Board Game Accessories Every Game Cave Should Have.

I have a small but sacred little corner of my apartment dedicated to all things board games. Playmats, dice and of course, my games collection sit in silent anticipation for me to have some friends over and pull them out. No matter the size or shape of your game cave, there’s just certain gaming accessories everyone should have….at least in a perfect world, that is.

We’ve compiled a list of 2021’s top game accessories and add-ons to elevate your next gaming session to new heights! Let’s get into it.

Dice Trays

We’ve all been there. You’re playing a game and either you or someone you know gets a little too randy when rolling the dice. Boom! There it goes, off the table, onto the floor, under the couch and just out of fingers reach. It’s annoying, it slows the game down and it is completely avoidable.

Dice trays come in a ton of different shapes and sizes. The velvety interior makes them safe for rolling the more expensive and fragile stone or glass dice that can chip and break when they hit the floor. They almost all have clasps that when undone, allow the tray to sit flat and compact. There is no reason every single person on the planet who rolls dice for any reason shouldn’t have one of these.

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Dice Towers

Because so many games feature dice rolling, it only makes sense that there’s going to be a focus on dice rolling accessories. Enter the dice tower: an apparatus that not only adds some fun to the act of dice rolling but also provides a handy tray at the bottom to stop the dice from getting away from you.

These can be attained in a variety of ways. If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own with a small amount of effort. If you’ve got a 3D printer, there’s open-source blueprints for dice towers available on the web. And, if you’re just looking to put some money down, there’s a ton of cool options to choose from at your local gaming store or online.

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Coins

Any game that requires currency can stand to benefit from this simple upgrade. Better yet, getting yourself or that someone special a coin set gives them something to use for their next cosplay event. Traveling merchant? No problem!

Stonemaier Games, creators of hit game Scythe, offer a coin set that you can grab off Amazon for about $40 bucks but I’m certain with some sleuthing, you’d be able to find alternatives. Coins add a tangible feel that can really bring your next RPG session to the next level.

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Coin/Dice Purse

With all this talk of dice and coins and how great they are for gaming, we really need to bring up the purse. There’s so many to choose from but they all have one thing in common: they get your coins or dice to and from the game safely and offer somewhere to store them without fear of dropping or losing your precious cargo.

Purses come in all styles from fun and furry to coloured chain mail to traditional leather looking bags. The style of purse is totally dependant on the person who is going to be using it but the core reasoning is the same: you have something you want to be kept safe. Problem solved.

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Gem Stones

If you’re going to be playing games that involve treasure, then you are definitely going to want to grab some gem stones. As with coins, giving players something to hold in their hands gives tabletop games a more realistic feel and besides that, the gem stones are really cool to look at. Kids love them too so this is an easy win of a gift!

As with everything else around here, there’s a bunch of different looks you can go for with gem stones. If you’re looking for something a little less pricey, you can always get some multicoloured glass beads but if possible, try to get your hands on the more rugged cut gem stone look-a-likes. They just look so cool!

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Gaming Tables

Admittedly, this is a bigger ticket purchase and one that only works for people who have the space for a larger gaming cave. Or, I suppose you could just ditch the kitchen table and use this instead. Gaming tables come with a ton of inserts, cup holders, dice catches and everything else a group a gamers might need to make their session more comfortable.

Game tables can either be made to order or bought with stock specifications but either way, if you’re going to get serious with your game nights, the table you’re sitting at is going to be a main point of focus. After sitting at a couple of these, I gotta say they being able to keep your drink away from the game is huge and having drop-down shelves really adds a level of comfort that I’d like to have every time I play.

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Game Mats

If you can’t get a whole gaming table, the least you can do is pick up a gaming mat. These are make of a soft material that is easier on dice (assuming you aren’t rolling in a tray), as well as being easier on the elbows and miniatures that might be in play.

Gaming mats come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of images available. So whether you’re game takes place in space, a dystopian future, or you’re just looking for a plain, solid coloured mat, there’s definitely something out there for you!