WizDice Precision Aluminum Dice
First Impressions:
Very Attractive Vault
Magnet Closure on Vault is very cool
Dice are exceptionally light
Dice are quite attractive
Float Face d6 very funky
What Makes these Nice?
These dice have an immediate wow factor directly out of the package. The vault is attractive, looking like an artistic, seamless piece. The closure system on the lid is magnetic, with three magnets on each end of the vault, and 1 on each end of the lid. They provide a strong closure, eliminating any fear of flinging dice around accidentally. They also provide a bit of fun, as the lid clicking into place snugly (particular when you get it to align seamlessly) is satisfying. I can see myself clicking it open and shut next time my character is in a dilemma. I’m sure this will annoy some of my tablemates.
These dice are notably light, especially for metal dice. To anyone who regularly uses metal dice, these will retain the cool-to-the-touch feel of metal dice, but have an in-hand heft much closer to polymer dice. To polymer dice users, these will obviously feel completely different: a bit heavier, way sharper, and as you would expect cool-to-the-touch.
They also look incredible. With the exception of the d6 and the d8 (which typically roll poorly with sharp clipped edges) there’s a precise edge on these dice. In particular this would be a terrible d4 to step on. This creates a great look, very different from typical dice, and in line with competing “Precision-Cut Dice.” The D6’s on the other hand have very round edges. It’s important to note at this time that the set comes with 8 dice, your typical 7 dice set and a bonus 6 sided die. My bonus 6 sided die is what’s known as a float face die. Your mileage may very. The float face die is an absolute conversation starter. It may well be the coolest part of the set, but it is absolutely unclear if it improves or detracts from randomness. Both 6’s have very round edges which causes them to roll. Now I know many people are reading this thinking to themselves “All six sided dice roll. That’s why we call it rolling dice.” But that’s not true. If you think about it typical 6 sided dice don’t roll at all. Depending on the surface in fact it will do one of two things: best case they bounce, tumbling a bit while bouncing, worst case they hit and slide to a stop. These actually roll until coming to a stop. They also look different.
Let’s talk about the float face die. You probably won’t get one. I have seen reviews and remarks all over the internet. Some sets have one some do not. I have no information on why. Most people, however, have never seen a float face die, and so are tempted to pick it up and inspect it. Basically a float face die is a frame of the polyhedral that makes up the die (in this case a cube). Inside that frame is an object designed to have a number of faces equal to to that of the polyhedral. The object is positioned so that the faces stay in place within the frame, but are capable of moving and bouncing independently of the frame. It’s a cool idea, and anecdotally seems to affect randomness, as the momentum of the frame and the momentum of the faces are often different and mess with each other. The only problem is that it can land in such a way that the dice is “cocked” (no number facing up) all on it’s own. Although from the set only the d6 is a float-face. I have seen and used other float face dice, and the likelihood of it rolling cocked appears to be directly proportional to the number of faces.
What number is this supposed to be?
Are they Precise?
These dice are branded as precision dice: are they? Unfortunately for my review, I do not have access to a micrometer to measure the dice, so there is no way to say for sure. BUT, there are a couple of tests we can run to check randomness. The first method is to float them in saltwater. Next step is to agitate the water several times. If the face at the top is the same number there is a balance issue affecting the weight of the dice. In our test this didn’t happen on any of the dice, which should come as no surprise as they appear to be milled rather than cast, a process that is typical of “precision dice.”
The second test we can run is to actually roll the dice. Theoretically, we need to roll each die at least 5 times per face. For this experiment, we did five times the number of faces by hand, and that same number through a dice tower. The results have been recorded here. Wicked mathematics can be used to determine how fair the dice are but the gist of it is that all 8 dice’s results fall within a standard deviation. Interestingly, although it was noted earlier in the review as a problem, the float face die did not land cocked in any of the 60 attempts.
Any Issues?
There’s only one thing that is objectively wrong with this set. The vault doesn’t fit. It’s just a bit too large, and so when you put the dice into the vault they slide around. Now, this would be no problem were the interior of the vault a soft material: felt, cotton, even rubber. But the interior of the vault is the same metal as the dice themselves, which does not bode well for the longterm precision of the investment.
All that’s left is to talk about are aspects of the set that some people will love, and others will hate. First is the font. It’s indisputably a clear font. Sixes and nines are very clearly indicated as such. Numbers are created with a different color, and the crisp, straight font creates and excellent contrast from the beautiful dice. They, however, are a very blocky futuristic type design. It’s easy to read, but may not appeal to everyone, especially if they want their design to fit the theme of their RPG. The font doesn’t scream dragons or cthulhu, but may fit with others, such as starfinder. The dice also have a unique weight. The comparisons of the complete set with standard polymer and Zinc-alloy (typical less expensive metal dice) sets can be found here. Generally, the dice are twice as heavy as their polymer counterparts, but ¼ to ½ as heavy as typical metal dice. Metal enthusiasts may shun them as they lack the typical heft of metal dice, but they may appeal to those who’ve sworn off the “clunky metals.” Finally the d4 is a top reader. In my experience only heathens go for that barbaric bottom reading nonsense, but someone has to like them or people wouldn’t make ‘em.
Should you get these?
Yes. But, there is a caveat. These are expensive. $100 can purchase a great deal of items related to Tabletop gaming. Even if you’re specifically playing one game, like Dungeons & Dragons, $100 goes a long way towards rulebooks, miniatures, even tons of dice. But the fact of the matter is that this item is fantastic. If you have $100 to spend on a single Tabletop RPG item, this is an excellent choice. You have to look at why we play Tabletop RPGs. There are many reasons, all of them valid, but probably the most common is a desire to share some fun experiences with friends. Whether it be sparking conversation, or telling unpredictable entertaining stories, this item does that, well. This item has a serious wow factor, and will spark fun and inspiration in a group. It’s also a hell of a gift.
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