Read the four numbers first

Before touching a die, locate the level, threshold, Bones, Multiplier, and total. The threshold is the immediate problem; the other values explain how the selected hand becomes a score. A promising pattern is not useful if the remaining hands and rerolls cannot finish the level.

The official store describes a loop of selecting dice, rerolling unwanted results, playing poker-style hands, and building a deck of skulls. Keep those layers separate while learning. First identify the hand, then the skull triggers, then the score requirement.

Dice of Kalma board with level, threshold, dice, hand and reroll controls
The main board keeps the current threshold and remaining resources visible around the dice.

Lock a plan before the first reroll

Choose the strongest pattern that is already partly present. Hold only the dice that belong to that plan. If the result misses, decide whether the same target still has a reasonable path or whether the board now favors a different hand.

Do not chase a rare result simply because it has a higher ceiling. Early consistency gives you more chances to see how skulls alter ordinary hands.

  • Name the target hand.
  • Hold only matching dice.
  • Check rerolls before committing.
  • Re-read skull triggers after the dice change.

Choose skulls for a job

A skull is not just a permanent score bonus. Official selection screens show effects tied to conditions such as having a die match the rerolls left, playing out of rerolls, or reaching a particular hand rank. Read the trigger before the reward.

A good early deck has effects you can intentionally activate. When two choices appear close, prefer the skull whose condition matches the hands and reroll rhythm you are already using.

Dice of Kalma choose-a-skull screen showing Machine, Candle and Guard Skull
Skull selection is a condition-and-reward decision, not a simple rarity choice.

Use upgrades to support the run you have

Hand upgrades reward commitment, but they should follow evidence from the current run. Upgrade a hand you are already producing or a hand that your skulls directly reward. Avoid spreading early upgrades across every category.

At the end of a level, take a moment to record the hands that actually scored and the skulls that activated. That short review is more valuable than copying a tier list built for another version or challenge.

Sources

Official Dice of Kalma Steam store page →

Official Dice of Kalma App Store listing and version history →

Pocket Gamer beginner guide →