How Many Dice Are in a D&D Set (and Do You Need Your Own)?

How many dice are in a standard D&D set?

A standard D&D dice set has seven dice. It contains one of each die the game uses, plus a second ten-sided die for rolling percentages. With these seven you can make any roll in the Player's Handbook, although some rolls take a few throws of the same die. If you don't have a set yet, you can roll any of them online, starting with the d20 roller.

The full explanation of each shape and name is in D&D dice names. Some boxed sets sell more than seven, usually by adding extra d6s or a second d20, but seven is the standard.

Is one set of dice enough to play D&D?

Yes. One set is enough for any class at any level. When a rule says to roll several of the same die, such as 3d6, you can roll your single d6 three times and add the results. It is slower, not wrong.

Where one set starts to feel slow is with big damage rolls. A Fireball is 8d6, and a 19th-level Rogue rolls 10d6 of Sneak Attack. Rolling one die eight or ten times in a row breaks the pace of combat, which is why many players pick up extras over time.

Which classes need extra dice?

Every class uses the d20 constantly. Beyond that, the extra dice that are worth having depend on your class and your favorite features. Hit dice are the same in the 2014 and 2024 rules.

The Monk's Martial Arts die depends on the rules you use: in the 2014 rules it starts at d4, and in the 2024 rules it starts at d6. In both, it gets bigger as you level up.

Why would you want a second d20?

Advantage and disadvantage are rolled with two d20s at once: you keep the higher result with advantage and the lower one with disadvantage. You can roll one d20 twice, but having two is faster and avoids arguments about which roll came first. A second d20 is the single most useful die to add to a basic set. Read more in advantage and disadvantage in 5e.

Do you need your own dice, or can you share?

Sharing is completely normal, especially at a first session. A typical table can run a whole game with two or three sets passed around. Still, most regular players end up owning at least one set, for a few practical reasons:

• Speed: you don't have to wait for the DM or another player to finish with the d20.
• Hygiene: some people prefer not to pass small objects around during snacks.
• Habit and fun: many players enjoy picking dice that match their character. That is personal taste; it doesn't change the odds.

A basic plastic set is inexpensive, and resin, metal and gemstone sets cost more. A beginner doesn't need anything fancy. If you're unsure what to look for, our polyhedral dice guide covers how to read each die and spot obvious flaws.

Can you use an online dice roller instead?

Yes. An online roller is a good backup for forgotten dice, a lost d4 under the couch, or online games where nobody can see your physical rolls anyway. Our roller covers the d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 and d100, lets you roll several dice at once and add a flat bonus, and uses the browser's crypto.getRandomValues for each result. For big rolls you can go straight to a page like the 8d6 roller for Fireball.

Some groups prefer physical dice at the table because everyone can see the roll land, and that's a fair preference. For a balanced comparison, read dice roller app vs physical dice.

How many dice does a Dungeon Master need?

A DM rolls for every monster, so a few more dice help. Two d20s are the minimum, since monsters get advantage and disadvantage too. A handful of extra d6s, d8s and d10s makes monster damage quicker, and many DMs keep a separate set behind the screen so they never have to borrow from players. When several identical monsters attack at once, some DMs roll one d20 per monster in different colors, so each result is easy to match to the right creature. Initiative for a big fight can also be tracked with an initiative tracker instead of more dice.

What should a new player buy first?

1. One standard seven-die set. This covers every roll in the game.
2. A second d20, for advantage and disadvantage.
3. Extra dice that match your class: d6s for Rogues and blasters, d8s for Paladins and Clerics.
4. Optionally, a dice tray to keep rolls on the table.

That's it. Everything after that is collecting, which is fun but entirely optional.

FAQ

How many dice come in a D&D set?

Seven: one each of the d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and d20, plus a percentile die numbered in tens. Some sets add extra d6s or a second d20.

Do I need my own dice to play D&D?

No. Players often share dice, and an online dice roller works fine. Most people buy a set once they know they enjoy the game.

How many d6 do I need for D&D?

One is enough to play, since you can roll it several times. If you play a Rogue, Wizard or Sorcerer, having 6 to 10 d6s makes rolls like Sneak Attack or Fireball (8d6) much faster.

Why do D&D players have so many dice?

Mostly because they like them. Extra dice speed up big damage rolls, and many players collect sets in different colors or materials for different characters.

Related

• Roll a d20
• D&D Dice Names: What Each of the 7 Dice Is Used For
• Polyhedral Dice Explained for New Players
• Roll 8d6