# Cortex rules: formatting on action rolls

If you are writing down a roll, what is the accepted format for action rolls? For example, if your Agility is d12+d4 and your Pistol is d12+d2, and you spend 3 plot points, it's Agility+Pistol. But how would you write that roll down?

Is it:

     d12+d4+d12+d2+d6


or:

     2d12+d6+d4+d2


or:

     [d12+d4]+[d12+d2]+d6


or (to distinguish plot points):

     [d12+d4]+[d12+d2]+[d6 PP]


This is using the basic Cortex rules. Thanks.

• I think its sort of contextual. As a gm I would write [d12+d4]+[d12+d2]+[d6 PP] but when writing to a player it would be 2d12+d6+d4+d2. As a GM break it down so if I decide to tweak something I can quickly BS my way through my completely arbitrary decision to make it harder/easier.
– user2015
Jun 6, 2011 at 14:29
• Makes sense. Context: I'm writing a program to handle combat in the Cortex game (keeping track of damage, actions, dodges, etc.), and part of that is including a way to display rolls. Jun 6, 2011 at 15:25
• @Chad - I think your comment constitutes an answer. If you make it into an answer, I'll upvote it! Jun 6, 2011 at 15:54

I think its sort of contextual. As a gm I would write [d12+d4]+[d12+d2]+[d6 PP] but when writing to a player it would be 2d12+d6+d4+d2. As a GM break it down so if I decide to tweak something I can quickly BS my way through my completely arbitrary decision to make it harder/easier.