Dice are possibly the most recognizable tabletop game components of all time. Dice come in all sizes, designs, numbers of sides, and sometimes they are entirely custom-made to work only with a single game. Lots of board games have dice and use them in many different ways.
Games with a heavy focus on dice have always been popular, the most well-known being games like Backgammon and Yahtzee. Modern board games continue to look for original takes on utilizing dice in their designs. Some games even attempt to reinvent the concept of dice altogether, creating unique and enjoyable experiences.
10 Space Base Makes Every Roll Matter
In Space Base, players control a space station filled to the brim with ships. Each ship is assigned to a number 1-12, showing when that ship activates. Each turn, one player rolls the dice and triggers one or 2 of their ships matching the roll. The most interesting aspect of the game is buying new ships, thus replacing the old ones. Old ships get turned upside down and activate whenever other players roll that number. It's a great engine-building game and with the insane number of ships, it is never the same game twice.
9 Kingdomino: Duel Turns Dice Into Dominos
Based on the hit game Kingdomino, Kingdomino: Duel reinvents the original idea completely. The game is a head-to-head competition between 2 players. Each round, a player rolls 4 custom dice, all with different symbols on them. Then the players take 2 dice each and combine them to create a domino which they then must place in their kingdom.
The game exceeded expectations and it's played by many gamers, even if they were not fans of the original game it's based on.
8 Machi Koro 2 Is A New Version Of A Hit Game
Machi Koro 2 had a goal of streamlining and perfecting the original game, Machi Koro. In many gamers' eyes, the sequel has excelled and some have even replaced the original entirely with this new title. The game centers around a simple concept of rolling dice, gaining money, and buying more cards to gain more money. It's fast, simple, very easy to teach, and very engaging as each player is constantly looking at the dice, hoping the right number gets rolled. It is becoming a very popular game for all ages.
7 Sagrada Uses Dice To Make Stained Glass Art
Sagrada continues to be a popular title in the board gaming hobby. In the game, players pull dice from a bag and roll them. Then, players will draft these dice one after the other to place them on their stained-glass window to score points. The color of the dice, the numbers on them, and the dice previously placed in the windows all matter a lot, creating tough decisions and great moments of excitement in the game. The fandom for this beautiful, simple game is still growing and it doesn't seem to be slowing down.
6 Elder Sign Lets Players Roll Through Arkham Horror
Elder Sign is a game based on the terrifying tales of H.P. Lovecraft. Players roll dice to solve clues, fight monsters, and defeat the Big Bad at the end. The game's theme has undeniably contributed to the popularity of Elder Sign but it's the stories the game creates that keep players coming back for more. Each expansion of Elder Sign has changed the game from a simple dice game to a rich narrative experience filled with creativity, intrigue, and horror. It has been a favorite amongst gamers since it was first released in 2011.
5 Bang: The Dice Game Is A Wild West Shootout
In Bang, each player takes on the role of a wild-west character, each with a unique special ability. Players are then dealt cards that tell them whether they are the sheriff, a deputy, an outlaw, or the renegade. Every player knows who the sheriff is but all other roles are kept secret.
The game has bluffing, lying, and some social deduction in its DNA but the game is mostly about rolling dice and taking names. The dice have different sides that deal damage, heal, explode, and more. The experience of the game is bigger than the small box it comes in.
4 Dice Throne Is Dice Combat At Its Finest
Dice Throne is a big, grandiose game targeted at hobbyists who are looking for a dice game they can sink their teeth into. In the game, players control characters who have unique abilities, cards, and dice. Players roll and re-roll dice to get combinations that are used to fire off abilities and attacks. Each character in the box is incredibly unique making each play of the game feel different. The game has spawned a sequel, a spinoff, and there is even a Marvel version being released in the future.
3 Roll Player Is Everything Fun About Creating Characters
Roll Player takes the character creation of D&D and turns it into its very own game. Players choose a class to play as and then are given goals they are attempting to complete by the game's end. Dice are drawn from a bag and rolled by each player. Then they must assign those dice to stat slots on their player board while trying to match the dice to their character's class and backstory. For fans of D&D or fans of dice games, this game delivers a wonderful experience which has led to its rise in popularity.
2 King of Tokyo Makes Every Player A Giant Monster
King of Tokyo is a beloved modern classic from the designer of Magic: The Gathering. The game has sold incredibly well and it continues to do so. Each player gets to be a kaiju monster, similar to Godzilla or King Kong, as they fight for control of Tokyo, earn points, and get energy to spend on powerful cards.
The game uses the same dice-rolling mechanisms as Yahtzee but elevates the experience to make players feel like they are the start of a monster movie. King of Tokyo is a favorite amongst hobbyists and newcomers, alike.
1 Dice Forge Lets Players Craft Their Own Dice
Dice Forge changes the definition of what a dice game is. Instead of players rolling dice and choosing how to use them, players choose how to change their dice and then roll them. The game comes with dice that can be fully customized and changed as the sides are replaceable. Players use gold and other resources to pay for new die faces, cards, and abilities. Dice Forge is very unique as it expands upon this idea as much as it possibly can which has led it to become a beloved modern game.