Dungeon Crate

Dungeon Crate delivers 5-7 curated RPG accessories monthly including dice sets, miniatures from Reaper and WizKids, tabletop terrain, metal coins, maps, and exclusive items from small makers. All subscribers receive digital adventure content and 10% off the online RPG store.

About Dungeon Crate

Dungeon Crate emerged in 2015 from founder Wayne Brekke’s GenCon experience. After attending the massive tabletop gaming convention in Indianapolis, Wayne wanted to capture the excitement of browsing vendor floors filled with dice, miniatures, terrain, and gaming accessories. Recognizing that most gamers couldn’t attend GenCon annually (or afford to buy everything that caught their eye), he created a subscription box bringing that curated vendor floor experience to subscribers’ doorsteps monthly.

What started as a passion project in Omaha, Nebraska has become the premier RPG-focused subscription box, distinguishing itself from general “geek culture” boxes that mix various fandoms. While Loot Crate might include a Star Wars T-shirt, Funko Pop, and comic book alongside one gaming item, Dungeon Crate commits entirely to tabletop RPG enhancement. Every item serves gameplay - whether dice for rolling checks, miniatures for combat encounters, terrain for building dynamic battlefields, or coins for tracking treasure and spell slots.

The service targets Dungeon Masters (DMs) and players of Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and similar fantasy tabletop RPGs. DMs particularly benefit from the monthly original adventures, which save hours of campaign preparation. Each adventure provides ready-to-play content that can slot into ongoing campaigns or serve as one-shots for game nights when the regular campaign isn’t running.

Dungeon Crate’s customer service reputation stands out in subscription box reviews. Multiple customers describe support as “level 20+” quality (a D&D reference to maximum character level), emphasizing that “every question is answered, every issue is resolved, and every complaint is addressed.” This responsiveness contrasts sharply with larger subscription services where customers report being ignored or receiving generic automated responses.

The company maintains a physical retail location at 6404 Maple St in Omaha, NE, providing local gamers a place to browse and purchase while serving as the fulfillment center for subscriptions shipped nationwide. This brick-and-mortar presence demonstrates commitment beyond pure e-commerce operations.

Operating for 11 years (2015-2026) without major controversies or service disruptions suggests sustainable business practices. While Dungeon Crate lacks BBB accreditation or Trustpilot presence (unusual for modern subscription services), this reflects their smaller scale and community focus rather than avoidance. Reviews exist on Cratejoy, My Subscription Addiction, and RPG community forums, consistently praising product quality and customer service.

Pricing Plans

Dungeon Crate offers three subscription tiers based on commitment and content type:

Plan	Monthly Cost	Upfront Cost	What’s Included	Best For
Sapphire (Monthly)	$29.95 + shipping (~$37)	$37/month	Physical + digital crate	Testing service
Emerald (3-Month)	$28.65 + shipping ($35)	$85.95 + shipping	Physical + digital crate	Regular subscribers
Digital Only	$9.95	$9.95/month	Digital adventures only	Adventure content seekers

Pricing Details:

• Physical crates: $29.95 base + $6-8 shipping (varies by location)
• 3-month plan saves ~$2-3 per crate vs monthly
• Digital plan includes free domestic shipping
• All physical plans include digital crate access
• 10% discount on RPG store purchases (all tiers)
• Cancel anytime (no long-term contracts)

Subscription Timing:

• Must subscribe by 4th of month to receive that month’s crate
• Auto-renewal on 25th of each month
• Ships on or before third week of month
• Email tracking provided

Value Analysis: Each physical crate advertises $40+ retail value for $36-38 total cost (including shipping). Items include:

• Dice sets: $10-20 retail
• Miniatures: $3-8 each (typically 2-3 per crate)
• Terrain pieces: $5-15
• Metal coins: $10-15 per set
• Tokens/pins/patches: $3-8
• Original adventure: $5-10 value (DM time savings)
• Digital crate: $5-10 value
• 10% store discount: Varies based on usage

For active DMs running weekly games, the adventure content alone justifies much of the cost through time savings (writing adventures takes 3-10 hours). For casual players buying occasional dice, the value proposition weakens.

Hidden Savings: The 10% store discount can offset subscription costs. If you buy $30 in dice, miniatures, or accessories monthly from the Dungeon Crate store, you save $3 - reducing effective subscription cost to ~$34/month.

How It Works

Dungeon Crate’s subscription process emphasizes RPG community engagement:

1. Choose Your Plan: Select Sapphire (monthly physical + digital), Emerald (3-month physical + digital), or Digital Only. Physical plans include 5-7 items plus digital adventure; digital plan provides adventure content without physical goods.

2. Subscribe by the 4th: To receive the current month’s crate, subscribe by the 4th of that month. After the 4th, new subscribers receive the following month’s crate. This deadline allows Dungeon Crate to finalize quantities and ship on schedule.

3. Auto-Renewal on 25th: Subscriptions renew automatically on the 25th of each month. You’re charged for the next month’s crate at this time. Can cancel before the 25th to avoid next month’s charge.

4. Curation and Packing: Dungeon Crate curates 5-7 items from manufacturers like Reaper, WizKids, and small independent makers. Each crate balances consumables (dice that every gamer needs) with collectibles (limited edition pins) and utility items (terrain, miniatures, coins).

5. Shipment (Third Week): Crates ship on or before the third week of the month. Receive email with tracking information. Delivery typically takes 3-7 business days depending on location.

6. Unbox and Explore: Open your crate to discover dice sets, miniatures, terrain pieces, metal coins, tokens, enamel pins, maps, and limited edition items. Each item includes information about the maker and suggested uses in gameplay.

7. Access Digital Crate: Log into your account to download the month’s digital adventure. Adventures provide complete encounter details, maps, NPC stats, and narrative hooks ready to run at your next game session.

8. Use 10% Store Discount: Receive monthly code for 10% off all purchases in the Dungeon Crate online RPG store. Stock up on dice, miniatures, or accessories while saving money.

9. Engage with Community: Join Dungeon Crate’s social media community (Facebook, Instagram) to share unboxing photos, discuss items, and connect with other RPG enthusiasts. The community provides campaign ideas and showcases creative uses for crate items.

10. Manage Subscription: Log into account to update payment info, change shipping address, switch between Sapphire and Emerald plans, or cancel subscription. Customer service responds quickly to questions via email or Facebook.

What’s Included

Each Dungeon Crate monthly shipment contains:

Physical Items (5-7 per crate):

• Dice Sets: Polyhedral dice sets (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20) in various colors and materials
• Miniatures: Pre-painted or unpainted minis from Reaper Miniatures, WizKids, and other manufacturers
• Tabletop Terrain: 3D terrain pieces, scatter terrain, dungeon tiles, or modular components
• Metal Fantasy Coins: Cast metal coins for tracking gold, spell slots, or campaign currency
• Game Tokens: Condition markers, status tokens, or gameplay trackers
• Enamel Pins & Patches: Limited edition collectible pins and iron-on patches
• Maps: Battle maps, dungeon layouts, or regional maps for campaigns
• Limited Edition Items: Exclusive items from small makers not available elsewhere

Digital Content:

• Original monthly adventure (5-15 pages)
• Encounter maps and handouts
• NPC stat blocks
• Narrative hooks and campaign integration suggestions
• PDF format for easy printing or tablet reference

Subscriber Benefits:

• 10% discount code for online RPG store
• Access to exclusive limited edition items
• Community engagement through social media
• Customer service support via email/Facebook
• Tracking information for shipments

Quality Standards:

• Miniatures from established manufacturers (Reaper, WizKids)
• Dice tested for balance and readability
• Durable terrain suitable for repeated gameplay
• High-quality metal for coins (not cheap plastic)
• Original adventures playtested for balance

What’s NOT Included:

• Core rulebooks (Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide)
• Character sheets or tracking tools
• Digital maps for virtual tabletop platforms (Roll20, Foundry VTT)
• Painted miniatures (most arrive unpainted for customization)
• Dice bags or storage solutions

Item Categories and Manufacturers

Dungeon Crate partners with quality manufacturers and small makers:

Dice:

• Various manufacturers producing polyhedral sets
• Specialty materials: metal, stone, wood, resin
• Themed sets matching campaigns (fire-themed, aquatic, undead)
• Standard 7-piece polyhedral sets (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, percentile)

Miniatures:

• Reaper Miniatures: Industry-leading manufacturer of fantasy minis
• WizKids: Pre-painted plastic miniatures and unpainted deep cuts line
• Small independent sculptors: Unique limited edition figures

Terrain:

• 3D printed terrain pieces
• Modular dungeon tiles
• Scatter terrain (barrels, crates, furniture)
• Specialty pieces (altars, thrones, statues)

Coins and Tokens:

• Cast metal fantasy coins (copper, silver, gold appearance)
• Custom gaming tokens
• Condition markers (poisoned, stunned, prone)
• Initiative trackers

Collectibles:

• Enamel pins featuring RPG themes
• Iron-on patches for bags and clothing
• Limited edition items from convention vendors
• Exclusive collaborations with small makers

Who It’s For

Perfect For:

• Active Dungeon Masters: DMs running weekly campaigns benefit from adventures, terrain, and miniatures
• D&D/Pathfinder Players: Those playing fantasy tabletop RPGs regularly (2-4 times monthly)
• Dice Collectors: Gamers who enjoy acquiring new dice sets and displaying collections
• Miniature Painters: Hobbyists wanting regular unpainted minis for painting practice
• Terrain Builders: DMs building immersive 3D battlefields and dungeon setups
• GenCon Enthusiasts: Those who love vendor floor browsing but can’t attend conventions
• Community Engagers: Gamers who enjoy social media communities and sharing unboxing experiences
• Gift Givers: Subscription makes thoughtful gift for RPG-playing friends/family

Not Ideal For:

• Casual Players: If you play 1-2 times yearly, accessories accumulate faster than you use them
• Non-Fantasy RPG Players: Crate focuses on D&D/Pathfinder; sci-fi or horror systems won’t align
• Digital-Only Gamers: If you play exclusively on Roll20/Foundry VTT, physical items provide limited value
• Budget Gamers: At ~$37/month, this targets established gamers with disposable income for accessories
• Specific Item Seekers: Can’t choose exact dice colors, miniature types, or terrain pieces received
• Quick Shipping Needs: Must subscribe by 4th for that month; can’t get immediate shipment
• Review-Dependent Shoppers: Lack of BBB/Trustpilot may concern those requiring extensive review validation

Customer Service and Community

Service Quality: Dungeon Crate’s customer service distinguishes it from larger subscription boxes:

• Responsiveness: “Level 20+” quality with every question answered
• Problem Resolution: “Every issue resolved, every complaint addressed”
• Communication Channels: Email and Facebook messages both monitored
• Shipping Updates: Immediate notification of any delays or issues
• Returns/Replacements: Damaged items replaced quickly without hassle

Community Presence:

• Active Facebook community for subscribers
• Instagram showcasing monthly crate contents
• Email newsletters with gaming tips and product spotlights
• Engagement with subscriber feedback and suggestions
• Connection to broader RPG community through conventions and partnerships

Brick-and-Mortar Location: The physical store at 6404 Maple St, Omaha, NE provides:

• Local gamers can browse inventory in person
• Trust through physical presence (not just online entity)
• Fulfillment center transparency (can visit where crates pack)
• Community gaming events and meetups

Value Assessment

Dungeon Crate’s value depends heavily on gaming frequency and role:

Strong Value If:

• You DM weekly games and use adventures, terrain, and miniatures regularly
• You collect dice and enjoy discovering new sets monthly
• You paint miniatures as a hobby (unpainted minis provide practice material)
• The 10% store discount saves $3-5 monthly on additional purchases
• Time saved from ready-to-use adventures outweighs subscription cost
• You attend conventions rarely but want curated vendor floor items
• Community engagement and unboxing excitement matter to you

Questionable Value If:

• You only play (not DM) and don’t need terrain, adventures, or DM tools
• You play monthly or less frequently (items accumulate unused)
• You prefer buying specific items you need rather than curated surprises
• You play non-fantasy RPG systems where D&D items don’t transfer
• You game digitally on virtual tabletops without physical components
• Budget constraints make $37/month difficult to justify for gaming accessories
• You need BBB accreditation or extensive Trustpilot reviews for confidence

For active Dungeon Masters running regular campaigns, Dungeon Crate delivers excellent value through time savings, quality accessories, and community engagement. For casual players or those seeking specific items, direct retail purchases provide better control and potentially better pricing.