Dice Blocks vs Individual Dice: What Tabletop Players Need
By Over the Brick | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Buying Guides
A dice block wins on unit cost and matching sets; individual dice win on color and feel. Here is how to choose for D&D, wargames, and shared tables.
Quick answer
Buy a dice block when you need many matching dice at the lowest cost per die, such as rolling large pools in wargames or stocking a shared table. Buy individual dice when you want one specific color, a heavier feel, or a single showpiece set. Many players do both: a block for bulk rolling and a small set of singles for character dice.
The real difference: unit cost and consistency
A block sells you a fixed count of identical dice in one container, so the price per die drops and every die matches. Individual dice let you pick exact colors, finishes, and sizes, but you usually pay more per die and may not find enough of one style for a large roll.
For games that ask you to roll 10 or more dice at once, matching dice also speed up reading results because the numbers and size are uniform across the whole pool.
Size matters more than most buyers expect
12mm dice are compact and light, which makes them easy to carry in a bag and comfortable to roll in large numbers. Standard 16mm dice feel heavier in the hand and are easier to read across a table, but a big pool takes more space and weighs more in transit.
If you already own 16mm dice and add a 12mm block, keep the two sizes separate during play so you do not mix them into one pool by accident.
How to split a block across a group
A 36-die block divides cleanly for a typical four-player table. Six dice per player covers most hit dice, damage, and save rolls, and you keep twelve dice as spares or as a shared pool for the game master.
Label or bag each share before the first session. Loose matching dice get mixed together fast, and players who care about their own set will want a way to tell them apart.
Where individual dice still win
Singles are the better purchase when the die is part of the character: a specific color for a rogue, a themed set for a spellcaster, or one oversized d20 that is easy to spot. They are also the practical choice when you need only one or two dice and do not want to store a full block.
The trade-off is consistency. Buying singles one at a time often means slight differences in shade or finish between orders, and a rare color can be hard to replace if you lose a die.
Mixing dice with miniatures and wargame kits
Dice are only one part of a tabletop budget. If you are also buying miniatures or a wargame unit box, decide which purchase needs the bulk discount and which needs the specific model. A cheap dice block frees up budget for the figures you actually field.
Pre-painted miniatures arrive ready to use, while plastic wargame kits need assembly and paint, so plan your hobby time before adding either to the cart.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Cost per die: A 36-die block spreads the price across many identical dice, so each die costs far less than a single picked die. Choose the block if you need volume; choose singles if you need only a few.
- Consistency and matching: Block dice match each other in size and style, which helps when reading large pools. Singles can vary slightly between orders. Matching matters most for wargames and shared tables.
- Choice and character: Individual dice let you pick a specific color, finish, or size for one character or one display piece. Buy singles when the die itself is part of the fun.
- Storage and transport: A block arrives in a clear hard plastic container, which keeps 36 dice together. Singles usually need a bag or box you supply. If you travel to games, the included container is a real convenience.
- Readiness: Dice are ready to roll immediately. Wargame kits and unpainted miniatures require assembly and paint time first. Budget hobby time, not just money, before adding kits.
Product facts
- Chessex Scarab™ Jade with Gold Numbers 12 mm Dice Block (36 dice): Chessex Scarab Jade with Gold Numbers 12 mm Dice Block contains 36 12mm d6 dice in jade with gold numbers, packaged in a clear hard plastic container. This is the bulk option: 36 matching small dice in a reusable case, which suits large pools and shared tables. Coloring varies from set to set, so treat the exact shade as a pleasant surprise rather than a guaranteed match to a photo.
- D&D Icons of the Realms Miniatures: Spelljammer Adventures in Space - Astral Elf #1: D&D Icons of the Realms Miniatures: Spelljammer Adventures in Space - Astral Elf #1 is a pre-painted WizKids miniature from the 24th Icons of the Realms set, ready for display or play. A single pre-painted figure is the opposite of a bulk purchase: you pay for one specific character with no assembly or painting. It shows where individual buying makes sense when the model, not the count, is the point.
- Warhammer: The Old World - Tomb Kings of Khemri: Skeleton Warriors: Warhammer: The Old World - Tomb Kings of Khemri: Skeleton Warriors contains plastic components to build 36 Skeleton Warriors or Skeleton Archers, plus relevant command units, supplied unpainted with some assembly required. This kit also gives you 36 models, but they need assembly and paint before play. Comparing it with the 36-die block clarifies that a dice block is ready out of the container, while a wargame unit box is a project.
Which should you buy?
Best for
- Wargame and skirmish players who roll large dice pools and want matching dice
- Groups stocking a shared table or game master dice tray
- Players who want a compact 12mm set that travels easily
- Buyers who want the lowest cost per die without hunting for singles
Not for
- Players who need one specific color or a single showpiece die
- Tables that prefer the heavier feel and larger size of 16mm dice
- Buyers who only need one or two dice and do not want to store a full block
- Collectors matching an existing set where exact shade must be identical
