Shopping for Must-Have D&D and Magic: The Gathering Accessories
- America's Antique Mall
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Picture this—you’re sitting around a table with your closest friends, preparing for an epic battle that could change the fate of your characters forever. The only thing that could make the thrilling experience even more fun? Having the perfect gaming accessories at your side!
You don’t have to roll initiative to learn all about the top Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons accessories! With our complete guide, you’ll be playing in style in no time.
Tabletop Role-Playing Games vs. Trading Card Games
Tabletop role-playing games, or TTRPGs for short, are collaborative storytelling games (like Dungeons & Dragons) in which the players create unique characters and explore a world under the guidance of a Game Master. The story is guided through character-based interactions, game master narration, and dice rolling. Rules vary from game to game, but the general idea of free-form play remains the same.
Trading card games (TCGs) are often lumped together, but when it comes down to it, TCGs use fundamentally different gameplay mechanics. To play Magic: The Gathering or Pokemon, for example, players are focused on building a strategic deck of game cards to win battles. In TCGs, there’s no descriptive element when it comes to playing—the cards determine exactly how the game goes.
Who Can Play TTRPGs and TCGs?
Good news—anyone of any age or background can play these games! For some full-grown adults, meeting to play Magic: The Gathering is their one opportunity each week to socialize outside of work. College kids and high schoolers have been playing these games since they first came out.
Some long-time collectors of Dungeons & Dragons accessories even introduce their kids at a young age to inspire creative thinking and teach problem-solving. If someone’s interested, they’re welcome to start playing!
Fun fact: plenty of celebrities are public about their love of TTRPGs, including the Fast and the Furious star Vin Diesel and The Late Show’s host Stephen Colbert.
Why People Love Playing Games Like D&D and Magic: The Gathering
Sitting down to play one of these games is an excellent form of escapism. When you get into character and prepare your D&D dice for a session, you can leave daily stressors behind and step into a whole new dimension. For a couple of hours, you can be whoever you want to be, whether that’s a fairy druid with a penchant for stealing or a brave sorceress on the run from her family.
Tabletop role-playing games are an outlet for unlimited creativity. The entire world is designed by one Game Master. Every decision is acted out or rolled for. When the whole game is being made up in your mind’s eye, with your fellow players, the sky is the limit for what can happen at that table. How cool is that?
These days, being a nerd is cool. Just look at the skyrocketing popularity of D&D groups like Dimension 20 and Critical Roll! Passion is never embarrassing. Dedicating your time and effort to learning the rules of a game, watching experts play, and collecting D&D and Magic: The Gathering accessories is a great way to embrace your nerdy side and show love for this incredible hobby.
What is Dungeons & Dragons?
Whether you grew up playing it or saw it for the first time on Stranger Things, Dungeons & Dragons is one of the most famous examples of a TTRPG. The game was first published in 1974 and has since gone through multiple editions, each with its own changes to rules and verbiage.
The game consists of campaigns that are traditionally set in medieval fantasy worlds where characters choose a class, such as Wizard, Bard, or Paladin, and a race, like Fairy or Tiefling, depending on what spells and abilities they’d like to have. Once the characters are set, players head off on a grand imaginary adventure planned by the Dungeon Master (DM).
What Do You Need to Play Dungeons & Dragons?
Technically, all you need to play the fantasy-based TTRPG is a set of D&D dice, paper for character sheets, and a writing utensil. But if you care to get a little fancy with your set-up, you should look into Dungeons & Dragons accessories.
Discover the Different Types of Dungeons & Dragons Accessories
Some Dungeons & Dragons accessories are essential to your tabletop organization during a game, and other Dungeons & Dragons accessories are just for fun! Between the different types of D&D dice and customizable mini figurines, there’s something for every kind of player:
D&D Dice Sets
No list of Dungeons & Dragons accessories is complete without the most crucial playing piece! Available in different colors, finishes, and weights, D&D dice are more than essential—they’re beautiful! Some players buy a new set to match each character they play, some stick to one for all their campaigns, and others hoard any and all D&D dice sets that catch their interest.
A complete seven-piece set of D&D dice includes a D4, D6, D8, D10, D12, and D20, as well as a second D10 used for percentile checks. Each one is labeled with a number, not dots, and has a variety of uses throughout the game, from perception checks to damage and beyond.
The 5 Most Popular Types of D&D Dice:
Resin/Acrylic: resin or acrylic D&D dice are the most common and cheapest option, making them the perfect dice for beginners.
Metal: metal D&D dice are often considered the best and most reliable option by experienced gamers—just make sure you put a pad down on top of your table to protect it from any dings.
Wood: wooden D&D dice are rare and valuable due to the handmade techniques that go into carving these sets.
Mineral: mineral D&D dice can be made out of stone, ceramic, and a variety of gemstones; while visually stunning, they aren’t recommended for actual gameplay, as they can chip easily.
Gimmick: gimmick D&D dice come in non-traditional shapes or have unique gimmicks like spinning top D20s.
How Many D&D Dice Sets Should a Player Have?
Technically, a player only needs one full set of D&D dice in order to play—but seasoned adventurers swear that having multiple sets on hand makes rolling for certain actions more convenient. For example, if you had only one set of D&D dice, made a successful hit, and had to deal 4D6 worth of damage, you’d have to roll your D4 die four separate times. If you had multiple D4s from different sets, you could roll four all at once, adding to the suspense of the game!
D&D Dice Bags
Dice bags are a necessary Dungeons & Dragons accessory, especially if you collect multiple sets of D&D dice. D&D dice bags offer protection and a convenient and organized way to store and transport your beloved sets. These drawstring pouches come in various styles and materials to suit your unique fantasy aesthetic and can be found secondhand at gaming stores and in Illinois antique malls.
D&D Dice Trays and Mats
While the game can be played without them, roll mats and trays are some of the most in-demand Dungeons & Dragons accessories on the market. Designed to protect the table from the impact of dice and reduce the noise of a roll, mats keep a roll controlled and in view. Trays can be found in a variety of styles and colors and are often made out of plastic or leather with raised edges to help keep dice contained.
D&D Dice Towers
Long-time D&D fans are committed to collecting any and all Dungeons & Dragons accessories, including dice towers! These small structures have an internal pathway meant to ensure fair and random rolls and are available in a variety of styles, such as plain wooden boxes, intricate castle turrets, woodland trees, and more. D&D dice towers are especially helpful for “blind” rolls, where the player can roll the dice, but only the DM is allowed to see the result.
Don’t Forget About Dungeons & Dragon Minifigs
While they aren’t essential to gameplay, mini figurines or minifigs are one of the most popular Dungeons & Dragons accessories. Completely customizable, these minifigs let players create visual representations of their original characters. The top recommended companies for D&D minifigs are:
What is Magic: The Gathering?
Magic: The Gathering has remained the most popular collectible card game since it was created in 1993. Players work to build a strategic deck of cards of different spells, creatures, and lands. They then enter battle with one objective—to reduce their opponent’s life total to zero.
Explore the Most Sought-After Magic: The Gathering Accessories
Collecting the perfect deck cards is one thing—having the best Magic: The Gathering accessory at your disposal is another. The next time you’re in the Algonquin antique mall, look for these essentials Magic: The Gathering accessories amongst the vintage clothing:
Protective Card Sleeves, Boxes, and Binders
Protection is key when it comes to Magic: The Gathering accessories. Each card in your collection should be kept in top condition to preserve its overall value and appearance.
Think of individual sleeves as the first line of defense. Those thin, plastic covers will help prevent normal wear and tear during gameplay, as well as unpredictable damage, like spilled drinks or bending.
Deck boxes and binders have a harder exterior and are designed to hold your entire collection, offering even more protection from the outside world. They also make storage easier! When you aren’t battling, you can tuck them safely away with your other Magic: The Gathering accessories. Lucky for you, these are easy to find at any Highland vendor mall!
Six-Sided Dice Sets
When shopping for Magic: The Gathering accessories at your local Indiana vendor mall, don’t forget to keep an eye out for dice! Dice can be used to check stats, track card changes, and generate tokens.
While some players feel better having a D20 at their disposal, you don’t need to invest in a seven-piece D&D set. Just buy a large pack of six-sided dice in your favorite colors at our Algonquin mall and keep them on hand in a stylish and accessible dice bag.
Spinning Life Trackers
Traditionally, players keep track of their opponent’s life totals with a pen and paper—but where’s the fun in that? Invest in your gaming style with a fan-favorite Magic: The Gathering accessory, the spin-down life tracker!
These function just like an old-school combination lock, where each number slot is spun to reveal the desired up-facing number. Every time your enemy loses a life, just reach down and turn your tracker to the correct number!
Magic: The Gathering Playmats
Some Magic: The Gathering accessories just up your cool factor at the table. Playmats can be made from rubber, paper, cloth, or foam and are designed to keep your playing surface organized. Both the official company and other nerd-based brands release playmats featuring colorful artwork, beloved characters, favorite in-game monsters, and more. When you start searching, you’re sure to find one that suits your style.
Pro tip: Plenty of players will spend a pretty penny on discontinued designs. If you find one of these in the Magic: The Gathering accessory section of your favorite vintage and antiques shop, take your time researching it online to see if it could turn a profit!
Head to Battle with Unique MGT Decks
Magic: The Gathering is not strictly a fantasy-themed game. You can also find amazing cards in other fandom-inspired decks when shopping at antique malls, such as:
Where Can You Find Collectible Gaming Accessories?
Are you looking to add to your collection of Dungeons & Dragons accessories? Have you been searching for a thoughtful present for your Magic: The Gathering accessory-obsessed friend? Shopping online at different auction websites and sales will only get you so far. If you want to find unique, rare, and vintage gaming accessories, you should visit a nearby Melbourne vendor mall.
With hundreds of collections and top-selling items under one roof, you can spend hours strolling the aisles in search of all the dice sets and play mats your heart desires. Not quite sure where to start? Don’t be afraid to ask the staff if they have any resident TTRG or TCG gaming booths worth exploring!
If Dungeons & Dragons or Magic: The Gathering accessories are on your shopping list, it’s time to accept that you may be a nerd. Embrace it! Stop by one of our America’s Antique Mall locations and hunt for gaming accessories ASAP.
