Rune Dice is a physics-based roguelike from Smart Raven Studio, published by Kwalee, that launched on May 19, 2026 across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. The core loop is deceptively simple: throw dice across enchanted battlefields, merge matching dice into stronger forms, and chain combos that tear through bosses. Pick from 8 hero classes, stack relics and runes, and see how far a single run can take you before it all falls apart.
Dice merge chain in action
How do the 8 hero classes work?
Rune Dice features 8 unique hero classes, each containing multiple playable heroes. The class you pick determines your starting dice loadout, available abilities, and which relics and runes synergize most naturally with your build.
Because each class comes with a distinct playstyle, your first few runs should be dedicated to sampling different options rather than grinding one class to exhaustion. Some classes lean into aggressive dice throws and raw damage output, while others build around merge mechanics and relic stacking.
Spend your first three runs on three different classes. You will identify your preferred playstyle faster than committing to one class and wondering why the game feels flat.
Choosing your starting class
The sources confirm that each class has multiple heroes within it, meaning you have meaningful choices even before a run begins. Pay attention to which heroes in a class share synergies with the rune and relic pools you have been seeing in earlier runs. A hero whose passive ability triggers on dice merges is worth far more in a merge-heavy build than a raw damage stat advantage.
Hero class select screen
What are relics, runes, and dice synergies?
These three systems are the backbone of every Rune Dice build. The game description from the official listing describes them as the source of "unstoppable synergies" when combined correctly.
- Relics are persistent passive items that modify how your dice behave or how your hero performs across a run.
- Runes attach to dice and alter their properties, changing damage types, merge thresholds, or triggering special effects on impact.
- Dice synergies emerge when specific combinations of relics and rune-enhanced dice interact, producing effects greater than the sum of their parts.
Picking relics at random without checking how they interact with your current rune setup is the fastest way to stall out on a boss floor. Always check what your existing relics reward before grabbing the next one.
The discovery loop here is intentional. Smart Raven Studio built the game around finding new combinations across multiple runs rather than optimizing a single path on the first attempt.
How do bosses and mini-bosses work?
Bosses in Rune Dice are not damage sponges. According to the game's official description, each boss and mini-boss has unique abilities that require you to adapt your throw patterns and positioning. A dice build that demolished every standard room can fall apart against a boss whose ability punishes the merge mechanic you have been relying on.
Mini-bosses appear on procedurally generated maps and serve as checkpoints that test your current build before the full boss encounter. Treat them as calibration runs: if a mini-boss exposes a weakness in your synergy stack, you have time to correct it before the floor boss.
Physics-based throwing means your aim matters as much as your build. Practicing consistent throw angles on standard rooms pays off when boss movement patterns demand precise placement.
Rune Dice system comparison
Quick-start tips for your first run
- Merge early, merge often. The dice merge mechanic is the primary damage multiplier in the game. Letting matching dice sit unmerged is leaving power on the table.
- Read every relic description. Relics with conditional triggers (on merge, on kill, on throw) need to match your playstyle to function. A relic that triggers on kill is weak in a class built around sustained merge chains.
- Mini-bosses are free information. Use them to test whether your current synergy holds up under pressure before committing to a boss fight.
- Physics is a skill. Throw angles, bounce trajectories, and placement all affect whether your dice land on targets or scatter uselessly. Time spent on aim is not wasted.
- Procedural maps mean no two runs are identical. Do not memorize room layouts. Learn systems instead.
Rune Dice carries a PEGI 7 rating, making it one of the more accessible roguelikes for players new to the genre, while still offering enough build depth to satisfy veterans.
For more strategies across all hero classes and relic combinations, the Rune Dice strategy guides cover deeper build theory as the community uncovers new synergies post-launch.