If you’ve been playing DnD for a little while, you’ve probably heard about the dice tray. It’s a really simple accessory that sits on your table and contains your rolls – that’s it, right? Honestly, no. In my humble (and biased, but not really) opinion, having a nice dice tray at the table adds a little bit of magic. They really are greater than the sum of their parts. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to explain why.
What do dice trays add to games in general?
You probably already know most of these, but there are bunch of advantages to using a dice tray that is the same for any game. Here are the top 3:
- Your dice land where you want them to. Rolling in a dice tray means that you know your dice aren’t going to dive for cover and you don’t have to chase down the ones that escape!
- Your table is protected. Whether it’s your game, or the kids who are playing, the last thing you want is to scratch or dent your expensive table. Dice trays stop that from happening by providing a protective surface to roll on instead.
- Your dice are protected. If you’ve got stone, glass, or even sharp-edged resin dice, having them take fall damage can ruin your game and your day. Dice trays help keep them safe.
Sure, these apply to any game, but they’re just the foundation.
What do premium dice trays add to DnD specifically?
For DnD (and other TTRPGs) there are a few things that a dice tray can add specifically that most other tabletop games wouldn’t benefit from. And you can double down on this with the right accessory.
It’s safe to say that most games of DnD take place in some type of fantasy setting. You might special, custom dice with arcane, magical, mystical, or elemental designs because that’s what your character does.
And then you pull out your neoprene dice tray from Temu. It might have a printed design that the dropshipper commissioned, but it’s just not good.
When you use some clip-together, foldable dice tray made of neoprene, felt or PVC it feels cheap.
It’s like your paladin having a plastic shield, it breaks the immersion.
Imagine instead that you pulled out a beautiful, hand-crafted, wooden accessory. It would be right at home in the tavern your PCs are currently in, or on the table of the local baron. It’s lined with leather, is tactile, and smells great.
It’s an accessory designed to pull you into the game. By reminding you that, even though the game is fun, you take it seriously.
A premium dice tray helps keep you grounded in the fantasy of your game. Wood and leather feel sturdy and timeless. And they will fit right in with your thematically chosen dice.
Speaking of thematic…
How can your dice tray to make your games feel more thematic?
Your dice, miniature, and maybe even your character sheet have been personalised to your character. But what about your dice tray? And I don’t just mean having your name, or your PC’s name, on there (though we can do that if you get in touch).
What if the design of your dice tray reflect the values of your PC?
That’s where you can use the Heritage system, a range of accessories that don’t just serve as a home to roll your dice in, they are extension of your character.
They have all the great things I already mentioned about wooden dice trays. But they also look and feel so much better. You can choose accessories inspired by architecture, artistic styles, and fantasy tropes to build that immersive feel at the table we all crave.
With the right dice trays, you can make your whole gaming set up feel more professional. If you’ve ever dreamt of having a set up like Joe Manganiello’s memorial basement – it starts with upgrading your accessories.
Is DnD really better with a nicer dice tray?
Yes, 100% my games feel better when I use one. A premium wooden dice tray looks amazing and really reminds me that I’m here to play a game that’s important to me. It’s like dressing up nicely, or getting into a fancy car. You don’t need to do it, but it feels so good when you do!
Any dice tray does the job of keeping your dice on the table, but ones that draw you into your game? They really are something special.
If you’re in, Silverwood Gaming’s sustainably-sourced dice trays made in the UK are the best trays for the job. You can even see how we make them!
By the way, if you have an idea for accessories for your character that you can’t find, just contact us and we can work with you to bring it to life!