As we’re winding down on the 50th anniversary celebration of Dungeons & Dragons, I’m reminded that there are still plenty of ways to still celebrate this milestone. As I reported on back in July, one of my favorite companies, Beadle & Grimm’s, was going to be releasing dice sets that recalled some of the most famous Advanced Dungeons & Dragons modules. It took a bit of time for the dice sets to release, but now that they’re here, B&G sent me a copy of their Expedition to the Barrier Peaks dice set to see how it came out.
For those of you unfamiliar with the adventure module, Expedition to the Barrier Peaks stands out in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons history as being the first adventure module to incorporate science fiction elements. Set in the fantasy world of Greyhawk, the adventure centers around an alien spaceship that had landed many decades ago, but had been buried by an earthquake and only recently been uncovered.
D&D Classic Module Dice Sets: Expedition to the Barrier Peaks
Beadle & Grimm’s has released 6 limited edition sets, each representing a different classic adventure module:
- Ravenloft
- Tomb of Horrors
- Vecna Lives!
- White Plume Mountain
- Temple of Elemental Evil
- Expedition to the Barrier Peaks
Each of the sets has the following features:
- Felt-lined book-style collector’s box (4.6″ wide × 6″ tall × 1.75″ deep)
- Standard set of seven resin dice and an exclusive, oversized d20 themed to each adventure
- Two-inch collectible metal coin commemorating the adventure and the 50th anniversary of D&D
- Four collectible cards with artwork from and information about each adventure and its legacy
Each dice set costs $38.25, and are available from the Beadle & Grimm’s webstore. You can also purchase a collector’s set of all six dice sets for a discounted price of $229.50 at the time of this writing, thanks to a 15% off holiday sale.
The boxes for the D&D Classic Module Dice Sets are designed to look like books:
The exterior of the Expedition to the Barrier Peaks dice set faithfully recreates the cover for the original adventure module, as you can see from the back of the case:
The lid of the box is magnetic, a welcome inclusion that keeps the items inside safe from tumbling out. Speaking of what’s inside, this is what it looks like when you open up the Expedition to the Barrier Peaks Dice Set:
Embedded in the front cover is the metal commemorative coin. The coin is double-sided, with the front representing the repair robot from the adventure:
While the back commemorates the 50th anniversary of D&D:
Next up is a series of four collectible cards. These feature artwork from the adventure on one side:
While on the other side of the cards, there is information about the Expedition to the Barrier Peaks module:
Under the cards you’ll find a set of resin dice, colored to match the adventure.
The translucent d20 bears an etched silhouette of a repair robot in lieu of the “20”.
You’d think that would be all…after all, those are the contents advertised for the set. However, this is Beadle & Grimm’s we’re talking about, who love to throw in little surprises. So if you lift out the insert holding the dice and cards, you’ll find a little something in the bottom of the dice set:
It’s a recreation of the android boxing and wrestling instructor! Ironically, in the original module this illustration is numbered incorrectly for the encounter…there may have been a few editing issues back in the day.
All in all, the D&D Classic Module Dice Sets: Expedition to the Barrier Peaks is a delightful homage to the original glory days of Dungeons & Dragons. It’s a product that, like so many others from Beadle & Grimm’s, will look great on your shelf when not in use. And while the set is largely commemorative, those dice are eminently usable in a tabletop RPG game.
If you’re looking for a good way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of D&D, then look no further than one of the limited edition Classic Module Dice Sets. With Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, it not only celebrates the past of a classic adventure module, but looks ahead to the modern reworking of said adventure. My only regret is that Beadle & Grimm’s didn’t send me the complete collection of Classic Module Dice Sets…a problem that can be easily rectified with my credit card while they are still available.
For more information or to make a purchase, visit the Beadle & Grimm’s webstore!
Click here to see all our tabletop game reviews.
To subscribe to GeekDad’s tabletop gaming coverage, please copy this link and add it to your RSS reader.
Disclosure: GeekDad received a copy of this game for review purposes.
