What Is The Ideal Set Of Dice For 3e/Pathfinder/4e?

[Kaodi]

See Post #2.

 

[Kaodi]

What Is The Ideal Set Of Dice For 3e/Pathfinder/4E?

While there would be an obvious reply that " oodles and oodles of dice of all kinds " , what I am really looking for is an answer somewhat greater than " one of each type " and (edit: less than) " more than enough of each type " .

For instance, I would imagine that an ideal set would include a 1 d20, 1 d12, 2 d10s (both real d10s; percentile d10s and their fans are the spawn of Evil). Maybe only 1 d4. But it is a little fuzzier as to how many d8s and d6s are needed. 2 d8s, 4 d6s? Or something different.

It might even be interesting to ask, for the sake of comparison, whether such an " ideal set " would actually look different depending on whether one was playing 3e/Pathfinder or 4E.

 

[Celebrim]

It depends on whether you are DM or a player. If you are a player, it somewhat depends on your class. A greataxe barbarian is rarely going to reach for anything but the d20 and the d12, but he may find 8 d20's and 12 d12's suit him (and suit me fine as long as there is a clear ordering to the dice like dark first, light last, and I trust the player). Evocation focused arcane casters are going to need loads of d6's and d8's. Rogues also can use a stack of d6's easily.

As a DM I need about:

12+ d20's in different colors (I've got about 20, but I only need about 12)
3 d12
6 d% sets in different colors
10-15 d8
10-15 d6
5-10 d4

For me I find 'different colors' works best when I have a rainbow I can quickly organize: black, dark red, light red, bright orange, light orange, yellow, light green, dark green, light blue, dark blue, mauve, and purple is a good selection.

Plus spare dice sets for new players/players that chronically forget their dice

I'd like to have a bunch of d3's. Time to get more dice I think.

 

[Pheonix0114]

My recommendation for 4e would be 2d4, 2d6, 1d8, 2d10, 1d12, and 1d20 at least, that way you can at least roll the basic damage of a weapon without rerolling. If you don't like rerolling at all, having at least 6-10 of whatever you weapon is would be useful. If you want to be prepared for anything my suggestion would be 20d4 [Falchion is 2d4], 22d6, 10d8, 10d10, 10d12, and like 4d20.

 

[Argyle King]

I imagine the ideal set would be the normal set of dice which usually come with a 7 piece set of dice.

1 - d20
1 - d12
2 - d10
1 - d8
1 - d6
1 - d4

I think that covers nearly everything you'd need to roll for. Personally, I like to have two of each die, so I usually get two sets. This means I end up with 4d10, but I'm ok with that.

edit: I tend to like these d6. http://www.warehouse23.com/item.html?id=SJG5523G
I'm not sure why, but I do.

 

[delericho]

I have a bag of "core dice" I use for DM'ing 3e. It seems to serve me pretty well. It contains:

3d20
2d12
2d10 and 2 'percentile' d10
5d8
10d6
5d4

In general, I colour code my dice by type, so all the d8s are yellow, and so forth. The exception are the d10s, which are in two matching percentile sets. I find I save more time identifying the correct die by colour than I would by being able to roll multiple sets of attacks at the same time.

I should note that I've only used this set with fairly low-level play; it may prove inadequate as we move to higher levels.

(Incidentally, I'm now leaning towards the opinion that that's too many dice. I would suggest that it should be possible to simplify that DM down to just d20, d% and d6, without actually losing any significant resolution in the game. For players, I would suggest retaining the greater detail of more dice types, but behind the screen...)

 

[Samurai]

As others said, it depends upon your role... DM vs a spellcasting PC vs a martial PC. Also, the higher the level of the game, the more dice you need... casters get 1 dice of damage per caster level, in many cases, and clerics heal more and more as they level up. You might just order a "pound of random dice" and you'll probably get enough of what you need.

So, with that in mind, let me go over the dice:

d4: used for daggers, magic missiles, and burning hands, among other things. If you are a non-caster, 2d4 is enough. Arcane casters should have 5d4.

d6: very common die, used for many weapons, many spells, and sneak attack damage, healing bursts, etc. The more you have, the better. Non-casters can get away with 5d6, casters should have 10d6 or more.

d8: common for many weapons, curing spells, and some attack spells. Non casters can use 2d8, casters should have at least 4d8 or more.

d10: used for larger weapons, not very common in spells. 2d10 should be fine.

d12: not a commonly used die except for some heavy weapons. 1d12 should be ok.

d20: very commonly used dice, of course... the system is named after it. But you don't often need to roll a lot at once. 2d20 should be fine for most people.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I would want at a minimum:

3d4
6d6
3d8
3d10 (at least one being marked for "tens place" for rolling percentiles)
2d12
4d20 (at least one being distinct from the others for initiative only)

Not that I ever sit down with that minimum.. I typically use 3 full sets, with extra d6s, d20s, and so forth.

 

[Dark Mistress]

I would say one of their adventure path sets of dice would be the obvious answer. Right now the have Rise of the Runelords, Curse of the Crimson Throne, Second Darkness and Legacy of Fire. With Kingmaker and I think one other in the process of being made.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Depends on class, with spell casters needing more
1 d20/iterative attack
5 d4 (Magic Missile maximum) 1/level for Undeath to Death
1 d6/level for wizards etc. 2d6/level Disintegrate
2 d8
2 d10
2 d12

1 d100

The Auld Grump