As many of you know, Chessex has released its first ever holiday calendar! This cube, of course, has little doors all around it for each day leading up to Christmas. The box features of number exclusive sets, single die, and rare d20's. Most of the dice can only be attained through the box! But what the heck is in there? Is it worth $50? Don't care for a suprise and just want to see the dang dice? Than look no further! Those who wish to be suprised, please close this post immediately! This is a heavy spoiler blog as all boxes contain the same dice.
You will note that Chessex does not include enough cases for your dice. So you will need to grab a few extras. No worries, I got you! Normal sized containers are found right here.
A video of the unboxing/opening can be found here.
Let's jump in...
The box.
All around the cube are small windows that can be opened with your fingers (nails help...). The windows are numbered 1-24, giving you a little gift every day to Christmas.
The top of the box is where you start, but that is not day one. So you get two boxes on the first day! On mine, I got a heavy d20 (shown later) and the boxes for the dice. The top looks like this:
This is the biggest window and the only window on the top or bottom of the cube, assuming you have the words facing down on the able. Those words read as follows:
Next, let's take a look at the good stuff... As the saying goes, it is what's on the inside that counts. Truer words couldn't be spoken. Now buckle-up with your favorite holiday treats (you can find some good ones here) and let's look at some dice!
Gemini Ruby and White w/Gold Numbers
Starting this reveal on a highnote. This Gemini set has a wonderful Ruby (bronze at points) with glitter mixed with an off white ivory color and gold numbers. This set is exactly what I was looking for in a box like this Excellent choice, excellent dice, bravo Chessex! This set would likely retail at $11.98 if sold by itself in a general release. Let's move on...
Teal Nebula 7-Dice Set (luminary)
This set may not be the most inspired set in the box, buy they are super pretty all the same. Great windows throguhout, this set boasts white wisps in a teal/seafoam colorway with white numbers. A solid set, if not a little subdued compared to the first. This set, like the first, is scattered throughout the box. You may know it's coming, but how each piece will look (windows and such) is your daily suprise. This set would likely retail for $11.98, bringing our box retail value to $23.96, about half the value of the box in just two sets! Nice.
Toy Box (so-called by Chessex)
Next is a softer version of the Wisteria dice set. I could probably be convinced that it is the same set. The pieces I got felt a bit more brighter on the blues with softer purples. My set has a ton of color in it, which I like. And yes, they are luminary, which means they have glow in the dark pieces inside. Some like it, some don't. Eitherway, they are in there.I talked to Chessex about this one, they said the samples were a lot different from Wisteria. Once produced, the set much more closely resembles Wisteria.
Again, this set would retail for $11.98, brining our total to $35.94. I think you could make the argument that the box is now worth its $50 price tag, considering the fun of opening the windows and such. Fortunetly, we have more dice to talk about before you decide.
Three Special d6 16mm Dice in Red Velvet
Probably the second most boring inclusion within the box, these three dice feature one fully with 6's. 1's and a standard. This is a good set to take to the bars if you want to get beat up gambling. (gambling gifts) That said, I am a sucker for novetly dice, so I was happy to pull these. The red velvet color is fun and so are the uses. Maybe not the most practical dice on the market, but a fun additiona to a fun box. Retail is tough on this, but I would figure $1.50 per novelty and 90 cents for the standard numbering, or $3.90 for the set, bringing our total value to $39.84. Next...
Heavy Mega-Hedral Matte Black d20
This is far from the prettiest die in the box, but it is unique.We have seen the heavy series before in a lab release, being blue and orange, this time they used their sanded effect on their new mega-dice, making this cool heavy duty d20. You can really feel the heft and the dice has decent readability. I like it! Price is hard on this one, maybe $3.99 a piece? Brining our current total to $43.83. Everything that shimmers isn't gold. This doesn't shimmer and it ain't gold... NEXT...
Mini-Gemini Red and Green w/White numbers
This 7-dice set is part of their mini-dice series (now), but has long been a set in Chessex standard line-up. This is a great set to see in this box as it is festive and on-brand. I doubt anyone is buying this box for a set of these bad boys, but as far as a tiny set of dice goes, this set is the perfect Christmas dice companion. Retail would be $5.99, bringing our total to $49.82! We have a few more pieces to go and we already hit the value, candy from here! Next...
Mega-Hedral Circus D20 (color varies)
Earlier in this post you heard me refer to the second-most boring dice in the kit, well here is number 1. The winner is a mega-hedral Circus d20. Even though they provide you with a jumbo case, you only get the one die. It is nice to have another d20, no complaints there, but alone it is kinda disapointing. I like Circus as a long standing colorway by Chessex, but this piece felt like an odd inclusion for the box. I am left wondering if they had a surpluis of these bad boys, so they decided to add them. If you have never had a mega-hedral dice set, you will get the point with this piece.
Did you know they make 13 inch inflaitable dice? Seem a little too rounded for my tastes, but roll as you do.
Not he most exciting piece in the lot, but interesting all the same. $3.99 likely retail value, puting the total value at $53.81. That's right, we are over the cost of the box. If you got the box from BrycesDice, you likely didn't pay shipping. At this point, you are making out like a bandit! Plus, we got some cool pieces coming up... NEXT...
White Borealis Mini-Set with Luminary Effect
Now we are cooking again! This set is a dazzler, sporting the glittery sparkle of the Borealis line with regal golden numbers. These dice do appear to contian the luminary speckles inside, which I am less than crazy about. The speckles are fairly noticable in these little dice, which is a bummer. But this is a really cool set all the same. The shimmer with shades of purple is immediatly noticable. If you like mini dice, this is a win. If you like borealis, win there too. Value is $5.99, total of $59.80. Remember, the dice in this box, aside from standard release items, are limited only to the box. So while this is a $5.99 set if released normally, it will surely have a higher value on the secondary market. I believe I saved the best for last... NEXT...
Two Special Release d20 in new colorway: Brush
So this is what the Brush color way dice are going to look like... COOL! I love them, I am sold,. I am here for them forever. Similiar to the Speckled dice line, these dice feature a black base with a painted effected on them. One is white and yellow, the other white and purple. Both have blue numbers. If this is a sign of what is to come, sign. me. up. I don't know what the retails on these would be. Speckled dice are on the cheaper end of the spectreme, but I will through a falue of $1.99 each for these, although I see them going higher on the secondary market. Current total: $63.78. If for no other reason, these may be the dice that lead of the Brush series. Last is my absolute favorte piece from the box, let me know in the comments which is your favorite... NEXT/LAST...
Dark Blue Spin-up/Spind-down with Glitter w/gold Numbers
The last piece is an absolute dandy, this die, in the new format spindown by Chessex is awesome. The dark blue color really works with the silver glitter speckles and gold numbers. Everyone needs a good countdown die and this one does the trick in spades. Absolutely gorgeous piece of dice that I despereatly hope they bring to a full set (although I won't hold my breathe).
Unfortnetly, saving the best for last does mean that this is our last piece from this calendar. I hope that you enjoyed this reveal and have found some pieces that peaked your interest. If you are interested in grabbing a calendar of you own, check out my listing here.
Chessex also released a simle 12 inch metal sign to go with this series. I am selling those for $9.99 over here. I consider this a must-have item, assuming you have a display corner with 12 inches of wall space! Here is what it looks like:
I hope you enjoyed this post. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will do my best to stock these for as long as Chessex lets me. Please comment below with your favorire piece in the lot or suggest something you would like to see in next years box.
Links in this psot largerly go back to BrycesDice. There are a couple of affiliate links in this post. Those links go to places like Amazon or Chessex. Purchases there may result in a commission for BrycesDice LLC. Thank you!
10 comments
Bryce @BrycesDice
Jim, I am glad the post helped you! Contact me directly at Sales@Chessex.com. I will take care of it from there!
Jim
Thanks so much for posting this, I’ve been on the fence about the cube, but this more or less sold it for me, I love that white/ruby set so much!
Just one big concern: there were 2 or 3 doors you opened that didn’t have any dice behind them, and two of the sets were missing some dice. Did you eventually find those dice, like did they shift around and wind up in an unused section of the box? And if we would have the same experience and wind up missing some dice, what would be our recourse – would we contact you for replacements or Chessex directly?
Bryce @BrycesDice
Bee,
Email me! Let’s get this right.
Bee
I definitely didn’t get a count up and down die in mine… just another megahedral d20.
Bryce @BrycesDice
Leila, fair enough! I did a quick eye test and thought they glowed within my hands. It may well just be a snowy representation. I will give them another look.
Leila
My Borealis mini-hedrals aren’t luminary so I think it might just be a snowy effect for the holiday theme?
Bryce @BrycesDice
Mike,
The box is made of two wide lateral pieces of cardboard, and then several quartercur pieces stuck into the larger pieces. Makes for a fairly robust package, all things considered. As long as you are reasonably careful opening the windows, I do not believe you should destroy the box. I man-handled mine pretty good and it was fine at the end. Ultimately, I did deconstruct the box (off camera) out of curiosity. The video of the box being opened can be found here: https://youtu.be/x27wxmylb1Y?si=0kEfOZjpa9oxCZpq
mike
I assume the box gets pretty much destroyed in the process. Do you have a pic of how sturdy/flimsy the box is?
Please and thank you.
Bryce @BrycesDice
Margaret,
I am sorry to hear that the cube doesn’t appeal to you this go around, but glad to here you liked the post. I really like the d20’s, but I am a sucker for a solid d20. I think they are happy with the way this release has been (numbers-wise). So maybe they will do one with more pieces of interest next year. I may have an extra set of the white borealis that I could sell you separately. Shoot me an email at Sales@BrycesDice.com if you would like more information.
Margaret St. John
Thank you for the opening spilers I now know it’d be a waster I’m not spening that money on something where I only want the White Borealis Mini-Set with Luminary Effect. I really appreciate this.