I Know What You Rolled Last Summer... and It Wasn't Good

Red and white dnd dice set with a halloween-style splatter pattern, displayed on a black background.

Why Your Dice Matter More Than You Think

We’ve all been there. The sun was shining, snacks were stacked, your party was geared up for a legendary quest—and then it happened. A cruel streak of ones. An insult to your bard’s dignity. A betrayal of wizarding proportions. I’m talking about those rolls. The cursed kind. The kind you'll never live down because your DM won’t let you forget.

"That beachside one-shot ended with my cleric falling off a lighthouse because I rolled a natural one three times. In a row."

Last summer was supposed to be epic: a vacation-themed TTRPG extravaganza with my core group. We had premade characters, a custom setting (“Palm of the Forgotten Gods,” thank you very much), and mood lighting. But what we didn't have was luck. Dice luck, specifically.

This is my story. But more importantly, it's yours too. Because if you’ve played tabletop RPGs for any length of time, you've probably suffered from brutal dice betrayal. Fortunately, I’ve learned a few things since then—including how to stack the odds back in your favor with the right gear, attitude, and maybe even a little dice-based superstition.

The Great Dice Curse of ‘23

Summer 2023, our group headed to a lakeside cabin with nothing but miniatures, rulebooks, and mountaintop dreams of critical hits. Instead, we got critical fails. Every. Single. Night.

By the end of the trip, we were crafting conspiracy theories around who brought the cursed dice (it was Jared. Always Jared.) and desperately seeking divine intervention. Spoiler: no god came, only more ones. Even the stoic druid started second-guessing her wild shapes out of fear of fumbling the transformation roll.

That trip taught me one very real truth: dice matter.

Not only do they carry weight—literally and metaphorically—but they set the tone. And when you’re holding a janky blind-bag d20 like it’s your fate tethered to plastic chaos? Yeah, maybe it’s time you upgraded. Or at least changed the vibe.

Rolling Forward: From Curse to Crit

So, what changed between last year’s disaster and this year’s revenge arc? Simple: I embraced the dice that actually spark joy (and critical hits). Here are a few hero upgrades that saved my table—and might just save yours:

1. Balance and Beauty: Let the Dice Work for You

If you’ve ever questioned the fairness of your rolls (who hasn’t?), consider investing in dice that aren’t just gorgeous—they’re engineered right. The 1985 Games Premium Mystery Dice 6-Pack changed my game. Literally.

These blind bags come in a variety of striking styles, but the real magic is that each set is well-made, balanced, and feels awesome in your hand. There's a subtle psychological confidence boost when you roll with something that feels lucky.

And hey, if you truly believe your fates are sealed by past rolls—what better way to reset than with a brand-new mystery set?

Colorful sharp edge dnd dice sets in a black dice tray.

2. Make a Statement: Big Rolls, Big Energy

Let me introduce you to the MVP of this year’s campaign: the Sharp Edge 55mm D20 Chonk. Yes, that’s right—a 55mm chonky d20. This thing drops like a thunderclap and earns respect with every roll. Opponents shudder, and teammates cheer. There’s power in big dice, folks.

I now save it for boss fights, dramatic moments, or when I need the table’s attention. Think of it as my “power roll” tool—it might not guarantee a 20, but it guarantees drama.

A 55mm cosmic pink sharp edge dice next to its branded box, displayed on a white background.

3. Keep It Fresh (And Themed!)

You know what makes late-night dungeon crawling 20% more fun? Dice that match the vibes. The 1985 Games Collectible Polyhedral Dice Sets have themes that add flavor to your loot piles and ambiance to your necromancer showdown. I have a set I use just when playing my warlock—and yes, they’re black and glittery and slightly unnerving.

Get yourself a rotating dice arsenal. Not only does it help shake off unlucky streaks, but it's also a subtle way to enhance your immersion in the world you’re building.

Note: Rotating dice between sessions (or characters) is more than superstition. It keeps dice durable, maintains novelty, and gives you a reason to collect more. You're welcome.

An empty Premium Mystery Dice bag lying flat on a pile of assorted rpg dice and dnd stickers.

Still Not Convinced Dice Make a Difference?

Then let me show you the internet's collective pain:

It’s not just you. Bad dice streaks are a shared trauma. But with a few smart upgrades, you can turn your fate around.

Tips to Reverse the Dice Curse

  • Retire bad dice. If one die keeps rolling low, don’t just keep using it for spite. Give it a timeout—or better yet, let it go. And if you're feeling extra creative, give them a dice exorcism.
  • Keep multiple sets at hand. Bonus points for style and theme—that’s why collecting isn’t just fun, it’s tactical.
  • Celebrate the fails. Lean into the ridiculous. Narrate the trip-and-fall with flair. A good fail is sometimes better than a bland success.
  • Let players experiment. Bring a mystery bag to your next session and let everyone pick a new set. Mood reset == total party energy shift.

Roll Better Memories This Year

Last summer was a chaotic mess of bad rolls and failed saves. But this summer? It’s a comeback story. With the right dice, a little humor, and a GM who lets the nat-1s become legendary moments instead of dead ends, any session can be unforgettable.

So go on, grab some new dice, tell your story, and for the love of the tabletop gods—stop blaming Jared (well, maybe just a little).

A collection of mystery dice sets in assorted cosmic colors arranged in a tray, shown on a black background.

Post updated on June 13, 2025, to improve navigation.

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