D&D Dice Sets: 7 Things to Consider Before Buying

So you want to buy a new 7-piece D&D dice set.

Maybe you're looking to buy your first-ever set because you’re new to the game and have never rolled a d20 before in your life.

Or maybe you're a veteran of the game with multiple campaigns under your belt, your dice bag straining at the seams with a plethora of polyhedrals, but you’re still wanting to add another D&D dice set to your collection.

Or maybe you're somewhere in between the two extremes, beginning an adventure with a new character and wanting to start fresh with new dice.

Whatever experience level you are, or your reasons for buying a Dungeons and Dragons dice set, there are a few things you should consider while perusing our D&D dice selection:

Your D&D Character

The first thing to consider before buying a set of D&D dice is what kind of character you’ll be playing. Why does this matter? Because your dice are a very visible, tactile and integral part of the game, and if they tie in visually and conceptually with your character then they add a lot to the atmosphere and imaginative experience.

So for example, if you’re going to playing a shadowy, morally-ambiguous rogue, would it make sense to use a bright yellow and green dice set? Perhaps, but probably not. But if you’ll be running a wizard, would a deep blue dice set with gold numbers evoke the sense of magic and mystery that you want for your character? Yes, most likely. 

Green dice would certainly be a good choice for a druid or a ranger, purple dice for a wizard or sorcerer, and metallic, black or gray dice for a fighter. But you don't have to stick with traditional concepts. The dice can represent any aspect of your character, such as their personality, their equipment, their alignment, their race, or their skills. You could even have multiple dice sets for a single character, with each set being used for different reasons. 

And if you use miniatures in your D&D game, you may also want to think about getting a dice set that matches or compliments your character model. It certainly doesn't have to be "matchy-matchy" in colors, but if your character model is wearing red robes, you might want to consider dice that have at least some red in them. 

Also, from a purely practical standpoint, having a dice set that correlates well with your character makes it easier to tell your dice apart from the dice of other party members. So in case a die gets borrowed or accidentally makes its way into another player's table area, you’ll know at a glance which one is yours.

Dice Size

You might think that all D&D dice sets come in one standard size, but they don’t. True, 16mm dice (roughly 3/4 of an inch) are by far the most common, and you’ll find the widest variety in that size. But there are other options too, ranging from tiny 10mm dice to chunky 19mm dice and even 25mm dice.

Which size you choose will depend on your character, the size of dice you’re comfortable with handling and rolling, and how good your eyesight is.

Material

Most D&D dice sets are made of plastic. This is optimal since it makes them affordable yet very durable, and it allows for an enormous variety of colors and style options. However, dice can also be made of stone, metal, wood, and other materials. Dice made from these fancier materials can often carry a pretty hefty price tag, so consider your budget and if you’re willing to commit to a single set of dice for the long term.

Readability

Not all D&D dice are created equal when it comes to readability. Some have elaborate fonts or additional decorative graphical elements that make it a little more challenging to read the result of a roll at a glance. 

It’s perfectly fine to choose any set of dice you like, but just keep in mind how easy you’re going to want it to be for yourself or other people at the table to see and read your roll. 

Some other things to think about when it comes to readability include:

Contrast
Are the numbers on the die brightly colored? Do they stand out well against the colors of the die itself?

Number Size and Font
What kind of font is used on the dice? Is it easy to tell the difference between a 9 and a 6? Is the font large and bold, or narrow and script-like? How large are the numbers on the dice?

Decorative elements
Are there any other graphical elements on the dice that might make it a little more difficult to read the numbers?

Dice Color

Color is probably the first thing you notice about a dice set, but when you’re picking out some new dice it can be a challenge to narrow down your choices. Which colors are the most visually pleasing to you? Do you want a set that is primarily a solid color or a mix of colors? The other items on this list can help you get a handle on which colors you might want to focus on.

Quality

Obviously you want quality dice. They should roll randomly and the sides and corners should be even. The paint in the numbers or spots should be consistent and to not wear off. They should hold up over thousands of rolls. 

Fortunately, all the dice we sell are of good to great quality. And if you ever get a set (or even a single die) from us that you’re unhappy with, let us know!

Variety

If you’re buying a new dice set to add to your collection, think about getting something that’s a little (or a lot) different from the types of dice you already own. Of course, if you love red and you already have six sets of red dice and you see a new red set you just have to have, then by all means go for it. But having diversity in your dice collection, or adding a set that compliments other sets, might be a good choice.

Whatever D&D dice set you choose, just remember that as soon as you use them in a game they’ll start to become infused with the memories and excitement of your adventures. And over time, dice become a kind of magical artifact -- A physical representation of your hero, their successes and failures, and of the time you spent around the table telling stories and having fun with your friends.