Old-School Nostalgia: Sirius Dice Recreates the Iconic 1983 D&D “Red Box” Cover in Metal

If you grew up playing tabletop RPGs in the 1980s, odds are Larry Elmore’s legendary “Ancient Red” cover art for the 1983 D&D Basic Set is permanently burned into your mind. Now, tabletop accessory maker Sirius Dice is bringing that piece of gaming history to life with their newly revealed Dungeons & Dragons: Metal Miniatures – Red Box Edition.

Following up on their earlier metal release honoring the 1977 Holmes Boxed Set, Sirius Dice’s new four-figure miniature set turns one of the most recognizable fantasy art scenes into heavy, table-ready metal miniatures.

What’s Included in the Red Box Metal Miniatures Set?

The collectible set directly translates the classic cover’s showdown into four distinct 32mm scale metal figures:

• The Red Dragon: Positioned atop its hoard, ready to face off against the adventurers.

• The Male Fighter: Mirroring the iconic warrior standing ground on the cover art.

• The Magic-User: Bringing spellcasting power to the party.

• The Thief: Completing the old-school adventuring group.

Crafted with a faux antique patina finish, each miniature weighs roughly 60 grams. That deliberate weight offers an intentional, nostalgic callback to the hefty lead miniatures of the early ’80s hobby store era—without any of the actual lead safety concerns.

Pricing, Release Date, and Availability

• MSRP: $79.99 USD

• Release Date: November 30, 2026

• Availability: Pre-orders are currently live directly through the Sirius Dice store, Amazon, and local game shops.

While priced higher than standard plastic tabletop minis, this set is positioned primarily as a premium collector’s piece designed for display shelves or thematic boss encounters.

Paying Tribute to the Box That Started It All

Edited by Frank Mentzer in 1983, the TSR “Red Box” Basic Set served as the gateway into fantasy tabletop gaming for an entire generation. Elmore’s artwork originally included a larger party before TSR co-founder Gary Gygax requested a simplified, dramatic focus on a single warrior facing off against a massive red dragon.

By capturing both the central duel and the full adventuring team in antique metal, Sirius Dice is giving veteran D&D fans a tangible piece of classic TSR history to add to their display cases.