I want to purchase my 15 year old nephew a D&D dice set for Christmas. I know NOTHING about D&D, but I don't want to ask him and ruin the surprise. Please help me be the coolest aunt ever. I am looking to spend around $50. What kind of dice set would make an awesome gift? Metal dice? Natural stone? Particular brand? ???
Personally, I don't like metal dice. I love the way they look, but they are really loud and obnoxious to roll. You can't go wrong with resin, but the problem with resin is that they can end up with bubbles, and roll poorly. In this case, I like clear resin, so you can see if there are any bubbles. I've never used stone dice, but I suspect they might be heavy and annoying like metal. I've even seen some wood dice sets, but again, I don't know how they feel. A lot of my dice sets are from Chessex, but I've noticed that the colors on the website don't always match up with what you end up with.
I've got a beautiful of metal dice from the q-workshop + pathfinder metal dice Kickstarter. They've never been rolled because metal dice suck to use. But damn are they fun to bring out and show new people.
Your replies are all so helpful. I thought the metal dice I found, and there was also a set of tiger's eye dice, looked pretty awesome, but after reading your posts I don't want to give him anything that wouldn't be fun to play with.
If not dice, what else game-related would you be stoked to get as a gift? Dice box? Rolling board? ???
The "sucks to use" of metal dice can be mitigated by use of one of these (of which many are available at less expense, but I liked the emblem on this one so I chose it for an example). A player at my table uses a set of metal dice in such a tray and there is no issue with noise or damage being done to dice or table.
That said, as far as dice go, I like to gift my players with a set in their favorite color, with an attractive dice bag as well. It's been a hit every time I've done it.
Those are awesome. Went onto the site and, have to say, their alligator bone and acrylic dice are freaking amazing (a little out of the Christmas budget though).
Dice are a great gift if done right! But I think most of us here would agree you don't need to spring for the big metal dice. I've got a few sets that I never use. Some dice suggestions I have are look up Q-Workshop dice. They have some of the cooler actual designs. Or you could look through Chessex for a color or mix of colors that you nephew would like. Bonus points if you get a matching dice bag or get a dice chest to go with them. Do you know enough to know if he runs or plays in a game? Either way, a nice journal and a pen and pencil set can be a great thing to have for his game sessions as well.
Not sure where the hate of metal dice come from - I love my set more so that some of the regular chessex sets - that being said - more importantly make sure they are easy to read - not some weird font or runes etc - nothing sucks more than rolling the dice and having the whole table go "What does that say?" hehe
The pound o dice you can buy are great for DM's or other folk who want to just have dice for people to roll who may not have their own sets - makes it a bit easier on the more casual gamer who just wants to hang out and have fun - not worry about making sure they have their character sheets, dice, etc....
A nice dice bag is also good too if you budget a bit less for dice and add maybe a nice velvet bag or case for them so he can carry them easier too.
I've had my eye on this and this for a while. Also, a 100-sided die like this has a definite "cool" factor.
My vote would go for the Dice Bag of Holding: lots of different sets to choose from, and a nice bag to hold all of them in. Darn, I am tempted to duy it for myself XD
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Echoing others that dice that aren't difficult to read overrules awesome looking. We have gotten a couple sets in the past that looked really fancy, but when actually using them, they aren't nearly as impressive if you have to squint all the time to figure out what they say. So it's a balancing act between looking artistic and readability. But usually you can tell by the pictures.
Also, just to keep barraging you with ideas, for $20, there's this pretty cool dice ring (maybe in addition to a nice regular dice set).
And this does make you the coolest aunt ever! Personally, when I was 15, my aunt was pretty sure I worshiped the devil and was going to Hell because of D&D. :)
I'm a bit of a Chessex snob. I can't stop buying them lol. I even picked up a new set last night at my FLGS.
That being said, I got a Wiz Dice Bag of Holding, and now I use that as extras for my players (along with some of the random scoops I picked up at the Chessex booth at DragonCon this year). Way too many dice.
One thing I'm particular about is the way the d4's are done. I like the number to be at the top of the triangle, which is why I use my WizDice as extras. They put the number at the bottom, which is more confusing to read IMO. It's a minor gripe, but I'm particular lol.
I also have a set of metal dice, and I like them. The weight has a very satisfying feeling when you roll then. You do want to get a dice tray though if you go that route, as not only are they noisy, but they can quickly ruin a wooden table.
Your replies are all so helpful. I thought the metal dice I found, and there was also a set of tiger's eye dice, looked pretty awesome, but after reading your posts I don't want to give him anything that wouldn't be fun to play with.
If not dice, what else game-related would you be stoked to get as a gift? Dice box? Rolling board? ???
Aside from dice, you can get other accessories, like Aaron suggested, a dice box to roll in, also dice towers are pretty neat in my opinion.
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Hello,
I want to purchase my 15 year old nephew a D&D dice set for Christmas. I know NOTHING about D&D, but I don't want to ask him and ruin the surprise. Please help me be the coolest aunt ever. I am looking to spend around $50. What kind of dice set would make an awesome gift? Metal dice? Natural stone? Particular brand? ???
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
These are a little pricey, but they're made from real hops!! Nothing says "I'm cool" like a full set of beer dice.
https://www.artisandice.com/order/hops-beer-dice/
The website also has some other pretty nifty die variants if you think a 15 year-old shouldn't be sporting beer dice.
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InsidersPersonally, I don't like metal dice. I love the way they look, but they are really loud and obnoxious to roll. You can't go wrong with resin, but the problem with resin is that they can end up with bubbles, and roll poorly. In this case, I like clear resin, so you can see if there are any bubbles. I've never used stone dice, but I suspect they might be heavy and annoying like metal. I've even seen some wood dice sets, but again, I don't know how they feel. A lot of my dice sets are from Chessex, but I've noticed that the colors on the website don't always match up with what you end up with.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
I've had my eye on this and this for a while. Also, a 100-sided die like this has a definite "cool" factor.
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InsidersA dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
That dice bag of holding is pretty awesome!
I've got a beautiful of metal dice from the q-workshop + pathfinder metal dice Kickstarter. They've never been rolled because metal dice suck to use. But damn are they fun to bring out and show new people.
DM for the Adventures in Erylia Podcast
Where five friends sit around the table and record themselves playing Dungeons and Dragons
Your replies are all so helpful. I thought the metal dice I found, and there was also a set of tiger's eye dice, looked pretty awesome, but after reading your posts I don't want to give him anything that wouldn't be fun to play with.
If not dice, what else game-related would you be stoked to get as a gift? Dice box? Rolling board? ???
The "sucks to use" of metal dice can be mitigated by use of one of these (of which many are available at less expense, but I liked the emblem on this one so I chose it for an example). A player at my table uses a set of metal dice in such a tray and there is no issue with noise or damage being done to dice or table.
That said, as far as dice go, I like to gift my players with a set in their favorite color, with an attractive dice bag as well. It's been a hit every time I've done it.
Those are awesome. Went onto the site and, have to say, their alligator bone and acrylic dice are freaking amazing (a little out of the Christmas budget though).
Dice are a great gift if done right! But I think most of us here would agree you don't need to spring for the big metal dice. I've got a few sets that I never use. Some dice suggestions I have are look up Q-Workshop dice. They have some of the cooler actual designs. Or you could look through Chessex for a color or mix of colors that you nephew would like. Bonus points if you get a matching dice bag or get a dice chest to go with them. Do you know enough to know if he runs or plays in a game? Either way, a nice journal and a pen and pencil set can be a great thing to have for his game sessions as well.
DM for the Adventures in Erylia Podcast
Where five friends sit around the table and record themselves playing Dungeons and Dragons
Not sure where the hate of metal dice come from - I love my set more so that some of the regular chessex sets - that being said - more importantly make sure they are easy to read - not some weird font or runes etc - nothing sucks more than rolling the dice and having the whole table go "What does that say?" hehe
The pound o dice you can buy are great for DM's or other folk who want to just have dice for people to roll who may not have their own sets - makes it a bit easier on the more casual gamer who just wants to hang out and have fun - not worry about making sure they have their character sheets, dice, etc....
A nice dice bag is also good too if you budget a bit less for dice and add maybe a nice velvet bag or case for them so he can carry them easier too.
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Darn, I am tempted to duy it for myself XD
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Honestly when I saw this I said the same thing lol
Spirit dices by CritIt are very nice.
https://www.critit.co.uk/dice
I'm not stupid. I'm just unlucky when I'm thinking.
Echoing others that dice that aren't difficult to read overrules awesome looking. We have gotten a couple sets in the past that looked really fancy, but when actually using them, they aren't nearly as impressive if you have to squint all the time to figure out what they say. So it's a balancing act between looking artistic and readability. But usually you can tell by the pictures.
Also, just to keep barraging you with ideas, for $20, there's this pretty cool dice ring (maybe in addition to a nice regular dice set).
And this does make you the coolest aunt ever! Personally, when I was 15, my aunt was pretty sure I worshiped the devil and was going to Hell because of D&D. :)
I'm a bit of a Chessex snob. I can't stop buying them lol. I even picked up a new set last night at my FLGS.
That being said, I got a Wiz Dice Bag of Holding, and now I use that as extras for my players (along with some of the random scoops I picked up at the Chessex booth at DragonCon this year). Way too many dice.
One thing I'm particular about is the way the d4's are done. I like the number to be at the top of the triangle, which is why I use my WizDice as extras. They put the number at the bottom, which is more confusing to read IMO. It's a minor gripe, but I'm particular lol.
I also have a set of metal dice, and I like them. The weight has a very satisfying feeling when you roll then. You do want to get a dice tray though if you go that route, as not only are they noisy, but they can quickly ruin a wooden table.
PolyHero Dice are a lil unique and weird.
My friend helped kickstart it and got his in recently. Here's the store: https://www.gamesworthplaying.com/?category=PolyHero
Here's a pic of his "Wizard" set of dice:
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
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