Rolling dice goes hand-in-hand with TTRPGs and everyone has their own way of doing it. If you’ve never used a dice tower, you might be missing out on the all-in-one accessory that can add value to your game.
- What is the point of a dice tower?
- What do you do with a dice tower?
- Are dice towers worth it?
- Where can I get a high quality dice tower?
What is the point of a dice tower?
Dice Towers are an accessory that you use to roll dice that remove any bias from the player on the result. But rather than just being an alternative way to roll dice, they can be used in a number of different ways that can make them invaluable to your gaming setup. Dice towers can ensure fairness. They can be used to ramp up the tension. And they help people to play who might not be able to otherwise take part. It can also just be easier!
Roll fairly
When you roll using a dice tower, you should be confident that there is no bias to your rolling. Everyone has a different way of rolling dice. If you’re lucky, you won’t have ever met someone who’s rolls you’ve had to question. But you might be at a tournament or something similar that requires you to prove that.
This is where a dice tower can change your luck. They’re usually a combination of chutes and baffles (levels or platforms that disrupt the fall of the dice due to gravity that make them roll). This means you can be sure that when someone is using a dice tower that they are rolling fairly. They can’t influence the roll.
Set the mood
I would hope that most gamers trust the people they play with, so rolling fairly might not be your top concern. Sometimes it can be really useful having a tool that will help you build tension. Especially when you’re playing a game like D&D. Dice towers can be the perfect addition to do this.
Much like the DMs of Dimension 20 with their “Box of Doom,” you might save the dice tower for the really important rolls. Trying to convince the dragon that you are of better use to it alive? Roll persuasion in the dice tower! Or, as the DM, when you really want to show your players that the dice are having their say – roll in the tower! It’s a really great way to bring everyone into focus around the table, and you might even find that you form your own traditions around using such an accessory.
Get everyone involved
You might have never had difficulty rolling your dice. If so, you could skip this part. But there are plenty of people who, through a variety of circumstances, might have a more challenging time rolling their dice.
Rolling dice is something that many of us enjoyed as kids playing board games. That’s part of why rolling in RPGs is so fun. You’re bringing yourself back to those memories. A dice tower that allows someone to roll their own dice can be a lifeline into our great hobbies to people who may struggle. It might be minor to you, but it can make a world of difference.
It’s easy!
Hours and hours of dungeoneering can take its toll on your arms and wrists. Also, when you roll dice manually, they can spill out everywhere. We solved both problems with a dice tower that comes with a rolling tray to catch your dice. Sure, some other people do it too. But we do it best!
What do you do with a dice tower?
Dice Towers are really simple – you drop dice in the top and the result comes out the bottom. The baffles and chutes inside them mean that when your dice pop out they should have a randomised result for you. Perfect!
Of course the thing that can set them apart is the design, which I cover more here. But in short, using a beautiful wooden dice tower (like we make) or a diorama piece can make a statement of your personal aesthetic.
Are dice towers worth it?
If you find the right dice tower, they are absolutely worth the money you pay for them. We’ve already covered how they can add fairness and tension to you game, but they are also statement pieces that can make your gaming setup feel more premium. Dice towers can bring a tonne to your game. You can get them in all shapes and sizes, but they are not all created equal.
Why are dice towers so expensive?
More expensive dice towers are generally designed, built, and even sourced better than the cheaper options. With the top end products, you’re looking at precision-made, reputably- and ethically-produced towers made from the best woods. More money does not necessarily mean more random or better rolling, simply that the quality of the product is higher.
A lot of the cheaper towers you get from retailers, either on their own sites or on marketplace sites, are mass produced and imported from places like China. Reverse image search product shots; you’d be shocked at how many “handmade” sellers are drop-shipping!
And unfortunately they’re often marked up 1000% and sold as “handmade” on sites like Etsy. Is £20 or $20 for a tower a good deal? Maybe. But you’re probably not getting something handmade. And if it’s important to you, you’re not supporting sellers who are actually making their own products. I personally don’t think those ones are worth it.
What about the higher priced accessories? They can be worth it if you find the right seller. Most of these are made to sell direct to customer, either by small / medium businesses or by individual makers, hence the price. If you like the diorama-type towers, then a good handmade one is going to take time to make and have a higher cost. If you prefer an aesthetic wooden dice tower then the value comes from the surety of reputable sourcing and quality design. You’ll also often benefit from a more robust customer service, and not have to settle for cheap plastics. In both cases, you should only have to buy once and have an item that lasts a long time.
You’ve heard the saying: buy nice or buy twice!
What is the best medium for a dice tower?
Well we here clearly think wood is the best. It’s better for the planet to make than plastic. You also find far more handmade makers working in wood because it makes a much more exquisite item. A plastic dice tower can be cheaper, which is great value for the wallet but less good for the environment. If you are going to splash out for a nice wooden piece then you should buy from a reputable maker that you trust.
Wood is expensive, and if you see a price too good to be true, it probably is. Look for makers and sellers making their products and offering robust guarantees and returns policies. In the TTRPG industry the majority of the best quality items are either sold directly from the maker (through their website or online presence) or through friendly local game stores.
There really has never been a better time for gamers to have their pick of high quality products. Try not to fall foul of deceptive selling practices like hiding the scale of products, unethical production methods, and the plague of online sellers claiming to hand make products that they just don’t.
Where can I get a high quality dice tower?
If you’re after a really special addition to your game, then you should look no further than a good quality dice tower. While dice trays are great for individuals around the table, people really pay attention when rolls happen in the tower. And when you buy high quality from a reputable maker you know that you are getting something that will last.
If you’d like to read more about dice towers then click here. If you can’t wait to get one, then we’ve got you with that too! Click to shop dice towers.