Whether you’re talking tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) nights, dice games in general, or a combination thereof, dice towers add a whole new level to your gaming experience. Technically, yeah, not everyone needs one, but they sure do add a lot to the gameplay.
And did you know that these babies have been around not just since this century, but actually date all the way back to at least the Fourth Century? Yeah, basically ever since dice have been around, dice towers have been here to help keep gameplay fair. There are some surviving examples from the Roman Empire found in Germany, with one special one known as the Vettweiss-Froitzheim Dice Tower, which is still kept in the Rheinisches Landesmuseum of Bonn today. It’s made of copper-alloy plate and looks kind of similar to the dice towers we use today. Many dice towers are often available on sale, making them an affordable addition to any game night.
Let’s dive in and see what these things are, who they’re for, and how to choose the right one. Then it’s on to our list of the 10 best choices available right now.
What is a Dice Tower?
So, what exactly is a dice tower, you ask? Well, it’s a small “tower” box tool with an opening at the top and a “shoot” or opening at the bottom. The dice are dropped into the top of the tower and bounce around off the various hidden surfaces (baffles) built into the tower to create friction to “shake things up” before the dice drop out at the bottom. Some dice towers have unique features like turning mechanisms that transform them from a scroll case into a functional dice tower. These help prevent players from cheating when dice are rolled by hand. They also add a bit of pageantry to gameplay.
Originally, dice towers were made from metal and likely wood, and these days, it’s about the same, except we also have plastic, PU leather, acrylic, or some combination thereof.
Who Should Use a Dice Tower? A Guide for Players
Gamers in general can benefit from using dice towers, but there are some specific subsets that particularly benefit.
Folks who have difficulty rolling dice by hand,
TTRPG players whose gamemaster needs to see dice rolls without the other players seeing them,
Players looking for fair dice rolls,
Folks who tend to lose dice off the table when they roll,
Those who prefer a more controlled rolling experience,
Gamers who have limited game surface space,
Competitive gaming (professional and semi-professional),
Gamers who need a dice tower that can fit conveniently in a folder or backpack, making it ideal for portability and ease of use,
And heck, those who just love the added aesthetic of these gorgeous towers!
What to Look for in a Dice Tower
Before you buy any old dice tower, it’s important to consider these factors for your most frequent gaming sessions.
Portability isn’t the end-all in dice towers, but it certainly makes gaming a lot more convenient!
The dice tray size should accommodate the gaming style you use most often. So if the tray only holds one or two dice and you usually roll several at once, consider a different option or two copies of the same tower if you really love how it looks.
Consider multipurpose use, if needed. Most of the towers also include some form of storage, but not all.
The dice tower should have aesthetics you can appreciate. Whether that’s a low-key base unit like the Collapsible Transparent Dice Tower or the fancy AUSPDICE dice tower that’s literally a tower of stairs, you’ll want to ensure it vibes with your gameplay style.
Your budget should also be noted. Many of the options run under $20, but some go a little higher or even triple that amount.
Many online stores allow you to add dice towers to your cart and inform you when your cart is empty, enhancing the shopping experience.
The Best Dice Towers
If you’re convinced that a dice tower is a great choice for you, you’ll be happy to find there are tons of unique variations of the tool, including options that range from the “dark and moody” like Cthulhu-inspired images to skulls. You’ll also find more colorful “fun” options like winding staircases, hammers, and spellbook towers.
Check the options below to find the right one for your budget, game-playing style, and aesthetic leaning. And don’t forget to share your own experiences and stories about using dice towers in your games.
CZYY Laser Etched Wood Cthulhu Dice Tower with Tray
One of the absolute highest-rated options available is the CZYY Laser Etched Wood Cthulhu Dice Tower with Tray. The unique aesthetic offers that monster appeal while not being too overt. It’s also a budget-friendly choice for folks looking for a bargain without compromising quality.
The dice tower has a laser-etched design of eldritch beings on its front and sides, with stone and flame motifs mixed with teeth and cage-screen touches for a dungeon-like feel.
The dice tower stands at 6.7 inches tall, by 2.3 inches in width, with a 2.3-inch square tray. The tower folds up for portability and only takes up a small space when in use. The tray also works to hold your favorite dice when the tower is tucked away, so you don’t have to carry anything separately when you head out to game night. The tower works with standard-sized dice up to D30, with a full set of dice dropped in.
Collapsible Transparent Dice Tower
For another budget-friendly, highly-rated portable option, consider the Collapsible Transparent Dice Tower from Milky House Store. The plastic dice tower is created using a high-definition transparent design for easy use and easier “vision.” (Note: when you receive the dice tower, peel off the double-sided frosted protective film to reveal the clear tower.)
The dice tower stands at 16 inches, by 2.6 inches, by 7.1 inches, so it’s nice and compact for crowded playing surfaces. The tower is easy to assemble and take down, making it perfect for quick gameplay, travel, and storage.
Forged Dice Co. Draco Castle Foldable Dice Tower and Tray
For a little higher price, you can grab a Forged Dice Co. Draco Castle Tower. This particular tower is also one of the highest rated on the web and happens to be extremely portable as well. The dice tower and tray fold up neatly for easy transport, and when it’s upright, it stands at 11 inches by 9.5 inches, with .75-inch thick walls. The tower and tray hold together with strong magnets and snaps, so it’s not going to fall, even when handled a lot or bumped during gameplay. The tower is made from high-quality PU leather and soft felt and comes in all black, or black with blue, gray, green, purple, red, or multi-colored “dragon skin.”
C4Labs Travel Portable Drawbridge Dice Tower
Made of walnut wood, the Drawbridge Dice Tower from C4Labs combines the beauty of wood with the fun clarity of transparent acrylic. This dice tower is another highly popular version for gamers of all sorts, especially as the acrylic part folds into the wood and holds dice in place in transit. The dice tower comes with a velvet drawstring bag, as well, for extra protection and security for your dice and tower. The sturdy tower accommodates up to D30s and comes fully assembled. The tower stands at 6.5 inches by 3 inches by 2.5 inches for a nice, compact size that still has plenty of room for several dice in play.
MunnyGrubbers Hammer Dice Tower
Whether you’re a fan of Thor or not, chances are you’ll find this fun dice tower extra special. The MunnyGrubbers Hammer Dice Tower offers the unique qualities of being the literal dice storage device and the dice tower itself – all wrapped up in a fun aesthetic for unique gameplay. The tower comes with its own set of unique dice, as well, so it makes for a great gift for a beginning collector of dice. The dice tower is made through 3D printing, uses an end cap for the handle, and closes the hammer head to store the dice. It’s fun to play around with a bit, too – just make sure your dice are removed before swinging it around (it may hold but no reason to chance it!).
Galdor’s Guild Bamboo Dice Tower
For a beautiful dice tower option, try the handcrafted Galdor’s Guild Bamboo Dice Tower. The sleek, modern design gives a twist on the medieval feel of a “typical” tower, while using gorgeous bamboo for a natural look and feel. The dice tower is nice and compact, travels easily, and adds a beautiful touch to any game night. You’ll also feel great about buying from an American-Owned Small Business, Galdor’s Guild, while celebrating its budget-friendly price.
Thyggzjbs Magic Book Dice Tower
If you’re looking for a spectacularly fantastical dice tower, meet the Thyggzjbs Magic Book Dice Tower. The beautiful design comes in purple and white, blue and purple, pale seafoam, or “Burlywood” for a unique aesthetic just right for your playing vibe. The “floating books” over the colorful flame-like waves give that special magic sculpture vibe perfect for a game of Dungeons and Dragons, Sorcerer’s Cave, or Dice Miner. The dice tower integrates the tray into the design for small dice rolls.
The books and waves of magic are made from composite resin and the tower measures at 8 inches in height, with a hand-painted and individually polished finish.
MunnyGrubbers Skull Dice Tower
For those who enjoy the darker side of gaming, the MunnyGrubbers Skull Dice Tower might just be the ticket. The budget-friendly option is 3D printed from plastic and comes in silver, black, bronze, crystal, gold, or marble colorations. The skull has a tarantula on its top, with the mouth of the statue wide open, functioning as the dice tray. The dice tower comes with a random set of 7 D20 dice. The dice tray can hold up to 3 dice at a time. Some of the designs have a removable dice tray, while others are permanently affixed. The fun aesthetic is where it’s really at, though, as the dark theme adds to your explorations of deep dungeons far beneath the surface of the Earth.
AUSPDICE Dice Rolling Tower and Tray
The AUSPDICE Dice Rolling Tower and Tray lives up the “tower” most perfectly of all the designs on the list. The 3D-printed dice tower is one of the highest quality options out there, with gorgeous design and detailed crafting. You’ll notice barrels and chests, bricks, detailed stairs and gates, railings, and more throughout the thoughtful dice tower design.
The plastic dice tower is hand-painted for the most gorgeous finish in bronze, silver, copper, brass, purple, or blue, and includes 36 spiral stairs in the design, which vastly improves the randomness of rolls. The dice tower is particularly favored by those who love a medieval aesthetic, as well as TTRPG players who want that randomness of their rolls. The dice tower also comes with a 40-day money-back guarantee – so if you’re not 100% happy with it, return it for a full refund.
Grajar DND Dice Tray and Dice Tower With Storage
The final dice tower on our list is the Grajar D&D Dice Tray and Dice Tower with Storage. This particular tower offers 6 compartments for storing dice when not playing, as well as the easy-carry dice tower and tray. It’s basically your all-in-one option for game night. Each storage space measures 2 by 2 by 1.5 inches, perfect for holding 2 sets of standard or polyhedral dice or D&D miniatures. The dice tray also functions as storage when not in use, with plenty of room for markers, dice, and other accessories used in TTRPG gaming. The lid on the tower can be flipped over and used as another dice tray for sharing with teammates as well. This PU leather dice tower comes in all black, or black with blue, brown, gray, green, purple, or red.
Conclusion
While you might not be able to find an ancient offering like the Vettweiss-Froitzheim found in Germany, you certainly can carry on the tradition of dice games and fair play with your own dice tower. Most of the options we suggest are budget-friendly and work for just about anybody. All of the towers function well, come highly rated, look amazing, and will make your dice game experiences better than ever before.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dice Towers
What is a dice tower, and how does it enhance gameplay?
A dice tower is a small tower-like tool with an opening at the top and a chute at the bottom. Dice are dropped into the top, bounce around inside, and exit at the bottom, ensuring fair and random rolls. This enhances gameplay by preventing cheating and adding an element of fun and pageantry.
Who can benefit from using a dice tower during game nights?
Dice towers are beneficial for players who struggle with hand-rolling dice, need controlled and fair rolls, have limited game space, or frequently lose dice off the table. They are also great for competitive gamers and those who enjoy the aesthetic appeal of dice towers.
What factors should I consider when choosing a dice tower?
When selecting a dice tower, consider portability, tray size, multipurpose use, aesthetics, and budget. Ensure the tower fits your gaming style and space requirements, and choose one that complements your game’s theme and your personal taste.
Are there different styles of dice towers available?
Yes, dice towers come in various styles, from dark and moody designs like Cthulhu-themed towers to fun and colorful options like hammers and spellbook towers. There are options to fit every budget, playing style, and aesthetic preference.
Can dice towers be easily transported for game nights?
Many dice towers are designed for portability, folding up compactly for easy transport in a backpack or folder. Some even include storage compartments for dice and accessories, making them perfect for on-the-go gaming.