What to Pack for a Convention: Dice, Mats, and Accessories

Quick answer

Pack for a convention by building your kit in layers: first choose the dice you will actually roll, then add a mat or tray that suits those dice, then organize everything in a bag with dedicated compartments. Weigh your bag before you leave and remove anything you did not use at your last event. The goal is a kit you can carry all day and reset between sessions in under two minutes.

Start with the dice you will actually roll

Most convention packing lists fail because they start with the bag, not the dice. Before you choose a single accessory, pull the dice you genuinely plan to use for scheduled games. If you are running a D100 system or a percentile-heavy one-shot, that means a dedicated D100 rather than a standard set. If you are playing a standard d20 game, two matched sets plus a spare d20 cover most table needs.

A common mistake is packing every set you own because each one feels lucky. At the table, you will reach for the same two or three sets anyway. Leave the rest at home and use the space for a mat or tray that actually changes how your dice behave.

Match your mat or tray to your dice material

Metal dice need a different surface than lightweight plastic or resin. A thin cloth mat will not protect a table from metal edges, and a hard surface will send metal dice skittering off the table. If you are bringing metal dice, pack a tray or mat with a raised lip and a soft interior. If you are bringing only plastic or resin, a flat mat is enough.

Check the thickness and roll-up behavior before you pack. A mat that will not lie flat after being rolled in a bag is worse than no mat at all, because dice will catch on the curled edge.

Organize accessories by session, not by type

Instead of packing all dice in one pouch and all tokens in another, build one small session kit: the dice for that game, a pencil, a few condition markers, and any cards or sheets you need. This lets you grab one item and go when a table opens up. A backpack with a split compartment design, like the Pathfinder Split Art Backpack, makes this easier because you can keep two session kits separate without mixing them.

A frequent mistake is packing accessories you never use, such as a full set of terrain pieces for a theater-of-the-mind game. Weigh your bag after packing. If it is heavier than you can carry for a full convention day, remove the least-used item before you leave.

Protect the dice that matter most

Your most valuable or heaviest dice need individual protection. A large metal D100, for example, can dent softer dice or crack a thin plastic case if it shifts during travel. Use a foam-lined tin or a dedicated dice case for any oversized or metal die. The Bloodied Black Dragon's Egg Metal Dice Set includes a foam-lined metal tin, which is a practical example of how to store a full metal set without rattling.

Do not assume a soft dice bag is enough for metal. The bag protects the table from the dice, but it does not protect the dice from each other. Check for dents or chipped edges after each convention day and move any damaged die to a separate pocket.

Pack a reset layer for between sessions

Between sessions, you need a place to put dice you have used, a cloth to wipe metal dice, and a small bag for trash or wrappers. A dedicated reset layer keeps your main kit clean. Use a small zippered pouch for this, not the same compartment as your dice. If your bag has a front pocket, that is a good place for a cloth and a spare pencil.

A common mistake is skipping the reset layer because it feels like extra weight. Without it, loose dice end up in the bottom of your bag and you spend the first ten minutes of every game sorting them out.

Your step-by-step convention packing process

1. Step 1: Choose dice by game, not by collection: Pull only the dice you will use for scheduled games. For a d20 game, pack two matched sets and a spare d20. For a percentile game, pack a dedicated D100 like The Orb D100 rather than improvising with two d10s. Checkpoint: if you cannot name the game you will use a die for, leave it at home.
2. Step 2: Match your mat or tray to your dice material: Metal dice need a raised-lip tray or a thick mat to protect the table and keep dice from rolling off. Plastic and resin dice work on a flat mat. Roll up your mat before packing to confirm it lies flat. Checkpoint: a mat that stays curled is a trip hazard for dice. Swap it or pack it flat.
3. Step 3: Build one session kit per game: For each game, combine the dice, pencil, markers, and any cards in one pouch or compartment. Use a bag with split storage, such as the Pathfinder Split Art Backpack, to keep two session kits separate. Checkpoint: you should be able to grab one kit and start playing in under a minute.
4. Step 4: Protect oversized and metal dice individually: Pack any large or metal die in a foam-lined tin or dedicated case. The Bloodied Black Dragon's Egg Metal Dice Set includes a foam-lined tin, which is a good model for how to store a full metal set without rattling. Checkpoint: shake your bag gently. If you hear metal hitting metal, add foam or separate the dice.
5. Step 5: Add a reset layer and weigh the bag: Include a small pouch with a cloth, spare pencil, and a trash bag for wrappers. Weigh the packed bag before you leave. If it is heavier than you can carry for a full day, remove the least-used item. Checkpoint: after your last convention, note what you never used and cut it from the next packing list.

Products that fit this packing process

• Pathfinder Split Art Backpack: The Pathfinder Split Art Backpack from Misty Mountain Gaming is designed for Pathfinder fans and tabletop gamers, with a split art design and standard SKU Pzo-12. The split compartment layout supports the session-kit approach: you can keep two separate game kits organized without mixing dice and accessories.
• PRE-ORDER || The Orb D100 - Red and Gold Metal Die: The Orb D100 in red and gold is a die-cast zinc alloy D100 that includes one die and is set to pre-order with orders shipping in early September. If you are packing for a percentile system, this is a dedicated D100 rather than a stand-in. Its metal construction means you should pack it in a foam-lined case, not a soft bag.
• PRE-ORDER || Bloodied Black Dragon's Egg Metal Dice Set: The Bloodied Black Dragon's Egg Metal Dice Set includes D4, D6, D8, D10 (00-90), D10 (0-9), D12, D20, and a foam-lined metal tin. It is set to pre-order with orders shipping in early September. The included foam-lined tin solves the metal-dice storage problem directly: you can pack the full set without adding a separate case.