Amazon Zinc Alloy Dice
Zinc Alloy Dice
You literally find them everywhere. Amazon, Wish, AliExpress, any site that sells their own brand of metal dice, this is them. It’s an undefined alloy, mostly comprised of Zinc. They have numbers engraved in them which are often inked by the manufacturer. Occasionally a negative of the number is engraved (as with the dice photographed) and the faces are then painted with enamel. These are common, accessible, and inexpensive enough to pretty much be known as “Metal Dice.” Yes, there are tons of metal dice out there, many of which have intricate designs, high quality detail work, or expensive metals that make them noticeable, but when people talk about “Metal Dice.” These are what people are talking about.
How do they arrive?
There is some variation on these dice, often unique to the store that sells them. One of the most common, and the way that these were sent is in a small metal tin. The tin then has a foam insert with seven cutouts that fit each of the individual dice. Sometimes it comes in a velvet dice pouch. Sometimes they come in a Ziploc bag. Occasionally they are individually bagged, in tiny little Ziploc bags. It can be pretty hit or miss, but often if they have a tin that encloses them it will be pictured in advertisements.
How do they feel?
Very interesting. They have a strikingly different feel to what you get if you’re used to polymer dice. Like anything else metal, they get cold when not being touched and it’s a tactile difference that’s noticeable and distinguished. The most significant factor of their feel, though, is the weight. They’re heavy. In fact they weigh anywhere from 2 (the d4) to 6 times (d20) the weight of their polymer counterparts. This gives them a semblance of importance. As the implications of a failed roll get heavy, so too do the dice.
What kind of size are we talking about?
We need a gallery! Click for larger versions. Each dies is placed next to a polymer Chessex dice for comparison’s sake.
How far off from the photos do their appearances come?
That’s a great question, and I will link these particular dice at the bottom of the article so you can decide for yourself, but generally they appear pretty similar to photos online. That said, there are some dice that look significantly better than others, often times simply determined by the color combos. Find one you like, and run with it.
Should I get ‘em?
This is actually a very difficult one for me. I generally believe that all products are worth it to the right people. The whole purpose of these reviews is to help people find the products that best align with their needs. these don’t necessarily work in that manner, however. These are a category of product that represent a good buy for just about anyone. As long as they’re not exorbitantly expensive. Look for them to run you about $20 including shipping. Of course, this is explicitly in the United States. I don’t say this to discourage you from picking up metal dice from your Friendly Local Game Store, or Mom&Pop Dice retailer at your local convention, but be aware that these are very much mass produced products, and there is likely to be significant variances in quality and consistency.
