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The quest for a perfect gelatinous cube miniature
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Courtesy Kev's Lounge
Let's face it, the gelatinous cube is a little ridiculous. It's basically a jelly in the shape of a cube, violating the laws of physics. But if you're willing to accept that it somehow holds together, it also is transparent, making it one of the great holdovers from the Monster Madness days when critters where there to kill adventurers and that was it -- no ecology or explanation for what the monster did in its spare time.
Being a transparent cube sounds simple, but it's a bit difficult to represent it on a miniature mat. The key, of course, is to be able to show when the cube has consumed another miniature, and therefore put a miniature inside the cube.
Matt Sernett addressed why Wizards of the Coast didn't produce a gelatinous cube miniature. "Designers have dreamed about a gelatinous cube miniature since Wizards of the Coast started producing plastic miniatures. It's been on designers' set list three times without ever appearing in an actual set," said Matt. "We're not intentionally withholding it. Instead, the realities of plastic have prevented us from producing it." Eventually, Wizards finally did produce their own version.
Andy K. Barlow of Dark-Platypus Studios took on the challenge. The cube itself is cast in a low-temperature translucent plastic, while it sits on a pewter base, complete with a half-dissolved rat trying vainly to escape its fate. Suspended inside the cube is another victim being slowly dissolved: the remains of this human warrior are cast in pewter. It can be yours for $29.99. Otherworld has also released its own gelatinous cube miniature.
Peter Lee (Temperance) made his own gelatinous cube miniature. "This is the most difficult miniature that I've worked on and it consumed most of my limited free time of November 2002," he said.
If you prefer a less expensive and time-intensive cube, Kev's Lounge provides a do-it-yourself version. This Cube is fairly easy to put together and uses Ink-Jet Transparencies and 2 Part Epoxy Resin.
Alternately, you can use a plastic dice container to represent a gelatinous cube and call it a day.
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