If you’re getting into tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder, one of the first things you’ll come across is a set of polyhedral dice. At first glance, they might just look like a bunch of weird-shaped dice. But each one plays a specific role in gameplay. So the common question is: How many dice are actually in a standard dice set?
The short answer is seven. A typical dice set for role-playing games (RPGs) contains seven dice:
- D4 (4-sided)
- D6 (6-sided)
- D8 (8-sided)
- D10 (10-sided)
- D% or percentile die (10-sided marked 00-90)
- D12 (12-sided)
- D20 (20-sided)
But that’s just the basic overview. Let’s break this down so you understand why each one exists and what it’s used for.
Here is an example of 7 piece dice set
D4 – Four-Sided Die
The D4 is shaped like a pyramid and is usually used for small damage rolls or effects in the game. It's not rolled often, but it's essential. If your character has a dagger, for example, you’ll usually roll a D4 to figure out how much damage it does.
The D4 is a bit clunky to roll, and some players don’t like it for that reason. It doesn’t really roll — it kind of just lands. Most D4s show the result at the bottom or top of each point depending on how it’s designed.
D6 – Six-Sided Die
You’ve definitely seen this one before — it’s the standard cube die used in games like Monopoly or Yahtzee. In RPGs, the D6 still sees a lot of action. Weapons like short swords, spells, or sneak attack damage often use this die.
The D6 is also commonly used when rolling for stats or doing damage calculations. And in many dice sets, this die has a different design than your average board game D6 — sharper edges, clearer numbering, and a better finish.
Here is how six sided dice look like.
D8 – Eight-Sided Die
The D8 is the next step up in size. This one is used for slightly stronger weapons like longswords, battleaxes, or spells that do mid-range damage. It looks like two pyramids attached at the base.
In some game systems, healing spells also use D8s, especially as characters level up. It's a very versatile die — not too weak, not overpowered.
D10 – Ten-Sided Die
The D10 starts to look a little less familiar to people new to RPGs. It’s got a rounder shape and is used for many medium-to-high damage spells and effects. Weapons like heavy crossbows might use it.
The D10 becomes more important as you advance in the game, since it gives a wider range for outcomes. It also starts to introduce probability balance. In other words, with 10 sides, you get smoother odds across a wider range — and that adds nuance to your rolls.
D% or Percentile Die (Also a D10)
Now this part confuses a lot of beginners. A standard dice set has two D10s — but they’re not the same.
- One D10 is numbered 0–9 (or 1–10 in some cases).
- The other D10 is a percentile die labeled 00, 10, 20, and so on up to 90.
You roll both together to generate a number between 1 and 100. For example, if you roll a 30 on the percentile die and a 4 on the normal D10, you get 34. If you roll a 00 and a 0, that’s interpreted as 100.
Percentile rolls are often used for loot tables, random events, or special game mechanics. Not every session will use them, but when you need them, nothing else will work.
D12 – Twelve-Sided Die
This one doesn’t get used nearly as much as the others, but it’s still part of the set. The D12 is most often tied to specific heavy weapons like greataxes or some higher-level damage spells. Barbarians — a character class in D&D — tend to use D12s the most.
You might go several sessions without needing a D12, but it’s still an important piece of the standard kit. And since it doesn’t get a ton of use, you’ll probably always know where it is in your dice pile.
D20 – Twenty-Sided Die
This is the big one. The D20 is the core of most gameplay in Dungeons & Dragons and many similar games. Almost every major decision in the game — from attacking to persuading a guard to saving your character from death — is based on a D20 roll.
In most cases, you roll a D20 and add modifiers based on your character’s skills. A roll of 1 is usually a failure (called a “natural one”), and a roll of 20 is often a guaranteed success (a “natural twenty”).
Because it’s rolled so often, many players carry multiple D20s to speed up the game. And most dice sets put extra design flair on the D20 because it gets the most attention.
Want to see different types of dices? Look at our collection of DND Dice.
Why Exactly Seven Dice?
You might wonder: why not five or ten dice? Why seven? The answer is simple — it’s what you need to play most tabletop RPG systems.
Each die serves a unique mechanical purpose. When games like D&D were first designed, the creators needed a way to produce a wide range of random results — from 1–4 to 1–100. Using these seven shapes, they could build a system that handles everything from small damage to rare magical effects.
The seven-dice structure also balances gameplay. It keeps the odds fair and introduces enough randomness to make each session unpredictable but still skill-based.
Are There Dice Sets With More or Fewer Dice?
Yes. Some sets go beyond the standard seven.
Extended sets may include:
- Extra D6s for spellcasters who need to roll lots of dice.
- Additional D20s for people who don’t want to re-roll every time.
- D30s or other unusual dice for homebrew rules or niche games.
Starter sets might include fewer dice — maybe just a D6 and a D20 — if they’re built for simplified versions of the game. These sets are usually for quick-start guides or introductory sessions.
But if you're buying a full set for a real campaign, always aim for the seven-dice standard.
Should You Buy Multiple Sets?
Most players don’t stop at one set. Once you start playing regularly, you’ll probably want two or three — maybe more. Here’s why:
- Rolling multiple dice: If your spell deals 5D6 fire damage, you don’t want to roll one D6 five times. It slows down the game.
- Backup in case of loss: Dice go missing. Always. It’s just how it is.
- Style: Some players match their dice to their character. A wizard might use icy blue dice; a barbarian might use blood-red. It’s part of the fun.
So yeah, buying more than one set is common. It’s not about being fancy — it’s about being practical.
Final Thoughts
A standard dice set has seven dice, each with a specific role in tabletop games. If you're planning to play D&D, Pathfinder, or any similar game, this set will cover all your needs.
Understanding what each die does helps you play faster, make smarter decisions, and enjoy the game more. You don’t need to memorize everything right away. Just get a set, start playing, and you’ll pick it up fast.
And if someone ever asks, “How many dice are in a dice set?” — now you’ve got more than just the number. You’ve got the full picture.
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