Gamers have always imbued their dice with a little bit of myth. Dice are the random engines that decide whether a hero survives a dragon’s breath or whether a lock pops open. It’s no surprise that players develop superstitions about how those little polyhedrons behave. As dice makers and long-time players, we’ve heard them all. Here are three of the most common D&D dice superstitions and what the facts tell us about them.
1. The Unbalanced Plastic Myth
The most persistent belief is that mass-produced plastic dice can’t be trusted. Players will sometimes roll a die hundreds of times or dunk it in salt water, searching for a “weighted” side. There is a kernel of truth here: injection-molded dice can have air pockets or irregular faces if the sprues aren’t removed cleanly. When manufacturers tumble resin dice to polish them, the process can leave them slightly egg-shaped, which might cause them to settle on a particular face. Skilled artisans mitigate these issues by using pressure pots to remove air bubbles and sanding each face to maintain symmetry.
So, are all plastic dice cursed? Not really. Modern manufacturing has improved dramatically since the early days of role-playing. Most polyhedral dice are isohedral, meaning each face is the same shape and area, so the odds of rolling any number are equal. Simple tests such as the salt-water float test can reveal extreme imperfections, but a few rolls will not reveal true bias - you need thousands of rolls to see a statistical trend. Higher-end resin dice and hand-crafted sharp-edge sets are cast under pressure and sanded flat to eliminate internal bubbles. Metal and glass dice are machined or cast as solid pieces, so there is no chance of hidden voids. If you buy from a reputable maker and roll on a proper surface, your plastic dice will be fair enough for any adventurer. For those who still worry, premium materials like metal or glass offer peace of mind.
2. Sharp-Edge Versus Rounded Dice
Another superstition claims that sharp-edge dice are “more accurate” than their rounded counterparts. This idea has its roots in casinos, where craps dice are polished to razor edges to ensure fairness and prevent them from rolling too long. Sharp-edge resin dice used by many tabletop role-players share that quality: their crisp corners help them stop quickly, reducing the chance that a worn corner will influence the outcome. Conversely, rounded dice can wear down over time. As edges become more rounded from use, the die may become slightly egg-shaped, which can introduce a bias in the long run. Premium sharp-edge dice are less prone to this kind of wear and maintain consistent results longer.
That does not mean your favorite rounded set is doomed. Both styles are fair when made properly. The difference is that sharp-edge sets maintain their fairness for more rolls. If you like the look and feel of sharp-edge resin or gemstone dice, go for it, they will hold their edges longer. If you prefer rounded edges, replace heavily worn dice from time to time. Either way, quality and care matter more than the edge shape itself.
3. Hands-Off My Dice
The last superstition has nothing to do with physics and everything to do with etiquette. Many players have a “hands off my dice” policy. A tongue-in-cheek blog post captures it well: the author declares, “Hands off my dice! I simply don’t like other people touching my dice… if you touch my dice without my permission, you’re certain to be blamed when the bad rolls start coming up.” Around gaming tables, players joke that dice absorb their owner’s luck or “mojo,” and that someone else touching them will cause bad rolls.
This superstition persists because dice are personal objects. A set that carried you through a legendary campaign becomes part of your story, and you want to protect that connection. While there is no evidence that another player’s fingers can ruin a die’s randomness, respecting the “no touch” rule keeps everyone comfortable. If you need to borrow a die, ask first. And if you are the DM, consider keeping extra sets on hand for players who forget theirs.
Why We Still Believe
Dice superstitions endure because they add texture to our games. Rolling for your life against a dragon is exciting; blaming a “cursed” die for a natural one gives us a way to laugh when things go wrong. As long as everyone understands that quality manufacturing and proper rolling surfaces are what matter most, there is no harm in keeping a dice jail or insisting no one else touch your favorite set. And if you are ready to upgrade your ritual, explore our collection of dice. From sharp-edge precision sets to premium metals and gemstone beauties... and find your next lucky charm.
