By EpicWinDND Editorial
"What dice do you need for a wizard?" has a short answer and a longer, more useful one. The short answer is that a wizard needs exactly what every D&D player needs to start: one standard seven-piece polyhedral set. The longer answer — the one that actually makes wizard sessions smoother — is that of all the classes, a wizard is the one most likely to want a few extra dice on top of that, and specifically extra six-sided ones. This guide covers both: the core set every wizard needs, why a wizard reaches for spare d6s when other classes do not, and which sets suit the job.
The core: one standard polyhedral set
Every character, wizard included, starts with the same kit: a seven-piece set containing a d4, d6, d8, d10, percentile d10, d12, and the d20. Those seven shapes are the five Platonic solids plus two ten-sided dice, and between them they cover every roll the game asks for. For a wizard the workhorse is the twenty-sided d20: you roll it for spell attack rolls, for saving throws, and for the ability checks that fill the gaps between fights. So the first rule of buying wizard dice is unglamorous — get a set whose d20 you can read instantly, because it is the die you touch most.
Why a wizard wants extra d6s
Here is the part that is specific to spellcasters. A standard set contains exactly one six-sided die. That is fine for a fighter swinging a shortsword. It is a problem for a wizard, because some of the most iconic wizard spells roll a whole handful of d6 in a single cast — a fireball, the classic example, rolls eight six-sided dice at once. With one d6 you are left rolling the same die eight times and adding as you go, which is slow and error-prone at exactly the dramatic moment you wanted to feel powerful. Owning a few spare d6s — enough to grab a fistful and roll your spell damage in one satisfying throw — is the single upgrade that most improves the feel of playing a wizard. It is also why sorcerers (who share many of the same burst spells) and rogues (whose Sneak Attack stacks ever more d6) benefit from the same move. The class-by-class table below shows where each class spends its dice, and why the d6-heavy classes stand out.
| Class | What it rolls most often | Dice that matter most | What to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wizard ★ | d20 spell attacks & saves, then big multi-d6 spell damage (a fireball rolls 8d6) | d20 + several d6 | Full set + a few spare d6s |
| Sorcerer | Same arcane burst spells as a wizard, often the same fireball-style 8d6 | d20 + several d6 | Full set + a few spare d6s |
| Rogue | d20 attacks, plus Sneak Attack that stacks more d6 every few levels | d20 + a growing pile of d6 | Full set + spare d6s |
| Cleric | d20 attacks & saves, healing and radiant spells (often d8s) | d20 + d8 | Full set, legible d8 |
| Warlock | d20 attacks and Eldritch Blast (d10 per beam) | d20 + d10 | Full set, legible d10 |
| Fighter / Barbarian | Lots of d20 attacks, then weapon damage (a greataxe is a d12) | d20 + d12 / weapon die | Durable full set |
How many extra d6s, and how to get them
You do not need a giant bag. A practical target is enough d6s to roll your biggest spell in one go, plus a couple of spares — for most wizards that means owning eight to ten six-sided dice total, counting the one in your main set. The easiest way to get there is to buy a second, inexpensive set purely as a d6 donor: it gives you the extra six-siders you want and a full backup of every other die for free. The cosmic galaxy liquid-core set ($34.99) is a fun, affordable choice for exactly this — its swirling core suits an arcane caster, and at that price a second set as a d6 bank is easy to justify. If you would rather your spare d6s simply match, buying two of the same set is the cleanest route.
The arcane wizard set: read first, theme second
Wizards lean into theme more than most — arcane purples, starfields, and deep blues all suit the part. The trap is buying a set so busy you cannot read the numbers on the die you roll most. So pick a themed set whose faces still read at a glance. An amethyst polyhedral set ($64.99) gives you that arcane purple with clean, legible numbers, and the purple cat's eye set ($44.99) is a lower-cost way to get the same wizardly look. Both are real stone, which also means they are more durable than soft resin — a fair point for dice you will roll for years. If you want to compare materials before you commit, our stone vs resin guide lays out the trade-offs, and the full range lives in the gemstone dice collection.
Putting it together
A complete wizard kit, then, is simple: one good seven-piece set with a d20 you read instantly, plus a handful of extra d6s so your big damage spells roll in a single throw. Theme it however you like — arcane purple, cosmic blue — but never at the cost of legibility, because a wizard lives on the d20 and on fast, clean damage rolls. Spend first on a set you can read, add the spare d6s, and you have everything the class actually needs at the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dice does a D&D wizard need?
A wizard needs the standard seven-piece polyhedral set (d4, d6, d8, d10, percentile d10, d12, and d20), the same as any class. The d20 is the most-rolled die, so legibility matters most. On top of the core set, a wizard benefits from a few extra d6s for big spell-damage rolls.
Why do wizards need extra d6 dice?
Because several signature wizard spells roll many six-sided dice at once — a fireball, for example, rolls eight d6 — but a standard set contains only one d6. Extra d6s let you roll all that spell damage in a single throw instead of rolling one die over and over.
How many d6s should a wizard own?
Enough to roll your biggest spell in one go plus a couple of spares — for most wizards that is about eight to ten six-sided dice total, counting the one already in your main set. The simplest way to get there is to buy a cheap second set and use its d6s as a bank.
Do sorcerers and rogues need extra d6s too?
Yes. Sorcerers share many of the same burst spells as wizards (including fireball-style 8d6 damage), and a rogue's Sneak Attack stacks more d6 as it levels up. All three classes roll fistfuls of d6, so all three benefit from owning spares.
What kind of dice set is best for a wizard?
An arcane-themed set whose numbers you can still read instantly — busy patterns that hide the faces slow you down on the d20 you roll most. Purple or cosmic stone sets fit the wizard theme while staying legible and durable, which matters for dice you will use for years.
Do I need a special set just because I play a wizard?
No — there are no class-locked dice, and any standard set works for a wizard. The only wizard-specific advice is practical, not mechanical: own extra d6s for big spell-damage rolls, and pick a readable set since you live on the d20.