Key Takeaways

• 3D printed dungeon sets can bring your tabletop games to life with custom, intricate designs.

• Choosing the right 3D printer and materials is crucial for quality and durability.

• Designing your own dungeons allows for unlimited creativity and personalization.
• Step-by-step guidance on creating your first modular fantasy scenario.
• Tips for troubleshooting common 3D printing issues to ensure a smooth printing process.

When you gather around the table, ready to embark on your latest tabletop RPG adventure, there’s nothing quite like the immersion of a physical, detailed dungeon to bring your story to life. That’s where 3D printed dungeon sets come in, transforming your gaming sessions into a tangible, interactive world. But how do you get started? Let’s dive in and build your first modular fantasy scenario together.

Designing Your Dungeon

Designing your dungeon is the first step to creating an immersive game environment. This is where you decide the fate of your adventurers, so think about the experience you want to give them. Narrow corridors? Grand halls? Tricky traps? The design is in your hands.

Most importantly, keep the scale consistent. If your miniatures are on a 1-inch grid, your dungeon tiles should match. Consistency is key for gameplay and aesthetics.

Selecting the Right 3D Printer

The 3D printer you choose can make a huge difference in the quality and detail of your dungeon pieces. You don’t need the most expensive machine, but you do need one that’s reliable and precise. Look for printers with good reviews from other hobbyists, and consider factors like build volume, resolution, and ease of use.

Understanding 3D Printing Materials

Not all 3D printing materials are created equal. For dungeon sets, you want something durable and paintable. PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a popular choice because it’s easy to print with and environmentally friendly. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is tougher and more heat-resistant but can be trickier to print. Whichever material you choose, make sure it’s suitable for the level of detail you’re after.

And remember, color isn’t crucial—you’re going to paint these pieces anyway. So, feel free to use whatever filament you have on hand for your initial prints.

Popular 3D Printed Dungeon Sets to Inspire You

Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s look at some popular 3D printed dungeon sets that have captured the imagination of tabletop gamers worldwide. Seeing what others have created can spark ideas for your own unique designs.

DragonLock and Its Versatile World

DragonLock is a well-known name in the 3D printed dungeon set community. Their interlocking designs mean you can easily assemble and disassemble your dungeons without glue. Plus, they offer a wide range of themes from classic medieval to eldritch horrors.

• Walls, doors, and floors with a universal locking system.

• Themed sets for different campaign settings.
• Accessories like traps, furniture, and statues to add flair to your dungeons.

DragonLock sets are fantastic for their modularity and ease of use, making them a go-to for both new and experienced dungeon masters.

Another great thing about DragonLock is their commitment to community involvement. They often release free updates to their sets based on feedback and requests, so their collection is always growing and improving.

Make It Yours: Where to Buy Quality 3D Printed Dungeon Sets

Maybe you’re not ready to print your own, or you’re looking to supplement your creations with professional-grade pieces. In that case, buying pre-printed dungeon sets is a great option. There are several reputable sellers online, but always check the reviews and the quality of the prints before purchasing.

Most importantly, consider the compatibility with your existing pieces or future printing plans. Some sets come pre-painted, saving you time and effort, while others are primed and ready for you to apply your artistic touch.

What’s the Best Material for Durable Dungeon Tiles?

When it comes to creating dungeon tiles that can withstand the test of time (and the occasional soda spill), durability is key. PLA (Polylactic Acid) is the go-to for many due to its ease of use and quality finish. However, for those looking for extra toughness, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) might be the better choice, though it requires a well-ventilated printing area due to fumes.

For example, “When I print dungeon tiles, I prefer PLA because it’s sturdy enough for regular use and doesn’t warp as easily as ABS can. Plus, it’s biodegradable, which is a win for the environment.”

Another option is PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), which combines the ease of printing found in PLA with the strength of ABS. It’s more flexible, which means it can handle a bit of bending without breaking. This can be particularly useful for tiles that might be under stress, like those that support multiple levels.

Ultimately, the best material for you will depend on your specific needs, printer capabilities, and the level of detail you want in your dungeon tiles. Always consider the balance between strength, ease of printing, and the final appearance of your printed pieces.

Can You Combine Different Sets Together?

One of the joys of 3D printed dungeon sets is the modularity. Most sets are designed with interlocking systems that allow you to combine pieces from different sets seamlessly. This means you can mix and match to create diverse and dynamic dungeons.

However, it’s important to check the compatibility of the locking systems before combining sets from different designers. Some systems, like DragonLock and OpenLOCK, are designed to be compatible with a wide range of pieces, giving you the freedom to expand your dungeon with various themes and features.

Additionally, keep in mind the scale of your miniatures. If the sets you’re combining have different scales, it can throw off the visual consistency and playability of your dungeon. As long as the scales match, combining sets can lead to endless configurations and replayability for your gaming sessions.

How Long Does It Take to Print a Full Dungeon Set?

Printing a full dungeon set is a labor of love and patience. The time it takes can vary widely based on the complexity of the designs, the size of the pieces, and the settings of your 3D printer. A single tile might take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to print.

For a full set, you could be looking at several days of continuous printing. It’s not uncommon for a complete dungeon to take over a week to print, especially if you’re printing with high resolution for finer details.

Here’s a rough breakdown of print times:

• Simple floor tile: 30 minutes to 1 hour

• Wall piece with intricate design: 2 to 3 hours
• Large, complex room or feature: 6+ hours

Remember, 3D printing is not a race. It’s more important to print at a pace that ensures quality and minimizes errors. Always check your printer’s capabilities and adjust your schedule accordingly.

What Are the Most Essential Dungeon Pieces to Print?

When starting your collection of 3D printed dungeon pieces, focus on the essentials. These are the pieces you’ll use in almost every game, the building blocks of your dungeons. Here’s what you should prioritize:

• Basic floor tiles: These are your bread and butter, used to create the layout of your dungeon.

• Walls: Both straight and corner pieces to define the shape of rooms and corridors.
• Doors: Various styles to add variety and functionality to your dungeons.
• Stairs: Essential for multi-level scenarios and adding verticality to your gameplay.
• Specialty tiles: These include traps, treasure chests, and other interactive elements.

Once you have a solid base of these essential pieces, you can start expanding your collection with more specialized and thematic items to add flavor to your adventures.

Do You Need Special Software to Design Custom Dungeon Pieces?

Designing custom dungeon pieces allows you to tailor your set to your campaign’s specific needs. While there are many free and paid 3D models available online, creating your own requires software that can design in three dimensions.

For beginners, Tinkercad is a user-friendly option that works directly in your browser. It’s simple enough for a novice to pick up quickly but powerful enough to create detailed designs. For those with more experience, Blender offers advanced features and greater control over your models, though it has a steeper learning curve.

Regardless of your choice, the software should allow you to export your designs in a format compatible with your 3D printer, typically STL or OBJ files. Most 3D printing software is designed to be as accessible as possible, so with a little practice, you’ll be crafting custom dungeon pieces in no time.