Metal Dice Guide: What to Know Before Choosing a Set

An Honest Guide to Metal Dice

 

Metal dice are some of the most iconic options in tabletop gaming. They feel substantial, sound unmistakable when rolled, and bring a certain weight—both literal and figurative—to the table. 

 

This guide exists to help you decide whether or not metal dice are the right fit for your play style, your table, and your group. Not to convince you that they're "better," but to make sure you know what you're choosing before you make a purchase. 

 


What Are Metal Dice?

 

Metal dice are exactly as the name suggests: dice made of metal. They're typically cast from zinc alloy, brass, or similar metal blends, then finished through polishing, plating, or a coating process. Although these metals aren't the heaviest metals around, they're definitely heavier than resin and acrylic. This gives metal dice their defining characteristic: weight. 

 

Most metal dice are cast rather than machined, which means they're created using molds and then polished for that clean, finished look. When made well, they roll smoothly and fairly—but this roll will always feel different than rolling dice made of lighter materials.

 


Why Players Choose Metal Dice

 

Players tend to gravitate toward metal dice for a few specific reasons: 

 

  • Visual Impact: Let's be real here: metal dice look cool! Because metal is far more rigid than acrylic or resin, metal dice can contain an incredible amount of detail and come in a variety of different shapes and styles. Metal is the only material, for example, that supports completely hollow designs. 
  • Heft and Presence: The weight feels deliberate and satisfying. It's not often that something so small is so heavy!
  • Sound and Feedback: Metal dice announce a roll in a way no other material can. And the sound of a hollow metal die striking another hollow metal die is uniquely satisfying. 
  • Durability: When properly finished, metal dice hold up well over time. They're more likely to cause damage than to be damaged!
  • Ritual and Drama: Many players reserve metal dice for important moments. Weighty decision = weighty dice. 

 

Metal dice aren't subtle and that's part of their appeal.

 


Common Concerns About Metal Dice

 

Metal dice are often misunderstood, and many of the concerns surrounding them are understandable. 

 

Table damage is the most common worry. Because most metal dice are heavy, they can dent or scratch unprotected surfaces. Most players use a dice tray, mat, dice tower with an attached tray, etc. to avoid this entirely. Hollow metal dice are also a viable option. 

 

Weight fatigue is another factor. Rolling metal dice repeatedly during long sessions can feel tiring for some players. 

 

Legibility can vary. Decorative designs are appealing, but shallow engraving or low-contrast paints can make numbers harder to read at a glance, which is a problem more common with metal than resin and acrylic. 

 

These aren't deal-breakers, but they are considerations. 

 


How We Choose Our Metal Dice

 

Although some of our sets are certainly unique, we don't treat metal dice purely as novelty items. The sets we carry are chosen with actual gameplay in mind. When selecting metal dice, we prioritize: 

 

  • Manufacturers with reliable casting quality
  • Consistent weight distribution
  • Durable finishes that hold up to real use

 

We don't promise perfection—because no dice manufacturing process is always perfect—but we do stand behind the sets we choose. If something isn't right, we make it right. Period. 

 

 

Are Metal Dice Right for You?

 

Metal dice are a great fit if you enjoy tactile feedback, dramatic rolls, and a sense of occasion at the table. They're especially popular with players who like to reserve specific sets for major moments. 

 

They may not be ideal if you prefer quiet rolls, play on delicate surfaces without protection (glass, for example, would be a no-go), or favor extremely lightweight dice. 

 

Neither choice is wrong, there's simply what feels good to you when you play. 

 


Exploring Our Metal Dice

 

If metal dice sound like the right fit for your table, you can explore the sets we stand behind below, knowing they were chosen with care and backed by people who genuinely care about how they play.

 

Explore our Metal Dice Collection →