# WizKids Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage Review – Some Assembly Required
WizKids has created a variety of impressive miniatures for Dungeons & Dragons, allowing players to bring the game to life. Now, they have released Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage, which not only includes minis but also props and maps.
Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage is designed to provide players with a complete adventure experience in one box. It includes thematically selected minis, props, and maps, making it easy to create a high-quality adventure without having to gather materials from different sources.
## What’s in Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage?
When you open this adventure box, you’ll find enemy minis, maps for each floor of the Nautiloid, and creepy Illithid props. The box includes:
– Monster Minis:
– 4x Intellect Devourers (In two different poses)
– 2x Mind Flayers
– 1x Ulitharid
– 1x Mindwitness
– Props:
– 2x Ceremorphosis Pods
– 1x Helm
– 1x Spawning Pool
– Maps:
– 1x Nautiloid Bridge Deck Map
– 1x Nautiloid Battle Deck Map
– 1x Nautiloid Cargo Deck Map
– 1x Nautiloid Prison Deck Map
The variety of monsters included in this box is impressive. From smaller threats to larger ones like the Ulitharid and Mindwitness, there’s plenty of options for different encounters.
The Ulitharid is a Mind Flayer created from the tadpole of the Elder Brain’s Brine Pool, while the Mindwitness is what a Beholder becomes after being drawn into the Brine Pool and having its eye stalks replaced by tentacles.
## Putting the Adventure into Adventure In A Box
One notable omission from Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage is the lack of an included adventure. While you have all the necessary pieces to create an adventure, you’ll need to craft it yourself as the Dungeon Master. The box provides a good starting point, but there’s still work involved in creating a full adventure.
For example, you could craft a simple adventure centered around a jailbreak from the Prison Deck, where other prisoners are trapped in Ceremorphosis Pods. Destroying Spawning Pools could be a task to prevent reinforcements from arriving.
Each floor of the Nautiloid could present a greater challenge, leading up to encounters with the Mindwitness or the more challenging Ulitharid.
Not including even a one-page adventure or some plot hooks is a missed opportunity for a true “Adventure In A Box” experience. However, the contents of the box can still provide an excellent encounter within an existing campaign, such as Spelljammer or Planescape.
## Ship-Shape Maps
WizKids is known for creating high-quality miniatures, but Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage also showcases their map-making skills. The four levels of the Nautiloid are faithfully recreated from Spelljammer: Adventures in Space and are designed to fit standard minis. The maps are made of hard cardboard and can be easily folded and stored.
The back of each map indicates which floor it represents and where the stern and bow are located. This ensures that the maps are set up correctly.
The level of detail in the maps is impressive. From cracked floors to small staircases and even windows on the Battle and Bridge decks, the maps bring the setting to life.
## It’s like they turned Baldur’s Gate 3 into Dungeons & Dragons
It’s worth noting the similarities between Adventure In A Box and the intro scenes of Baldur’s Gate 3. This could be a deliberate choice by WizKids to provide players with a familiar setting that bridges the gap between Baldur’s Gate 3 and Dungeons & Dragons.
## Final Thoughts on WizKids Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage
Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage is a great choice for DMs looking to create a high-quality one-shot or include Illithids in their campaigns. The box equips DMs with everything they need to run an encounter.
As WizKids’ first Adventure In A Box with included maps, it would be great to see them continue this trend. While not every encounter needs folding maps, providing maps for different settings like Spelljammers or seafaring adventures would be a welcome addition.
The lack of a one-page adventure does hinder the concept of an “Adventure in a Box.” Starting a game straight out of the box, with a simple adventure, would be a fun idea.
## Should You Buy WizKids Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage?
Whether you’re looking for a one-off adventure or want to introduce your party to the Nautiloid and its crew, Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage is a fun and convenient option. It offers Mind Flayer-themed enemies, from smaller Intellect Devourers to major threats of the Illithid world.
If you’re a fan of Illithids or want to create an Illithid-themed adventure, this set is a great purchase. However, if you’re not interested in Illithids or cosmic horror, then this may not be for you.
For DMs looking for a 2-3 session game with an Illithid theme, Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage is definitely worth considering.
*(The copy of WizKids Adventure In A Box Mind Flayer Voyage used to produce this review was provided by the Publisher. All photos were taken by the reviewer during the review process.)*