A Bunch Of Blue D6 Dice

The D6 System is a roleplaying system that was originally developed by West End Games in the 1990’s. Much like Wizards of the Coast’s D20 system, the D6 System has a specific set of rules that is generally followed in each of the games that uses it. However, unlike the D20 system, the D6 system has yet to rise to prominence due to continued problems with West End Games over the last decade.

The D6 System itself is a simplistic one defined by attributes and skills. Depending on the game, there will be anywhere from six to eight attributes and a host of skills underneath each attributes. These skills are tailored for each of the different game settings.

Actions are resolved by making dice rolls against a difficulty number. The player will roll the appropriate amount of six-sided dice and attempt to get equal or above a target number determined by the game master. If the roll is equal or higher, the action is a success.

One noticeable feature of this system was the wild die. This was one specific six-sided die that was treated differently than the other dice. If the wild die rolled a natural six, then another wild die could be rolled and added to the total. This could continue until the wild die finally did not roll a six. This allowed a potentially unlimited roll on every action. Any action had the potential to be a success, no matter how low the attribute and skill or how high the target number. However, there was one drawback to the wild die which was rolling a natural one on it. If a one is rolled on the original wild die, a second wild die was rolled. If that second wild die rolled a one as well, a critical failure occurred. It should be noted though that the actual mechanics of the wild die varied somewhat between games.

The first game that is generally considered to be a D6 System game was Ghostbusters: A Frightfully Cheerful Roleplaying Game. In 1987, West End Games came out with The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, which turned out to be the most popular D6 game. There were a host of other D6 System games, including but not limited to: Men In Black, The Hercules & Xena Roleplaying Game, DC Universe, Metabarons, and Psibertroopers. In 1996, West End Games released The D6 System: The Customizable Roleplaying Game. It was the first core D6 System book not tied to a specific game. Other themed books followed such a D6 Space Opera and the D6 Fantasy Rulebook.

Since its inception, the rights to the D6 System have changed hands several times. It originally started with West End Games, to Humanoids Publishing, then to Purgatory Publishing. The latest game to be slated for release under the D6 System was Septimus by Bill Coffin (a former author for Palladium Books). However, West End Games announced earlier this year that the game would not be released due to possible profitability issues.

I have heard a lot of talk on various roleplaying forums about different groups of people attempting to purchase the rights to the D6 System. I believe the West End Games currently has the rights to the D6 System. If so, this would be something that they probably would not want to sell off, as the system itself has a solid fan base. But selling it off means the difference between going under or staying afloat, they may not have a choice.

All in all, I personally own dozens of D6 System books, mostly from the original Star Wars Roleplaying Game. I love the system. It is simple, easy to understand, and straight to the point. It would have to be modified to compete with D20, but I think it has a very good start. If only someone could take control of the system and get it out there for publishers and fans to use.

What is your favorite D6 System game?