The Magic of Dice | Why We Love Polyhedral Dice in Tabletop Games

Discover the origins of dice, why polyhedral dice are essential for tabletop RPGs like DnD, and what makes rolling them so satisfying.

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Dice: More Than Just a Roll of the Numbers

There’s something irresistible about the click of resin dice in your hand, the suspense of a roll, and the joy of seeing that natural 20. Dice have been part of games for thousands of years, but in the world of tabletop RPGs, they’ve become more than just tools—they’re a form of expression, luck, and storytelling.

Let’s dig into where dice came from, why polyhedral dice became the standard in games like Dungeons & Dragons, and why we can’t stop collecting them.

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Where Dice Come From?

The history of dice stretches back over 5,000 years. Ancient civilisations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used six-sided dice (D6s) made of bone, ivory, and stone. Even earlier versions were found in Mesopotamia, where primitive gaming pieces were carved to divine fate or play games of chance.

Over time, dice evolved. They moved from simple cubes into more complex shapes as mathematics and game design advanced. Enter the polyhedral dice we know and love today.

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Why Polyhedral Dice?

Polyhedral dice have been around long before tabletop RPGs existed—ancient civilisations used various multi-sided shapes for divination and games of chance. But it was Dungeons & Dragons, launched in 1974, that made these dice iconic in the world of tabletop roleplaying games.

While D&D didn’t invent polyhedral dice, it popularised their use in modern gaming by assigning specific mechanical roles to each die. Today, they’re instantly recognisable as the heart of RPGs like DnD, Pathfinder, and Call of Cthulhu.

Here’s the classic breakdown:

• D4 – four-sided

• D6 – six-sided

• D8 – eight-sided

• D10 – ten-sided

• D12 – twelve-sided

• D20 – twenty-sided

Each die brings something different to the table—literally. You might roll a D20 for a dramatic skill check, a D6 for weapon damage, or a D10 for percentile rolls. This variety keeps gameplay dynamic, balanced, and full of surprise.

In the world of TTRPGs, polyhedral dice are more than tools—they’re part of the storytelling engine.

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The Joy of Rolling Dice

There’s a physical and emotional satisfaction in rolling dice. The weight of a sharp edge resin dice set, the feel of a perfectly balanced polyhedral die, and the unpredictability of the outcome all tap into our love of chance and control.

But dice aren’t just practical—they’re personal. With so many materials, colours, finishes, and styles available, every dice set is a chance to show off your character’s vibe, your aesthetic, or your dice goblin tendencies.

Whether you go for glitter-infused acrylic dice, bold raw gemstone dice, or premium resin polyhedral dice with crisp numbers and sharp edges, your dice say something about you.

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Why We Keep Collecting Dice

You only need one set of dice to play—but where’s the fun in that?

Dice collecting has become a full-on hobby. Some players hunt for rare dice, others grab colour-themed sets for different characters, and some just enjoy the sensory pleasure of rolling them. There’s also the “dice curse” phenomenon—where a player swears a certain D20 is out to get them, only to replace it with a fresh set for good luck.

In short: rolling dice is fun, but collecting them is addictive.

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Find Your Next Favourite Dice Set

At Potshot's, we’re obsessed with dice. That’s why we stock a growing collection of 7-piece polyhedral resin dice sets in a range of vibrant colours, finishes, and themes. Whether you're a veteran DM or just starting out, there’s a set here with your name on it.

👉 Browse All Dice Sets Now