So in last night's 3.5 edition D&D game, my players had a chance to do some ice fishing and one player called out for one of my ad hoc mini-games (I do this a lot haha). I wanted something simple, a combo of character skill and some luck, and so in short order ended up with this very quick mini-game you can easily employ.
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Quick Disclaimer: These fishing mini-game mechanics may not be entirely original and could resemble systems from other games I just can't recall. For my part, I'm posting this FOR sharing. Feel free to use, adapt, or modify them in your own games as you see fit. No ownership or exclusivity is claimed over this idea—enjoy and share as you wish!
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Fishing Mini-Game (D&D 3.5 Edition)
Step 1: Build the Fishing Pool
The player rolls a number of d6 equal to their relevant skill modifier (Survival or Profession (Fisher)).
Example: A character with a +10 in Survival rolls 10d6 and sets these dice aside as their "Fishing Pool".
Fishing Pool Example Roll: 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6.
Step 2: Perform the Fishing Check
The player then rolls 5d6 as their "Fishing Check" for one hour of fishing.
Example Roll: 1, 2, 4, 4, 6.
Step 3: Match for Combos
The player now attempts to match the dice results from their Fishing Pool with their Fishing Check results to form combos. The number of dice used in the combo determines the size of the fish:
Small Fish: Match 2 dice from the Fishing Pool with the Fishing Check.
Medium Fish: Match 3 dice from the Fishing Pool with the Fishing Check.
Large Fish: Match 5 dice from the Fishing Pool with the Fishing Check.
Example Combo:
If the player's Fishing Pool has dice showing 1, 2, 4, 4, and 6, they could match all 5 dice with their Fishing Check, catching a Large Fish.
Step 4: Fish Weight and Rations
Once the fish is caught, the total weight of the edible parts of the fish is determined by summing the values of the dice used in the combo.
Example: For a Large Fish (1, 2, 4, 4, 6), the total weight is 1+2+4+4+6 = 17 kg.
To calculate the number of rations provided by the fish:
1 kg = 2,000 calories (or half a ration).
Rations Formula: Divide the total weight of the fish by 2.
Example: 17 kg / 2 = 8.5 kg or 8 rations (we round down).
Step 5: Continue or Stop
After catching a fish, remove the dice used from the Fishing Pool.
If the player still has at least 2 dice left in their Fishing Pool, they can attempt to catch another fish using the same Fishing Check results. Otherwise, they are done for that hour.
That's all that we did and they loved it!
But since then we've considered how future games or others might expand on it with special roll combos, items, locations, setting conditions, Aid Other, etc. So here are some...
Optional Add-Ons and Considerations
Multiple Attempts Per Hour:
If the player rolls exceptionally well on their Fishing Pool, they may be able to attempt fishing multiple times in an hour. To keep this simple, I'd say if they are able to clear the first Pool entirely, they get a brand new roll, a whole new Pool as if starting fishing over, but they keep their previous catches.
Modifiers and Conditions:
You could introduce conditions that affect the Fishing Pool or Fishing Check rolls:
Good Fishing Spot: +1d6 to the Fishing Pool.
Bad Weather/Overfished Area: -1d6 (or more) to the Fishing Pool or disadvantage (see 5e, we use this idea quite a bit even in our 3.5e games) on Fishing Check rolls.
Magic/Luck Items: Grant rerolls or bonus dice to the Fishing Pool or allow rerolls of the Fishing Check.
Special Fish Combos:
Occasionally, you could allow rare or magical fish (or larger species) that provide bonuses or other effects; perhaps these are possible if the combos use specific die results:
Giant Fish: Requires a match of dice with identical values, but double the weight result (ex: a medium fish that used 5,5,5 would be a Giant of its type, and grant 15x2 or 30 kg of edible parts!).
Magical Fish: Grants temporary bonuses, like extra HP or special buffs, when consumed. (ex. A combo of sequential rising values, like 1,2,3,4,5, would grant a Magical Large fish)
Fishing Tools and Bait:
Fishing equipment or bait could modify the rolls:
Better Rods/Lines: Allow rerolls or add extra dice to the Fishing Pool.
Special Bait/Lures: Increases chances of catching better or more fish (ex. set any one die result to 6; or allow player to select the value of any one die, etc.).
Aid Other
Another player can choose to assist Player A if they are proficient in the same associated skill (Survival or Profession (Fisher), etc based on your setting):
Player B (helper) rolls for the associated skill.
If the result of their skill check (rolled like any other skill check) is 10-19, Player A gains 1 extra die in their fishing Pool.
If the result of their skill check is 20 or higher, Player A gains 2 extra dice in their fishing Pool.
Player A can then use these extra dice to help form better combos when matching against their Fishing Check.
Let me know if you use this mini-game in your D&D sessions, or revamp it for the tabletop rpg/edition you play!
I'd love to hear your stories of the biggest catch, or lamenting that one LEGENDARY CATCH that got away!
And check out Tabletop Gaming Resources for more art, tips, and tools for your game!
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