Dice towers… Do you have one? Do you need one? Should I get that thing growing on my armpit checked? All valid questions. So, let me try and give you my unbiased opinion on at least one dice tower that I picked up while roving the game aisle at Wal-Mart—because, let’s be honest, nothing says “adventure” like a trip to the grocery store.
This is the Spinmaster Campaign Dice dice tower. So, why did I choose to purchase this particular contraption? Well, honestly, I haven’t used a dice tower in a while. I actually don’t even own one. Yeah, I know—shocking, right? So, for the modest price of $14.88, I figured I’d give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen? I’d end up with another paperweight or a new way to annoy my cats.
Upon opening the box, I noticed it was two pieces. Three, if you count the tiny plastic bag of seven
polyhedral dice that came with it: 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 2d10, 1d12, and 1d20. Because what’s a dice tower without a handful of dice that you’ll probably forget to bring to the table?
The two main pieces—one is the dice tray, and the other is the tower—fit snugly together. Once assembled and dice poured into the top, the tower does a more than adequate job of “rolling” the dice. It’s got three levels for them to tumble against, which makes the whole process a lot less chaotic than just tossing them onto the table and praying for the best.
One thing I found particularly great was how it handled the d4. D4s are, in my opinion, one of the most problematic dice to roll. They never want to roll properly—try as you might, they just want to find a flat spot and slide away like they’re avoiding work. Even the spin technique can be a pain, sending your die bouncing wildly across the table or, worse, into the oblivion under the couch. But the tower? It actually made sure the damn thing rolled. No more “slide to victory” for the d4—just a decent roll and a fair result.
The tower also folded up easily, making it a travel-friendly option. You can store your dice inside if you’re feeling fancy, but be warned—shake it a little and it’ll sound like you’ve got a maraca in your hands. The plastic is sturdy enough to withstand some abuse and should hold up for quite a while. It’s molded with a cobblestone pattern for effect, which helps with the dice grabbing and adds a bit of aesthetic flair. Honestly, I think it’s kind of charming in its simplicity.
But—there’s always a “but”—the decorations. The color graphics are done with printed cardboard glued onto the plastic. In some areas—the mouth of the tray, the back bottom—the cardboard extends beyond the edges of the tower. This can give it a cheap feel, and if you’re not careful, those bits can rip off over time. Plus, if you’re a regular gamer, those cardboard graphics are going to get scratched, scuffed, and worn pretty quickly. It’s like a badge of honor, but also a sign of battle scars.
All in all, it’s a good dice tower. It does what it’s supposed to do—rolls the dice fairly and without fuss. It’s no dragon spewing fire and glittering in the sunlight, but it’s honest and practical. It doesn’t try to be one of those fancy, over-the-top towers that look like a creature from Dungeons & Dragons’ most epic nightmares—just a simple, no-nonsense device.
Would I recommend it? Sure. For a novice or the occasional gamer who wants something reliable without breaking the bank, this is a solid choice. For the seasoned pro who likes their stuff pristine and perfectly polished, you might want to keep shopping. Maybe there’s a purple worm that shoots dice out of its mouth with a flick of its tail somewhere out there—if you find it, let me know. Until then, this tower will do just fine.
