We get asked this question a lot, we get it via email, on our instagram and at our booths at conventions:
Are Liquid Core Dice balanced?
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are all about immersion, strategy, and of course, the roll of the dice. While traditional dice have long been the go-to for many players, the rise of unique and visually stunning dice sets—such as liquid core dice—has sparked curiosity and debate. But the big question remains: Are liquid core dice balanced?
We decided to dive into the mechanics of what makes dice fair and balanced, and if that applies to Liquid core dice.
But that's not all, there's only one way to really put this question to rest once and for all; We actually sat down and rolled our dice 10.000 times! Yes, you read that correctly, some poor GlassStaff goblin actually had to roll a solid resin d20 and and a liquid core d20 5.000 times each! And the results are just beautiful!
But first, let's get some basics about liquid core dice and dice fairness down. Do you already know everything there is to know about that? Well you can go ahead and over on to our test results right away.
What Are Liquid Core Dice?
But first, the basics. Liquid core dice are an awesome innovation in the world of dice. Unlike traditional solid dice, liquid core dice feature a small chamber inside that is filled with a liquid, often containing glitter or other decorative elements like mica. This creates a mesmerizing effect as the dice are rolled, with the liquid swirling inside the transparent or translucent outer shell.
A lot of people really like these dice for there unique look and feel because they're very sparkly. However, the inclusion of a liquid core raises questions about the dice's balance and whether they roll fairly.
The Importance of Balanced Dice in TTRPGs
So why does it matter? Well if it doesn't matter to you it will certainly matter to your game master. In any TTRPG, the fairness of dice rolls is crucial. Balanced dice ensure that each roll is random and that no side is more likely to land face-up than another. This fairness is fundamental to the integrity of the game.
Unbalanced dice, on the other hand, can lead to repeated numbers, undermining the randomness that your game relies on. They can frustrate players and affect the overall experience of the game. A die has to be completely random, period.
Factors Affecting Dice Balance
Several factors can influence the balance of a die, including:
- Material Density: Variations in density within the dice can cause weight imbalances.
- Shape and Symmetry: Even slight imperfections in the shape of the dice can skew the results.
- Manufacturing Quality: Inconsistent craftsmanship can result in dice that are not perfectly balanced.
- Internal Components: In the case of liquid core dice, the liquid inside and its movement could potentially affect the dice's center of gravity if not placed correctly.
So let's get into it! What are the results of the test?
You're excited to see this right? As were we when we did this test. But hang on for just a little bit and let me explain the conditions of the test, because they matter!
- We rolled the dice on an open surface. This is because when you roll a die against an object like a dice tray wall or when you roll through a dice tower your roll will always be fair! So to find any possible imperfection the dice needs to stop rolling by itself, to give imperfections the chance to express themselves.
- We rolled similar die. We rolled one of our sharp edged resin dice against one of our sharp edged resin liquid core dice. Size of the two dies were equal.
- We used the d20. Since they have the biggest liquid core, any imperfections that a liquid core would cause would certainly be visible in a d20.
- We shook em and rolled them hard. In order for liquid core dice to show any bias towards one side, it needs to roll! So we shook 'em and rolled them hard!
- We rolled each 5000 times. You have to roll them a large amount of times in order to gather enough data. Rolling dice is fun anyway.
Now before we judge the results, it is important to see some reference. What would be fair result? To answer that we used a random generator and put those results into a table. Here are the results:
The black line in the chart represents a perfect 250 score for a number. You can see that all bars are pretty close to that perfect bar, as would be expected with a random number generator
So with the conditions and reference down, we started to roll. After each roll we noted down the value and rolled again. Repeat 500 times. After that we put the data into excel to see the results, and here they are!
So, what do you think? Beautiful right!? We were amazed to see that both dice actually rolled very fairly and true. There seems to be no difference between them!
Conclusion
Liquid core dice are a stunning, sparkly and very shiny. But their balance depends on the quality of the manufacturer. We tested ours vigorously at the expense at one of our GlassStaff goblins and we can say for sure; our liquid core dice are balanced!
If you’re in the market for liquid core dice or other TTRPG accessories, check out our store’s collection of liquid core dice. We offer a range of high-quality dice to suit every gamer’s needs.
