The Orb D100: What a Hundred-Sided Die Changes at Your Table

Quick answer

Buy The Orb D100 if you want one heavy, readable metal d100 die that handles percentile rolls and big random tables without hunting for two separate dice. Skip it if your table already runs percentile checks smoothly with two d10s, or if you need a full seven-die set instead of a single showpiece.

A hundred-sided die is not a gimmick, but it is also not a replacement for the rest of your set. It solves one specific problem: rolling 1–100 in a single motion, with one object, at a size you can actually read across the table.

The Orb D100 in black and matte silver is a metal die built around that job. Whether it earns a spot in your bag depends on how often your table rolls percentile, loot, or wild magic, and whether you value the feel of a heavy die over the convenience of two d10s.

What a hundred-sided die actually changes

The practical change is speed and ceremony. Instead of pairing a d10 (00–90) with a d10 (0–9) and reading them together, you pick up one die and roll. That matters most when you are rolling percentile repeatedly: loot tables, random encounters, miss chances, or any d100 table your GM likes to use.

The second change is presence. A large metal d100 is a physical object that sits on the table and gets noticed. The Orb D100 is described by the maker as a die that stops mid-session conversations cold, and that is a fair description of how a heavy, oversized percentile die behaves in play.

The tradeoff is that a d100 is not a fast die to read if the numerals are small, and it is not a quiet die if you roll on a bare table. You are trading a little convenience for a lot of feel.

• Use a d100 when the roll itself should feel like an event.
• Keep two d10s nearby for quick, low-stakes percentile checks.

d100 vs d100 table: which one belongs at your table

A d100 table is a list of 100 outcomes. A d100 die is the tool you use to land on one. They are not competitors, but they do compete for table time: if your GM already has a favorite d100 table, a single hundred-sided die makes that table faster to run because there is no pairing or reading order to argue about.

If your group mostly rolls d20 checks with occasional percentile, the die is a nice-to-have. If your campaign leans on d100 tables, random loot, or percentile-based systems, the die earns its place quickly. The deciding question is simple: how many times per session do you roll 1–100?

One honest limitation: a single d100 does not replace a full set. You still need your d20, damage dice, and the rest. The Orb D100 is an addition, not a substitute.

• Count your percentile rolls for one session before buying.
• If you roll 1–100 fewer than twice a session, two d10s are fine.

Metal d100 handling: weight, surface, and readability

Metal dice feel different. They are heavier, they land harder, and they need a surface that can take it. A gaming mat or a dice tray protects both the die and the table, and it also keeps the roll from skidding off the edge during an important check.

Readability is the other half of the equation. The Orb D100 uses a black and matte silver finish, which is a high-contrast combination that helps the numerals stand out. The maker also states the design ensures a more balanced roll, which is the kind of claim you can only judge by feel at your own table.

If you play in a quiet space or share a table with light sleepers, metal is louder than resin or acrylic. That is a real tradeoff, not a flaw.

• Pair metal dice with a mat or tray to protect the table.
• Check numeral contrast under your usual lighting before committing.

Where The Orb D100 fits in a dice collection

Most players build a collection in layers: a workhorse set, a backup set, and one or two showpieces. The Orb D100 is a showpiece that also does real work. It is a single die, not a set, so it complements a full metal set rather than replacing it.

If you already own a metal set, adding The Orb D100 gives you a matching heavy percentile option. If you own only acrylic or resin, the Orb is a low-commitment way to try metal before buying a full set.

The catalog lists The Orb D100 at USD 22.50, with a comparison price of USD 44.99. It is also a pre-order item, with orders shipping in early September, so plan around that if you need it for a specific session.

• Buy the Orb first if you want to test metal without a full set.
• Buy a full set first if you are still missing core dice.

Pairing the Orb with a full metal set

If the Orb earns a spot, a matching metal set rounds out the table. The Cleric's Domain Purple And Silver Metal Dice Set is die-cast zinc alloy with a purple and silver finish and large easy-to-read numerals, and it includes D4, D6, D8, D10 (00–90), D10 (0–9), D12, D20 plus a foam-lined metal tin. That gives you a full percentile pair alongside the Orb.

For a darker look, the Pre-Order || Cyberlink - Void Blue Dice Set uses die-cast zinc alloy in void black with blue highlights and includes the same seven-die spread plus a foam-lined tin. Either set pairs naturally with a heavy metal d100 without duplicating its role.

Both are pre-order items shipping in early September, so if you want a complete metal kit, order them together rather than in two waves.

• A seven-die set plus the Orb covers percentile and standard checks.
• Foam-lined tins protect metal dice between sessions.

Decision rules for buying a d100

• You roll 1–100 at least twice a session: A single hundred-sided die removes the pairing and reading step from every percentile roll, which adds up over a long campaign. Buy The Orb D100.
• You mostly roll d20 checks: A d100 is an occasional tool in that kind of game, and two d10s already cover it at no extra cost. Skip it unless you want the showpiece.
• You are still missing core dice: The Orb is one die, not a set. A full seven-die set solves more problems for a newer player. Buy a full metal set first, then add the Orb.
• You play on a bare wooden table: Metal dice are heavy and loud, and they can dent or scratch soft surfaces without a mat or tray. Budget for a gaming mat or tray with the die.
• You need it for a session before early September: The Orb D100 is a pre-order item with orders shipping in early September. Use two d10s until the pre-order arrives.

Product facts worth knowing

• PRE-ORDER || The Orb D100 - Black and Matte Silver Metal Die: Metal D100 (percentile) in black and matte silver; the maker states it ensures a more balanced roll and includes 1 × The Orb D100. A single heavy percentile die removes the pairing step from 1–100 rolls and gives the roll more presence at the table.
• PRE-ORDER || The Orb D100 - Black and Matte Silver Metal Die: Pre-order item; orders ship in early September. Catalog price USD 22.50 with a comparison price of USD 44.99. Plan around the ship window if you need it for a specific session, and treat the comparison price as a reason to decide before the pre-order window closes.
• PRE-ORDER || Cleric's Domain Purple And Silver Metal Dice Set: Die-cast zinc alloy with a purple and silver finish, large easy-to-read numerals, and includes D4, D6, D8, D10 (00–90), D10 (0–9), D12, D20 plus a foam-lined metal tin. Gives you a full seven-die metal set with its own percentile pair, so the Orb becomes an upgrade rather than a necessity.
• Pre-Order || Cyberlink - Void Blue Dice Set: Die-cast zinc alloy in void black with blue highlights, includes D4, D6, D8, D10 (00–90), D10 (0–9), D12, D20 plus a foam-lined metal tin, and carries a lifetime warranty. A darker alternative for players who want a full metal set alongside a heavy d100, with the same seven-die coverage.

Who should buy The Orb D100

Best for

• Players who roll percentile, loot, or d100 tables often and want one readable die instead of two.
• Tables that enjoy a heavy, high-presence die as part of the session's feel.
• Players who already own a metal set and want a matching metal d100.

Not for

• New players who still need a full seven-die set before adding a specialty die.
• Groups that roll 1–100 rarely and are happy pairing two d10s.
• Players who need quiet dice or play on delicate surfaces without a mat.

The Orb D100 is a focused purchase: one heavy metal percentile die that makes 1–100 rolls faster and more memorable. If your table rolls percentile often, it earns its place. If not, two d10s still work fine, and a full metal set is the better first buy.