As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
I recently went on a trip to meet up with old friends. Friends that, much like myself, have lots of boardgames. So, in a way I was visiting people and their collection of cardboard that they are fond of so we can all play together by touching all the cardboard as a group.
… Exciting!
While talking over a game with my friends, I quickly realized that various piles of game bits were surrounding the game board. These piles were occasionally being knocked around or falling on the floor. Nothing is protecting them. Where are the game piece holders? A panicked thought goes through my mind, “Oh no! They do not have game accessories!” I quickly ask, because maybe they just didn’t take any out. But looking down at the cards that were, naked, exposed, vulnerable, I knew what the answer was going to be. I was correct. They just never got around to improving their collections with game accessories. It was at this point I realized that some gamers do not have game accessories. Maybe they just don’t know where to find them.
I will be providing you 2 lists of game accessories. The first list below contains cheaper and simple solutions you can acquire to improve gameplay and help organize games. Making games last longer and improving gameplay makes games more fun. The second list will be a follow up post I will link at the bottom when it is written. It will contain more expensive accessories that will pull together the hobby for any game enthusiast.
Specialty Dice & Dice bags
One of the simplest accessories gamers love is specialty dice, as well as dice bags / holders. With so many options to choose, you only have to pick a style that suits your personality. The online marketplace has many dice holders and bags that are both functional as well as stylish. If you are looking for a “cute” option, check out the dice bag my wife has. Upgrading dice sets in a game can be advantageous as some games have one set that everyone is expected to share. I love my friends, but share? No way, get your own!
Dice Towers & Dice Trays
So, you’ve got yourself some spiffy specialty dice, and an epic dice bag already? Now all you need is some sweet places to roll your dice. You could roll on the game table. What? And risk them knocking over pieces, and even rolling on to the floor? The better option is to get a dice tower that does a good roll without making a mess. Or you could utilize a dice tray. Or possibly a combination tower and tray! These items range in price and quality, from simple carved wood all the way up to designer items made from rare materials. Obviously, these items can quickly become status symbols and you get what you pay for.
Playmats & Sleeves
What is a playmat and why should I need one? Playmats are protective gaming mats that are rubberized on the bottom to prevent slippage and have polyester tops that are soft to prevent damage to game pieces. Cards often get damaged when played repeatedly on hard surfaces. So, unless you like replacing your cards often, get a playmat. They are worth the money. You can even get ones with your favorite images from TV, movies, or games, like this one for Frost Punk. Or if you are like me, plain will do. The other way you can protect game cards is to sleeve them. You can buy these with clear sleeves, or if you want to be fashionable, you can buy ones with designer images on one side just like you can with playmats.
I am a fan of Ultra Pro sleeves and mats as they seem to be more durable than competitors. If you disagree, I would love you to post why in the comments. If there is something that is better, I am keen on trying it out!
Game Trays, Storage Bags, & Game Organizer Inserts
It can be said that people that invest in game trays, high quality storage bags and custom game box inserts love their games the best. The reason is, because these 3 items are all about keeping the components neatly organized and safe.
Game trays allow you to store all sorts of game sundry near the game while in play. Its harder to lose pieces because they are less likely to be knocked to the floor and they just look great. There are many options from silicone to leather. Some are fixed and others collapse for easy storage. The collapsible ones use buttons or even magnets to achieve this.
Storage bags come in bulk quantities, and I highly recommend 2Mil plastic or higher. Cheap bags fall apart. 2Mil to 4 Mil bags last a long time. But why get extras? Because a few game companies are known for not giving enough to put all components in. 2×4, or 3×5 are perfect sizes for most game components.
And as is tradition, we leave the best for last. Custom game organizer inserts are a great way to make a game last forever. There are many companies that make them, but the best IMHO is Broken token. But if you do not like BT for some reason, may I suggest Tower Rex as an alternative. No matter the company, these are top notch and worth the investment.
There are many accessories for board games and some are bigger and more expensive than others than others. Its not a cheap hobby. The next list will contain the more expensive accessories (shelves, game tables, and mobile storage devices.). I hope this list helped someone find something to improve their gameplay or at least helped someone who was looking for a gift for a game enthusiast.
Other Posts You Might Like: