Dice Delve: Chain-Chain-Chaaaaaaain...Chain of Diiiiice...

Impact! Miniatures has made a great contribution to the OSR community by manufacturing a full line of odd-and-unusual dice specifically for games like Dungeon Crawl Classics, Mutant Crawl Classics, and their upcoming release, Lankhmar that utilizes a “dice chain” mechanic that goes from 1d3 to 1d30. You can one-stop shop and get exactly what you need, which is a good thing, because searching hither and thither for a d16 is, in my opinion, a bunch of bullshit. If you make a game that relies on weird-ass dice, you are obligated to provide those dice to your customers. Which they do. But Impact does a better job of it, in my opinion



Dungeon Crawl Classics Dice from Impact! Miniatures 

Rating: 4/5

This is a complete set of dice in light purple. It looks pinkish.

Clarity   Yes
Heft       Yes

Color     Yes

Theme   No

Value     Yes

The Good: These dice are popular enough that there are a number of great colors, including glow-in-the-dark dice (for Mutant Crawl Classics, of course). You can buy a full matching set and do it at the most reasonable price for a full set of these boogers. Goodman Games has some sets available on their website.

The numbers are clear and easy to read, even on the
dumb dice like the d7. 

The Bad: These dice have a style and feel that reminds me of old Koplow Dice, which I never really liked. Note: if you do like the old school Koplow dice, just mentally push this paragraph up under The Good heading. They feel all right, heavy enough, but there’s just something—different about them. I can’t put my finger on it. My dice are fine, but they are off-putting. Thin numbers? Tactile sensation? Non-Euclidian madness at having to deal with these weirdly-shaped dice?

Maybe it’s just me.

Look at the size of this d30. You need a trebuchet to roll it. 

The Ugly: If you’re looking for these dice, and Goodman Games is sold out of their branded sets (a constant problem), these dice will save you five bucks and squeak in at just under $20, USD. However, Impact! Miniatures is a UK-based company, so that’s a flat $5 added for the dice, making them nearly the same as what Goodman Games sells. Only difference really is that Impact! Will have the dice to sell you, whereas Goodman Games does not. 

Recommendation: While not sexy in terms of high-impact plastic choices, these dice are nevertheless essential for OSR excursions. Being able to get all of the weird-ass sizes in one place is super helpful. Just be sure to keep a cheat sheet on hand so you don’t confuse your d16 with your d24.  If you only buy one of these weird-ass dice, go ahead and get the d30. You never know when you’re going to suddenly need one to kill a feral squirrel in your garage.