The Timestop D-20 Nearly Equals Dice Rolls in D&D for Time Manipulation
The Timestop D-20 Nearly Equals Dice Rolls in D&D for Time Manipulation
My preferred gaming gadget of the year is the TimeStop D-20. It's a watch that not only displays the time but also gives the illusion of rolling dice. It doesn't need to do anything more than that. It won't enhance my dice rolls in any Dungeons & Dragons or other tabletop RPG, nor can it replace traditional dice. Despite its limitations, the $160 TimeStop D-20 is still my go-to watch over any expensive smartwatch.
Tabletop RPG enthusiasts are wary of technology. They're not technophobes, but they prefer to minimize their reliance on digital tools. Instead of carrying an overwhelming number of rulebooks, they bring their laptops to the gaming table. Dice are more than just gaming tools; they symbolize the camaraderie and creativity of tabletop RPGs.
I already own a vast collection of dice. The TimeStop D-20 watch might seem redundant, if not even blasphemous. I tested it out during PAX Unplugged, a gaming convention in Philadelphia, using it for both board games and RPGs. I had to repeatedly explain, "I'm using a watch to roll," which drew skeptical looks from fellow gamers.
Some might be skeptical, but the game moderators were gracious enough not to scold me. However, the puzzled glances from other players suggested they suspected I was cheating. I was displaying numbers from a watch, leading them to wonder if I was faking my rolls.
During a session of the modern Cthulhu-themed game Delta Green, I didn't have much luck. In a 3.5-hour session, I only succeeded in a single roll on a D100. My character, an ordinary claims analyst for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was shot dead while attempting to destroy an eldritch-infused particle accelerator. My watch rolled a number higher than 86 on a Dodge check, allowing me to survive the attack.
The TimeStop D-20 doesn't have a D100 icon, but you can access it by switching to one of the two modes accessible through the side button. It can roll dice from D4 to D20 directly from the main screen. Watching the numbers dance for a split second before settling on a number is a satisfying experience.
However, the watch might not work well for modern RPGs that rely on unconventional D&D dice mechanics. I prefer story-focused games using post-Powered by the Apocalypse systems. At PAX, I played a session of The Wildsea and CBR+PNK, a one-shot game using the dice mechanics from Blades in the Dark. Rolling multiple D6s and looking for the highest result is common in these games, but the TimeStop D-20 can only add up the numbers. To roll a dice pool, you have to roll repeatedly, hoping you remember your results.
Many board games integrate dice directly into the game mechanics and setting. I played Vagrantsong, a game about resuscitating humanity in the souls of dead passengers on a ghost train. The game refers to the dice as "bones," making a digital dice roller seem sacrilegious.
The TimeStop D-20 is a nod to the past. It displays the time and date, with the dice roller always visible on the screen. A button illuminates the digital display in a warm, orange glow.
Devin Montgomery, the watch's lead designer, said the watch is inspired by the wearables from the late 1970s, a time when the first D&D boxed sets were popular. I appreciate that I don't have to worry about charging it, like I do with my Apple Watch Ultra. The watch band with the D-20 fits securely around my wrist with its simple loop band hitch.
However, the watch's high price is its biggest downside. The metallic frame feels luxurious, but for $160, it's significantly more expensive than a set of basic dice. Even the cheaper versions without the metal frame will set you back around $100, making it a pricey novelty for an old-school Casio with limited use cases.
I had to remove the watch during my visit to PAX Unplugged due to food poisoning. But a week later, I'm still wearing it. It's a symbol of my favorite hobby, and even though I'm not dedicated enough to wear a dice bag around my neck, I do find myself sneakily rolling a D20 on my wrist when no one's looking.
Despite the skepticism from fellow tabletop RPG enthusiasts, online reviews for the TimeStop D-20 wearable have been overwhelmingly positive. Many players appreciate its retro design and the convenience it offers, even if it's not replaceable for traditional dice.
As technology advances in the future, wearables like the TimeStop D-20 could become more integrated with gaming mechanics, potentially making digital dice rolls feel less blasphemous in the world of tabletop RPGs.