Dragons of Etchinstone vs Too Many Bones: Which Dice Builder RPG?
By Chip Theory Games | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: Comparisons
Dragons of Etchinstone and Too Many Bones both build dice, but they serve different players. Compare their scale, complexity, and cost to find your match.
Quick answer
If you want a deep, epic campaign with heavy dice management and a premium price, choose Too Many Bones. If you prefer a fast, minimalist, brain-burning puzzle that fits in a pocket, choose Dragons of Etchinstone.
Scale and commitment
Too Many Bones is a full-scale adventure: you save the land of Daelore, battle Tyrants, and manage a Gearloc’s abilities across a multi-hour session. It’s a big-box experience with a price tag to match.
Dragons of Etchinstone strips everything down. There are no dice, no chips, and no backup plan—just your brain. It’s a minimalist puzzle that still delivers epic, brain-melting strategy, but in a fraction of the time and table space.
Cost and accessibility
Price is a major differentiator. Too Many Bones is a premium investment, while Dragons of Etchinstone is an affordable entry point into Chip Theory’s design philosophy.
If you’re new to dice builder RPGs or want a travel-friendly game, the lower cost and smaller footprint of Dragons of Etchinstone make it much easier to try.
The trade-off
- Depth vs. simplicity: Too Many Bones offers a sprawling campaign with many components and rules, while Dragons of Etchinstone distills strategy to its purest form. If you have limited table space or time, simplicity wins.
- Cost vs. value: Too Many Bones is a premium product at a premium price, while Dragons of Etchinstone is a budget-friendly way to experience a dice builder RPG. Consider how often you'll play to justify the higher cost.
- Player count and portability: Too Many Bones is designed for solo or a small group with a large footprint, while Dragons of Etchinstone is ultra-portable and ideal for solo play on the go. If you travel often, portability may be the deciding factor.
Product facts
- Too Many Bones: A Dice Builder RPG: Too Many Bones is a dice builder RPG where you save Daelore by battling Tyrants, using Gearlocs with unique abilities. This gives you a deep, character-driven campaign with high replayability, but it requires a significant time and money investment.
Too Many Bones: A Dice Builder RPG - Dragons of Etchinstone: Dragons of Etchinstone is a minimalist dice builder RPG with no dice, no chips, and no backup plan—just your brain. It delivers intense strategic decisions in a compact, affordable format, perfect for quick sessions and travel.
Dragons of Etchinstone
Which one fits you?
Best for
- Players who want a deep, epic campaign with high replayability and don't mind a higher price.
- Solo gamers who enjoy complex dice management and a large table presence.
Not for
- Players seeking a quick, minimalist puzzle that fits in a pocket or budget.
