I have no notes for this set of dice. They’re perfect as they are
Name: Sakura Red Metal and Enamel dice set
Description: This is a standard size set of very sharp edge metal dice. They are anodized a deep red color and have etched Sakura branches/flowers wrapping around the faces in black and white. The numbers are engraved / inked in black. The font is simple and TNR-like with “oldstyle” zeroes that are smaller than the other digits. The 6 and 9 faces use very thin underbars to indicate their orientation just as all dice should. The d10 and d% have sharply edged waists. They came in a metal box with foam inserts to protect them and a colorful traditional Chinese dragon design on the outside.
Size:
d20: (Face->Face) 19.86 mm (Point->Point) 24.56 mm
Where did they come from: Guardian Games, Oregon
How much did they cost: $35
Material / color: Metal (Zinc) anodized red with black painted numbers and engraved Sakura branches/flowers painted black and white
Quality: Excellent quality. They are very elegant and beautiful.
Readability: Not very good. The red is dark enough that they black numbers are hard to see from even 4′ away.
Value: Fantastic value. These are a steal at $35.
Overall Rating: 10/10
Attempts needed to roll a natural 20: 11 rolls
Fifty d20 rolls: 12, 3, 3, 4, 19, 16, 9, 15, 19, 10, 19, 12, 17, 20, 10, 11, 12, 12, 14, 4, 3, 14, 14, 7, 10, 19, 4, 20, 12, 3, 2, 2, 1, 3, 16, 15, 11, 14, 7, 2, 9, 12, 18, 19, 16, 11, 3, 5, 19, 6
Mean: 10.76
Median: 11.5
Mode: 3, 12, 19
4d6 drop 1 stat block: 13, 13, 17, 11, 12, 12 (78 total) A Talented Elf Fighter from a laid-back beach town who suffers from claustrophobia.
For reference: the Standard Array method totals to: 72 and the Point Buy method totals to: 69.
20th level Rune Knight Fighter vs a CR22 Ancient Green Dragon The fighter has maxed STR, GWM feat, and, using 5e rules, a +3 Vorpal Greatsword, a belt of Storm Giant Strength (29 STR). I don’t feel this is too insane with the Monty Hall magic item giveaway…
All attacks will use GWM and one attack uses Giant’s Might. Also, as a Runic Juggernaut (18th level subclass feature), the fighter will be transformed to size Huge for this fight. There isn’t a very clear explanation of the rules around up-sizing in the 5e DMG (page 278) so I’m going to say that becoming Huge, that the weapon will also be huge and thus triple it’s damage from 2d6 to 6d6. My dice review, my interpretation.
Also, on a critical hit, I’d rule that the dragon is too large to have it’s head cut off, so a crit with the Vorpal sword instead does an additional 6d8 slashing damage per the DMG
1st attack: 14 + 18 – 5 = 28 HIT! 6d6 + 1d10 + 10 + 9 + 3 = 59 damage
2nd attack: 9 + 18 – 5 = 22 HIT! 6d6 + 10 + 9 + 3 = 46 damage
3rd attack: 8 + 18 – 5 = 21 HIT! 6d6 + 10 + 9 + 3 = 46 damage
4th attack: 18 + 18 – 5 = 31 HIT! 6d6 + 10 + 9 + 3 = 49 damage
wait for it…. Action Surge!
5th attack: 9 + 18 – 5 = 22 HIT! 6d6 + 10 + 9 + 3 = 47 damage
6th attack: 20 + 18 – 5 = CRIT! (6d6 + 6d8) x 2 + 10 + 9 + 3 = 152 damage
399 damage is enough to fell the ancient green dragon, assuming that the fighter can stand there and take 6 swipes at a dragon in a 6 second turn of combat.
(This is another excuse for rolling dice)
Random Tables rolls:
City Encounters for a level 1 party: 78 – Two Owlbears wander into the city, causing havoc and destroying property as they go. Citizens are fleeing in fear and the guards are trying to contain them with a mixture of force and caution.
Astral Plane Encounters: 56 – 7 smokelike whisps of different colors dances past, any attempt to attack or aggravate them will result in the whisps casting Prismatic Spray on the player, use only one ray.
(I’m getting these random tables at: https://d100tables.com by the way
Final Thoughts: When I went to Oregon last month, I researched the local game stores before I left. I had free time so I stopped by Guardian Games, knowing that they had a few of these dice sets in various colors. If they look familiar it’s because I already own and have reviewed a couple of them. (see posts: 052: “Fields of Gold”, 034: “Last Rose of Summer”, and 006: “Nothing But Flowers”). You might say that I’m quite fond of this design. When I was at the store, I didn’t see the dice on display in their dice case, but they were able to look through the dice in their storage cupboard and find these and a couple of other color-ways that were less interesting to me and I didn’t end up buying.
This was one of those sets of dice that I knew I’d buy as soon as I saw them. The deep anodized red color that changes slightly based on the viewing angle plus the clean carved numbers, branches, and flowers were an instant “yes” from the purchasing department in my head. They’re also very sharp, though they don’t stop rolling as quickly as I’d expect. They are still beautiful to watch on the table. I look forward to bringing these to my next in-person game session.
If you like the cherry blossom vibe that these dice offer, go pick up a set of them. At only $35, they’re a steal for dice this pretty and delicate. I hope I can find them in a few more colors. I think they’d look great in blue, green, or purple as well.
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