Dark Elf Dice Blog

How To Add Your Free Game Dice To Your Order

Happy St. Patrick's Day! This year, Dark Elf Dice is giving away a free set of translucent green Hard Candy dice with every purchase. This special offer will expire on Monday, March 21, 2022 at midnight MT. Good while supplies last.

Here's how to add a free set of dice to your order:

1. Follow this link to go to the Hard Candy Translucent dice listing.
2. Click the "Add To Cart" button to add the dice to your shopping cart.
3. Once you finish your shopping, go to your shopping cart to complete the checkout process.
4. The coupon code will automatically be applied to your cart and the $6.10 price of the Hard Candy dice will be deducted from your total.

Notes

• An additional purchase is required to receive the free set of dice.
• Alternately, you can apply the coupon code ST PATS during checkout under the "Gift card or discount code" section to deduct the price of the dice.
• Offer good while supplies last.

Happy gaming and happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at Dark Elf Dice :)

Giveaway Is Now Over

Thanks again for everyone who entered our Baby Berserker dice giveaway! We had a total of 246 entries from which we randomly selected three lucky winners via Random.org.

Congratulations to:

Rebecca A.

Dylan L.

Dominic R.

We love giving away dice at Dark Elf Dice, so stay tuned! We'll be running another giveaway promotion soon.

Baby Berserker Dice

Get ready for another adventure! It's time for a Dark Elf Dice giveaway! This time we're giving away a set of metal Baby Berserker Dice to three lucky people. Winners can pick their favorite color -- there are three different Baby Berserker dice sets to choose from. Check 'em out here.

Dice Giveaway Rules

• Entering for a chance to win is super easy. All you need to do is click the link below to complete a giveaway entry.
• Please Note: Your information WILL ONLY be used to contact you in case you win. You do have the option of subscribing to the Dark Elf Dice newsletter, but this is completely optional and does not improve your chances of being randomly selected. If you decide to join our community and signup, we'll send you a newsletter once a week with dice news and exclusive subscriber only offers and coupons.
  
• Entries will be collected through February 28, 2022 at 10:00PM Mountain Time. Three winners will be chosen at random via Random.org the following day, March 1.
• Only one entry per person please. Multiple entries will be discarded and will not improve the chances of being randomly selected.

The Autumn Dice Giveaway Is Now Closed

Congratulations to the three lucky entrants of our giveaway!

Ommar B.

Jo H.

David L.

Also, we sincerely thank everyone who submitted an entry. The Autumn dice giveaway had a total of 503 entrants. We had a lot of fun, and plan on running future giveaways on our website and social media, so stay tuned. Thank you again and happy adventuring!

Autumn Dice

Fall is in the air, and it's time for another Dark Elf Dice giveaway! This time we're giving away a set of Autumn Dice to three lucky people. Check 'em out here.

Dice Giveaway Rules

• Entering for a chance to win is super easy. All you need to do is click the link below to complete a giveaway entry.
• Please Note: Your information WILL ONLY be used to contact you in case you win. You do have the option of subscribing to the Dark Elf Dice newsletter, but this is completely optional and does not improve your chances of being randomly selected.
• Entries will be collected through October 10, 2021 at 10:00PM Mountain Time. Three winners will be chosen at random via Random.org on October 11.
• Only one entry per person please. Multiple entries will be discarded and will not improve the chances of being randomly selected.

The Starfish Dice Giveaway Is Now Closed

Congratulations to the three lucky entrants of our giveaway!

Jessica T.

Ashley K.

Erin F.

Also, we sincerely thank everyone who submitted an entry. The Starfish dice giveaway had a total of 450 entrants. We had a lot of fun, and plan on running future giveaways on our website and social media, so stay tuned. Thank you again and happy adventuring!

Starfish Dice

Summer's still here, and it's time for another Dark Elf Dice giveaway! This time we're giving away a set of Starfish Dice to three lucky people. Winners can pick their favorite dice -- there are five different Starfish Dice sets available. Check 'em out here.

Dice Giveaway Rules

• Entering for a chance to win is super easy. All you need to do is click the link below to complete a giveaway entry.
• Please Note: Your information WILL ONLY be used to contact you in case you win. You do have the option of subscribing to the Dark Elf Dice newsletter, but this is completely optional and does not improve your chances of being randomly selected.
• Entries will be collected through August 22, 2021 at 10:00PM Mountain Time. Three winners will be chosen at random via Random.org on August 23.
• Only one entry per person please. Multiple entries will be discarded and will not improve the chances of being randomly selected.

One of the things I like best about tabletop roleplaying games is the shared storytelling experience you engage in with other players. I'm always excited for game night and for the chance to spend time with friends and family for a relaxing evening filled with fun and adventure. Gathering around the game table for laughs and good times is priceless.

Character Death

That being said, it goes without saying that character death is part of the tabletop gaming experience. Dungeon delving and fighting a bestiary of fantasy monsters is dangerous business after all, and as soon as the Initiative dice are cast, a TTRPG character risks death at the hands, claws, or teeth of the bad guys (to say nothing of the spells and traps that can bring about a character's demise).

From a gaming perspective, the risk of death is one the elements that makes the game exciting. If a character is invincible and immune to death, the game becomes boring in my experience. For me, my best characters are vulnerable and can be injured -- sometimes mortally. During each encounter, I'm not 100% certain if my character will survive. The fear of death allows me to play my character to his or her fullest, and forces me to be smart with the choices I make in game.

How To Handle Character Death In Game

Even though character death is part of the tabletop roleplaying experience, it needs to be handled correctly. In the games I'm typically involved with, players spend hours crafting characters and get really involved with backstory and roleplaying. As mentioned above, the risk of death is unavoidable, but nothing will ruin a game faster and result in hard feelings quicker if a character's death is cheapened or happens as the result of unfair tactics by a Game Master.

In my experience, here are a few ways to handle a character death the right way:

1. The character death must have meaning. In our fantasy worlds, our characters are heroes, and as such they deserve a hero's death. Let's face it -- there are some nights when your dice truly hate you, or when you employ a tactic (that in hindsight), wasn't the smartest move your character could have made given the situation. On nights like this, when fate is against you and your character dies, a good GM will give your character's death meaning. Death is more easily accepted when a character dies to protect others or in some heroic fashion that helps progress the story's narrative, etc. Even a Total Party Kill (TPK), can be enjoyable if the end result is the stuff of legend.
2. The character death must be fair. In my opinion, tabletop roleplaying is about a shared storytelling experience. The GM and players work together to create a fantastic tale both exciting and memorable. Personally, I can't stand games that pit GM vs. Players where each side is trying to one up the other. These types of games are frustrating for everyone, and can result in hard feelings when a character dies. If a character dies in glorious combat, so be it. Let the dice speak. The character death will have meaning (see number 1 above). However, to murder a character by stretching the boundaries of what is reasonable fosters an adversarial relationship between GM and player, and smacks of vindictiveness, unfairness, and sadly risks ruining everyone's fun.
3. The character should be honored in death. As I mentioned earlier, in the games I'm typically involved with, players put a lot of effort in character development. If a character's death 1) has meaning and 2) was fair, the players I game with are generally left satisfied. However, to further improve the narrative and give closure, I find it helpful to hold a funeral for the character and for the party to honor him or her with speeches, prayers, oaths of vengeance, etc. A character's death can create an interesting story hook, give opportunities for roleplay flavor, and may inspire the party to take a course of action that will develop the story in new and exciting ways.
4. A note about Resurrection. At higher levels, some spellcasters have the ability to cast a Resurrection spell to bring a character back from the dead. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. If Resurrection is cast as frequently and casually as drinking a Potion of Healing for example, the character death is cheapened and the element of danger and risk to players is lessened in the game. This can lead to boredom and sloppy roleplaying (don't worry, if I die I'll just get resurrected). Resurrection can break a game, so use sparingly and with caution. One idea is to have the party embark on an epic quest to retrieve a special magic item or spell component to allow Resurrection to be cast. This will make bringing a character back from the dead a challenging, epic event as opposed to simply burning through a spell slot.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it fellow travelers. These are just my observations and opinions on how to handle a character death. Do you have any suggestions or ideas? Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below. Until next time! Keep rolling nat 20's and have fun with your games :)

It's been a busy year for the game designers at Wizard's of the Coast. It was just last month that I wrote about the upcoming release of two new Dungeons and Dragons books (in case you missed the article, you can read it here). Now we're being told about the release of yet another book before the end of the year: Fizban's Treasury of Dragons.

Fizban's Treasury Of Dragons

Well, you can't spell "Dungeons and Dragons" without "Dragons," and the Wizards team is focusing on all things dragonkind in this newest D&D 5e hardcover book. Set to release on October 19, 2021 Fizban's Treasury of Dragons is designed to be the ultimate guide to the most iconic creatures in tabletop roleplaying.

Fizban (war hero, archmage, and dragon scholar extraordinaire) will be our invaluable guide and help us understand the myths and mysteries of dragons like never before. Within the pages of this treasury, players and Dungeon Masters alike will find:

• A complete dragon bestiary with a variety of new dragons -- including the introduction of Gem Dragons and new dragon lair maps.
• New player character options, including dragon-themed subclasses, new feats, spells, and draconic ancestries.
• Legends and lore pertaining to the First World and Bahamut and Tiamat.

In Case You Missed It: Looking Back At The Dragon Issue 1

Final Thoughts

I suppose if I could only add one new Dungeons and Dragons book to my collection this year, Fizban's Treasury of Dragons would be it. I don't mean this as a slight to the other two book releases coming soon (my apologies to The Wild Beyond The Witchlight and Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos!), but there's always been a special place in my heart for dragons.

So what do you think? Will you be planning on adding Fizban's Treasury of Dragons to your collection? Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.

That's it for now, fellow travelers. I hope everyone has an amazing week and has an opportunity to get together with friends and family to play games and have fun. Until next time!

At Dark Elf Dice, we strive to offer a huge selection of gaming dice for every budget. In fact, our extensive collection of tabletop roleplaying dice in different price ranges is one of the many things that, in my opinion, makes Dark Elf Dice awesome. Since I founded the company way back in 2005, I've always made it a point to have dice for beginning players to serious collectors, and to all gamers and collectors in between.

Gemstone Dice

One of the more expensive dice collections in the store are our Gemstone dice. "Gemstone" is a unique category, and includes dice made from semi-precious stone, synthetic stone, and glass. As you can imagine, crafting dice from solid amethyst or synthetic opal takes more time than manufacturing dice made from acrylic plastic or resin. When you add the cost of materials to the extended time it takes to make the dice, you end up with an expensive set of dice.

Just how expensive?

Well, despite the increased cost we really try to keep the Gemstone dice as affordable as possible. Currently, the majority of sets are available for $44.00 USD. From there, the price increases from $55.00 and up. The most expensive Gemstone dice set is at $100.00 (Dichroic Rainbow Glass, I'm looking at you!).

Absolutely Gorgeous

Even at $44.00, I realize that a set of Gemstone dice falls outside the budget of many gamers and casual players. That being said, if you can afford a set of these dice you're in for a real treat. We currently carry 48 Gemstone dice sets, and each and every one is gorgeous.

I'm a bit of a rock hound, and I'm personally drawn to the natural stone sets (Bloodstone, Natural Fluorite, and Snowflake Obsidian are personal faves). Although I'm a rock fan, I'm absolutely captivated by the synthetic Cat's Eye sets (blue is my favorite). Everyone has their own preferences, but one of the things that makes the Gemstone collection fun is the number of dice, materials, and colors available. For premium dice, there is a lot to choose from and, we truly have dice available for all tastes.

Are The Dice Durable?

One Gemstone dice question I get asked from time-to-time is in regards to durability. Are the dice fragile? Will they break?

In Case You Missed It: The New Warlock Dice Will Put A Spell On You

A few things to consider. Gemstone dice are made from a variety of materials (as mentioned previously). The dice are extremely well-made and are intended to be used for normal game play. That said, the dice are different from plastic or metal dice, and need a little extra love on game night.

Gemstone dice are precious and should be cared for accordingly. For instance, you would never want to store a set of glass dice in a bag where they rattle around or bang into each other when you roll them. Gemstone dice will last a lifetime if properly cared for. It's recommended that:

• Between game sessions, you store the dice in the protective case that's included with each set.
• You only roll the dice on a soft surface (a dice tray, game mat, etc.).

Final Thoughts

Make sure to take a look at our Gemstone dice and let me know your favorites. Even though our collection is extensive, we hope to add more Gemstone dice to the store in the upcoming months. You can never have enough dice :)

That's it for now, fellow travelers! Keep rolling nat 20s and always live life to the fullest, never forgetting friends, family, and neighbors. Life is good, and you are special -- you have the unique power to make this world such an amazing place. Happy adventuring!

Why Dungeons & Dragons? If you’re visiting Dark Elf Dice, chances are you're a fan of the world's greatest tabletop role-playing game and can hazard a guess. Still, I think it’s important to explain the roots of our business, and why I started a company to supply amazing dice for gamers and collectors all across the globe. Maybe my story is like yours? If not, perhaps you can relate to it in some way.

Product Of Your Imagination…

I’ll never forget my first introduction to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. It was shortly after Christmas day, 1981, and like usual I was hanging out with my best friend. We spent the better part of the day ice skating on the frozen channel behind Mike's house and playing Combat and Missile Command on his Atari 2600. If Norman Rockwell were to illustrate a picture forever commemorating the idyllic day of a 12 year old from my generation, this was it. No school, no responsibilities, and nothing to do but have fun!

We had a few hours to kill before I had to go home for dinner, so Mike asked if I wanted to play a new game he got for Christmas. “Sure,” I said, thinking we were going to play Sorry or Monopoly. As we sat on his living room floor he brought out the Dungeons & Dragons basic set with the far-out cover illustration by Erol Otus (still my favorite D&D artist to this day). I was immediately drawn to the otherworldly colors and scene depicted on the box — the dragon rising from the depths of a subterranean river, the helmeted warrior leaning back with spear and shield, and the strangely alluring sorceress ready to hurl a green ball of flaming fire at the beast. This was definitely not Monopoly!

This Game Speaks To Me

Within moments of rolling up my first character, I was hooked. The strange dice, the heroic and mystical setting, the open world possibilities — Dungeons & Dragons completely and absolutely changed my concept of what a game was and should be. As a kid, I already had an active imagination fueled by the likes of Star Wars and Tolkien. D&D though seized my imagination in a memorable way. Sitting on that living room floor all those years ago, I came to the sudden realization that I wasn’t just hearing a story (like in a movie or book), I was the story. This was powerful and exhilarating. There was no radioactive spider from my childhood, but boy I was bitten.

In Case You Missed It: Is It Star Wars Day Already?

Growing Older

Dungeons & Dragons has seen many changes since that time. Its principle creator has passed away, and the small Wisconsin company that introduced my generation to the possibilities of role-playing is sadly no more. Still, others have answered the call and stepped forward. Dungeons & Dragons is in excellent hands with a group of writers and designers who care deeply for the game and an outstanding company that acknowledges the game’s history, yet has unique visions for its future. The D&D franchise is over 40 years old, and is still rolling natural 20s all day long!

Why Dungeons & Dragons?

To conclude, D&D is worth celebrating. Personally, it’s a game that helped define my childhood and helped nurture my imagination in ways I could never dream possible. Just as importantly though, it’s a game that helped introduce me to friends and fellow gamers throughout the years. The imaginative and social aspects of D&D are the source of its power for older players such as myself, and for 12 year olds from this generation cracking open a D&D Starter Set for the very first time.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it fellow travelers! Thanks for letting me share this special memory with you. I've had many careers, but running Dark Elf Dice with my family truly is a dream come true. I feel blessed, each and every day, and I'm grateful that I'm able to share my passion for gaming with you all. In the end, I want us all to have fun -- just like that 12 year old from 1981, wide-eyed and brimming with excitement at the possibilities of untold imagination and adventure. Until next time!

The Eye Beast Dice Giveaway Is Now Closed

Congratulations to the three lucky entrants of our giveaway!

Eric Y.

Joshua G.

Alma Y.

Also, we sincerely thank everyone who submitted an entry. The Eye Beast dice giveaway had a total of 429 entrants. We had a lot of fun, and plan on running future giveaways on our website and social media. Thank you again and happy adventuring!

Eye Beast Dice

All right everyone, it’s time for another Dark Elf Dice giveaway! This time we're giving away a set of Eye Beast Dice to three lucky people. Winners can pick their favorite dice -- there are six different Eye Beast sets available. Check 'em out here.

Dice Giveaway Rules

• Entering for a chance to win is super easy. All you need to do is click the link below to complete a giveaway entry.
• Please Note: Your information WILL ONLY be used to contact you in case you win. You do have the option of subscribing to the Dark Elf Dice newsletter, but this is completely optional and does not improve your chances of being randomly selected.
• Entries will be collected through July 7, 2021 at 10:00PM Mountain Time. Three winners will be chosen at random via Random.org on July 8.
• Only one entry per person please. Multiple entries will be discarded and will not improve the chances of being randomly selected.

At Dark Elf Dice, we pride ourselves on carrying one of the world's largest, and best collections of roleplaying game dice for collectors and TTRPG players and game masters. As such, we're continually adding new products to our ever growing catalog. There are so many new dice coming out this summer we can barely keep up!

The New Warlock Dice

One of the early releases this season are the new Warlock dice. Two new additions are joining our ever popular Chain Lightning and Blood Rage dice sets -- the Dark Foresight and (one of my personal favorites) Crown of Madness.

Warlock dice feature a spell-like, cracked pattern design resembling a pure energy/ electric charge. The dice are cast in solid metal for a durable, nice and heavy feel and the cracks and numbers are filled with a colorful enamel paint. The end result is a unique dice set just bursting with character.

Warlock Dice: Dark Foresight

Warlock Dice: Crown of Madness

Putting A Spell On You

As you can imagine, being the founder of Dark Elf Dice is a lot of fun. Not only do I get to meet fellow gamers and collectors from across the globe, I get to bring new dice to market with the help of my family and production partners. When I reviewed the first Warlock dice prototype, and was blown away by how different the dice are. There's been a lot of technological advancements in the dice making biz over the last decade, and we keep pushing the boundaries in what's possible to create. A cracked pattern design wouldn't have been possible back in the day.

In Case You Missed It: Looking Back At The Dragon Issue 1

During my initial review, I was also impressed at how Warlock dice could fill a niche. A lot of the metal dice we sell are geared towards melee character classes. This makes a lot of sense if you think about it -- nice heavy dice that roll like thunder just scream fighter or barbarian (our Bersker metal line is a perfect example). With Warlock dice however, we can offer metal dice for spellcasters. This is awesome for players and game masters who enjoy matching up dice with their character builds. Nothing says you can't use Warlock dice for a tank Barbarian of course, but the dice were designed with magic-users in mind.

Warlock Dice: Chain Lightning

Warlock Dice: Blood Rage

Final Thoughts

So that's it for this week fellow travelers :) I hope you like our new Warlock dice as much as I do. Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the Comment section below, and never forget that you're special and have the power and privilege to make this world a better place. You have been, and will always be amazing. Keep rolling nat 20s each and every day!