A Guide to D&D Dice: How to Choose the Set That's Right for You

June 26, 2025

Have you ever stared at that nat 1 on your character sheet and wondered if better dice might have made a difference? We've all been there. Picture that crucial moment—your character standing at the precipice of glory, needing just a modest roll to strike down the villain that's terrorized your campaign for months. Then your trusty d20 betrays you with a critical fail. The enemy regenerates, party members go down, and you barely escape with your lives.

Was it just bad luck? Maybe. But it does make you think about the relationship we have with these small geometric objects that quite literally control our characters' fates.

The Secret Life of Dice

We don't often talk about it, but dice are more than just random number generators—they're the physical bridge between player and character. When you're clutching that d20 before a crucial saving throw, whispering promises or threats to it (don't pretend you've never done this), you're engaging in a ritual as old as tabletop gaming itself.

The dice you choose say something about you. The way they feel in your palm, the sound they make tumbling across the table, even their aesthetic can influence not just your gameplay experience but the entire table's immersion in your shared story.

This isn't just sentimentality talking. Many experienced players and DMs have seen firsthand how the right set of dice can transform a player's experience. So let's break down everything you need to know about choosing dice that will serve you well on your adventures.

Understanding Dice Types: The Standard Arsenal

Before we dive into the exotic stuff, let's cover the basics. A standard polyhedral dice set includes seven dice:

d4 (tetrahedron): For dagger damage and those pesky caltrops
d6 (cube): The familiar six-sided die for sneak attacks and fireballs
d8 (octahedron): Commonly used for weapon damage and healing spells
d10 (pentagonal trapezohedron): For percentile rolls when paired with another d10
d12 (dodecahedron): The often-neglected die that barbarians love for rage damage
d20 (icosahedron): The star of the show, determining success or failure for most actions
Percentile d10: Works with the regular d10 to generate numbers from 1-100

Most players start with a basic acrylic set that costs around $10. They're lightweight, reasonably balanced, and get the job done. But as many discover, dice acquisition quickly becomes a hobby within the hobby.

Material Matters: What Are Your Dice Made Of?

Acrylic/Resin

Pros: Affordable, lightweight, available in countless colors and patterns
Cons: Can chip over time, sometimes have balance issues, lighter weight means less satisfying rolls

The majority of dice are made from some form of plastic. Basic acrylic dice are often translucent with simple coloration, while premium resin dice can feature intricate swirls, glitter, embedded objects, or layered effects that create miniature works of art.

Ask any long-term player about their first set, and they'll likely remember not just the color but the circumstances around getting them. That basic set often holds a special place in collections, even as it grows to include more exotic options.

Metal

Pros: Substantial weight, satisfying roll, durability
Cons: Can damage tables/surfaces, heavier to carry, typically more expensive

The heft of metal dice creates a distinctly different rolling experience. There's something undeniably satisfying about the weight of a metal d20 in your palm and the authoritative thunk as it lands on the table. However, they require a rolling tray to prevent damage to your gaming surface, and can be literal pain points if you accidentally step on one.

Many players reserve their metal sets for special occasions—boss battles and critical story moments. There's nothing quite like the tension at a table when someone breaks out their "serious business" metal dice for an important roll.

Stone/Gemstone

Pros: Natural beauty, truly unique, excellent table presence
Cons: Expensive, can be more brittle, sometimes have balance issues

Carved from actual gemstones like amethyst, rose quartz, or jade, these dice are the luxury sports cars of the dice world. They make a statement and can be remarkably beautiful, but require extra care and usually come with a premium price tag.

Gemstone dice often become more display pieces than practical tools for many collectors. They're gorgeous conversation starters but might spend more time being admired than actually determining whether your rogue successfully picks that lock.

Shape and Design: Beyond the Basics

Sharp-Edge Dice

These dice feature precise, sharp edges rather than the slightly rounded corners of standard dice. The sharp edges reduce the dice's contact with the table, creating cleaner rolls with less wobbling. They've become increasingly popular among players who want both distinctive aesthetics and improved rolling performance.

Sharp-edge resin dice with metallic numerals offer improved rolling—they tend to stop more decisively rather than wobbling between numbers—but there is something slightly dangerous about their angular presence. Some players jokingly refer to them as "dice that look like they could hurt you emotionally."

Oversized and Undersized Dice

Some players prefer larger dice for visibility or dramatic effect, while others might opt for smaller dice to fit more comfortably in dice cups or storage solutions. Oversized d20s (35mm or larger compared to the standard 16mm) make critical rolls all the more dramatic, while mini dice sets can be practical for travel games.

Gaming groups often have stories about that one player with the comically large d20 for "important rolls"—dice roughly the size of tennis balls that make sounds like bowling balls when they hit the table. Memorable? Absolutely. Practical? Not in the slightest. But they become part of group lore.

Specialty and Novelty Dice

From dice with non-standard number distributions to those shaped like hearts, skulls, or other unconventional forms, novelty dice offer unique aesthetics but often sacrifice rolling quality for appearance.

The line between "collector's item" and "practical gaming tool" gets blurry here. Dice where the 20 is replaced with a tiny dragon silhouette or heart are charming but can occasionally lead to confusion in high-pressure moments when players forget which die they're using.

Born from the Forge: The Hollow Orb Dice We Created for Better Rolls

We’ve spent years collecting, testing, and obsessing over dice. But despite all the beautifully crafted metal and resin sets out there, something always felt missing. Metal dice had the heft we loved, but too often they slammed into the table and stopped short, with little to no roll. Resin dice looked amazing but often felt too light or unbalanced. So we asked ourselves:

What if we could create a die that rolled better, looked stunning, and felt magical to use?

That question led us to develop something entirely new—the Hollow Orb Dice. Engineered in-house from the ground up, these dice are the result of countless prototypes, tests, and tweaks until we found the sweet spot between form, function, and fantasy. We didn't just want to make a new kind of dice—we wanted to reinvent what it feels like to roll.

What Makes Hollow Orb Dice So Different?

We designed our Hollow Orb Dice to solve the common pain points players have with standard dice:

The Perfect Balance

Unlike most solid metal dice that hit the table with a thud and stop abruptly, our hollow orbs roll. Their spherical structure creates smoother, more fluid motion, while the weighted pins inside ensure they snap cleanly into place, much like high-end sharp-edge dice. Every roll feels deliberate, satisfying, and fair.

Table-Friendly Yet Substantial

Our dice are metal, but thanks to their hollow design, they’re lighter than expected—offering that coveted “metal feel” without the risk of denting your table or bruising a DM’s soul. They’re safe for any surface, and even kid- or pet-friendly thanks to their rounded form.

Magical Design Meets Functionality

Each die is crafted with a visually stunning Ancient Dragon scale motif, giving it an enchanted relic vibe. But the beauty doesn’t stop at the surface—the numbers are large, crisp, and easy to read, ensuring you won’t miss a moment during combat or roleplay.

The Sound of Victory

When you roll a handful of these orbs, you’ll hear a light, musical jingle that’s unlike any other dice. It’s subtle, elegant, and surprisingly addictive—a small detail that adds depth to the ritual of rolling.

But Wait... How Do You Read Round Dice?

We get this question a lot—and the good news is, it’s easier than it looks. Here's how to read our Hollow Orb D20s:

Look from the top as you would with any regular die.
The number with all three pins pointing most upward is the result.
If it’s close or hard to read, just give it another roll.

Most players get the hang of it after just a couple of rolls—it’s that intuitive. Plus, we include a visual guide in every set, so you’ll always have a reference nearby.

Finding Your Dice Personality: A Practical Guide

After observing gaming tables for years, certain patterns emerge in how players relate to their dice. Understanding which type of dice user you are can help guide your purchases:

The Mathematician

You care about statistical fairness above all else. You want dice that deliver truly random results without bias. For you, precision-edged dice or casino-grade options might be the best choice. You might even salt-water test your dice to check for balance issues.

The Aesthete

For you, dice are an extension of your character or personal style. You match dice sets to character concepts or choose options that simply look beautiful to you. While you appreciate function, form comes first.

The Tactile Enthusiast

You're all about how dice feel in your hand and sound on the table. The weight, the texture, the auditory experience of the roll—these matter most to you. Metal dice or those with unusual textures might appeal to your sensibilities.

The Dice Goblin

Why choose? Your philosophy is "more dice = more better." Your collection is ever-growing, organized by color, theme, or character association. You probably have specific "punishment dice" that get set aside after rolling too many 1s.

The Minimalist

You prefer a single, reliable set that serves all your needs. You might invest in one high-quality set rather than accumulating many.

Consider which category resonates with you—or perhaps you see yourself as a hybrid of several types. Understanding your preferences can help guide future purchases and avoid the disappointment of dice that don't match your play style.

Caring For Your Dice: Maintenance and Storage

Even the most durable dice require some care to maintain their appearance and functionality:

Acrylic/Resin Dice: Keep away from heat sources which can warp them. Clean with mild soap and water if they get sticky.
Metal Dice: Apply a thin coat of clear nail polish to painted numbers if they begin to wear. Use a soft cloth to remove fingerprints and maintain shine.
Stone/Gemstone Dice: These require the most care. Store separately to prevent scratching, and be cautious about dropping them on hard surfaces as they can chip.
Storage Solutions: Options range from simple cloth bags to elaborate wooden boxes with individual compartments. Your choice depends on how portable you need your dice to be and how much protection they require.

Many players develop elaborate storage systems as their collections grow—from handcrafted leather dice trays that unfold to provide a rolling surface to padded cases with separate compartments that prevent dice from scratching each other and keeps sets organized.

Dice Superstitions and Rituals: We All Have Them

Let's acknowledge the elephant in the room: most players develop some form of dice superstition or ritual, despite knowing intellectually that dice rolls are random.

Common dice rituals include:

The Timeout: Setting aside dice that roll too many low numbers
The Pep Talk: Whispering encouragement (or threats) to your dice before important rolls
The Tower Method: Believing that dice rolled from a greater height have more "momentum" for higher results
The Showcase: Positioning your dice with the highest value facing up between games to "train" them

The "dice jail" approach is particularly common, where consistently underperforming dice get placed in a special container as punishment and warning to the others. It's completely irrational and everyone knows it doesn't affect probability in the slightest—yet players continue these practices, and new players often adopt similar behaviors after joining a group.

There's something deeply human about these rituals. They connect us to the game on an emotional level and help process the random chaos that dice introduce to our carefully crafted narratives.

Gifting Dice: The Perfect Present for Players

Dice make exceptional gifts for fellow gamers because they're both practical and personal. When choosing dice as a gift, consider:

The recipient's color preferences or character themes
Their play style (do they need specialized dice for a particular class?)
Any material allergies (some metal dice contain nickel)
Whether they already have a dice tray (if giving metal dice)

Custom or hand-painted dice with symbols representing memorable campaign moments can become treasured keepsakes. They might not be perfectly balanced, and the paint might chip slightly with use, but they carry emotional weight that no mass-produced set could match.

Making the Final Choice: Questions to Ask Yourself

When selecting your next set of dice, consider these questions:

What's your budget? Dice range from $10 for basic sets to $100+ for premium materials.
How will you use them? Everyday workhorses need durability, while special occasion dice might prioritize aesthetics.
What's your rolling surface? Metal dice require trays, while lighter options are more versatile.
Do you prefer the traditional or the unique? Classic shapes offer familiarity, while unusual designs like the hollow orbs provide conversation starters.
What brings you joy when you roll? This might be the most important question—dice that make you happy to use will enhance your gaming experience regardless of other factors.

Conclusion: It's More Than Math, It's Magic

At the end of the day, dice are more than random number generators—they're storytelling tools that connect us to our characters and each other. Whether you choose classic acrylics, weighty metals, or innovative designs like the hollow orbs, the best dice are the ones that enhance your enjoyment of the game.

For many players, maintaining a variety of options suits different playing situations—standard resin dice for everyday use, metal dice for dramatic moments, and specialty sets like the Dragon Orb dice when they want to bring something unique to the table.

Remember that your perfect dice set is out there—it just might take a few rolls to find it.

Roll well,
Jason

Looking for something truly unique for your next character? Check out our Unique Dragon Dice Set, featuring the innovative hollow metal design that combines the satisfying weight of metal dice with smooth, table-safe rolling.