usually after. In Sixth World, with 10 dice against a threshold of 4 and 4 Edge, adding Edge first succeeds 81.0% of the time, and rerolling the failed dice only when you fall short succeeds 90.3%. Waiting also keeps your Edge when the first roll is good enough. A glitch blocks the reroll.
Why is a glitch more likely with an odd number of dice?
A glitch needs more than half the dice to show 1: 3 ones on 4 or 5 dice, 4 ones on 6. Five dice give those 3 ones more chances than four do, so 5 dice glitch 3.5% of the time, 4 dice 1.6% and 6 dice 0.9%.
How are extended test odds worked out?
The calculator follows every possible running total roll by roll, with one die fewer each time, until the threshold is met, the dice run out, the roll limit is reached or a critical glitch ends the test. Nothing is simulated, so the figures are exact.
Can I print the odds table?
Yes. Print the page and you get the table of pools 1 to 30 on one sheet of Letter or A4 paper, without the calculator.
Rules from the Shadowrun, Sixth World core rulebook (City Edition), the official Sixth World FAQ and the Shadowrun 5th edition core rulebook. Your GM's rulings come first.
Unofficial fan tool. Shadowrun is a trademark of The Topps Company, Inc.; not affiliated with Topps or Catalyst Game Labs.