LEGO 6510864 Mimic Dice Box gift-with-purchase review

LEGO 6510864 Mimic Dice Box comes as a surprise for those awaiting LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale, doubling the number of D&D builds in one fantastic model.

The LEGO 6510864 Mimic Dice Box gift-with-purchase is scheduled to only be available with purchases of 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale from April 1 to 7 (or while stocks last), and that's a shame as this is an extremely approachable LEGO Dungeons & Dragons set, selling the collaboration in a way that the main model doesn't manage to – being widely functional with the game.

As unexpected as the LEGO Ideas Dungeons & Dragons challenge was, the prospect of a separate model based on the tabletop roleplaying game offered as a gift-with-purchase is even more of a surprise. Those unfamiliar with the game will almost certainly be able to recognise the classic wood and iron design of a standard chest, though this one is more aggressive than most.

Considering that the main model includes a minifigure-sized Mimic and that one of the other contenders for the LEGO Ideas D&D set was a Mimic build, it's the obvious choice for a gift-with-purchase and the execution is almost flawless.

The Mimic has taken on the form of a chest, visible from the front with four piercing orange eyes – surprisingly using printed pieces – purple gums and sharp teeth to bite anyone hoping to loot it. As well as being a fantastic depiction of the iconic creature, the gift-with-purchase is functional too.

LEGO 6510864 Mimic Dice Box is hollow, save for any space that is taken up when the tongue isn't sticking out, and has enough room for a full set of dice, spare LEGO pieces or perhaps those extra minifigure elements included in 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale.

It's a match made in heaven for both the LEGO Ideas set and Dungeons & Dragons players alike – you can never have too many places to store dice. Being compatible with dice isn't something that can be said for 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale either. That model is focused on its minifigures and builds instead of being a dice tower or chest, which were two separately pitched projects in the challenge.

It makes sense for 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale to focus on its minifigures and model, but it lacks something that might give you an excuse to use it every game night, unless you're specifically running the free accompanying adventure. At least 6510864 Mimic Dice Box is more useful in this aspect, and easily transportable too.

The interior of the chest isn't overly attractive but it doesn't need to be, while the presence of printed eyes is unusual for what appears to be a one-off creation – yet only adds to the value and detail of the model. It's the perfect LEGO D&D set to appeal to both familiar enthusiasts and those who have never heard of D&D before, save for one possible issue to do with its distribution.

6510864 Mimic Dice Box is an ideally-sized accessory for any desk or table, perfect for holding dice or spare pieces while looking great (and suitably unsettling) at the same time. It pairs well with 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale and it's a shame that the only way to get it is by purchasing a £314.99 / $359.99 / €359.99 model for one week. Even Pick a Brick won't be entirely helpful as the eyes are printed and exclusive to the set.

Had this been more widely available, it could have acted as an introduction to LEGO D&D, possibly persuading those with less of an interest in the game to pick up the upcoming LEGO Ideas set.

As it stands, anyone picking up 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale will be thrilled with the free Mimic but keeping it exclusive to the LEGO D&D set feels unfortunately limiting, at least until September when a D&D Collectible Minifigures series is confirmed to arrive. Giving it away with a high purchase threshold across any theme could have been an opportunity to introduce more people to the concept of LEGO D&D, instead of only giving it to those who are surely already invested in the partnership.

Otherwise, the set itself is great with no major flaws. Its simple functionality is charming and endlessly useful and that's while being an attractive and eye-catching addition to a desk or shelf, or maybe right next to 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale. 6510864 Mimic Dice Box is an excellent gift-with-purchase and a must-have for D&D enthusiasts – but it's going to be hard to get unless you want a specific and expensive set in its first week of availability.

This LEGO set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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