Closer

Once upon a time, I was a boy. A boy interested in fantasy and language. Since that time I have become a regular booger to shop for. My wife complains loudly about trying to find things that I'd like for Christmas/birthdays/easter/whatever. For this reason I'll sometimes present things that have interested me. If you're looking for a reaction you may well be disappointed, but I won't.

That's why I present two possibilities in the same ballpark. Even though I don't whip out board games very often, there are two that I don't own but have enjoyed immensely during their brief appearances in my life. Given my oldest's interest in board games, as well as the two youngers willingness to play anything, these should go nicely.

The best board game I've ever played was Talisman Once in a while this thing goes out of print, and it's near impossible to find. I looked into it a few years ago and the basic set was $75, a bit steep for most folk looking into a board game. I tell you that it is incredible. I think there's a sci-fi expansion for it as well, making it quite possibly one of the most flexible AND enjoyable board games.

Since folk aren't necessarily up for getting me Talisman, and who can blame them, I do have an alternative. I own the core set for HeroQuest (no, I'm not kidding) and would dearly love any of the expansions.

Prepainted miniatures and dice are nice, and will always hold a special place in my heart, regardless of how I seem to react to them. Particularly novelty or unusual dice (such as the stainless steel ones, or the giant plush or foam ones. Crystal shaped. I've never owned an electronic one, and the concept offends my other dice, who are very sensitive to the idea of being replaced. Clear, sparkly, smoky, marble dice are awesome. Each one should run between .50 (the ones I don't want) up to $1.5 Million (ancient roman dice, which I'd probably hire folk to retrieve, had I the money). A good price for dice depends, but I'd say that the ones running from $1.00 to $1.50 are pretty safe bets. If you find one that looks like a golfball and is in the area of $5.00, I'll never use it, but I'll probably cry fierce tears as I place it with the few other zocchihedrons I possess. Someday I shall wield a scepter decorated with those things, and a crown of glittering dice.