Where the d12 shows up
- Weapons. The greataxe and the lance deal 1d12, the largest single die any weapon uses.
- Hit dice. Barbarians start with 12 hit points plus their Constitution modifier and roll a d12 each level after, or take the fixed 7.
- Cantrips. Poison Spray deals 1d12, the biggest damage die of any cantrip.
- Huge monsters. Every Huge creature rolls d12s for hit points. A hill giant has 10d12 + 40, an average of 105.
The loneliest die
Players joke that the d12 never gets picked up, and in a party without a barbarian that is close to true. It is also one of the five perfectly regular solids, with every face the same pentagon, which is why it rolls so well when it finally gets its turn.
Your odds on a d12
Every face of a fair d12 is 1 in 12, about 8.3%. For a number or higher:
| You need | Chance |
|---|---|
| 2 or higher | 91.7% |
| 4 or higher | 75% |
| 6 or higher | 58.3% |
| 7 or higher | 50% |
| 9 or higher | 33.3% |
| 11 or higher | 16.7% |
| 12 | 8.3% |
Waiting for a 12? The chance of at least one climbs with every roll:
| Rolls | At least one 12 |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8.3% |
| 2 | 16.0% |
| 3 | 23.0% |
| 5 | 35.3% |
| 10 | 58.1% |
| 20 | 82.5% |
Two d12s add up to 2 through 24, and 13 is the likeliest total, 1 in 12. The dice calculator works out any roll, and the d10 and d20 rollers sit either side.
Averages worth knowing
Taking the fixed hit points each level gives a barbarian 7 per level, half a point above the d12's true average of 6.5. That half point is the rules paying you back for not gambling.
Spells that roll 1d12
Base damage in the SRD, before upcasting or cantrip levels.
- Poison Spray (cantrip)
Questions
What does 1d12 mean?
One twelve-sided die. The number in front is how many dice, so 2d12 is two d12 added together, and 1d12 + 3 is a greataxe hit with +3 Strength. The Dice Notation Guide covers the rest.
What is the average roll on a d12?
6.5, halfway between 1 and 12. Each extra d12 adds 6.5, so a greataxe critical hit (2d12) averages 13 before your modifier.
Which class uses a d12 hit die?
Only the barbarian. At 1st level a barbarian gets 12 plus their Constitution modifier; each level after, roll a d12 or take the fixed 7, and add Constitution again.
What weapons use a d12?
The greataxe and the lance, both 1d12. No weapon rolls a bigger single die; the greatsword and maul use 2d6 instead, which averages 7 against the greataxe's 6.5.
How can I roll a d12 without one?
Roll two d6. Read the first as it is; if the second shows 4 to 6, add 6. That gives 1 to 12, each exactly 1 in 12. Or tap the roller above.
Is this d12 roller random and fair?
Yes. Each roll comes from your browser's cryptographic random number generator, with no bias towards any face. Every face is exactly 1 in 12. Roll up to 20 d12 at once and add a modifier.