Using a d20 for Dungeon World

Here is a quick conversion from rolling 2d6 to rolling a d20 for Dungeon World. I am pretty sure I am the only one who wants to do this.

Why would you use a d20 instead of the elegant, perfect bell curve of a 2d6?

Aesthetic reasons only: like putting flames on the side of your 2000 Honda Accord in 2018. It doesn’t feel like playing D&D unless I roll a d20. I get that Dungeon World is not D&D, but I have a chip missing, I guess.

What determines a success in d20 version of Dungeon World?

20+: Success! (same as a 10+ on a 2d6 roll)

10-19: Partial success (same as a 7-9)

9-: DM Makes a move. (Same as a 6-)

A natural 1 on a d20 is always a failure (DM Makes a move), a 20 is always a full success.

What do PCs use for their stats?

Heroes get a +6, +4, +3, +2, +1, and a -2 for their modifiers (yes, I know I skipped -1). There are no ability scores.

What about determining HP?

Use the modifier assigned to CON and add 10 instead of using the ability score.

What do we use for a “+1 forward”?

Add +3 to a roll.

What do we do when we level up?

Instead of increasing an ability score by +1, you increase a modifier instead. The maximum you can have as a modifier is +11.

Could I roll for stats?

Sure. Roll 4d6, and total the 3 highest dice. Then subtract 10. That is your strength modifier. Repeat for the rest of your modifiers.

Example: Ken rolls a 4d6 and gets a 6,5,3, and 1. He drops the one for a total of 14. He then subtracts 10 to get a 4. His mod for strength is a +4. Ken repeats the procedure for each of his abilities.

What are the approximate conversion between mods for using a 2d6 vs d20?

Does the math actually work out?

Mostly. Read more about it here. There are slight differences. For example, there is a slightly higher chance (5.5 to 8.5% higher, specifically) of a partial success most of the time. But I am not sure that would be felt at the table.

The d20 is just more granular. So characters will feel the immediate, smaller benefits of a modifier increase, as opposed to waiting for a bigger jump under normal 2d6 Dungeon World.