Abridged excerpt from the 2008 PDF, What is Cast of Thousands? Cast of Thousands is a dice mechanic and set of rules that players can use for "cinematic wargaming". The entire system is summed up in four points: Roll as many six-sided dice as you wish! You must roll at least two. A 4-6 on a dice is a success. Each extra success raises the Success Level. Double '1's are a Mishap. Three or more '1's are a Calamity.