Some History on The Gelatinous Cube

The Gelatinous Cube is a classic creature that has been a staple in Dungeons and Dragons since the games inception. This iconic monster has captured the imagination of gamers and fantasy enthusiasts for its unique appearance and deadly abilities. In this blog post, we will take a look at the history and evolution of the Gelatinous Cube.

Created by Gary Gygax, the Gelatinous Cube first appeared in the original Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) game in 1974 as an

OTHER MONSTERS: There is no practical limitation to the variety of monsters possible. In the campaigns associated with the play-testing of these rules there have either appeared or been postulated

and in the original game, the Gelatinous Cube was described as

Underground creatures of near complete transparency which fit exactly the typical corridor of a dungeon. Metal objects absorbed into them would be visible thereafter within their body. These monsters would be difficult to harm and have a large number of Hit Dice

Over the years, the Gelatinous Cube has undergone several changes and modifications. In early editions of the game, the Gelatinous Cube was often depicted as a creature that lived in dungeons and other underground locations. It was also known to consume adventurers who were careless enough to get too close.

In later editions of D&D, the Gelatinous Cube was given a more detailed backstory. It was revealed that the creature was actually a product of magical experimentation gone wrong. The Gelatinous Cube was created by wizards who were trying to create a new type of construct. However, something went wrong during the process, and the result was a creature that was both deadly and unpredictable.

Despite these changes, the Gelatinous Cube has remained a popular creature in fantasy games and literature. Its unique appearance and abilities have made it a favorite among players and writers alike. In recent years, the Gelatinous Cube has even made appearances in popular video games, such as World of Warcraft , Final Fantasy and is now apprearing in the Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves movie.

The Gelatinous Cube is a classic creature that has undergone many changes and modifications over the years. Its appearance and abilities have made it a popular monster in fantasy games and literature, and it continues to be a favorite among gamers and writers alike. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the world of fantasy, the Gelatinous Cube is sure to provide a challenging and exciting encounter.

Finally, as I was researching this, I remembered back in the day using Chessex Dice Boxes as a Gelatinous Cube. It was a cheap miniature that we all had available, and putting minis in it was funny. Later WizKids miniatures later allowed this, and I think it faded away in time. I did a quick Google search now only to find Chessex now sells empty cases as a Plastic Figure Display Boxes.

My my my, has the world changed.

Cheers - E

Publication History

• The gelatinous Cube first appeared in the original Dungeons & Dragons "white box" set (1974)

• The first supplement, Greyhawk (1975).

• The Gelatinous Cube appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977, 1981, 1983).

• Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991).

• 1E Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in the original Monster Manual (1977).

• The creature was further developed in Dragon #124 (August 1987).

• Dungeons and Dragons adventure "The Ruins of Andril", published in Dragon #81.

• 2E Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989)

• 2E Monstrous Manual (1993) under the "ooze/slime/jelly" heading.

Under the ooze entry, the Gelatinous Cube appears in the

• 3E Monster Manual (2000)

• 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003)

• 4E Monster Manual (2008)

• The Monster Vault (2010)

• 5EMonster Manual (2014).

• The Gelatinous Cube is fully detailed in Paizo Publishing's book Dungeon Denizens Revisited (2009), on pages 16–21

• DnD Beyond (Current)