D20 Cabal

Intro (Editor's note: This guest blogger is not an affiliate of 1985 Games) I did not plan to have this many dice. About 18 months ago—after a pretty rough stretch—I bought my first mystery dice set at a comic shop. I didn't think I would start a collection. I'd been toying with the idea of learning D&D and saw this pretty cool-looking Halloween set hanging near a box of '70s horror comics.  And now as I write this, I'm staring at four giant D20s that have no more point than to sit near my mouse like stones that would power some kind of warp drive in yet another Star Trek  series. I guess I've become like kids these days who get antsy if they don't have their tablet and headphones in reach. All I can say is that being a dice hoarder keeps me plugged into a world that I would rather be in if I didn't have to do dumb stuff like work so I can do more dumb stuff like eat. Without my dice hoard, I would be in a sorry state. For perspective, I would not sa...

Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever run or played in a TTRPG campaign, you already know how powerful the right set of dice can be. And not just mechanically powerful, I mean the kind of dice that spark joy every time you touch them. Dice that look so good, they practically beg you to roll a nat 20.  That’s where cute D&D dice come in. They’re not just accessories—they're mood setters, character enhancers, and conversation starters. Not to mention the ultimate in joyful d&d gifts!  But now let me tell you why cute dice—also known as kawaii dice if you're new to the dice goblin business—absolutely deserve a place of honor in every gamer’s hoard. Cute dice aren't just fun—they're immersive tools that enhance our stories and bring a little magic to every roll. The Aesthetic Stats Matter Most of us are deeply invested in theme and aesthetic—whether you’re sketching out a brooding warlock’s backstory or designing your next Feywild-inspired one-shot. So why wouldn...

There’s something magical about Saturday morning cartoons. The bold colors, zany characters, and larger-than-life energy captured our imaginations and never really let go. If you’re like me—a GM with a love for nostalgia, vibrant aesthetics, and the satisfying click-clack of dice—it’s only natural to want your dice to reflect a little of that cartoon chaos from childhood. So if you're pulling inspiration from wild worlds and cinematic action, or just want your session to have that cartoon sparkle, grab your soda and a bowl of overly sugary cereal—because today we’re diving into three RPG dice sets that roll with the energy and style of a Saturday morning cartoon. If your dice don’t roll like they’re about to shout their own name in a cartoon theme song, you’re missing the magic. 1. VHS Dice Set: Surge Green  – Bold Enough for a Saturday Morning Mutant Remember the mutant-filled, sewer-dwelling turtle heroes of your childhood? The Surge edition of the 1985 Games VHS Dice...

If there's one thing I know as a longtime gamemaster who’s rolled initiative more times than I've checked my email, it’s that dice are more than tools—they're a vibe. Not just any vibe, but a straight-up personality statement at your table. And lately, there's been a showdown brewing at my weekly TTRPG sessions: the beautiful, glittering sharp edge resin sets vs. the gloriously over-the-top giant  D20s . You’ve seen it—Diceblade, who insists their sharp edge set is “tuned for accuracy,” is rolling with an ice-blue shard of translucent fury. Across the table, Captain Critstorm (they made everyone call them that after one nat 20) slams down a 55mm rainbow monolith that looks like it exploded out of a Saturday morning cartoon. It’s a dice-off—like a synth battle between neon spandex and leather jackets. Sharp edge dice and jumbo D20s aren’t just different—they’re from different planes of aesthetic reality, and when they hit the table together, it's like watching V...

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,...

There’s something magical about cracking open a box of polyhedral dice that look like they tumbled out of a 1980s lunchbox cluttered with graph paper and lead miniatures. Maybe it's the nostalgia, maybe it's the brutalist aesthetic, or maybe it's just the way those old-school colors and fonts make the game feel grittier and a little more dangerous. Whatever the reason, retro-style dice are back—big time—and they’re here to bring all the throwback feels to your modern tabletop. I’ve been GMing for over a decade now, and while I love the sleek, sharp-edged gemstone dice that glitter like dragon hoards, nothing beats the vibe of a good retro set. These dice don’t just roll—they tell a story, and if you’re like me, you're always hunting for the next set that sparks that old-school flavor. Like this glorious chaos, which looks like it was summoned from a Saturday morning cartoon with a hit die: I love round sharks... #dice #dnd #ttrpg pic.twitter.com/UM2EonMhWk — DIS...

Why Your Dice Hate You (And How to Fix It) If you're like me, you've stared at a d20 with fury in your eyes after yet another failed saving throw. You blame bad luck. You threaten your dice. Some of us have even banished them to dice jail. Sound familiar? You're not alone. It might feel like your dice hate you —but there’s more going on here than just misfortune. Let’s dive into the real reasons your rolls are cursed, and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Curse of the Cold Dice Ever sit down to your weekly game and notice that for the first 30 minutes, it’s nothing but ones and threes? You’re not imagining things. Dice that haven’t been rolled or warmed up can behave unpredictably. Plastic, resin, and even sharp-edged dice can roll differently based on minor temperature and wear factors. You might think your dice are cursed, but in reality—they’re just misunderstood. The solution? Get those rolls moving before game time. Roll your dice a few dozen ...

I once walked into a gym, curious but clueless about all the equipment. The first thing I saw was a guy lifting a massive barbell— so heavy it looked like it could anchor a Warhammer tank. When he set it down, the crash sounded like a Basilisk artillery shell hitting a LARP field. I quietly backed out, realizing that kind of intensity wasn’t for me. But that over- the- top energy? That’s exactly what an RPG table needs. And nothing brings that vibe like a giant d20 dice ready to make a statement. Because let’s be honest: sometimes the only thing better than rolling high is doing it with thunderous flair.  BIG ROLL ENERGY There’s nothing subtle about a giant d20 dice. That’s the point. These dice roll like they mean it. They’re loud, theatrical, and just a little bit dramatic— perfect for the moment your bard tries to seduce the villain or your barbarian finally gets to rage. Even if you’re the kind of player who usually goes for sharp edge dice precision or miniature dice fi...