D&D: Classic Creatures From D&D’s Past Make Perfect Presents
Bring the classic creatures of gaming’s past to your present in the near future.
With 40 years of history, lore, and adventure under its belt, Dungeons and Dragons has many creatures that could be considered Iconic. Heck, we’ve talked about more than a few of them right here on Bell of Lost Souls, whether they’re Mind Flayers, Ogre Mages, or even Khargra, there’s no denying that some monsters have a place in the cultural zeitgeist. Zeitgeist I’m sure, is also a monster appearing in one of the various Monstrous Compendiums from 2nd Edition–presumably it’s an undead spectre that knows what’s going on in the minds of everyone, and it blends in undetected by appearing to be something that everyone is thinking of until it attacks.
You can use the spectral remains of a zeitgeist to create a circlet of the Iron Will, which protects against mental domination.
Where were we? Oh right. Iconic monsters. The point is that while D&D has many of these iconic monsters–sometimes their miniatures haven’t always quite lived up to the accompanying art. Take our friend the Bulette, for instance.
Or the Umber Hulk.
D&D Miniatures have come a long way, though. And right now, WizKids makes some of the better ones you can find–whether you’re looking through their Nolzur’s Marvelous Miniatures collection of heroes and NPCs, or at their Icons of the Realm series, which brings monsters out of the Manual and onto your Table.
Only now they’re harkening back to yesteryear with some new miniatures done up in classic style–relive the glory days of the past with creatures like the old school Troll and Owlbear done up with modern sculpts. So that this:
Becomes this:
It’s a really neat way to cement that you’re playing with power–er, that you’re playing a game that’s been around long enough to seriously think about running that craft brewery it kicked around back in its late twenties. Check out this 1st Edition Demogorgon and Orc, brought to vivid life in miniature. First the artwork:
Now the sculpts.
I can’t stress enough how phenomenal these things look. So if you’re looking for a good gift for your nostalgia hungry gamer this season, this is a pretty great start. If you’re not as into the OSR as some are, these might not be the miniatures for you. They are definitely rooted in that First Edition Feeling(tm), which is its own distinct flavor. And if, like me, you didn’t grow up with it, these might seem a little unlike your idea of how they look–but there’s no denying the level of detail in the sculpt, nor the stylishness of the figures.
via Wizkids
Icons of the Realms, “Classic Creatures” – $79.99
Add the approximately 4″ tall, two-headed classic Demogorgon to your Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game and hypnotize adventurers like never before. Or surprise your party with a gigantic purple worm, hungry and ready to make any creature its next meal.
The D&D Icons of the Realms: Classic Creatures Box Set commemorates the original fantasy roleplaying game that kicked off the entire industry.
Figures included:
- Ogre Magi
- Demogorgon
- Orc
- Troll
- Purple Worm
- Orc Archer
- Sahuagin Mystic
- Owlbear
- Sahuagin
Ask your FLGS about the free 2-inch version of Demogorgon (sku 73253)!*
*Gift with purchase, while supplies last.
Alternate uses for this miniatures set: send your players back in time, have them fight monsters from another edition, IN another edition.
