How to Use the Traveler and Scanlan Dice Sets at the Table
By Critical Role Store | Published: 2026-11-05
Category: How-to Guides
Get the most from your Critical Role dice with a simple table routine: assign roles, prep the d20 icon, manage glitter readability, and keep each set distinct.
Quick answer
Use the Traveler dice set as your trickster or utility set and the Scanlan Shorthalt dice set as your performance or bard set, then follow a short pre-session routine so each set stays readable and ready.
Why these two sets work well as a pair
Both sets are made with Die Hard Dice and share a 7-die polyhedral layout, so you can split them by character role rather than by dice type. The Traveler set’s translucent green with gold numbering reads as a sneaky, nature-adjacent kit, while Scanlan’s translucent purple with pink glitter and pink numbering leans flashy and bardic. That contrast makes it easy to grab the right set mid-scene without digging through a shared dice bag.
The main trade-off is glitter density. Scanlan’s purple and pink glitter can obscure small numbers under low light, and the Traveler set’s shimmering green wisps can do the same at certain angles. Plan for a well-lit tray or a quick tilt before you read a result.
When to switch sets instead of forcing one
If your table uses a single set for all rolls, you lose the character cue these dice provide. Reserve the Traveler set for deception, stealth, or mischief-heavy moments, and the Scanlan set for performance, persuasion, or big damage rolls. If a roll matters and the number is hard to read, switch to the other set rather than guessing—both sets use the same die types, so the swap costs nothing.
Your pre-session dice routine
- Assign each set a character role: Before play, decide which set belongs to which character or roll type. For example, give the Traveler set to a rogue or trickery cleric and the Scanlan set to a bard or any performance-focused character. Write the assignment on a sticky note if your table shares dice.
- Check the d20 icon under your table light: Roll each d20 once in the actual light you play under. If the glitter or shimmer hides the number, tilt the die or move to a brighter spot before the session starts. If you cannot read the 20-side icon and number quickly, add a small LED tray light.
- Separate the sets in your dice bag: Use two small pouches or a divided tray so the purple Scanlan dice and green Traveler dice never mix. Both sets contain the same seven dice, so mixing them makes it harder to grab a complete set in a hurry. Label each pouch with the character name, not the set name.
- Practice the icon call-out: When a d20 lands on 20, point to the musical note or arched doorway icon and announce the critical before reading the number. This keeps the table flow fast and makes the icon useful rather than decorative. Agree with your table that the icon counts as a natural 20 only when the number also reads 20.
- Wipe and store after sticky-finger sessions: After a session with snacks, wipe each die with a dry microfiber cloth and return it to its pouch. Resin dice can pick up smudges that dull the numbering, especially on translucent sets. Never leave the sets loose in a hot car or direct sun; resin can warp.
Product facts at a glance
- Vox Machina Dice Set: Scanlan Shorthalt: The d20 features a musical note icon on the 20-side. You can call out a natural 20 by the icon before reading the number, which speeds up dramatic moments.
Vox Machina Dice Set: Scanlan Shorthalt - Mighty Nein Dice Set: The Traveler: The d20 features the Traveler’s signature arched doorway icon on the 20-side. The icon gives you a quick visual cue for critical successes, useful when the gold numbering is hard to see.
Mighty Nein Dice Set: The Traveler
