The main dice material types are plastic (acrylic and resin), metal, gemstone, glass, wood and hybrids like liquid core. Each one changes how a die feels in your hand, how loud it lands and how long it lasts. Most dice are plastic, metal is the heavy, long-lived option, and the rest are about texture, sparkle and bragging rights. Your dice will not roll better because of the material (sorry, they still hate you on a crit fail), but your table will feel different.
Below is the tour: what each material is, what it’s like at the table, and how to keep it looking good.
TL;DR
- Plastic is the default. Most D&D dice are plastic, usually acrylic or resin, and their edges wear over time.
- Metal dice are heavy, loud and built to last. Most can outlive you, but heavy sets can damage tables, so bring a rolling tray.
- Gemstone, glass and wood are the “treat yourself” and gift tier. Gorgeous, a bit more precious.
- Liquid core dice are hybrids with a sealed chamber of liquid and floating bits inside, made for people who like their dice a little mesmerizing.
- Pick by how you play: new player, collector, gift buyer, or a dramatic Dungeon Master.
Table of Contents
- The quick comparison
- Acrylic: the friendly starter pack
- Resin: the workhorse with a flair for drama
- Metal: the heavyweight champion
- Gemstone: the “fancy rock” tier
- Glass: sparkle with a side of anxiety
- Wood: the cozy, quiet option
- Liquid core and hybrids: the fidget-friendly flex
- How to choose: a quick decision guide
- Care and storage by material
- Our perspective
- Ready to pick your next set?
- FAQ
The quick comparison
Here’s the cheat sheet before we get into the details.
| Material | Feel | Sound | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Light, smooth | Quick click | First sets, spares, color variety | Edges soften with heavy use |
| Resin | A bit more substance, often swirled or inclusion-filled | Sharp click | Everyday play, designs with personality | Quality varies, so inspect it |
| Metal | Heavy, cool to the touch | Loud clatter | Collectors, dramatic moments | Tables and floors, dropped on toes |
| Gemstone | Cool, dense, natural patterns | Solid thunk | Gifts, collections, special campaigns | Treat gently, avoid knocks |
| Glass | Smooth, elegant | Bright clink | Display and light play | Fragile |
| Wood | Warm, textured | Soft, quiet roll | Cozy tables, a natural vibe | Moisture and dryness |
| Liquid core | Plastic-like with a mesmerizing interior | Light click | Show-offs, gifts | Keep sealed edges safe from impact |
The sound and feel column is our hands-on shorthand, not a lab result. Your table, tray and tolerance for noise will shape your own verdict.
Acrylic: the friendly starter pack
If you’ve ever opened a starter set, you probably held acrylic. Draftsim notes that D&D dice are most commonly plastic, and acrylic is one of the main plastic types. It’s popular because it takes color well, looks bright and doesn’t wreck your budget or your tabletop.
Acrylic is also where you find the see-through “jewel” looks. If you want a set that glows when a phone flashlight hits it, start with our acrylic dice collection. Sets like the Emerald Ingots transparent green acrylic set and the Onyx Ingots translucent black set show how much character you can get from a clear material.
The trade-off any plastic die shares: edges wear over time. That’s just life for a die that gets thrown, stacked, dropped and occasionally launched across a room by a frustrated barbarian player.
Resin: the workhorse with a flair for drama
People use “plastic,” “acrylic” and “resin” almost interchangeably, and that confuses everyone. Short version: both are plastics in the broad sense, but they are made differently. Resin dice are typically cast by pouring liquid resin into a mold and letting it harden, which is why resin is the home of swirls, glitter, flowers, tiny shards and other fun trapped-in-time effects. Acrylic is more often seen as the clean, clear, simple option.
That casting flexibility is why so many designs live in resin. Our Weaver’s Diamonds clear resin set is a good example of a clear, crisp look, and the Dragon Resin 7-piece set goes for something with more fire-breathing energy.
Because quality really does vary from one resin die to the next, it pays to know what you’re looking at. Our guide on how to spot high quality resin dice walks you through edges, seams and bubbles. If you’re on a budget or buying for a newcomer, the affordable resin dice guide is a good companion.
Metal: the heavyweight champion
Metal dice are the ones that make a sound like a dropped dinner plate and make everyone look up from their character sheet. Draftsim says that most metal dice can outlive you, but heavy sets can damage tables. Both of those are true, and both are part of the fun.
What is a metal die made of? Often a zinc-based alloy. Zamak is a family of zinc alloys: zinc alone is soft, but mixing it with small amounts of aluminum, magnesium and copper creates a strong alloy that flows well into molds. That’s one reason it’s so common for detailed cast pieces. Other metals like brass or stainless steel show up too, depending on the maker.
Why are they so heavy? Density, mostly. We wrote a whole explainer on why metal dice are so heavy, if you want the nerdy version.
Practical tips for metal:
- Use a rolling tray or a felt mat. Your dining table will thank you.
- Keep a soft pouch or a lined box. Metal on metal makes noise and can scuff finishes.
- Don’t toss them across the room. We know the temptation.
For more on that, here’s how to protect your table from dice without banning fun. You can browse metal sets in our dice collection.
Gemstone: the “fancy rock” tier
Gemstone dice are carved from natural stone, which means no two are exactly alike. Veining, color shifts and little natural quirks are part of the charm. They’re cool to the touch, dense and satisfying, and they make excellent gifts for the player who already owns every other set (we all know one).
Treat them like the small, pretty rocks they are: soft pouch, no dropping onto hard floors, and no chucking them at the DM in protest. You can find our Gemstone Series on our homepage and in the main dice collection.
Glass: sparkle with a side of anxiety
Glass dice are elegant and light-catching. They look brilliant in a display case or on a tray under good lighting. The honest note is that glass is glass: drop it on tile and the story ends. If you love the look, use a soft landing zone like a felt tray and save them for special sessions.
Wood: the cozy, quiet option
Wood is unusual in dice, as Draftsim points out, and that’s part of the appeal. A wooden die rolls softly, feels warm and lends a handmade vibe to a table. It suits cozy campaigns, low-key sessions and players who want less clatter.
Keep wood away from water, direct heat and anything sticky. Wipe it with a dry cloth and store it in a pouch. Our wood dice live in the same collection as our metal and resin sets.
Liquid core and hybrids: the fidget-friendly flex
Liquid core dice have a sealed inner space holding liquid and floating elements such as glitter or tiny shapes. You tilt the die and the contents drift, which is both beautiful and an excellent way to avoid paying attention to the combat you’re supposed to be tracking.
If you want to see them in action, our liquid core collection is the place. Hybrid dice more broadly combine materials, such as a plastic body with an embedded metal or glittery element, to get a bit of two worlds.
Care is simple: avoid sharp impacts, keep them out of long hot-car afternoons and wipe them gently.
How to choose: a quick decision guide
Still torn? Here’s how we’d point you.
- You’re new or building a spare bag: Start with acrylic or resin. Cheap enough that losing one under the couch won’t ruin your week.
- You want something that lasts: Metal is built for it.
- You want a gift: Gemstone, liquid core or a matched set in a box. Unwrapping something with a bit of weight and sparkle feels like an event.
- You play quietly or at a shared table: Wood or acrylic with a rolling tray.
- You love drama: Metal. Roll them in the middle of a boss fight and watch the table go silent.
One more thing: whichever material you choose, you want dice that roll fairly. Our guide to choosing balanced gaming dice covers how to check, and our best dice for tabletop RPG campaigns roundup pairs materials with play styles.
Care and storage by material
Different materials want different treatment. Here’s the short list.
- Acrylic and resin: Keep them apart from hard, sharp-edged materials. A fabric pouch or divided box helps prevent scratches and chips. Our guide on how to prevent dice from chipping goes deeper.
- Metal: Store separately from plastic so a heavy die doesn’t leave dents. Wipe with a soft dry cloth.
- Gemstone and glass: Cushioned storage, gentle handling, no drops.
- Wood: Dry cloth only, avoid moisture.
- Liquid core: Protect from impacts, avoid heat.
A divided box is the simplest upgrade for any collection, and it keeps your dice from clacking around in a bag like a bucket of tiny, regretful pebbles.
Our perspective
We started D20 Collective because most gaming accessories felt like an afterthought. Dice are the one thing every player touches every single session, so we think they deserve some personality.
Our view is simple: there’s no “best” material, only the best one for your table. We love how acrylic and resin let us play with color and see-through designs, and how metal gives a roll real presence. We offer liquid core, gemstone, metal, resin and wood series so you can build a collection that matches your character, not just your budget.
We also care about the community side of this hobby. Dice are a conversation starter, a gift and a good luck charm all at once, and we back what we sell with an unconditional money-back policy because we want you to be happy with your set.
Teresa
Ready to pick your next set?
We carry liquid core, gemstone, metal, resin, acrylic and wood dice, along with mystery bundles if you like a surprise. Browse the full dice collection to compare materials side by side.
Not sure where to start? Peek at the liquid core collection for something eye-catching, or read more over at The Dice Scholar, our dice guide hub.
FAQ
What is the most common dice material?
Plastic. Draftsim notes that most D&D dice are plastic, with metallic options also available and wood or bone being more unusual. Within plastic, acrylic and resin are the two names you’ll see the most.
Are resin and acrylic dice the same thing?
Not quite. Both are plastics, but resin dice are usually cast by pouring liquid resin into molds, which allows swirls and embedded details. Acrylic is often the clearer, simpler look. Both work great at the table.
Are metal dice better than plastic?
They’re different. Metal gives weight, sound and long life, while plastic is lighter, quieter and easier to collect in lots of colors. Draftsim says most metal dice can outlive you, but heavy sets can damage tables, so use a tray.
How do I store dice made from different materials?
Use a divided box or soft pouches so dice don’t bang into each other. Keep metal away from plastic, cushion gemstone and glass, and keep wood dry. A little separation prevents most chips and scratches.
What dice material is best for a gift?
Gemstone or liquid core sets tend to land well because they look special right out of the box. If you don’t know the recipient’s taste, a resin or acrylic set in a favorite color is a safe, friendly choice.
