The Best D&D Dice (2021) | Top Picks + Buyers Guide
Dice, they’re pretty important right? Well we think so and that’s why it’s important that you find the right set for you. So, imagine this, you’re sitting at the table, friends sitting either side of you. The Dungeon Master has just told you that a dragon is about to wipe out your entire party and that there’s nothing you can do unless you roll that d20 and land a critical. Imagine taking it down with the perfect lightning bolt shot from a hundred feet away and being the hero of the table. But wait! Just before you roll that dice that you got cheap off of eBay, you’d better get a set of the Best D&D Dice to rely on.
The perfect dice set isn’t something you can come across easily and it might surprise you to know just how many different variants you can actually get. Which is why we’re here! In this list we’re going to run down the best sets of different dice you can get to see which is the one for you. Ranging from metals to stones and even to wood materials, now get ready to take down that dragon.
Table of Contents
The Best D&D Dice Guide
Our Starter Dice Pick: Chessex Dice
Our first set of dice is by Chessex, who is known for making very reasonably priced dice sets. Most of their designs range from swirling color patterns so even if you don’t like our pick here, chances are you’ll be able to find something you’ll like.
The specific dice set here is the phantom teal/gold set. Coming with 1 d4, 1 d8, 1 d10 1 d10(00-90), 1 d12, 1 d20 & 1 d6. Featuring a gold inked, inlay and a light blue body. Color-wise, the gold and blue contrast very nicely with each other and which makes it very easy to read. Handy for when you’ve rolled it off to the other end of the table like all of us have. The easy readability is a huge plus in almost every situation, making this a perfect set to start off with.
The dice are lightweight and feature a very pleasant pattern. The edges of the dice are rounded and aren’t sharp at all, giving the dice a nice movement when rolled. Of course, this lightweight means that they are very easy to throw a bit too far. So if you want something with a bit more heft to it, check further down this list. That being said, this set of dice is a great starting set for those who are just entering the world of serious tabletop and they should be good for any other tabletop games you might play. Plus with its comparatively low price point, they won’t burn a hole in your pocket!
Our Stylish Dice Pick: Q Workshop Glow in the Dark Dice
Our stylish choice on this list leans more towards, you guessed it, style. This particular set of dice, made by Q-workshop features its own own unique design. Made specifically for the Call of Cthulhu tabletop game, but don’t worry it works for D&D too. Inspired by dark fantastical patterns and colors, if this is the kind of style you like in fantasy then they are definitely worth your time.
But what exactly are you getting in this bundle of dice? Well for starters, this set features 1 d4, 1 d6, 1 d8, 1 d10, 1 d10 (00-90) and 1 d20. Pretty straightforward bundle here with no spare dice so bear that in mind if you’re prone to losing anything. Aesthetically speaking these dice prioritize style over pretty much everything else. In a room, this set is going to stand out among the rest of the dice due to the stark white patterning along its black base. Oh, and they also glow in the dark with a surprisingly strong light too.
Practically speaking, these dice are nice and light with a good feel. They also have a nice roll which is, unsurprisingly, really important. The only real potential issues here are going to be personalized based on your tastes. If again you don’t really want dice that are more style over simplicity then these aren’t for you. Even if you do like extreme style when it comes to dice, this set can be potentially hard to read due to the complicated patterning and its overall style. If you get this set you’re really paying for the style here. This Cthulhu set is a must-buy for those who want dice that stand out from the crowd. But if you want something a little simpler our next pick might be for you.
Our Metal Dice Pick: Haxtec Metal Dice Set
Metal dice are a great choice for those who want to have a bit of weight in their sets. Now, this doesn’t mean that you’re going to have wrist ache by the time your game is over. But it does mean that certain aspects are going to be different in comparison to lighter dice sets. Metal dice don’t typically roll for instance (they are metal after all) and that means you might have to change up how you play them. This specific set, for instance, is about three times the weight of the Chessex set mentioned earlier in the list so just bear that in mind when you’re shopping around.
This Haxtec metal dice set is a silver and black set that looks really nice and clean, but if that’s a bit too plain for you they have a ton of other colors too. Once again this set features 1 d4, 1 d6, 1 d8, 1 d10, 1 d10 (00-90) and 1 d20. It also comes packaged with a carrying bag which is a really nice extra and handy if you don’t already own one. Visually these dice have a really nice and clean look to them. In terms of readability, you shouldn’t have any problems here.
With this set of dice and metal sets in general, the main thing you’re paying for is longevity and reliability. The issues here are mainly dependent on what kind of player you are. If you want dice that are light and have a nice easy roll to them you may want to look elsewhere. But if you’re the type who always ends up flinging the dice off the table then this metal dice will be a good option! Just work on your aim a little as well…
Our Special Dice Pick: Artisan Dice
This option is for those who really want to show off their best D&D dice or those who have way too much money weighing them down. Introducing you to dice made out of more unique materials such as wood, valuable stones, and various other interesting items. This type of unique dice should be approached with caution, however. Due to the nature of the sets being far more specially made there may be issues with balancing and true random roles. This is a case by case basis so just note the materials that are being used in the set that you want.
Now some of these sets can cost upwards of $500 but this set that we chose comes in at around $103. Coming with 1 d4, 4 d6, 1 d8, 1 d10, 1 d10 (00-90) and 1 d20. Made out of alder wood, this set is rustic to the max. The wood itself brings a really nice texture to the dice, as well as a nice weight and great feel. Out of all of the options on this list, this is perhaps the one that’ll immerse you in the game the most.
Nothing beats playing a fantasy tabletop with actual wooden dice. It’s also very readable due to the way that the numbers have been marked onto the wooden surface. Each set is made to order. If you want something more personal or are looking for a gift, this a great option. Just be sure to order in advance as they take a long time to make their orders, ranging from a couple of weeks to a few months.
Again, just to reiterate, this isn’t the option that most people are going to go for. It is worth knowing about these options though; not even just for the sake of knowing about some of the absurd sets made to cost a fortune. Dice making is a craft. If you have the means or opportunity to support smaller creators and craftsmen then be sure to check out some stores across the internet and beyond.
Our Dice Bundle Pick: Wiz Dice Bag of Devouring
If you’re in the situation where you need a lot of dice, fast, this bundle right here is the way to go. With a total of 140 dice total which comes in at 20 different sets of dice. That’s a lot of rolls right there and is especially handy for large games on the tabletop or to just have some variety in your sets. If you’re the type of person who has a different pair of shoes for each and every occasion, this is kind of like that. I’m not going to get into each and every set here because seriously there’s a lot. But a few of my favorites are the Basilisk Blood, Dragon Scales, and the Lucid Dreams sets. Dig around and see what sets you’re into.
Now each of these sets is going to come with 1 d4, 1 d6, 1 d8, 1 d10, 1 d10 (00-90) and 1 d20. So you’re covered there, plus if someone’s come to the table and lost a d4 for some reason, you’ve got plenty to spare. This is a fantastic bundle. It is a huge value for money but we need to talk about some potential shortcomings.
These Wiz Dice are made and shipped in bulk so the quality is going to vary and almost certainly be lower overall. Especially in comparison to some of the other sets mentioned on this list. So if that’s something you want to stay away from this set might not be for you. They also feel a lot ‘cheaper’ too, especially when it comes to their overall feel. They’re extremely light and lack a lot of the presence that more unique sets have. But don’t let that scare you away from them because they still do the job just fine!
Check Availability on Amazon!Best D&D Dice Buying Guide
Alright, you should be about ready to take that dragon down now. All of the choices on this list are gonna get you through some tough battles. They’ll stay by side for as long as you need them to. But for a little more advice:
Factors to Consider
Here are the factors we suggest you consider when purchasing your dice. This is in addition to the price, which depends entirely on your budget.
Material: Plastic vs. Metal
Sit down with 10 different D&D nerds and you will likely get 10 different opinions on whether plastic or metal dice are better. While some will tell you metal dice last longer, the reality is all dice will last for thousands of rolls if you care for them. It is important to store different types of dice separately, however.
Design
Like price, the design you select is ultimately your own. You should be aware that the design of your dice could impact the accuracy of your roles, however. multicolored plastic dice are typically made from multiple materials, which can throw off the accuracy of your role. If you are playing for fun and care more about the aesthetics of the dice, select your favorite! If you want your rolls to be as accurate as possible, your best bet is to choose solid or translucent dice.
Legibility
Those dice with the rune-like text might look awesome, but are they hard to read? In the end, you need to know what your dice say after you roll them. Be sure you can make the font on your dice when you purchase them.
Another important consideration is if the numbers are painted on or engraved. Dice that have painted on numbers (or in cheap cases use stickers) are likely to wear out faster.
Final Buying Tips
- Be sure to pay attention to what your set is made out of before purchasing the it. Do some research into the material and see if you like the way it looks. There’s no point in buying a set that you don’t feel comfortable with.
- If the set you’re getting doesn’t come with a carrying bag, get one. You’ll thank us later.
- If you end up getting metal dice, or other similarly weighted dice, it isn’t a bad idea to get a rolling mat too. Just to avoid potential scratches and marks on your nice table!
- If you’re new to D&D and tabletop games in general, there’s no shame in getting cheap but efficient dice to start off with. We all started from somewhere!
Conclusion
That has been our list for the best D&D dice in 2020. Hopefully it’s helped you find the dice set of your dreams and if it has let us know! Thank you for reading! Need more nerd-related gear? Check out our guide to the Best Laptops for Game Development.
