When you roll a d6, and the face looking upwards shows a 1, have you rolled a 6, no? Then why change the approach for the d4?
Number rolled goes up!
this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2025
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this implies d4s can be rolled and not tossed. the number goes on the bottom of a d4 to demonstrate that it is an affront to all that it is good. what you value it breaks because it finds it funny
It doesn't have a face facing upwards for one.. Or it has 3
Number at the top is undeniably superior, it's functionally more well designed. Not only does it make the die more pleasing to look at, but the number isn't fighting for space with the other two digits, the other numbers are also angled downwards rather than upwards, further indicating that the number at the top is what you rolled.
Ok but one is clearly superior.
It's this one.
I audibly gasped. You should really consider an nsfl tag.
You could not be more right.
Purple (number up) team for sure. The only alternative I'll accept is the ones that look like crystals, but I mean c'mon they're just so cool they get a pass, numbers up pyramid is clearly the correct choice.
Evil DMs keep two color-identical D4s, one with numbers up and an evil one with numbers down, and they’re the only D4s allowed on the table. When directed to roll a 1D4, it’s drawn blind and rolled. The hopeful see what they want before their faces give way to crestfall.
These fools! It is so obvious which way is correct
Both sides know the right way, one side is just trolling
Determining the correct d4 layout is left as an exercise for the reader.
Well it is so obvious that surely it goes without saying
Yeah, the blue side is way of the mark
(best d4 shape is dodecahedron with 1-4 repeated 3 times, fight me)
But then you can't tell at a glance what kind of die it is.
Who needs glances when you have organization? There's also versions that use pips or roman numerals or other symbols to make them visually distinct. You could also get them in a different color. Inferior shapes should never be accepted for convenience.
If you are going the pip route, could you - and please hear me out on this one! - combine both sets of values on the same die but without all the math of dividing by 2 or 3?
There's these d8s that use numerals for 1-8 and pips for 1-4 repeated twice. With three different sets of symbols (say by adding roman numerals) you could have a d12 that also functions as a d6 and a d4, though I can't say I've seen one. Trying to put 3 sets of symbols on each die face may create readability issues though.
I think there's other dice out there that function as more than one die but I can't find them atm. There's also ones that are basically just a fidget spinner with various segments or sets of fidget spinners for each die, but you don't actually roll those so I'm not counting them.
You (sir, madam or other desired) just earned the tag "Dice master" in my client.
That was fast and exactly what I meant!
But yeah, 3 sets would probably be a nightmare unless the dice are made large/huge...
Make it a rhombic dodecahedron for extra style points.
Take two different coins: designate one as worth 1, the other, worth 2. Flip both and total the value of the coins showing heads; 0=4.
It’s percentile dice in binary.
Look! I have a… [rummages in wallet] d512 !
Do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior, the infinity d4?
I recently received a d4 as a gift that was essentially a d6 but with two rounded faces so it can only land on the four sides. It’s objectively the better experience but feels like treason.
I hope you also roll a pencil as a d6.
Shit in a pinch that's not a bad idea.
Truncated D8 / 2 for the win!
Or two coins.
Two coins isn't the same thing mathematically.
If heads = 1 and tails = 2 then:
1+1=2
1+2=3
2+1=3
2+2=4
Average is 3, and the lowest is 2.
D4:
1
2
3
4
Average is 2.5, and the lowest result is 1.
d8/2 (rounded up):
1/2=1
2/2=1
3/2=2
4/2=2
5/2=3
6/2=3
7/2=4
8/2=4
Average is 2.5, and the lowest result is 1.
You make sure that the two coins are distinct from each other and decide ahead of time which on represents 0 and 1 and which one represents 0 and 2. Flip them both, add the values, then add 1 to the result.
That lines up mathematically.
I found a dodecahedral d4 once and I have been looking for more of those ever since
https://doublesixdice.com/collections/triplefours
These are the ones I started with. I wish they had focused more on the d4 line than the d6 line but that'd be like asking Wizards of the Coast to make good martials
https://www.diceemporium.com/product/roman-d12-12-sided/
Chessex ones available in a few variations with roman numerals
https://www.thediceshoponline.com/specialist-dice/d12-specialist-dice.html?dice_sides=100&product_list_limit=100
pipped 12 sided d4s, a bit more expensive
https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147622485/20mm-d4-12-Sided-Metal-Dice-w-Black
And if you really have money to burn, these are the only metal ones I could reliably find. It's a chonky boy, bigger than a d12 you'll normally get, basically the size of a d20, maybe even a bit bigger.
There was a game a few years ago called Nibiru that apparently has a decently priced set of 6 metal 12-sided d4s with cuneiform symbols, but it doesn't seem like anyone in the US has the dice in stock (I found one website but I'm pretty sure it was gonna scam me). This appears to be the publisher's website from the UK, though it has had that message about restocking their warehouse since at least this past July so idk, but they say the dice are in stock. Searching on Google were also some Spanish and German sites that maybe had them in stock, but I have no idea if those sites are reputable.
The bottom number while more difficult to grasp initially makes for a much easier more consistent readings, and I'll kill anyone who disagrees.
A fight to your death it is, then.
The triangular shape naturally draws our eyes to the pinnacle. Bottom-numbered D4 are evil and should be banned.
I’ve never looked at a number-on-top d4 and thought “ouchy if only there was an easier way”. Not once. Whether or not I agree with you, the fact that there is a noticeable difference to you, which crosses a particular threshold, is wild.
Thems fighting words. lol I don't actually have that strong of an opinion. just a slight preference for being wrong apparently.
I don't understand the difference--
The far army has the number on the vertices (4), the close army has the number on the base (3).
I may be the only one here who doesn't care. Long as it's understandable, it's good enough.
Its about where the numbers on the dices are placed > either on the tip or side
If its on the side you read the number "flat on the table"
if its on the tip you read the number on the top
I do have a preference but i only say that i like the good one