This week I'm joined by Aaron Saltzman (@five2lif), host of Feats & Fantasies actual-play podcasts Cataclysm Rising and Trivium of Time, to discuss everything about dice. We start by talking about how the requirement of random dice rolls fundamentally changes the nature of the "game" from what might be considered a "pure" role-playing experience. Despite my hypocrisy, Aaron and I share stories and anecdotes centred on dice and their oft whimsical nature. Although dice start as an esoteric prerequisite for D&D, they often transform into a completely different beast: a TCG-like collect-'em-up where it's worryingly easy to spend money on extra sets which are utterly surplus. Dice are possibly one of the only things that is the same for every D&D player, which brings us all together, no matter our differences. 02:21 - Dice as RNGs necessary to make it a "game" 07:00 - Anti-dice propaganda - the diminished need for physical dice during lockdown 17:57 - Dice Culture and how it brings us together 28:11 - Dice - The "craft beer" of D&D 37:01 - Accessorise! 43:52 - Awkward dissonance caused by randomness Find Aaron on (@five2lif) on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/five2lif Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/five2lif/?hl=en Website: https://doubletake.xyz Cataclysm Rising: https://doubletake.xyz/cataclysm-rising-feed Trivium of Time: https://doubletake.xyz/trivium-of-time-feed Find me on: Website: https://www.thinkingcritically.co.uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/Danilo_DnD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinking_critically_dnd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingCriticallyDnD References: Fiasco Dungeons, Dice, and Dudes Chessex mats Loke BattleMats Dispel Dice Pixels Dice Death Saves Kraken Dice Wrymwood Agency episode of Thinking Critically Intro Music: 'Local Forecast' by Kevin MacLeod Intermission Music: 'Chill' by Kevin MacLeod Outro Music: 'Local Forecast - Elevator' by Kevin MacLeod