Julia the DM’s 12 Days of Loot is an Advent calendar for D&D geeks and dice dragons. I’m not usually one for opening an Advent calendar in one shot, but I was happy to do it in the name of GeekDad to give you my opinion on whether this rolled a nat 20 or gets sent to dice jail.
Overview: What’s Inside the Adventure?
The listing advertises 12 days of D&D-themed loot. You can select from Naughty, Nice, Surprise Me (a random Naughty or Nice box), or Complex (you get both). For $115 each or $209 for both, I hoped the presentation and items would be worth the price tag.
Unboxing 12 Days of Loot
I’m more of a dice dragon than a D&D player. I was excited to see what I was going to add to my hoard.
I enjoyed opening each of the boxes. Even in one sitting, they delivered those little moments of joy that you want from an Advent calendar. The items I received fit the D&D theme well and blended nicely with the holidays. Not every item is holiday-themed, which I appreciate. When I get an Advent calendar, I like things that I can keep out and use throughout the year.
The surprises didn’t feel predictable, although some reveals excited my dice dragon heart more than others.
Of the twelve days, three stood out to me (and had I seen what one of them was in the Naughty box, I would have switched my choice, but both designs were equally cool). Looking at the individual items, I can see how the advertised value adds up. However, much of that value seems concentrated on a handful of days, with a few filler days thrown in. Those smaller surprises were still fun, just not what I was expecting or as exciting as some of the others.
The Loot and My Favorite Treasure
I won’t give spoilers in this review; however, if you want to know the items I’m referencing, you can head over to Julia’s website for the spoiler photos in the listing (you’ve been warned).
Day 12 was my standout day. It made the less exciting boxes feel worth it. After seeing what that same day was in the Naughty box, I wish I had chosen Naughty instead. The item is the same, but the design is more of what I would keep out and use all year. The item felt well-made and thoughtfully designed. The practicality of it gets bonus points.
One other day stood out, and that’s because it made my dice dragon heart grow by three sizes. It’s something I can use year-round and looks great on my shelf with my treasure hoard.
Value: Is It Worth the Gold?
Advent calendars are scrutinized a bit more than other products for their value because you don’t always know what you are getting yourself into. In this case, you are given a list of items and full spoilers if you are unsure whether the purchase is worth your gold. If you don’t want the spoilers, ask a friend to look it over and give their honest opinion.
Full transparency, there were days that I felt were not worth the suspense of opening, but then there were days that made up for it. Two of the items were unavailable for my review sample, so I can’t speak to their quality firsthand. Based on the photos, though, I was sad to miss out on them.
Not all the accessories will appeal to everyone, but I think there’s enough here to make many dice dragons smile and get excited for their next gaming adventure.
Final Roll — Who Is This For?
Julia the DM’s 12 Days of Loot offers a fun way to bring some holiday cheer to your adventures this season. While the overall value didn’t quite meet my expectations at times, several surprises earned a permanent place in my dice dragon hoard. Most importantly, many of the items can be enjoyed year-round rather than packed away with the decorations at the end of the season.
If you’re a D&D enthusiast or a dice dragon at heart who loves mystery boxes and collecting dice-related treasures, Julia the DM’s 12 Days of Loot is worth considering. Calendars start shipping on November 16th and start at $115 for one and $209 for both.
Disclaimer: GeekDad received a review sample.
Dakster Sullivan
Dakster Sullivan has a degree in Computer Engineering and Media Communications. They love discovering new books to read, tech to play with, and ways to express themselves. They have anxiety and depression and strive to educate others about these invisible illnesses.
