If you make your rolls in the open, consider using jumbo dice — like this 55 millimeter d20. (I’ve only seen d6s and d20s in sizes this large, but I’ve seen slightly smaller versions in d4, d8, d10, d% and d12 as well.) If you’ve got plenty of rolling space, you could even go super-jumbo with a 6″ foam d20, although that seems silly for most applications.
Using bigger dice makes it easier for your players to see what you rolled, and if you’re rolling outside your screen, easier for you to see as well — doubly so if you stand when you’re running combats, like I do.
I’ve had at least one player who really disliked my jumbo d20s, so take this tip with a grain of salt (like all GMing advice!).
I’ve never been a fan of the 55mm d20, although I own one. I’ve found that they don’t roll as well, more likely to just drop without any rotation.
Doesn’t a 1/2 pound die damage your table surface?
I’ve thought about getting this for my youngest!
That way he can’t lose his d20 at the table. 🙂
I’ve seen some pretty ridiculously-sized dice in the past. And though I don’t use them myself, I’ve often wondered what the effect would be if players and GMs only took them out for truly important rolls. For example, you only use the big d20 for “save or die” situations. I think the reaction of the players would be truly hilarious if you unveiled the die mid-game without explaining why. 🙂
Using jumbo dice in conjunction with open rolls struck me as “take that.” I didn’t like it. It felt like the dice, not the GM, was dictating the game. (“See, I didn’t kill you…this giant d20 did!”)
But then, I don’t care for open die rolls (by the GM) so I won’t venture down that trainwreck yet again… 😉
Giant die the gaming version of the epeen? 😀
I think my favorite version of the jumbo die is around 22 mm, and unfortunately I’m not sure who makes it (I don’t think it’s Koplow, but I couldn’t find it on the Chessex website, and those are my two favorite dice companies).
I suspect a 55 mm d20 would have a decent shot at damaging your table — I hadn’t considered that at all. I’ve never had any problems with my 22 mm, and it rolls just fine. I keep a 55 mm in my car to throw at potential carjackers. 😉
As for epeen candidates, I respectfully submit a) the size of one’s dice collection, b) the number of GMing screens owned or c) number of RPG books as candidates. 😉
Martin, with all due respect, giant dice are just plain silly. Silliness is good. Silliness refreshes the soul in some ways. But a night of rolling the equivalent to a polyhedral bowling ball is just too silly for me.
Now how about poster sized character sheets and giant sized pencils? That would make the game way cool! 😉
the giant boot from the order of the stick comes to mind, for some reason. anyway, we have enough problems with fistfuls of dice causing the minis to dance a little on the whiteboard, i dread to imagine the havoc a huge d20 would cause.
(VV_GM) Martin, with all due respect, giant dice are just plain silly.
I freely admit my unhealthy obsession with dice. Moderately giant dice, however, are objectively badass, and not silly in any way. 😛
(Martin) Moderately giant dice, however, are objectively badass, and not silly in any way.
Especially when you drill a hole through said large die, and attach it to a large stick using a thick rope.
Viola – a flail!
Or mount one on the end of a cane. Geek pimpin anyone?
I can honestly say that I’ve never disagreed with you more.
Do you have any idea what giant dice do to painted metal miniatures???
Oh, the humanity…
-Tom
“Viola – a flail!” I think a viola would be a better club, but after the first good hit, it may well be a flail…
Ahem. I GM with the 22mm set in black, and refer to them as the Black Dice of Death. (“Los Dados Negros de la Morte!”) I roll in the open, generally speaking, and these are readable from across the table.
I’ve got one of the monster foam d20s, but it’s a novelty. I’ve also got a small and “normal” sized metal dice, and a 55mm d20… OK, it’s not an addiction; I can stop anytime I want!!
I would so rock out with the Geek Cane!!
I think the next step would be to rig it so that it could shoot dice out the other end for your rolls . .