A Guide to the Different Polyhedral Dice

As any experienced Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) player will tell you, polyhedral dice are an essential tool for adventuring in the realms of imagination. They hold the power to shape the fate of your characters and determine the outcomes of their actions. In this article, we will delve into the different types of DND dice, their purposes, and the excitement they bring to the gaming table.

The Classic Set: The 7 Standard Dice

No D&D dice collection is complete without the classic set of seven dice. These dice are each designated by their shape and the number of sides they possess, they come in Resin, Acrylic, Filled, Sharp and Metal Dice. Let's explore their individual uses:

1. D4 (Four-Sided Die): This pyramid-shaped die is often used to calculate damage for small weapons, such as daggers or small spells. Rolling a D4 gives you a range of numbers from 1 to 4.

2. D6 (Six-Sided Die): The most familiar die to many, the cube-shaped D6 is commonly used for weapon damage and skill checks. It provides a range of results from 1 to 6.

3. D8 (Eight-Sided Die): The octahedral D8 is typically rolled to determine damage for medium-sized weapons or spells. It offers a broader range of outcomes from 1 to 8.

4. D10 (Ten-Sided Die): With numbers ranging from 0 to 9, the pentagonal D10 is often used for percentile rolls or determining damage for larger weapons.

5. D12 (Twelve-Sided Die): This dodecahedron-shaped die rolls numbers from 1 to 12. It frequently determines damage for heavy weapons or higher-level spells.

6. D20 (Twenty-Sided Die): The crown jewel of the dice collection, every Dice Goblins must have, the iconic D20 decides the fate of adventurers with a wide range of results from 1 to 20. It is integral to attack rolls, saving throws, and important skill checks. 

7. D00 (Percentile Die): Also known as a D10 with double digits, this unique die is used in combination with a D10 to generate a range of values from 1 to 100. It's commonly used for determining probabilities or random events.

Specialized Dice: Expanding the Horizons

Beyond the standard set, there are specialized dice that add depth and variety to your gaming experience. Let's take a look at some of them:

• D2 (Two-Sided Die): Also known as a coin, this simple but effective die is perfect for binary decisions, such as determining heads or tails.

• D3 (Three-Sided Die): Although not a perfect cube, the triangular D3 can be used for randomized outcomes with three options, such as distributing loot or determining a path at a crossroads.

• D5 (Five-Sided Die): The pentagonal D5 offers an alternative to rolling a D10 for percentile results when a finer granularity is desired.

• D7 (Seven-Sided Die): While not as common as other dice, the heptagonal D7 has its place in specialized systems or when a unique outcome range is required.

The Importance of Dice in My Adventures

I remember a particularly intense D&D session where my party found themselves cornered by a fearsome dragon. The outcome of our last-ditch attack hinged on a crucial D20 roll. With bated breath, I grasped the die and let it soar........ 

All great adventures end with your imagination :) 

Now get ready to become a bigger dice goblin and start collecting polyhedral dice.