A wise gamer descends upon Indy this year with a plan. Here’s Ben’s Buyer’s Guide and the top 20 items on his radar when he hits the glorious Gen Con showroom floor. We’ve also intermingled some snapshots from previous pilgrimages.

Ben’s RPG Pile Gen Con Buyer’s Guide – the Top 20

- Dwarven Forge: Ben has to see the new Ruins set in person
- TerraClips: Interlocking d-tile-like terrain from WorldWorks
- Specialty Dice: Check out the Chessex specialty dice (on day 1)
- Metal Miniatures: Get a few hand-painted mins for future bosses
- Dungeon Master Tips Book: Find Sly Flourish for my hardcopy
- Mini Singles: Pan for single WotC minis for Pyramid of Shadows (our next mod)
- Terrain: Keep an eye out for new, portable terrain pieces
- Gen Con Memorabilia: Get the annual shirt (but go minimum 3X due to shrinkage)
- Miniature Building Authority: New 2010 buildings will be part of their amazing display
- Gale Force Nine: Get some smoke and ice walls
- Killer Breakfast: Tracy Hickman puts on a great show but buy in advance
- Dice Bags: Been on the lookout for some player pal dice bags
- Litko Tokens: Big hit at Origins (especially the invisibility ones)
- Steak and Shake: Inhale one of their classic shakes
- Confrontation: Snag their new mini releases
- Mage Knight: Find some singles for mini-makin’
- Ascheson Creations: Special molds and huge range of building choices
- Hirst Arts Booth: Love his displays, paint examples, new molds
- Wizards of the Coast: Don’t miss their 2011 product preview presentation
- Unknowns: And always on a mission to find the next great thing

Remember, a loose game plan saves time and helps manages one’s gold-piece budget. Your pre-convention strategy also ensures you don’t mutter the dreaded “I can’t believe I forgot to…” phrase on the flight back home.

Questions to Ponder: What did Ben forget? Do you have any specific gem hunts of your own in mind?

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The annual RPG gaming Mecca, known only as Gen Con, is nearly upon us! Does it matter what you pack? Hell yes, it does! And Ben’s got his top 15 precious packing tips to prove it.

There’s no mistaking the emotional and physical value of this Indy pilgrimage. So rather than try to be all cool and just throw a pile of dirty clothes into a plastic bag, take a breath and think about what you can take to make this trip even better.

Ben’s Top 15 Gen Con Packing Tips:

- Paperwork: Plane tix, hotel receipt, badge (with holder), event tix
- Snacks: Bagged snacks and granola from your local Sprouts
- Energy: ZizZazz & 5-hour drinks
- Remedies: aspirin, Tums, vitamins
- Clothes: The usuals but include a baseball hat & sweatshirt
- Currency: Two credit cards, some cash, and quarters (for the lockers)
- Gifts: pics from last year, a small mini or Hirst terrain, shirts, etc
- Containers: film cases, Magic deck boxes, plastic boxes
- Journal: small notebook for key info
- iPad/iPhone/Smart Phone: for pics and video
- PHB: Players Handbook for the game table
- Dice: Small amounts (for new friend trading) since you can buy a set there
- Foot Powder: You will walk more in 4 days than the entire year so respect the feet
- Pillow & ear plugs: Make ‘em fit for a world of difference on the plane & in the hotel
- Business Cards: has all your social media contact info (to pass to new friends)

Does this list sound silly? No way? Think of it this way…

By packing a bag of granola, some empty cups and plastic silverware, Ben only has to buy a single bottle of milk each morning. No long McDonalds’ lines and waits.

By grabbing a roll of quarters, Ben has ready change for a convention locker and doesn’t have to walk back to the room a dozen-plus times (but don’t put quarters in your carry-on due to airport security).

By tossing in energy mixes, Ben has a chance at surviving 18-hour game sessions and not having to spend $4.50 on diet cokes (or wait in line for them).

By throwing in some pain relief, Ben has mercy on his body as it’s nearly inhumane on what he is going to do in terms of food and sleep.

By including a couple film cases & boxes, Ben will safely transport back his single, pricey minis and other smaller acquisition items.

And by remembering a few thoughtful gifts for his game group, Ben takes advantage of seeing his cross-country friends once a year with a subtle offering of thanks.

So, it’s not a perfect list but one with thought and some planning. Be sure to check out our YouTube video for more packing fun.

Questions to Ponder: What did I forget to pack? Do you agree or disagree with the list? Got any other tips for your traveling brethren?

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This week Ben shares a smattering of structures that serve nicely in the guard post capacity. A common transition in any D&D adventure, a security checkpoint makes for a handy encounter – whether it’s a brief battle or a fact finding exchange.

Ben retrieved four different buildings from his bookshelf to represent a typical sentry’s station. Each has its own uniqueness and possible storyline spin.

- Lookout Post: This stone tower is a bit on the wee side but perfect for those smaller creatures. One can easily perch a goblin sharpshooter at the top with a few heavy swordsman on the ground. You can nab this item over at JR Miniatures.

- Defensive Tower: This magnificent fortification is part of the Miniature Building Authority European Castle Building Series. This looming battlement is your clear choice for any city entry. You’ve got lots of Wizards miniatures options here too including the Arcanix Guard and the City Guard.

- Woodland Hut: Ben picked up this little shelter off a Gen Con display case but couldn’t even begin to tell ya who makes it. The material is actually all plastic and the company had lots of interesting pieces. Post a comment here if you know the author. Ben puts this building in the poor man’s outpost category – perfect for a middle-of-nowhere locale with tribal-like monsters.

- Turtle Shell: This dwelling comes from that same who-knows manufacture as the Woodland Hut. Ben sees this building placed in a swampland area or as the home of a single crazed creature. The giant turtle shell roof is a sweet-ass touch.

Questions to Ponder: What was your favorite building? Got a mod in mind that had a great guard tower scene or battle opportunity? Who makes those pre-cast plastic pieces in that one pic?

Sure – Ryan Seacrest says it with more pizzazz and conviction but who doesn’t want a kick-ass idol on their game table? Thankfully, Pegasus Hobbies, an upstart game shop in Montclair, California has stepped up to the plate.

This imposing Orc statue measures 5.5” high and 3.75” wide. It’s quite a sight when placed next to your standard miniature. The figurine is dry brushed with a killer gray combo to give it a rough stone feel. Its hands even move in case the DM wants to mess with the characters when they’re not looking. Of course, the sumo-look on the back is a bonus.

Their kick-ass, hand-crafted Orc Idol made its first appearance in our weekly video podcast series during the Chamber of Eyes battle in the D&D Thunderspire Labyrinth module. Ben even went backdoor on the adventurers and dropped in a secret treasure room.

You might remember Pegasus Hobbies from Ben’s earlier review of the spectacular Wizard’s Tower. Don’t fret their 1990s-style order page – their products are top notch from a quality perspective.

Every climatic room needs a centerpiece on the board. Always be on the lookout for these hidden game accessory gems. These final touches can make a memorable difference.

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Could D&D miniatures be making a comeback? Well, the latest gargantuan figure from WotC (along with the first previews of Lords of Madness) is a fine start. Ben decided to unbox this evil bastard and take a detailed look under the hood.

Ben first spotted a prototype of the Orcus fig way back in 2007 at Gen Con. There sat the Prince of Undeath, taunting him from behind the glass. This latest release is the first in the Icon series since the Icingdeath gargantuan white dragon in September 2007.

This demon lord does not disappoint. Lots of positive pleasure points including:

- a daunting wingspan
– killer facial features
– a creepy, skeletal weapon (Ben’s fav)
– a sweeping, spiked tail
– a towering disposition alongside the blue, red or black dragons
– his own Twitter account
– a striking resemblance to the Aspect of Orcus

Sure, Ben would like to see something in that off-hand (maybe a dangling victim) but no mini is perfect. So, where does the series go from here? Does the gargantuan Dracolich re-appear? Nah, Ben would rather see another non-dragon – maybe a spider of some sort.

This Orcus may be a bit pricey ($75-plus) but the value and quality are absolutely there. Besides, you want him on your shelf…you need him on your shelf.

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