this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2025
39 points (93.3% liked)

What is this thing?

7306 readers
89 users here now

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I know WHAT it is, but I dont know why it exists, what use it has, or where it may have come from. All sides are identical, its translucent green. The pips are scalloped, not painted on, and are otherwise unremarkable. Help me out here, its definitely my favorite d6, but I am struggling to figure out a purpose for a +5 dice.

...I mean, aside from that I need a +5 weapon, clearly.

top 13 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] fartographer@lemmy.world 13 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

I had one of these in red. It's for some really shitty magic tricks

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago (1 children)
[–] fartographer@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

Good point!

[–] calliope@retrolemmy.com 23 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Magic tricks, for example.

Apparently they’re called Forcing Dice; obviously they sell different ones but the concept is the same.

Obviously these dice will not stand close scrutiny so they are most effective when used sparingly, substituted for a regular die at a critical moment.

Very useful to magicians who need to force a specific number as part of a trick, or as part of a humorous routine.

[–] lugal@lemmy.dbzer0.com 17 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

How do you look at this for longer than 2 seconds without noticing it? Guess it's a good example of how much of magic is distraction

[–] davidgro@lemmy.world 24 points 17 hours ago

My guess is the magician rolls the forcing dice (perhaps after showing other identically colored dice for close inspection), instantly reads off the result, giving just enough time to see the top faces match what they said, then scoops them back up and moves on with the trick.
You might not get those two seconds.

[–] Goretantath@lemmy.world 5 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Ikr, baking the dice is a wayyy better option

[–] AMillionMonkeys@lemmy.world 21 points 18 hours ago

I'm guessing it's part of a magic trick.

[–] Bags@piefed.social 15 points 18 hours ago

Made me think of this lol

Seems like "some kind of joke" is a likely answer, but I don't know for sure.

[–] Crozekiel@lemmy.zip 3 points 15 hours ago

I have one of these in red, but it is larger than what I would consider a standard d6. No idea why. Someone left a box full of ttrpg dice at my apartment like 20 years ago and it was inside...

[–] tal@lemmy.today 4 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

I cross-posted this to !clacksmith@lemmy.world, the resident Threadiverse dice experts, so they might also be able to provide some insights.

[–] Pfeffy@lemmy.world 0 points 14 hours ago

You can't figure out any possible reason why a dice would have incorrect sides? Have you ever seen that trick coin? What are you imagining it could possibly be?