Dice Tower - Yay or Nay?

[Raider4]

Someone just mentioned buying a dice tower in another thread.

I built one out of foamboard a while ago - from plans found on the 'net.

It works perfectly. But . . . I don't use it now. It just seemed to "de-personalise" the dice roll, if you see what I mean. It's like using one of those computer programs that will generate any dice roll you want at the press of a key. It removed the element of me needing to throw a 5 or more.

Anyone else tried one? Thoughts?

[FierceKitty]

Got one a few years ago; I'm all for it. No ambiguity of whether one has rolled or "dropped" the dice, or idiots throwing them as if trying to break my figures. And it's an attractive walnut wood.

[Scorpio_Rocks]

I can understand, and appreciate, both points of view:

Dice towers: +ve = no "ambiguity" of roll, protects figures; -ve = wait for dice to "tumble", size (storage and real estate on table)
Hand rolled: +ve = the "feel" of rolling my dice and being "involved" in the fight with my little men. -ve = danger to figures, "creative" rolls.

I find the best of both worlds is rolling in a dice tray - still get that feeling of rolling, but stuff is protected and folk can see/hear the roll clearing ambiguity.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

No, one reason, the NOISE! 

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Use ear defenders (military def ears) Will 

[toxicpixie]

I like the idea of them better than the actuality; I have a nice 3d printed one based off a Roman design (really!) and it's cool factor is quite high, but... it does feel very impersonal when rolling. I tend to use it mote if GM'ing RPGs or I'm "umpiring" a more narrative game to remove the element of "the GM is out to get you" and put it back psychologically to random death in the life support system...

[Norm]

I have a felt lined tray (an ex box lid), which is fine, it dull the dice thud and is wide enough for me to get my big hands in to scoop up the nice ..... so a Nay to dice towers :-)

[Ithoriel]

My Heroes of Normandie kickstarter came with a dice tower modelled after Pegasus Bridge. I use it when playing solo but not if there are others in the game ... not entirely sure why there's a difference.

[Steve J]

A No from me to dice towers.

[sultanbev]

I've only just started using one to try it out. We tend to have terrain heavy battlefields so dice rolled on table are often cocked in some reeds or a garden somewhere.
Seems to improve my scores so am sticking with it for now

Although, having a 10x 5' table, I now realise I need another one for the other side of the table.... :-

Mark

[mollinary]

Just bought my first two these, from the TFL  (sorry Leon, but I don't think you do them?). I actually rather like these - they fold into a simple box shape for storage, have a snazzy logo on the side and, most importantly, have pieces of felt to line the tower and tray and cut down the rattling of the bones!   So, I think I am a convert (of course only for games when I cannot use chits or playing cards, so for Commands and Colors Epic Ancients, basically!).

PS It took me HOURS to work out how to put them together without an instruction sheet! Can't tell you how proud of myself I was when I finally got one right - small things please small minds it seems.

[hammurabi70]

I have two and thoroughly recommend them  However, I am the only club member using a dice tower.  Dice cups seem to be very popular.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Hate them too, too noisy unless someone brings a proper backgammon set...

[Orcs]

No Never used them. I keep meaning to buy a dice tray - perhaps on my Christmas list

[sunjester]

That's a no for me.

I have seen various reasons given for using then, a common one seems to be similar to FK's comment "No ambiguity of whether one has rolled or "dropped" the dice". I would say if that is the case you are playing with the wrong people, you don't need a dice tower you need different opponents!