Metal vs. Resin vs. Plastic: Which D20 Dice is Right for You?
For every Dungeons & Dragons player, the D20 dice is the core prop of their adventure. Whether it is a critical hit of 20 points or a big failure of 1 point, your choice of D20 dice is important. From metal, resin and plastic to unique giant D20 and even rotating D20 dice, choosing the perfect dice can be overwhelming. But don't worry, next, we will explore the differences between the various forms of Dungeons & Dragons 20-sided dice and choose the best dnd dice for you.
Metal D20 Dice: Heavy, Premium and Durable
✅ Advantages:
✔ Strong sense of weight and excellent feel - The heavy metal dice have a more ritualistic feeling when throwing, and have a heavy and cool feel.
✔ Extremely durable - Made of zinc alloy or other metals, it is not easy to damage or wear and tear, and can be used for many years.
✔ High-quality texture and beauty - Metal materials can create complex engraving designs, such as hollow 3D dragon dice, retro steampunk style, etc., with high collection value.
✔ Crisp and pleasant sound - When thrown on the table or dice box, it will make a crisp metal impact sound, adding to the game atmosphere.
❌ Disadvantages:
✖ May damage the tabletop – Due to its heavy weight, throwing dice directly on a wooden or glass tabletop may leave dents. It is recommended to use a cool dice tower, dice tray or cushion.
✖ May affect balance when throwing – Some metal dice may have an uneven center of gravity due to their irregular appearance design, thus affecting the fairness of dice throwing.
Best for: DND players who want a high-quality, luxurious and cool experience
🔹 Bear Dice's picks:
3D Metal Flying Dragon Hollow D20 Polyhedron Dice 40mm
Hollow Metal Dragon D20 – A three-dimensional dragon of Dungeons and Dragons is carved out of a zinc alloy hollow structure with eye-catching numbers.
Resin D20 dice: vivid, artistic and customizable
✅ Advantages:
✔ Rich colors and diverse designs – The resin process can create unique visual effects such as multi-layer gradient, transparent liquid core, fluorescent glitter, etc., and the appearance is extremely attractive.
✔ Moderate weight and smooth throwing – Between metal and plastic dice, it is neither too light nor too heavy, and the throwing feel is good.
✔ Moderate price – Compared with metal dice, the price of resin dice is more affordable, and there are many unique customized models to choose from.
✔ Will not damage the desktop – Due to the light material, even without a dice tray, it will not cause damage to the desktop.
❌ Disadvantages:
✖ Easy to be scratched – The resin material is soft, and scratches may occur after long-term use, affecting the appearance.
✖ Uneven quality – Some low-quality resin dice may have problems with unbalanced center of gravity and uneven rolling. It is recommended to choose a high-quality brand.
✖ Slightly more expensive than plastic – Although cheaper than metal dice, it is still more expensive than regular plastic dice.
Best for: Players who like eye-catching artistic dice and cool D20 dice.
🔹 Bear Dice’s Picks:
35 mm Dragon's Eye Liquid Core D20 Resin Dice
Black Cat Resin D20 with Gold Numbers – White resin dice with black cats.
Liquid Core Dragon Eye D20 Dice – The inner core of the resin 20-sided dice is a liquid containing green dragon eyes
Plastic D20 dice: classic, lightweight and affordable
✅ Advantages:
✔ Cheapest option – Affordable, suitable for new players and entry-level DND sets.
✔ Lightweight and portable – Plastic dice are the lightest, easy to carry, and suitable for quick games.
✔ Smooth rolling – Due to their light weight, the dice roll faster when rolled, suitable for players who like fast action.
✔ Widely available – Most standard DND dice sets will include plastic D20, which is easy to buy.
❌ Disadvantages:
✖ Easy to damage – After long-term use, the corners may be worn, cracked or the paint may fall off, affecting the service life.
✖ Too light and lack of feel – Compared with metal or resin dice, plastic dice have a poor feel and lack the heaviness and ritual of rolling the dice.
✖ Ordinary appearance – Due to the low production cost, the design and color are usually simple and do not have the exquisite appearance of resin or metal dice.
Best for: casual players, budget-conscious gamers, or as a backup set.
🔹 **Bear Dice mainly focuses on high-end resin and metal D20 dice, but plastic dice are perfect for casual use.
Giant D20 dice: big, bold, and eye-catching
✅ Advantages:
✔ Strong visual impact and strong desktop presence: The bigger the dice = the bigger the impact! The large size and eye-catching number engraving make the giant D20 dice easy to read and very satisfying to roll.
✔ Multiple Size Options for Different Play Styles: Giant D20 dice come in a variety of sizes, including 35mm, 45mm, 50mm, 80mm, and even 95mm.
✔ Ideal for Dungeon Masters and High-Stakes Rolls
Rolling a giant D20 dice adds excitement to key moments in the game, making critical hits and saves more intense. Dungeon Masters like to use larger dice to make their rolls stand out and get noticed.
❌ Disadvantages:
✖ Bulky and difficult to store – takes up more space than a standard-sized D20 dice.
✖ Not always practical – extra space is required to roll a giant D20.
Best for: Dungeon Masters, collectors, or players who want an oversized, eye-catching dice.
Spinning D20 Dice: A Unique Twist on Traditional Dice
✅ Advantages:
✔ Unique Spinning Mechanism – Instead of rolling, it spins like a fidget spinner by just gently spinning the wheel with your finger.
✔ Smooth and balanced – designed for consistent results.
✔ Fun to use – adds kinetic change to dice rolls.
❌ Disadvantages:
✖ Takes longer to settle – spinning dice don’t stop as quickly as traditional dice rolls.
Best for: Players who like innovative designs or want a dice that works for fidget spinners.
🔹 Bear Dice Spinner D20 Recommendations:
Unique dice: 7-in-1 rotating mechanical knife fingertip roulette dice
Spinning Metal D20 – Beautifully designed spinning D20 that offers a new way to roll dice.
Best Uses for Each D20 Dice
Metal D20 – Great for serious players and collectors.
Resin D20 – Great for players who like artistic dice with cool effects.
Plastic D20 – Best for casual players and those on a budget.
Jumbo D20 – Great for DND Dungeon Masters who want a dramatic dice roll.
Spinning D20 – For those who like fidget toys and unique mechanisms.
If you like custom designs, choose resin. If you want something dramatic, choose a giant or metal D20. If you like fidget spinners, a spinning D20 offers a new way to roll!
Which D20 Dice to Buy?
If you're new to DND, start with a resin or plastic D20. If you want a more premium experience, upgrade to metal.
For Dungeon Masters, a giant D20 adds intensity to big moments, and if you like fidget spinners, try a spinning D20!
🔥 Bear Dice's Picks
✔ Best Metal D20: Hollow Metal 3D Dragon D20 Dice
✔ Best Resin D20: Black Cat Resin D20 Dice
✔ Best Spinner D20: Cool Metal Spin Roulette D20 Dice
Whatever your DND play style, Bear Dice has the perfect D20 dice for you. Ready? Explore our D20 dice collection today!