Everything you need to know about Polyhedral Dice

What Are Polyhedral Dice?

At the most basic level, polyhedral dice are simply dice with more than six sides. Unlike the standard six-sided dice (also called d6) used in games like Yahtzee or Monopoly, polyhedral dice come in a variety of shapes, each with a different number of sides.

In Dungeons & Dragons, polyhedral dice are essential because the game mechanics are based on a range of different rolls, depending on what action you're attempting to perform. For example, the D20 system (the core mechanic of D&D) uses a 20-sided die for almost every check, from attacking an enemy to making a saving throw.

D&D players typically use a set of seven dice, each with a different number of sides. Here's a rundown of the seven most common polyhedral dice you’ll encounter at the table:

1. D4 (4-sided die):

   • Shape: Pyramid
   • Use: The D4 is typically used for rolling damage on smaller weapons, such as daggers or magic missiles. It's also used for some spells and abilities.

2. D6 (6-sided die):

   • Shape: Cube
   • Use: Although it's the most familiar die from board games, the D6 still has a major role in D&D, especially for certain weapon damage rolls (e.g., a short sword or a fireball spell).

3. D8 (8-sided die):

   • Shape: Octahedron
   • Use: The D8 is used for medium weapon damage (like a longsword or a mace), and is also used in many spell effects (e.g., Cure Wounds, which heals a character based on D8 rolls).

4. D10 (10-sided die):

   • Shape: Decahedron
   • Use: D10s are often used for larger damage rolls, and when paired together, they’re used for percentile rolls (rolling for odds and chances).
   • Special note: D10s often come in pairs to roll percentages (00-99), with one die representing the tens digit and the other the ones digit.

5. D12 (12-sided die):

   • Shape: Dodecahedron
   • Use: The D12 is used less frequently, but it plays a key role in rolling damage for certain larger weapons, like greataxes.

6. D20 (20-sided die):

   • Shape: Icosahedron
   • Use: The D20 is arguably the most important die in D&D. Nearly every roll for attacks, ability checks, and saving throws is based on the D20. When you roll a D20, you add modifiers based on your character's stats to determine success or failure.

7. D100 (percentile die):

   • Shape: Two D10s
   • Use: This die is technically two D10s rolled together to generate a result from 1 to 100, used to determine odds in various scenarios, such as finding treasure, random encounters, or critical failure in a roll.

How D&D Dice Work Together

The beauty of D&D is that the rules incorporate all these dice in a meaningful way, ensuring the game remains exciting and unpredictable. While the D20 is the centerpiece of gameplay, the other dice serve crucial roles in determining damage, success rates, and random events.

Here’s how these dice typically work together in the game:

• Ability Checks & Saving Throws:
  These usually require a D20 roll. For example, if your character tries to break down a door (Strength check), you’d roll a D20 and add your Strength modifier to determine the outcome.

• Attacks & Damage Rolls:
  When attacking, you’ll roll a D20 to see if you hit (your attack roll) and then roll another die (D6, D8, D10, etc.) to determine the damage based on the weapon you're using.

• Spellcasting:
  Many spells require you to roll dice to determine how much damage they do or how effective they are. For instance, a Fireball spell requires a D6 roll for each creature in the blast radius.

• Random Events:
  Random events, like treasure drops or encounters, often require rolling a D100 (or a pair of D10s) to determine success or failure.

Choosing the Right Dice for Your Campaign

While D&D has a standard set of polyhedral dice, players often customize their sets to reflect their personalities and preferences. Here are a few tips on choosing the right dice for your campaign:

1. Material Matters: Polyhedral dice come in a range of materials—plastic, metal, stone, resin, and even glass. Resin and plastic dice are the most common and affordable, while metal and gemstone dice can offer a more luxurious feel for players who want to invest in a premium set.

2. Color and Design: Dice come in an endless variety of colors, finishes, and designs. You can choose from solid colors, glitter-filled dice, or multi-colored swirls. Many players even opt for custom sets with personalized designs.

3. Durability: If you’re someone who likes to roll your dice a lot (especially with intense rolls at critical moments), consider durability. Metal dice, for example, are more robust than resin dice and can withstand more frequent use.

4. Theme: Some players like to match their dice to their character’s backstory or class. For example, a wizard might choose a set of dice that reflect their character’s arcane nature, while a barbarian might select dice with a rugged, earthy design.

5. Budget: Dice can range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars for rare or high-end sets. While it’s tempting to splurge on a designer set, it's important to find dice that fit your budget and your needs. There are plenty of high-quality, affordable sets for those just starting out.

Conclusion

Polyhedral dice are more than just colorful tools used to determine outcomes—they are an integral part of the D&D experience. By understanding the different types of dice and how they work together, you'll be better prepared to roll with the punches (or critical hits!) in your next campaign.

Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a fresh-faced newbie, choosing the right dice and understanding their roles in the game can deepen your immersion in the world of Dungeons & Dragons and make your sessions even more exciting. If you’re looking to elevate your gameplay with a truly unique set, consider checking out some of our polyhedral dice.