65-597: Star Wars Miniatures is a 34mm scale collectible miniatures tabletop game based on the Star Wars fictional universe that was produced by Wizards of the Coast . The game was originally released in September 2004 and continued production until May 2010. Star Wars Miniatures players build point-based squads from one of ten different in-universe factions then conduct battles between those squads. The game mechanics are
130-580: A collectible miniature wargame is recent. In a conventional miniature game, players purchase the miniatures they want and generally invest time in assembling, painting , and often customizing the figures to their liking. CMGs were designed to appeal to those who would enjoy the game aspect but not necessarily the hobby aspect of miniature gaming. CMGs tend to cover a more diverse range of topics than traditional wargames (which generally are fantasy, sci-fi, or historical in theme), and certain games, such as Dreamblade are even somewhat abstract in nature. Due to
195-400: A standard , expresses a dice roll as n d s or n D s , where n is the number of dice rolled and s is the number of sides on each die; if only one die is rolled, n is normally not shown. For example, d4 denotes one four-sided die; 6d8 means the player should roll six eight-sided dice and sum the results. The notation also allows for adding or subtracting a constant amount c to
260-415: A counting sequence starting at one. One variation on the standard die is known as the "average" die. These are six-sided dice with sides numbered 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5 , which have the same arithmetic mean as a standard die (3.5 for a single die, 7 for a pair of dice), but have a narrower range of possible values (2 through 5 for one, 4 through 10 for a pair). They are used in some table-top wargames , where
325-437: A different way. On some four-sided dice, each face features multiple numbers, with the same number printed near each vertex on all sides. In this case, the number around the vertex pointing up is used. Alternatively, the numbers on a tetrahedral die can be placed at the middle of the edges, in which case the numbers around the base are used. Normally, the faces on a die will be placed so opposite faces will add up to one more than
390-517: A double-sided map and a series of scenarios. Ultimate Missions: Rebel Storm included scenarios drawn from A New Hope , The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi , along with the associated radio dramas. Ultimate Missions: Clone Strike drew its scenarios from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace , Attack of the Clones , and Star Wars: Clone Wars . Ultimate Missions: Revenge of
455-583: A figure will increase its rarity. In the Universe set, special Huge miniatures were introduced, with a "footprint" nine times that of a typical figure. Each booster pack came with 1 rare, 1 huge figure (of random rarity), 2 uncommons, and 3 commons. This was the first set in which it was possible to get 2 rares in the same pack. Other products include starter boxes which are prepackaged to include certain figures. The "Rebel Storm Starter Game" comes with Luke Skywalker , Rebel and Darth Vader, Dark Jedi, along with
520-399: A form of miniatures game that is also similar to collectible card games (CCGs) — the primary difference being that while CCGs are card-based games, CMGs feature miniature figures . A popular theme for CMGs are strategy wargames , since games of that genre typically feature miniatures such as: soldiers, vehicles, etc. Miniature wargames have been around for a long time, but the idea of
585-407: A method by which dice can be used to generate passphrases . Diceware is a method recommended for generating secure but memorable passphrases, by repeatedly rolling five dice and picking the corresponding word from a pre-generated list. In many gaming contexts, especially tabletop role-playing games, shorthand notations representing different dice rolls are used. A very common notation, considered
650-435: A narrower range of numbers is required. Other numbered variations include Sicherman dice and intransitive dice . A die can be constructed in the shape of a sphere, with the addition of an internal cavity in the shape of the dual polyhedron of the desired die shape and an internal weight. The weight will settle in one of the points of the internal cavity, causing it to settle with one of the numbers uppermost. For instance,
715-475: A paint of the same density as the material used for the dice, such that the center of gravity of the dice is as close to the geometric center as possible. This mitigates concerns that the pips will cause a small bias. All such dice are stamped with a serial number to prevent potential cheaters from substituting a die. Precision backgammon dice are made the same way; they tend to be slightly smaller and have rounded corners and edges, to allow better movement inside
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#1732776217329780-515: A pair of boxcars on a freight train. Many rolls have names in the game of craps . Using Unicode characters, the faces can be shown in text using the range U+2680 to U+2685 or using decimal ⚀ to ⚅ , and the emoji using U+1F3B2 or 🎲 from the Miscellaneous Symbols and Pictographs block. A loaded, weighted, cheat, or crooked die is one that has been tampered with so that it will land with
845-494: A random integer from one to six on its upper surface, with each value being equally likely. Dice may also have polyhedral or irregular shapes, may have faces marked with numerals or symbols instead of pips and may have their numbers carved out from the material of the dice instead of marked on it. Loaded dice are specifically designed or modified to favor some results over others for cheating or entertainment. Dice have been used since before recorded history, and their origin
910-508: A randomized assortment of figures. The "Clone Strike Starter Game" comes with Jango Fett and General Kenobi and a number of randomized figures. The "Revenge of the Sith Starter Game" comes with General Grievous , Supreme Commander and Obi-Wan Kenobi , Jedi Master, as well as two Clone Troopers and two Super Battle Droids . A new starter set consisting of reprints contains Obi-Wan Kenobi (Rebel Storm), Darth Vader (Revenge of
975-496: A simplified version of the d20 roleplaying game system . Multiple maps, scenarios, and set themes from different settings and time periods from within the Star Wars universe are available. Star Wars Miniatures premiered on September 3, 2004. The first set, "Rebel Storm," was released at that time and was followed up by "Clone Strike," which came out December 4, 2004. April 9, 2005 brought the third set release, titled "Revenge of
1040-623: A single six-sided die yields a uniform distribution, where each number from 1 to 6 has an equal chance of appearing. However, when rolling two dice and summing the results, the probability distribution shifts, as some sums (like 7) become more likely than others (like 2 or 12). These distributions can model real-world scenarios or mathematical constructs, making dice a practical tool for teaching and exploring concepts in probability theory. Common dice are small cubes , most often 1.6 cm (0.63 in) across, whose faces are numbered from one to six, usually by patterns of round dots called pips . (While
1105-454: A specific side facing upwards more often or less often than a fair die would. There are several methods for making loaded dice, including rounded faces, off-square faces, and weights. Casinos and gambling halls frequently use transparent cellulose acetate dice, as tampering is easier to detect than with opaque dice. Various shapes such as two-sided or four-sided dice are documented in archaeological findings; for example, from Ancient Egypt and
1170-405: A sphere with an octahedral cavity and a small internal weight will settle with one of the 6 points of the cavity held downwards by the weight. Many board games use dice to randomize how far pieces move or to settle conflicts. Typically, this has meant that rolling higher numbers is better. Some games, such as Axis & Allies , have inverted this system by making the lower values more potent. In
1235-403: A variety of probability distributions . For instance, 10-sided dice can be rolled in pairs to produce a uniform distribution of random percentages, and summing the values of multiple dice will produce approximations to normal distributions . Unlike other common dice, a four-sided (tetrahedral) die does not have a side that faces upward when it is at rest on a surface, so it must be read in
1300-475: Is craps , where two dice are thrown simultaneously and wagers are made on the total value of the two dice. Dice are frequently used to introduce randomness into board games , where they are often used to decide the distance through which a piece will move along the board (as in backgammon and Monopoly ). Thrown or simulated dice are sometimes used to generate specific probability distributions, which are fundamental to probability theory . For example, rolling
1365-489: Is Fringe, which is a "neutral" faction, whose figures can be used in any squad. Players agree on a point total (100, 150, and 200 being the official standards) and create a squad that does not exceed the chosen point total for one of the following formats: After players agree on a point total and play format and build their squads, one of several play maps representing different locations of the Star Wars Universe
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#17327762173291430-428: Is a small, throwable object with marked sides that can rest in multiple positions. Dice are used for generating random values , commonly as part of tabletop games , including dice games , board games , role-playing games , and games of chance . A traditional die is a cube with each of its six faces marked with a different number of dots ( pips ) from one to six. When thrown or rolled, the die comes to rest showing
1495-860: Is also used for various other checks throughout the game. In the case of an attack, the D20 is rolled and its final value is modified by the attacker's bonus and other circumstances of the attack (e.g. a target in cover). If the total is greater than or equal to a figure's defense, that figure takes damage. When a figure has taken damage equal to its hit points, that figure is defeated and removed from play. Star Wars Miniatures has several unique differences that separate it from most other tabletop games. There are "Force Powers", which are used by Jedi , Sith and other Force users and can devastate lesser figures. These also have Force ratings, which allow them to make re-rolls to failed attacks or defends and also to use their Force powers. There are also "Commander Effects", possessed by
1560-492: Is called "left-handed". Western dice are normally right-handed, and Chinese dice are normally left-handed. The pips on standard six-sided dice are arranged in specific patterns as shown. Asian style dice bear similar patterns to Western ones, but the pips are closer to the center of the face; in addition, the pips are differently sized on Asian style dice, and the pips are colored red on the 1 and 4 sides. Red fours may be of Indian origin. Non-precision dice are manufactured via
1625-464: Is chosen and set up. The maps feature a one-inch square grid overlay that indicates where characters can move, as well as being used to determine range and the ability to see a target. Different maps influence the game in different ways. For instance, the map included in the "Revenge of the Sith Starter" represents the interior of a battered starship, with small hallways and rubble-filled rooms, but
1690-547: Is considered the only "huge-friendly" map as it is the only one where a huge character can travel from one starting area to the other. Some of the official maps are: The objective of the game can vary, but in standard play the winner is the player who earns a number of victory points equal to or greater than the Squad limit or the player with the most victory points when a tiebreaker is called (no characters have made offensive actions in 10 rounds). Players score victory points equal to
1755-714: Is frequently used. Astrological dice are a specialized set of three 12-sided dice for divination; the first die represents the planets, the Sun, the Moon, and the nodes of the Moon, the second die represents the 12 zodiac signs , and the third represents the 12 houses . A specialized icosahedron die provides the answers of the Magic 8 Ball , conventionally used to provide answers to yes-or-no questions. Dice can be used to generate random numbers for use in passwords and cryptography applications. The Electronic Frontier Foundation describes
1820-459: Is similar to backgammon and dates to the Heian period (794–1185 CE), while e-sugoroku is a racing game . Dice are thrown onto a surface either from the hand or from a container designed for this (such as a cup, tray, or tower ). The face (or corner, in cases such as tetrahedral dice, or edge, for odd-numbered long dice ) of the die that is uppermost when it comes to rest provides the value of
1885-437: Is the 10-sided die, a pentagonal trapezohedron die, whose faces are ten kites , each with two different edge lengths, three different angles, and two different kinds of vertices. Such sets frequently include a second 10-sided die either of contrasting color or numbered by tens, allowing the pair of 10-sided dice to be combined to generate numbers between 1 and 100. Using these dice in various ways, games can closely approximate
1950-542: Is the only known miniature in the "Unleashed" set, and also the only known cross-promotional miniature in the entire Wizards miniatures 2004-2010 line. Among several other supported tabletop games the VASSAL Engine provides a module that allows playing the Star Wars Miniatures game online with gamers around the world. Collectible miniatures game Collectible miniatures games ( CMGs ) are
2015-459: Is then polished via a tumble finishing process similar to rock polishing . The abrasive agent scrapes off all of the paint except for the indents of the numbering. A finer abrasive is then used to polish the die. This process also produces the smoother, rounded edges on the dice. Precision casino dice may have a polished or sand finish, making them transparent or translucent respectively. Casino dice have their pips drilled, then filled flush with
Star Wars Miniatures - Misplaced Pages Continue
2080-414: Is uncertain. It is hypothesized that dice developed from the practice of fortune-telling with the talus of hoofed animals, colloquially known as knucklebones . The Ancient Egyptian game of senet (played before 3000 BCE and up to the 2nd century CE) was played with flat two-sided throwsticks which indicated the number of squares a player could move, and thus functioned as a form of dice. Perhaps
2145-529: The ancient Indian Rigveda , Atharvaveda , Mahabharata and Buddhist games list . There are several biblical references to "casting lots" ( Hebrew : יפילו גורל yappîlū ḡōrāl ), as in Psalm 22 , indicating that dicing (or a related activity) was commonplace when the psalm was composed. Knucklebones was a game of skill played in ancient Greece ; a derivative form had the four sides of bones receive different values like modern dice. Although gambling
2210-530: The "Attack on Endor" set was released. This set consists of an AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport), an Imperial Stormtrooper, Imperial Stormtrooper Officer and an Imperial Stormtrooper Scout. Also included are two double-sided maps and a scenario book. No Ewoks are included. On January 28, 2010, an official announcement on the Wizards of the Coast forum stated that Wizards of the Coast would not renew
2275-524: The 2nd century BCE. Dominoes and playing cards originated in China as developments from dice. The transition from dice to playing cards occurred in China around the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), and coincides with the technological transition from rolls of manuscripts to block printed books. In Japan, dice were used to play a popular game called sugoroku . There are two types of sugoroku. Ban-sugoroku
2340-537: The Coast was "Masters of the Force", released April 2010. The sets released from "Rebel Storm" to "Knights of the Old Republic" have featured 60 fully constructed and fully painted miniature figures from different eras and settings of the Star Wars timeline. From "Clone Wars" onward, sets feature a total of 40 pieces. Accompanying the first three sets was a scenario book called Ultimate Missions. Each book contained
2405-635: The Force" was released on March 28, 2008. "Knights of the Old Republic" was released in Summer 2008, followed by "Clone Wars" in the late Fall of that year. Early 2009 included "Imperial Entanglements" which was followed in June by "Jedi Academy". "Galaxy at War" in October rounded out the 2009 collection, with "Dark Times" to follow in January/February 2010. The final official set released by Wizards of
2470-571: The Middle East. While the cubical six-sided die became the most common type in many parts of the world, other shapes were always known, like 20-sided dice in Ptolemaic and Roman times. The modern tradition of using sets of polyhedral dice started around the end of the 1960s when non-cubical dice became popular among players of wargames , and since have been employed extensively in role-playing games and trading card games . Dice using both
2535-545: The Sith covered Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith . The Ultimate Missions series was discontinued after Revenge of the Sith in favor of scenario packs such as Attack on Endor. On November 11, 2005, a special "AT-AT Imperial Walker Colossal Pack" was released, which came with the AT-AT . The AT-AT is scaled correctly to the other miniatures, and stands at fourteen inches high and eighteen inches long. In February 2006,
2600-522: The Sith", with the "Universe" expansion set in August that, hitting stores on August 27 that year. Later "Champions of the Force" was released on June 10, 2006. The "Bounty Hunters" set was released in September 2006, followed by "Starships Battles" in November. The special 30th anniversary set, "Alliance and Empire," was released May 2007. "Force Unleashed" set has been released in November 2007. "Legacy of
2665-483: The Sith), Rebel captain, Rebel Heavy Trooper, Elite Stormtrooper, Heavy Stormtrooper and a Korriban and Trade federation cruiser map. The "Attack on Endor" Scenario Pack comes with an AT-ST, a Stormtrooper Officer, Stormtrooper and Stormtrooper Scout. The figures of Aurra Sing and a Stormtrooper from the 2005 "Star Wars Unleashed" line of plastic-sculptured statuettes each came with a bonus miniature "Twi'lek Bodyguard" for
Star Wars Miniatures - Misplaced Pages Continue
2730-402: The Wizards of the Coast game; the same miniature came with both figures. The miniature is designated on the bottom of its stand as from the set "Unleashed" (as distinct from miniatures from the later "The Force Unleashed" set), but is otherwise identical to the same miniature from the "Rebel Storm" set released in 2004 (the same date printed on the bottom of the stand for the bonus miniature). It
2795-466: The biggest so far is the AT-AT, which takes up 6 by 12 squares). Each of the released sets focuses on different aspects of the Star Wars history, and some sets may be more desirable than others based on this fact. The game includes miniatures printed at four different levels of rarity: [REDACTED] "common", [REDACTED] "uncommon", [REDACTED] "rare", and [REDACTED] "Very Rare". Each of
2860-431: The cost of characters they defeat. In a variant designed to discourage players from hiding, known as Gambit format, players also score 5 victory points at the end of every round in which they have a character within 4 squares of the center. Gambit format is the format used in sanctioned tournaments. Combat in the game is similar to other tabletop games. A 20-sided die (or D20) is used to determine if an attack succeeds and
2925-400: The dice cup and stop forceful rolls from damaging the playing surface. The word die comes from Old French dé ; from Latin datum "something which is given or played". While the terms ace , deuce , trey , cater , cinque and sice are generally obsolete, with the names of the numbers preferred, they are still used by some professional gamblers to designate different sides of
2990-526: The dice. Ace is from the Latin as , meaning "a unit"; the others are 2 to 6 in Old French . When rolling two dice, certain combinations have slang names. The term snake eyes is a roll of one pip on each die. The Online Etymology Dictionary traces use of the term as far back as 1919. The US term boxcars , also known as midnight , is a roll of six pips on each die. The pair of six pips resembles
3055-481: The first three sets were packaged in individual booster packs of miniatures, which in turn came with 7 random miniatures (1 rare or very rare, 2 uncommon, and 4 common). On average, one in three booster packs included a Very Rare instead of a normal Rare. Popular characters from the movies are typically Rare, while less well known characters from other sources and the most powerful movie characters are Very Rare. As Rare characters are more often found than Very Rares in
3120-801: The infinite set of prisms . All the rectangular faces are mutually face-transitive, so they are equally probable. The two ends of the prism may be rounded or capped with a pyramid, designed so that the die cannot rest on those faces. 4-sided long dice are easier to roll than tetrahedra and are used in the traditional board games dayakattai and daldøs . The faces of most dice are labelled using sequences of whole numbers, usually starting at one, expressed with either pips or digits. However, there are some applications that require results other than numbers. Examples include letters for Boggle , directions for Warhammer Fantasy Battle , Fudge dice , playing card symbols for poker dice , and instructions for sexual acts using sex dice . Dice may have numbers that do not form
3185-410: The license for Star Wars Miniatures. In Star Wars Miniatures , ten different factions are available for play. They are Rebel , Imperial , Republic , Separatist , New Republic , Yuuzhan Vong , Old Republic, Sith , Mandalorian , and Fringe. Each game requires that each player chooses one of the above factions to play as and then builds a squad using miniatures from that faction. The only exception
3250-475: The modern age, a few games and game designers have approached dice in a different way by making each side of the die similarly valuable. In Castles of Burgundy , players spend their dice to take actions based on the die's value. In this game, a six is not better than a one, or vice versa. In Quarriors (and its descendant, Dice Masters ), different sides of the dice can offer completely different abilities. Several sides often give resources while others grant
3315-516: The number of faces. (This is not possible with 4-sided dice and dice with an odd number of faces.) Some dice, such as those with 10 sides, are usually numbered sequentially beginning with 0, in which case the opposite faces will add to one less than the number of faces. Some twenty-sided dice have a different arrangement used for the purpose of keeping track of an integer that counts down, such as health points. These spindown dice are arranged such that adjacent integers appear on adjacent faces, allowing
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#17327762173293380-515: The numerals 6 and 9, which are reciprocally symmetric through rotation, typically distinguish them with a dot or underline. Dice are often sold in sets, matching in color, of six different shapes. Five of the dice are shaped like the Platonic solids , whose faces are regular polygons . Aside from the cube, the other four Platonic solids have 4, 8, 12, and 20 faces, allowing for those number ranges to be generated. The only other common non-cubical die
3445-609: The oldest known dice were excavated as part of a backgammon -like game set at the Burnt City , an archeological site in south-eastern Iran , estimated to be from between 2800 and 2500 BCE. Bone dice from Skara Brae , Scotland have been dated to 3100–2400 BCE. Excavations from graves at Mohenjo-daro , an Indus Valley civilization settlement, unearthed terracotta dice dating to 2500–1900 BCE, including at least one die whose opposite sides all add up to seven, as in modern dice. Games involving dice are mentioned in
3510-411: The outcome of events. Games typically determine results either as a total on one or more dice above or below a fixed number, or a certain number of rolls above a certain number on one or more dice. Due to circumstances or character skill, the initial roll may have a number added to or subtracted from the final result, or have the player roll extra or fewer dice. To keep track of rolls easily, dice notation
3575-411: The plastic injection molding process, often made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) . The pips or numbers on the die are a part of the mold. Different pigments can be added to the dice to make them opaque or transparent, or multiple pigments may be added to make the dice speckled or marbled. The coloring for numbering is achieved by submerging the die entirely in paint, which is allowed to dry. The die
3640-482: The player useful actions. Dice can be used for divination and using dice for such a purpose is called cleromancy . A pair of common dice is usual, though other forms of polyhedra can be used. Tibetan Buddhists sometimes use this method of divination . It is highly likely that the Pythagoreans used the Platonic solids as dice. They referred to such dice as "the dice of the gods" and they sought to understand
3705-748: The random distribution of figures when purchasing CMG products, a large secondary market has sprung up selling single miniatures, as well as websites that allow players to trade spare figures. Perhaps the most popular and well-known CMG to date is HeroClix , which allows players to create battles between characters from the Marvel and DC Comics comic book universes, as well as certain smaller publishers. Other popular CMGs include Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game , Halo ActionClix, HorrorClix , Monsterpocalypse , Pokémon Trading Figure Game , Star Wars Miniatures , and Car game . Dice#Non-cubical dice A die ( sg. : die or dice ; pl. : dice )
3770-528: The randomized booster packs, the more recognizable characters are more increasingly often made Rare in order to maximize the appeal of the product. In the recent Galaxy at War set, characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi , Anakin Skywalker and General Grievous appeared as Rares while secondary characters such as Hondo Ohnaka, Mar Tuuk and Wat Tambor fell into the Very Rare position. An increased cost to produce
3835-414: The roll. When an amount is added, the notation is n d s + c or n D s + c ; for example, 3d6+4 instructs the player to roll three six-sided dice, calculate the total, and add four to it. When an amount is to be subtracted, the notation is n d s - c or n D s - c; so 3d6-4 instructs the player to subtract four from the result of rolling 3d6 . If the result of a modified dice roll is negative, it
3900-398: The throw. The result of a die roll is determined by the way it is thrown, according to the laws of classical mechanics (although luck is often credited for the results of a roll). A die roll is made random by uncertainty in minor factors such as tiny movements in the thrower's hand; they are thus a crude form of hardware random number generator . One typical contemporary dice game
3965-481: The universe through an understanding of geometry in polyhedra. Polyhedral dice are commonly used in role-playing games. The fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is largely credited with popularizing dice in such games. Some games use only one type, like Exalted which uses only ten-sided dice. Others use numerous types for different game purposes, such as D&D, which makes use of all common polyhedral dice. Dice are usually used to determine
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#17327762173294030-399: The use of Arabic numerals is occasionally seen, such dice are less common.) Opposite sides of a modern die traditionally add up to seven, requiring the 1, 2, and 3 faces to share a vertex . The faces of a die may be placed clockwise or counterclockwise about this vertex. If the 1, 2, and 3 faces run counterclockwise, the die is called "right-handed". If those faces run clockwise, the die
4095-603: The user to easily find the next lower number. They are commonly used with collectible card games . "Uniform fair dice" are dice where all faces have an equal probability of outcome due to the symmetry of the die as it is face-transitive . In addition to the Platonic solids, these theoretically include: Two other types of polyhedra are technically not face-transitive but are still fair dice due to symmetry: Long dice and teetotums can, in principle, be made with any number of faces, including odd numbers. Long dice are based on
4160-448: The various leaders in the Star Wars universe ( Darth Vader , General Veers , Padmé Amidala - among others). Commander Effects confer bonuses, enhancements or other special abilities to their allies on the battlefield, although a few commander effects have negative results. Characters also come in different sizes with Small and Medium characters taking up 1 square, Large 4 (2 by 2), Huge 9 (3 by 3), and Colossal (anything bigger than 3 by 3;
4225-403: Was illegal, many Romans were passionate gamblers who enjoyed dicing, which was known as aleam ludere ("to play at dice"). There were two sizes of Roman dice. Tali were large dice inscribed with one, three, four, and six on four sides. Tesserae were smaller dice with sides numbered from one to six. Twenty-sided dice date back to the 2nd century CE and from Ptolemaic Egypt as early as
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