Arcane Teachings | Illustration by Mark Brill
You don’t need a whole heck of a lot to get started playing Dungeons & Dragons. Getting started only requires a copy of the basic rules, a character sheet, and, of course, a set of polyhedral dice.
The standard set of seven polyhedral dice used in the D20 systems have become a mode of artistic expression unto themselves, with players using unique dice sets for specific characters, or even specific attacks. (I, for one, only ever roll the 6d6 fire damage for my Fireballs on bright red D6s).
With a world of DND dice sets at your fingertips, and some of them quite pricey, choosing the right one can be complicated. Luckily, I’ve got this handy-dandy buyer’s guide for the best DND dice sets. Check it out!
Best Overall
My number one pick for DND dice sets are the Chessex Signature 7 Die Sets. Packaged in their signature cube, the Chessex 7 Die Sets come in a variety of colors and designs, ranging in price from $5 to $12 for the non-metallic sets. The dice are lightweight and produced with a consistent quality that has earned Chessex the honor of being the industry standard.
In addition to carrying a huge array of complete dice sets, Chessex also has options for purchasing individual loose dice or random bags of dice in the 50 dice and one-pound bag sizes.
I use Chessex dice almost exclusively. Their 7 die sets are my go-to for any DND character I dream up, and their brick of 36 d6s never leaves my Warhammer bag.
Chessex dice are available at most Local Game Stores, either lined up along a counter or shelving unit, or loose in large bins (you know what I’m talking about).
Buyer’s Guide
There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a dice set for Dungeons and Dragons. The first, and probably most obvious, is the appearance of your dice.
Spend some time browsing the different colors and treatments on the market. Do you like the look of clear and semi-transparent dice? Are you looking for something with clear markings on a flat color? Do you want the whole set to match, or are you looking for a color-coded mix to help you differentiate between the d8 and the d10 on the board?
Also consider the material you want for your dice. DND dice are most commonly found in plastic, but there are a significant number of metallic options available. Some even more esoteric materials like wood or bone are out there, too. The type of material you use for your dice greatly affects their longevity – a plastic die’s edges wear down with time, but you can expect most metal dice to outlive you. Be sure to consider the surface you’ll most often be rolling on, as well. Some heavy sets of DND dice actually damage your dining room table before they show signs of wear.
You’d be surprised at how often die size comes up when shopping for dice sets. Many companies offer mini or oversized versions of the standard dice sets – useful for traveling lightly and legibility, respectively.
I wouldn’t concern myself with the accuracy of the randomness of your dice too much, but it’s worth considering. While minute imperfections during the production process can influence your die’s randomness, the chances that you’ll notice those statistical anomalies is just as minute.
Finally, consider just how many dice you need. The standard DND dice set includes seven dice: a d4, a d6, a d8, two d10s (one marked with the “10s” for the purposes of rolling percentiles), one d12, and one d20. This should be enough to get you through any basic tabletop roleplaying session, but there may come a time when rolling and rerolling the same d6 over and over for a large pool of damage becomes difficult. In these cases, it’s beneficial to have some extra dice lying around so you can roll the whole Yahtzee cup at once.
Ultimately, cheaply made dice sets are easily identifiable by their soft edges, malleable bodies, and poorly applied markings.
The “Cadillac” of DND Dice Sets
You aren’t just looking for some regular ol’ dice, huh? You want your dice to set off car alarms a block away when they hit the table. You want dice that’ll give you carpal tunnel from rolling them. You want a dice set that’ll survive a nuclear war. You want the Damascus Steel 7 Die Set from Norse Foundry.
This $460 dice set is crafted from a steel alloy that’s both hard and flexible. Norse Foundry’s website claims that a master blacksmith is commissioned for each set of Damascus Steel dice ordered, making your set a one-of-a-kind item from that run. NF describes them as “heirloom quality,” meaning they’ll last so long you’ll have to will them to your grandkids when you die.
The Best Metal Dice
Okay, maybe $460 is too steep an investment for you at this time. If you’re still looking for a set of tough metal dice that won’t break the bank, I recommend Paladin Roleplaying’s Silver Metal Dice Set. At $36, the Paladin sets sit just under the market average for a set of metal dice, and they make a great starter set of metal dice. The solid metal body ensures a satisfying “thunk” when they hit your rolling tray, and the sharp edges ensure you don’t end up with any cocked rolls.
These dice are guaranteed to last, made of a zinc alloy for weight and a nickel coating to prevent damage. Plus, they come with a foam-lined tin for transport and storage!
The Paladin Roleplaying dice are available in a number of colors, including brass, copper, and gold, and are available through Amazon or their website.
- Be the envy of your gaming buddies with these SOLID METAL dice, with a heavy feel and beautiful quality metallic finish - they feel amazing to roll!
- Full polyhedral 7-die pack, D4, D6, D8, D10 (marked with single units), D10 (percentile - marked in tens), D12, D20
- Comes in PRESENTATION BOX with foam padding - A great display case, and also keeps the dice safe - A unique gift for any rpg fan
- EASY TO READ numbering, with underscoring on 6 and 9, and high precision manufacture for accurate, fair rolling
- Paladin's HIGH QUALITY manufacturing process keeps the dice looking at their best - they won't chip or scratch; Ideal for d&d 5e (dungeons and dragons), pathfinder and all role playing games and wargames; Comes with 1 year manufacturer's warranty
The Best Unusual DND Dice Set
There’s no shortage of nontraditional dice sets available online, and choosing just one for this category would be a fool’s errand, so I’m listing a couple oddities I’ve found for you.
The first is Soar Forge Store’s Hollow Orb dice sets: completely hollow dice made of weaving bands of metal. Stylized dragons sit behind the numbers on the faces of these dice, with smooth edges so they roll off the hands easily. Soar Forge claims they’re easier to read than standard polyhedral dice, but I can see myself squinting at those complex loops trying to discern what number I just rolled.
- ⚽ Round Dice Roll Better - Our unique Hollow Orbs feel *amazing* to roll with smooth, balanced and random rolling. They ‘snap’ into place much like sharp edge polyhedral dice but perform better than regular DND metal dice that land and stop without much roll. With no sharp edges, our dice are family, furniture and DM friendly. 😉 (*Design patent issued. Expedited Utility patent also pending for round dice)
- ⚽ Unique New Design - Elegant, unique and intricately detailed. The artistically styled Ancient Dragon dice design not only look beautiful but exude a magical aura. You'll be sure to enchant the rest of the table as you pull them out at a game. The eye-catching, clear numbers are also really easy to read.
- ⚽ Just the Right Heft and Size - Just the Right Heft and Size - Hollow Metal Dice Orbs are not only highly durable but lighter than you’d think, with just the right heft and size to make them feel great in the hand. The satisfying jingling sound they make when they clink together is almost musical.
- ⚽ Dice Pouch Included - The cool looking pouch conveniently protects and stores your Orbs so they won't get lost after a game or get dinged up while in transit. It also enhances the overall set's appeal making them awesome DND gifts. These role playing dice are perfect for dice goblins, DM's and RPG enthusiasts!
- ⚽ Soar Forge Satisfaction Promise - Create lasting memories with friends and family knowing that if you're not totally satisfied with this d&d dice set for any possible reason, just let us know and we'll do our absolute best to make it right again.
The next is Awesome Dice’s Caltrop dice, which should be legally required to be registered as a weapon before you attend your DND session.
Finally, check out these goofy food-themed dice over at CZYY. Just in case you really need something illegible, you can roll some blocks of cheese around the table for a bit. If you pick up the coffee and sugar themed set, be careful not to drop them into your mug!
- 🧀NOVELTY CHEESE DICE SET🎲 These fun cheesy dice offer a delicious alternative to plastic, and they are pleasing to the eye and for taste buds to saliva over. Perfect for a rat-themed Swarmkeeper Druid. Now call him Willard and roll cheese dice!
- 🧀FULL POLYHEDRAL DICE SET🎲 This standard 7-Die polyhedral RPG dice set contains D20, D12, D00(D%), D10, D8, D6 and D4. A monstrosity like this will be met at D&D table or collection with laughter and amusement!
- 🧀ROLL DELICIOUS FOR DICE GAMES🎲 Compatible with DnD, Pathfinder, and any other table-top game! Whether you are a halfling (hobbit), gnome, dwarf, human, or any other other creature, we're sure you'll enjoy these playful and quirky dice.
- 🧀WELL BALANCED, EASY TO READ🎲 These amazingly crafted dice are 3D printed and are well balanced, making them ever so satisfying to roll. Let the food dice consume you and roll your constitution save!
- 🧀IDEAL GIFT FOR CHEESE & DICE LOVER🎲 You can satisfy the turophile and Dungeons & Dragons (or various other RPG games) player at the same time with our cheese dice set. Take a delicious bite out of CZYY's Cheese!
The Best Bone DND Dice Set
Metal and plastic are the two most common dice set materials, but there are some unique choices for die materials for those with the eyes to see them. Perhaps you’re looking for that extra bit of necromantic flavor for your next antipaladin character; why not pick up a set of Misty Mountain Gaming’s Ragnar’s Bone Dice Set.
These cruelty-free bone dice come from a sustainable source (of some kind… the company seems to have left out where exactly the bones come from…). You can rest assured that your dice also help a family in need because MMG donates an entire water buffalo for every $25,000 raised.
The Best Wooden DND Dice Set
URwizards’ D&D Walnut Wood Dice set is a gorgeous, handcrafted assortment of warm toned wooden dice with smooth faces and engraved numerals. The font is lovely and easy to read, and that branded dragon symbol on the top of the d20 looks suspiciously like the Izzet League insignia, making them a cute gift for the Blue/Red player in your life.
The Best Budget DND Dice Set
The CiaraQ DND Polyhedral Dice Sets are about the cheapest you can hope to spend on a new DND dice set. Ranging from just $3 to $7, these dice are the absolute bottom of the barrel on price. The best part? They roll just the same as any other dice. Maybe the plastic is a little weaker, and maybe they don’t have exactly the color you want, but when you need a set of dice for less than $10, this is your best bet.
- 🎲 7pcs Polyhedral dice set: Contains one d20, one d12, two d10 (00-90 and 0-9), one d8, one d6 and one d4, a velvet dice bag.
- 🎲 Material: these D&D dices are made from Eco-friendly acrylic material, waterproof and oxidation-proof, durable and hardwearing.
- 🎲Well Balanced Dice: Using precise dice mold production to ensure the balance and practicality of the dice.
- 🎲Easy to Read: The colorful numbers on the surface of the dice, super cool, using underscoring to differentiate 6 and 9.
- 🎲Table Game Accessry: Perfect for Dungeons and Dragons, Yahtzee, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, Savage World, Warhammer MTG etc. many other role playing games and card games.
Custom DND Dice Sets
Chessex offers a custom dice commission service on their website via email. Reviews for Chessex’s custom dice are generally positive online, citing great customer service and quick delivery. Reviewers online have used their custom die service for a number of purposes besides TTRPGs, including as wedding gifts and matching sets for Warhammer armies.
If you’re more interested in mixing and matching a dice set, DNDdice.com has a selection of build-your-own dice sets which are fully customizable for you to swap in any color for any size die.
Wrap Up and Roll Off
Pair o' Dice Lost | Illustration by Bruce Brenneise
No one really needs an expensive DND dice set to play the game, but you should splurge on some nice accessories for your hobby from time to time. You deserve it! In fact, splurging on a nice set of dice is both an investment into your future as a TTRPGer and an expression of yourself and your character at the table. Acquiring a set of dice that match your vibe at the table creates so much cognitive consonance you can stop seeing your therapist (note: don’t do this).
What are your favorite DND dice sets? Are there any odd ones out there that folks should know about? Do we all store our loose DND dice in empty Crown Royal bags? Let me know in the comments, or over on Draftsim’s TwXtter.
Thanks for reading, keep rolling high!
Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, you’ll help Draftsim continue to provide awesome free articles and apps.
Follow Draftsim for awesome articles and set updates:
Add Comment