D&D Icons of the Realms: Underdark Expeditions (Set 36)

[Gopesh1]

The only color differences on the chase are the eye beam colors and the gold base text. The eye beams also glow in the dark; the purple glows blue and the green glows green.

Rant start:

I severely hope somehow my case doesn't have one of these in it. Idk if its rare or ultra rare or whatever people are calling things like that now. I'm sure someone wants a potato head beholder, but I am spending (dumb amounts) money on a case of plastic minis for gaming, not for some crossover junk that's not meant for table top use. (This figure is equal/more offensive than a plastic unicorn horn taking the place of a useful dnd miniature). And its stuff like this that makes me not want to blindly pre-order cases. I like to pre-order cases for peace of mind/ease, but paying for a case means you are paying a premium to get all the rares without effort. Make cute little potato things for people to buy, and sell them separately and have them as convention promos. Cool. Don't have 3 different versions of the same thing and shove one in the rare slot of a case. Its already disappointing seeing this set has about 5 paint steps total between all the miniatures, and now we are down one rare?

Rant over

[Vexwing]

It won't happen again, not while I'm in charge. This is the kind of unique thing that should always be an optional purchase, not in a booster.

[BBShockwave]

Wow, glowing eye beams, now that is cool. I hope someone who gets this mini in hand shows that on a photo!

The only color differences on the chase are the eye beam colors and the gold base text. The eye beams also glow in the dark; the purple glows blue and the green glows green.

Rant start:

I severely hope somehow my case doesn't have one of these in it. Idk if its rare or ultra rare or whatever people are calling things like that now. I'm sure someone wants a potato head beholder, but I am spending (dumb amounts) money on a case of plastic minis for gaming, not for some crossover junk that's not meant for table top use. (This figure is equal/more offensive than a plastic unicorn horn taking the place of a useful dnd miniature). And its stuff like this that makes me not want to blindly pre-order cases. I like to pre-order cases for peace of mind/ease, but paying for a case means you are paying a premium to get all the rares without effort. Make cute little potato things for people to buy, and sell them separately and have them as convention promos. Cool. Don't have 3 different versions of the same thing and shove one in the rare slot of a case. Its already disappointing seeing this set has about 5 paint steps total between all the miniatures, and now we are down one rare?

Rant over

As far as I understand, it is not in a Rare slot. You still get all 4 Large Rares (2 variants of the #40 Beholder, the Drider and Gelatinous Cube) - this one likely takes the slot of a Large Uncommon, based on the photo that shows the bubble . So far Chases in sets never replaced Rares, I doubt this would start that trend.
Also apparently, this is an even more ultra Rare chase than the BG3 or Return of the Dragons ones, where you would get a guaranteed 1 per case. Here it is only in every "X" cases (unknown number of cases) so it is more like those Mage Knight Ultra Uniques.

[WindTengu]

It won't happen again, not while I'm in charge. This is the kind of unique thing that should always be an optional purchase, not in a booster.

Agreed. From a random happenstance pulling it is super cool, but from the collect-ability of it (which is what I assume wizkids is actually aiming at?) it sucks and I think it disenfranchises people more so then encouraging them to buy more.

[Marco]

@Vexwing:
What is the official release date for this set?

[Vexwing]

@Vexwing:
What is the official release date for this set?

As far as I know, it was officially 5/14.

[berk the black]

It won't happen again, not while I'm in charge. This is the kind of unique thing that should always be an optional purchase, not in a booster.

Agreed. From a random happenstance pulling it is super cool, but from the collect-ability of it (which is what I assume wizkids is actually aiming at?) it sucks and I think it disenfranchises people more so then encouraging them to buy more.

I have no need for a potatohead miniature, it would never hit my table. It’s fun, but it also is not what I collect minis for.

[Dordledum]

I really dislike it. If it was simply an extra, ok, I would ignore it. But nowadays, with just four miniatures per box, I want to have four useable miniatures for my money. It sends a message of not respecting the customer (and the hobby in general).

[MyriadTabletop]

It sends a message of not respecting the customer (and the hobby in general).

One type of customer, perhaps. Remember though, WOTC has had plenty of funky content during 5e where this would be appropriate. The Rick & Morty, Acquisitions Incorporated, and even a few oddball adventures like Witchlight or Planescape.

For me, if I was a big D&D player and novice collector and I got this, my first instinct wouldn't be to huff, it would be to search for a stat block; because I can see a world in which this exists, even in a bottled adventure.

[Lurker]

It sends a message of not respecting the customer (and the hobby in general).

One type of customer, perhaps. Remember though,

if I was a big D&D player and novice collector and I got this, my first instinct wouldn't be to huff

Is the condescension really necessary...

[MyriadTabletop]

It sends a message of not respecting the customer (and the hobby in general).

One type of customer, perhaps. Remember though,

if I was a big D&D player and novice collector and I got this, my first instinct wouldn't be to huff

Is the condescension really necessary...

Oh. There was no condescension was intended at all, and it wasn't particularly pointed at anyone . Dordledum implied they'd feel disrespected, and others have said they'd be frustrated, annoyed, or ticked off if they got one. Maybe it's just the Canadian in me, but I just mean 'huff' as in groan or complain - which is at least some of the sentiment being expressed.

Otherwise, I was just sharing my perspective to share that there are other perspectives out there. I don't think I'd be annoyed, I would be absolutely bewildered and start Googling though, because nothing at all indicates this to be a Chase/Very Rare.

[Kikoli]

The other thing I think a lot of us collectors treat this as is something we don't want or find wrong.
But general public would possibly find this interesting. There's a father that plays at my D&D table who has a 6 year old daughter who is learning about D&D. He'd love to get that, if only to give to her.

There's also DM's that like playing funny and amusing encounters. Consider that this is the sort of thing you could encounter in Sigil, given that it's the centre of the multiverse and could there be a world where beholders all look like potatoes? There could be.

As collectors or people wanting serious minis for their campaigns, sure, it feels off. But in general public audience like, many might find this rather cool.

[Warpiglet]

Not to intrude but the potato head mini is selling at a high price on secondary market.

I sell minis or more specifically trade them in all of the time and get more of what I want (shrug).

It occurs to me as I write this that some people might not have easy access to sellbacks.

I have a local gamestore and also mail them to cool stuff.

I guess I should do my research. Since it will also be in a box set the other ones price might plummet. Who knows…

[TYBERIUS777]

So I got a potato head beholder in my brick and my first reaction was the same as most of yours. I was disappointed that it wasn’t the Drider or another large rare that I was more interested in. However, my fiancé absolutely loved it and we open all of our mystery boxes together. She thought it was the coolest thing. I think there is a market for the more goofy style minis that specifically people who joined the DnD hobby during Covid times probably fall under.

I like to run more serious campaigns myself but I could totally see myself running a one shot for some kids or people new to DnD that want a more whimsical style of encounter. I’m a huge lore nerd. I like the world of DnD and I usually like a good degree of seriousness and stakes in my games. But a lot of people just play DnD to hang out with friends and would go nuts if their DM dropped this thing on the table.

I do appreciate Vexwings note about this not being something you would get in a random set again though. I think it should be reserved for separate purchases only.

[Lord Malort]

So I got a potato head beholder in my brick

Do you remember if that booster box had other minis in it?