It seems like not a week goes by that I don’t hear about some wild new take on classic gaming dice. Gemstone dice, dice hewn from petrified wood, mammoth ivory dice! So niche. So extravagant. So… expensive.
I can’t be the only one who’s torn between the allure of exotic dice and the bitter disappointment that follows the inevitable sticker shock.
It’s with that in mind that I present to the GeekDad audience Norse Foundry. As the name implies, this is a unique manufacturer with an eye toward fantasy gaming. And their banner item? Metal gaming dice.
Stay with me here. These aren’t rare elements or ancient fossils; they’re just, y’know, metal. And that’s a good thing.
Available in a variety of hues–with delightful names like Bronze Dragon Scales, Dead Man’s Gold, and Drow Black–Norse Foundry 7-piece RPG metal dice sets sell for $34.99. Admittedly, that’s higher than your standard pack of plastic polyhedrals, but these dice have more going for them than just their good looks.
I’ve been using their Aged Mithral dice for a few weeks now, and it’s amazing how quickly I adjusted to their increased weight. (Which was, for the record, my only big concern.) Finely crafted and perfectly balanced, they roll true and are the very picture of durability. And, while they don’t exactly give me a commanding edge in skill checks, they do offer +1 to intimidation when I first bust these bad boys out on an unsuspecting gaming group.
The only drawback–and props to Drew from NF for warning me about this one–is that the material strength and meticulous edging on these dice can prove hazardous to wooden play areas. To that end, Norse Foundry also sells playmats.
These custom rolling surfaces are big (24″ x 14″) and beautifully designed. My favorite features a dwarf, a tiefling, a halfling, and an orc taking a break from their own fantasy gaming–the DM is a gnome, naturally.
Printed on durable, fray-free polyester and backed with slip-resistant neoprene, they provide an ample rolling area that stays put. The soft colors also provide a fantastic contrast to the gleaming precision of the metal dice.
If you’re in the market for a new set of dice and would like to make an impression without breaking the bank, definitely give Norse Foundry a look. Their products are available at select gaming retailers across the US, but, for those of us in more remote locales, you can check out the entire line and order direct from the Norse Foundry website. Better yet, if you order online before April 30, 2016, using the coupon code geekdad, you can score 10% off all Norse Foundry products!
Review materials provided by: Norse Foundry
We are a leading manufacturer for all kinds of game dice, our main products are metal, arylic dice…….Choose us as your supplier with our strengths:
1. all dices are on sale at factory price;
2. we have huge amounts of products in stock, no need to wait for long time production;
3. we have quality products with quality service;
4. the most inportant, now we are on promotional!
Do let us know. If you are interested to know more details about our products.
If Disturbed, sorry please ignore. thanks.