Dice Tower vs Dice Tray: Which Is Better for DND?

The Case for a Dedicated Dice Launch Zone

You're mid-combat. Your paladin finally lands the perfect setup for a Divine Smite. You reach back, grab your D20, send it flying across the table — and it rolls off the edge, bounces under the couch, and the moment is gone.

By Gideon Vance — longtime Dungeon Master and gemstone dice collector writing on dice materials, fairness, and play for EpicWinDND. Last reviewed June 2026.

This is why dice accessories exist. And the two most popular solutions — dice trays and dice towers — solve the same problem in very different ways.

What Is a Dice Tray?

A dice tray is exactly what it sounds like: a flat, contained surface for rolling dice. Most feature a padded or felt-lined interior to muffle sound and protect your dice, with raised edges to keep rolls contained.

They range from simple circular leather trays under $15 to ornate wooden trays with magnetic lids that double as display cases. Some fold flat for travel; others are permanent fixtures on the gaming table.

Pros of a Dice Tray

• Portable and compact — Many fold or nest easily into a dice bag
• Protects the table — Felt lining prevents scratching and muffles the clatter
• Visible roll — Everyone at the table can see the dice land in real time
• Works well for all dice types — Metal, stone, crystal, or resin all behave predictably
• Social and open — The roll is on full display; no mystery about where the die landed

Cons of a Dice Tray

• Dice can still bounce out — Especially with high-energy rollers or metal dice
• Less dramatic — No theatrical element; just a tray
• Takes up table space — In crowded setups, a tray is another object to manage

What Is a Dice Tower?

A dice tower is a vertical structure — typically 6-12 inches tall — with internal baffles. You drop your dice in the top, they tumble through randomizing chambers, and emerge at the bottom into a small collection tray. The result is a genuinely random roll that no one can accuse of being "wrist-flicked."

Dice towers range from basic foam-core DIY builds to 3D-printed dragon skulls to hand-crafted wooden towers with felt-lined interiors and engraved details. They're often the most striking object on a gaming table.

Pros of a Dice Tower

• Truly random rolls — The internal baffles eliminate any wrist-bias concerns
• Dramatic presentation — The sound and visual of dice emerging is satisfying
• Keeps dice contained — No runaway dice across the table or onto the floor
• Great for table aesthetics — High-quality towers look incredible as centerpieces

Cons of a Dice Tower

• Bulky — Not travel-friendly; towers are a tabletop commitment
• Can be loud — Metal dice in a wooden tower produce significant noise
• Roll is hidden mid-flight — There's a brief moment where no one can see the dice
• Some dice get stuck — D4s in particular can jam in tower internals
• More expensive — Quality towers start around $30 and go up steeply

Head-to-Head: Dice Tray vs Dice Tower

Which Should You Buy?

Get a dice tray if you:

• Play at different locations or travel to game nights
• Want something that doubles as a dice storage/display piece
• Play online-hybrid games where players need to see rolls clearly
• Have a crowded table and need to minimize footprint
• Prefer a clean, minimal aesthetic

Get a dice tower if you:

• Have a dedicated home gaming table
• Want maximum table presence and drama
• Have players who enjoy the ritual of tower-rolling
• Play games where randomness fairness is a common point of discussion
• Want a centerpiece that guests immediately notice and ask about

Choosing Based on Your Dice Material

Your dice material should influence which rolling accessory you prioritise.

Metal dice need a tray more than any other material. A solid metal D20 dropped onto a wooden table leaves marks — and sent through a standard dice tower, the noise is considerable. Felt-lined trays are essential for metal dice. Some towers have internal padding that handles metal dice well; check specifications before buying.

Natural stone dice benefit most from soft tray surfaces. The weight of gemstone dice means harder impacts with any surface. A thick-felt or leather-lined tray prevents corner chipping that would otherwise occur over time.

Crystal and resin dice work well with both trays and towers. They're light enough to roll without surface damage and durable enough to survive tower baffles without corner chipping. Towers are slightly riskier for sharp edge resin dice — the baffle impacts can chip extremely precise corners.

Setting Up a Permanent Gaming Table

If you have a dedicated gaming space — a table that stays set up between sessions — the calculus changes. A permanent setup can support both accessories simultaneously:

• Tower positioned at one end of the table as the focal point, used for dramatic rolls and by the DM
• Tray in the player area for regular combat rolls and skill checks

This is the setup most committed home DMs eventually arrive at. The tower handles memorable moments; the tray handles session volume. Both serve their purpose without competing for the same space.

For flat-pack and travel gaming — convention sessions, friend's houses, visiting game nights — a folding leather tray that fits in a dice bag is the only sensible option. Pack light, roll well.

The Real Answer: Get Both

Most committed players end up with both. A fold-flat dice tray lives in the dice bag for away games. A proper tower stays home on the gaming table, waiting for campaign nights.

They serve different needs and different moods. Sometimes you want the quiet, quick efficiency of a tray. Sometimes you want to hear the satisfying cascade of polyhedral dice through a tower before a critical roll.

Neither is wrong. Both are right.

Maintenance and Longevity

Both accessories require occasional maintenance to stay functional.

Dice trays: Felt and velvet liners accumulate dice residue over time — particularly noticeable with resin dice whose coating can leave a faint film. Remove the liner periodically (if detachable) and wipe clean. For fixed liners, a lint roller removes dust and debris effectively. Leather trays can be conditioned with leather balm to prevent cracking.

Dice towers: The internal baffles collect residue from resin dice even faster than flat trays, since the dice pass through them repeatedly. A soft brush or compressed air clears the baffles. The catch tray at the base is usually removable for cleaning. Wooden towers can warp slightly with humidity changes — store in a stable temperature environment and avoid leaving them in cars.

Both accessories last years with basic maintenance. The tray's liner may need replacement after heavy use; the tower's felt catch tray eventually compresses. Both are inexpensive to replace compared to the accessories themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you really need a dice tray or tower for D&D?

Not strictly, but both solve two problems: dice rolling off the table, and rolls landing on books or papers where they get re-positioned. For metal or stone dice, a tray is functionally mandatory — bare wood will get scratched within a session.

Do dice towers actually randomize rolls better than hand-rolling?

Yes — measurably. A tower's internal baffles produce more tumbles than a typical hand throw, which makes each face contribute more evenly. The effect is largest for heavier dice that don't naturally tumble as much when thrown gently.

Which is better for metal dice, a tray or a tower?

A tray with felt or rubber lining is the safe minimum. Towers work for metal dice but the impact noise inside the tower is louder than hand-rolling, which surprises many first-time users. Lined trays are quieter and more table-friendly.

Can a dice tower replace a dice tray?

Many towers include an integrated tray at the base, which makes them dual-purpose. Standalone towers without a catch tray require a separate surface — they don't replace the tray, they feed into it.

Are dice towers worth it for online D&D?

If your camera shows your roll surface to the table, yes — a tower makes verifying rolls easier than catching dice mid-air on cam. If you're rolling off-camera or using a digital roller for officials, a tray is plenty.

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