Dice

tim-cain dice tabletop dnd temple-of-elemental-evil collections pax

Abstract

Problem: Tim Cain has mentioned his dice collection in passing — what does 45 years of dice addiction actually look like?

Approach: Tim walks through his entire collection on camera, organized by grouping: full sets, partial sets, singletons, and miscellaneous oddities, with stories attached to each.

Findings: The collection spans from 1960s Yahtzee dice and the original terrible TSR Basic Set polyhedral dice to modern metal, stone, and glow-in-the-dark sets — each carrying personal history from high school D&D campaigns, the Temple of Elemental Evil development sessions at Troika, conventions in Sydney, and gifts from partners.

Key insight: Dice aren't just randomizers — they're artifacts of the sessions, people, and moments they were part of, and Tim's collection is essentially an autobiography told through polyhedrals.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnQll2PhAcA

1. The Original TSR Set (45 Years Old)

Tim's very first polyhedral dice came inside the TSR Basic D&D boxed set. They were made of terrible plastic that wore down quickly, and the d20 wasn't even numbered above 10 — you had to use a permanent marker to distinguish the teens. As Tim notes, these dice are older than almost everyone who watches his channel. He outgrew them within a year.

2. The High School Set

His replacement set became the dice he associates with D&D. He used them for his entire four-year high school campaign and still occasionally pulls them out. At the time, quality polyhedral dice were expensive — high-strength polycarbonate, only available at specialty stores like "The Little Soldier" in Old Town Alexandria.

3. The Temple of Elemental Evil Set

When Troika Games held weekly Wednesday D&D sessions during the development of The Temple of Elemental Evil, Tim bought a fresh set specifically for office play. He didn't want to bring his treasured high school dice or the beat-up TSR originals, so he kept a dedicated set at his desk.

4. Metal and Stone Dice

4.1. Heimdallr Blacksmith Dice

Solid metal, extremely heavy, blue and gold coloring that reminds Tim of the Fallout jumpsuit. They left dent marks in his wooden dining table — now that he has a glass one, he only rolls them on a mat.

4.2. Level Up Dice (GX Australia)

At GX Australia 2016 in Sydney, Tim discovered Level Up Dice and bought a hematite set. He returned in 2017 and the same saleswoman remembered him — she showed him a sandstone set he couldn't resist. He never rolls the stone dice, not even on a mat. He just looks at them. "That's how addicted I am."

4.3. Q Workshop / Obsidian Set

Celtic-looking dice that Obsidian Entertainment acquired from Q Workshop at some point. Tim ended up with a set but isn't sure of the exact provenance.

4.4. Brass Dice

A gift from an ex-partner. So heavy they'd not only dent a wooden table but potentially shatter a glass one. Every time they missed the felt mat during a session, everyone flinched at the noise.

5. The Glow-in-the-Dark PAX Set

Bought from Foam Brain Games at PAX. Tim thought they were pink; the seller corrected him — they're purple. Fans have asked when he'll play games in the dark. His answer: "I don't know, but now I'm ready for it."

6. Oddities and Miscellaneous

  • Round six-sided dice — bought in grad school for GURPS. Weighted with a metal ball inside. They work, but roll off the table constantly.
  • Zocchihedron — the 100-sided die, acquired in grad school. "It's like rolling a golf ball."
  • ThinkGeek critical hit die — lights up when you roll a 20. Battery has never been changed and still works.
  • "The Ethereal Die" — a clear six-sided die belonging to his friend William, who would roll it and simply announce whatever number he wanted. Tim: "William, you have to roll real dice."
  • A mystery symbol set — dice covered in swords and sigils with a regular d6 mixed in. Possibly from a game. Tim has no idea which one.
  • A yellow set with a d30 and d24 — no d4, but an d8 labeled 1–4 twice. Tim is waiting for the weird tabletop game that requires them.

7. William's Dice and the Unclaimed Pouch

When Tim's friend William quit D&D, he gave Tim his Player's Handbook and all his dice. These became the starter set for Tim's "unclaimed dice" pouch — a growing collection of dice left behind after gaming sessions at his house or office. He'd send emails asking people to claim them. Nobody ever did.

8. Storage

Tim keeps all his full sets in a grab-and-go case, ready for any gaming session — enough for himself and seven other players. Partial sets and singletons live in felt and leather pouches inside a small chest on his bookcase. Making the video inspired him to order acrylic display trays so the partial sets can be on display too.

9. References