It’s certainly true that picking one’s next set of D&D dice has always been a science of sorts (psychologically speaking) but who knew manufacturing ‘em could be the same way?

Ben’s observed GameScience dice from afar but never had the strength to actually purchase and use them in his own dungeons and dragons game.

Gamers are a stubborn bunch. This accessory swap can be a bit of a leap…especially if you’re superstitious. After all, a man’s own dice hold a special place in his RPG heart. And these dice are much different from the status quo. They weigh far less and look much different (but in a good way).

Still, Gen Con was the perfect setting to see GameScience dice in all their glory. Their booth was pretty amazing. You could order them (with white numbering paint included) and then just walk the floor until your crystally new set was done.

The lighter dice-weight-feel will certainly gnaw you at first but after a couple of sessions, that will wear off. Plus, they look pretty and roll even prettier. The white numbering on the huge array of color options makes them very, very easy to read.

Scientifically, GameScience dice are supposed to roll much more randomly which is all by their unique design (look closely for the subtle “nub”). We’ve included a couple a YouTube videos to help explain point. For Ben, it sounds good but honestly, who knows if any of it’s true.

The dice are typically sold in 12-piece sets and Ben plans on making these puppies an annual Gen Con purchase. So, if you’re just looking to break the table monotony or your current dice just let you down, GameScience dice deserve a spot in your precious dice bag.

Questions to Ponder: How many dice sets do you own? How often do you buy dice? Do you buy singles, sets or both? Do you share your dice? Do you have a guest dice bag? Will you eventually buy GameScience dice or do you already own a set? What’s your favorite color?

Get It | See It P1 | See It P2

We recently had a Twitter gamer ask how we make those nifty card decks for our monthly D&D campaign game. A video tutorial seemed appropriate as our blog entries have only touched on certain pieces. Best of all, you can also download many of the materials right here off The Pile.

A Classic RPG Pile Deck contains the following:

• Stats card
• Basic Attack cards
• Power cards
• Feat cards
• Magic Item cards
• Basic Gear cards
• Quest cards
• Face cards (Paizo or Customized)
• Place cards
• Trait cards

We use the following materials and templates to make our cards:

• A color Wizards DDI Character Sheet Printout
• A good paper cutter
• Ultra Pro Deck Protectors (see-through)
• Slip cards (old Magic or Warlord cards will do)
• Blank PHB Power Cards or Character Sheet version
• 4E Fan Publishing Power Card Builder
• NPC Tracker PSD template
• Magic Items PDF template
• Rubber band
• Deck box

So, why not make a quick player deck for an upcoming game and spice up your D&D life? You’ll be hooked before you know it.

Questions to Ponder: Are you a die-hard-sheet-kinda-guy or would you give the deck a try? Do you play a lot of magic or does the card stuff bore you?

Watch it | NPC Tracker Cards | Customize Your Own Cards | Face Cards

A castle and its nearly impenetrable walls bring forth so many iconic fantasy images and magical movie memories. Those sky touching towers, readied archers, bubbling pots of oil, and an impassable portcullis all have RPG meaning to us. Thankfully, the crew over at Miniature Building Authority have the RPG terrain to do your own table right.

There are 11 different castle wall pieces to choose from including the Town Wall, Destroyed Wall, D-Tower, Sally Port, Inner Curved Wall, Outer Curve Wall, Beloved Gate House, 45 Degree Tower, Corner Tower, Tower Hoarding and Stairs. They’re all made for 25 mm scale and can drop into your multiple D&D settings in a pinch.

You can easily get by with a small starter set: 2 Town Walls and the Dwarven Forge Portcullis. Then slowly add a tower option. Then start to sprinkle in some classics like the Gate House and the Crumbled Wall.

Ben also loves terrain that invites lots of different miniatures to play. The WotC series has a myriad of fine choices (to help build variety in your different uses of this terrain).

Plus, it’s easy to inter mix these wall pieces with your existing terrain collection.. While doing Thunderspire Labyrinth’s Horned Hold, Ben had an absolute blast dressing up the MBA castle walls with Dwarven Forge and Hirst Arts pieces.

One of Ben’s first stops at Gencon is the MBA booth. The sheer volume of choices is pure shock and awe. That annual experience conveys the same reaction as the little boys outside the toy store window in a Christmas Story.

Many of the castle pieces are reasonably priced ($29.95 to $69.95) and it’s easy to add to your collection as you go.

Now whose turn is it anyway to storm the gates?

Questions to Ponder: Do you do a lot of village, high-walled assaults? Got a favorite castle-style RPG mod where this terrain would be useful? Got a preferred castle guard mini?

See It | Get It

Wizards of the Coast releases its possible minis swan song with Lords of Madness and it was almost worth the year-long wait. Enjoy our top/bottom 5 picks and overall set review.

This D&D set is easily one of the series’ best but it’s hands-down the most expensive. WotC moved back to the random format but added a very rare category. Ben bought two cases and came up 9 short including 6 very rare minis. His total cost for a complete set was $200 for the boosters and $156 in singles from Troll and Toad. Those very rares are silly expensive – on average $34 each.

Our esteemed judge panel (the voices and talent from our weekly video podcast) debated the picks heavily. We rarely agreed and had to do several vote-offs to come to a conclusion.

Here’s our top fab five: Astral Giant (belongs on a book cover), Iron Golem Juggernaut (big and badass), Minotaur Mangler (just sick in it detail), Water Archon Shoal Reaver (the complete package), Zhent Champion (best fighter from any set with great face detail).

And here’s our bottom feeder five: Shadar-Kai Witch (a Borg-wanna-be), Human Marauder (too wimpy), Kenku Warrior (snooze-city), Will-o-Wisp (under achiever), Mind Flayer Noble (got run over by a truck).

There’s no arguing the slick paint jobs, noticeable accents/detail, and creative poses. The smaller minis actually outdo their huge counterparts. The item minis were a great theme. And the common monsters are well represented. Ben is also a little puzzled by all the wings (12 minis in all) – must be a prerequisite to madness.

This should be a celebrated set but its release is covered in a shroud of sadness. Despite one set for all of 2010, the Gen Con preview seminar did not include the announcement of any new sets in 2011. We appear to be at the end of an era…1,200-plus miniatures that began with Harbinger in 2003. Wizards seems to be leaning towards cheap, flat cardboard tokens – oh the humanity.

So, what now? Are miniatures dead? We say “hell to the no!” There’s still Mage Knight re-bases, Reaper (metal & maybe pre-fab), and Crystal Caste. You gotta get creative in your hunt.

Until next time…well, if there ever is one:(

Questions to Ponder: What are your top and bottom 5 minis from the set? What will you do for minis in 2011? Is this set too pricey? What minis should have been in this set?

See It | Make Your Own Minis | Savage Encounters Review