Polyhedral Dice FAQ: Your Dice Set Questions Answered

Quick Answer

A standard polyhedral set gives you one each of d4, d6, d8, d10, d%, d12, and d20, which covers most RPG rolls at the table. Buy a second d20 if you roll with advantage often, and add a dedicated d6 tube when your game calls for handfuls of dice. Material and finish are preference, not performance.

Dice questions come up at every table, usually right after someone borrows a d20 and forgets to give it back. This FAQ answers the practical ones: what belongs in a set, when one set isn't enough, and how to read the symbols on specialty dice.

Answers are short and standalone, so you can jump to the question you actually have. Where a product detail isn't listed, we say so rather than guess.

What comes in a standard polyhedral dice set?

Most RPG sets include seven pieces: a four-sided, six-sided, eight-sided, ten-sided, percentile ten-sided, twelve-sided, and twenty-sided die. That mix covers the core dice used in most tabletop roleplaying games, so a single set is usually enough to start playing.

Some sets break the pattern. The 1UP-Dice Cackling Skull 12d6 Set is twelve six-sided dice rather than a mixed polyhedral set, which makes it a supplement for games that roll many d6s at once. Check the piece count and die types before buying, not the photo alone.

• Seven-piece polyhedral set: one each of d4, d6, d8, d10, d%, d12, d20.
• Twelve-die d6 sets are for dice-pool games, not general play.
• The percentile die is a ten-sided die marked 00-90.

How many dice do you actually need?

One polyhedral set covers a typical character. A second d20 speeds up advantage and disadvantage rolls, and extra d6s help if your class or game rolls damage in handfuls. Players who run spellcasters often want a second set for damage dice.

If your game uses dice pools, count the largest pool you expect to roll and buy at least that many d6s. The Eye of Chaos Dice - Nebula d6 Set contains nine six-sided dice per tube, which is a practical size for many pool-based systems.

• Start with one seven-piece set; add a second d20 early.
• For d6 pool games, match your dice count to your biggest roll.
• Keep a spare set in your bag for guests and forgotten dice.

Does material or finish change how dice roll?

Material changes feel, weight, and sound more than fairness. Acrylic and resin dice are light and clicky; metal dice feel heavier and hit the table harder, which is why a dice tray helps protect both table and dice. Sharp-edged resin looks crisp but can chip if dropped on hard floors.

Finish matters for legibility. High-contrast inking makes numbers easier to read across a table, while low-contrast or metallic finishes look great but can slow play under dim light. If you play in a dim room, prioritize readable numbers over a dramatic finish.

• Metal dice: heavier feel, louder roll, use a tray.
• Acrylic and resin: lighter, quieter, generally more affordable.
• Check number contrast before buying a dark-on-dark set.

What do the symbols on specialty dice mean?

Some dice replace a number with a symbol. On the Eye of Chaos Dice - Nebula d6 Set, the Eye of Chaos symbol replaces the 6 on each die, so you read that face as a six. This keeps the die functional while adding theme.

Symbols are cosmetic unless the rules say otherwise, but they can slow new players who scan for a numeral. If your table includes beginners, explain the symbol before the first roll or keep a plain set on hand for them.

• A symbol on a face usually stands in for that number.
• Theme dice work fine as long as everyone knows the mapping.
• Keep one plain set for players who prefer numerals.

Are themed or licensed dice worth buying?

Themed dice are worth it when the theme matches a game you already play, because they add table presence without changing how the dice work. Licensed sets can also double as display pieces between sessions.

The Elder Scrolls Online Ebonheart Pact Elder Dice is a licensed set from Infinite Black's Elder Dice line, made in partnership with Bethesda. If you run The Elder Scrolls Online tabletop game or just like the faction, the theme does the work; if you only need neutral dice, a plain set costs less and reads faster.

• Buy themed dice for a game you actually play.
• Licensed sets make good gifts for fans of the source material.
• Theme doesn't affect the math, only the table feel.

How should you store and care for dice?

Keep dice in a bag, tube, or box so they don't scatter or scratch each other. Metal dice in particular benefit from a soft pouch, since hard edges can nick other dice and surfaces over time. A dice tray doubles as storage and a landing zone.

Clean dice with a soft cloth and mild soap if they get sticky; avoid solvents, which can dull a finish or damage inking. If a die starts to look chipped or rounded at the edges, retire it from competitive play and keep it for casual rolls.

• Store metal dice separately in a soft pouch.
• Wipe with a soft cloth; skip harsh cleaners.
• Retire visibly worn dice from high-stakes rolls.

Quick Dice Buying Checklist

Count the dice you roll most

Note whether your game uses one d20 per check or pools of d6s, then match the set to that pattern. One seven-piece set plus a second d20 covers most players.

Check the symbol-to-number mapping

Confirm which face a symbol replaces so nobody misreads a roll mid-combat. Explain symbols to new players before the first session.

Match finish to your table

Choose high-contrast numbers for dim rooms and a tray for metal dice. Readability beats drama when you play late.

Dice Set Details Worth Knowing

• The Elder Scrolls Online Ebonheart Pact Elder Dice: Infinite Black, the creators of Elder Dice, teamed up with Bethesda on this licensed set themed around the Ebonheart Pact. A good pick if you play The Elder Scrolls Online tabletop game or want faction-themed dice that still roll like standard dice.
• Eye of Chaos Dice - Nebula d6 Set: Each tube contains nine six-sided dice, and the Eye of Chaos symbol replaces the 6 on every die. Buy this when your game rolls pools of d6s; nine dice covers many pool sizes, and the symbol is easy to read as a six.
• 1UP-Dice Poison Dagger 12d6 Set: This 8-bit themed set features the Poison Dagger from the Retrowave Cybermagicka series, with the symbol replacing a face on each die. A themed option for d6 pool games where you want a full twelve dice and retro styling at the table.
• The Shards of Illumination Pins - 3 Pin Enamel Set Red Wax Style: This three-pin set features the Seer's Eye, the Crest of Dagon, and the Crown of the Night Mother from the fourth Elder Dice campaign, made of enamel-coated metal with a gold clasp. A companion piece if you collect the Elder Dice campaign symbols and want them on a bag or jacket between sessions.

Most dice questions come down to matching the set to how your table actually rolls. Start with a seven-piece polyhedral set, add d6s or a second d20 as your game demands, and pick a finish you can read at a glance.