Review: 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale (Part #2 - Model)
Posted by CapnRex101,
While the characters found in 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale are certainly very impressive, their medieval environment and the resident monsters could prove even better! The whole model looks spectacular and its different sections seem incredibly varied.
This quality is particularly admirable given their proximity, with each classic environment swiftly giving way to another. Furthermore, the interiors are highly detailed and there is still enough space for monsters, as well as numerous references to Dungeons & Dragons lore to discover.
Part one of our review, focusing on the minifigures, is available here.
Summary
21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale, 3,745 pieces.
£314.99 / $359.99 / €359.99 | 8.4p/9.6c/9.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This is a spectacular celebration of Dungeons & Dragons, with potential for further sets
- Packs a whole adventure into one set
- Tremendous standard of detail
- Many secrets and references
- Stunning monsters, overall
- Great character selection
- A little too expensive
- Dragon is underwhelming
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
Condensing a whole adventure into a single model is incredibly difficult, but I think this design succeeds. I am glad the general layout of the fan submission was preserved, albeit with some colour changes and a much-expanded meadow. However, the size of this model remains fairly manageable for display, measuring 38cm wide and almost 49cm in height, without the dragon.
The tavern in the foreground really stands out from its surroundings, thanks significantly to the vibrant purple and blue roof. Personally, I find the purple a little too strong, although embracing the fantasy setting by selecting such a bold colour makes sense. The wooden structure is lovely though, faithfully recreating traditional wattle and daub construction with tan and reddish brown parts.
A wooden jetty extends outside the tavern, with dark blue plates forming the water underneath. Some people might favour a brighter shade of blue for LEGO water, but I think dark blue works in this situation, especially in contrast with the bright green meadow. The crates stored near the dock contain cherries and lime green barbs, which represent chilli peppers.
Despite its modest size, this building's irregular shape is interesting and I like the angled door, as well as the golden sign hanging outside. The tavern is named 'Inn Plain Sight' and this sign features the eye of a Beholder. Ideally, the 3x3 round tile would be printed instead of needing a sticker, but this sticker and the dragon-shaped support above look marvellous.
Unusual shaping continues on the next floor, where the combination of roof slopes in different directions and the angled window at the corner is attractive. That complexity makes the model appear larger than it really is, even including a dormer window. Furthermore, the stone chimney looks excellent, using dark bluish grey tiles and slopes to create brickwork texture.
The interior is fairly cramped, but impressively detailed, nonetheless. Also, the interior is easily accessible from the back, as the tavern can be detached from the rest of the model and is only attached via a couple of Technic pins, while the upper floor and the roof are both removable too, mirroring the design of Modular Buildings.
Although space is limited, the ground floor contains some appropriate furniture. I like the barrel forming a basic table and the use of dual-moulded Butterbeer glass elements on top, beside a trans-green bottle. The equipment rack also makes efficient use of space, supplying a lute, an axe, a spear and a rapier for prospective adventurers.
Similarly, the fireplace looks good on the whole and is realistically positioned with the chimney outside, but the hearth lacks any decoration. The pearl gold lattice elements under the counter introduce some detail though, with a turkey leg and a bottle of hot sauce on top, which explains the chilli delivery outside. A keg is placed behind the counter, beneath a stickered noticeboard.
The noticeboard includes a poster about a missing cat, a scrap of parchment featuring the Cult of the Dragon's distinctive emblem and an image of three adventurers. The armour worn by the central figure resembles that worn by one of the skeletons from part one of this review, so I think we know the unfortunate fate of these characters.
A door is found behind the counter as well, inaccessible to customers. We will discover where this leads later in the review. The painting on the floor above is interesting too, formed using a sticker and featuring a dragonborn family. I imagine these figures are Alax Jadescales' parents, with Alax presumably inside the egg!
Moving the painting reveals a hole in the wall. While slightly too small for minifigures to clamber through, a dark chamber is visible beyond this gap. The continued hints towards a mystery are fun. However, the grey and dark tan colours on this wall are not ideal, given the reddish brown and tan shades used elsewhere inside the tavern.
The upper level also includes a fireplace, a bed, a chest and a storage area, where a sack is placed. Considering the complex roof design and thus the limited space, I think this bedroom looks good, especially with the fireplace in the corner. There is no staircase to reach this floor, unsurprisingly, but I have no issue with that because the building is quite compact.
Printed eyes on the bed and the chest reveal these furnishings as mimics, predatory creatures known to take the form of everyday items. The printed eyes along the edges of 1x1 plates look fantastic and I like the blue tongue inside the chest mimic, matching its bigger counterpart. The articulated bed mimic, meanwhile, has four sharp teeth and room for some little items inside.
Another stickered wall panel is found in the bedroom. The portrait here depicts a knight known as Sir Lucas, based on the fan designer, Lucas Bolt, while this mountain range painting makes reference to Lucas' job as an environment designer for video games. In addition, the insignia of the Harpers, a secretive organisation within Dungeons & Dragons, is displayed above.
After departing the Inn Plain Sight, adventurers can follow a cobbled path into the meadow. A variety of curved tiles and 2x2 round jumper plates are used to impressive effect here and this path softens the transition between the surface immediately outside the tavern and the meadow. Maybe there could have been a fence to separate them, but there is not much room available.
Moreover, a section of the path can be removed to uncover some treasure! Two printed coins and a pearl gold key are hidden underground. Part of me wonders whether something should have been provided to signal this treasure trove on the surface, but the cover blends perfectly with the surrounding terrain, so perhaps the secret hoard is more fun.
Two trees stand behind the treasure trove, consisting of the fern elements introduced in 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell last year. Trees like these have appeared a few times already, turning the fern leaves upside down to create an organic shape. Their dark green colour seems appealing and I like the ferns at ground level too, forming shrubs.
Green plates near the rock face give way to bright green and eventually tan parts towards the shore. The transitions between areas look good, particularly given how tightly they are packed together. Also, the lime green plants along the shore and the occasional dark tan rocks, as well as the giant spiders roaming around.
Spiders are not a major threat though, compared with the owlbear included! These ferocious beasts combine the hunting abilities of owls and bears, as their name suggests. Although the LEGO rendition is inevitably blocky at this scale, its shape seems accurate and the owlbear is an appropriate size in relation to minifigures, while also fitting comfortably in the meadow.
The owlbear's head looks excellent, capturing the eyebrow-like feathers and beak common to these animals. The printed eyes are effective as well, but the head cannot swing to either side, unfortunately. Similarly, the legs are only articulated at the hips, so properly posing the owlbear is difficult. However, considering its size, I think this model is reasonably detailed.
A large tree grows at the edge of this meadow, with its trunk and roots comprising black pieces. Beyond paying homage to older Castle sets, in which trees were typically black because LEGO had yet to introduce brown parts, I find this colour effective because it contrasts with the dark tan rock face. Reddish brown or dark brown would not stand out as strongly, in my opinion.
Of course, there is more to the tree than first appears, since moving one of the lower branches aside reveals a face, printed on a 2x2 curved slope! I like the leafy beard, giving the awakened tree the appearance of age and perhaps wisdom. The leaves on the branches look fantastic too and are appropriately bushy, without interfering with the branches' articulation.
Teal tentacles emerge from the water behind the awakened tree, presumably belonging to an aboleth or a similar aquatic monster. I like the trans-light blue pieces denoting disturbed water around the tentacles and there is not much room for characters on the beach, so they will need to pass by quickly.
Thankfully, detaching the dark tan rock element from the cliff reveals a concealed door. Seven such doors are included and they were developed for this set, despite appearing first in 10332 Medieval Town Square. This one features a trans-light blue door handle, supposed to denote a magical locking mechanism.
Passing through the door, we find a dingy dungeon. There are some more monsters dwelling inside, alongside the skeletal remains of past characters and their weapons. Even though the floor above is not removable, the open back alone provides ample access and there are plenty of interesting details.
Three black puddings wait immediately inside the door, represented by black 2x2 round bricks and 2x2 domes. I can imagine more complex iterations of these formless monsters, but simple blobs suffice, in my opinion. Bones are scattered around the black puddings and a potion bottle can be found beside the entrance, just visible behind the ladder in the image below.
Gelatinous cubes are among the most famous of all Dungeons & Dragons creatures and the LEGO recreation is superb. The cube makes perfect use of trans-light blue bricks and panels, showing various items inside. These include a skull, a frying pan and a trans-yellow gemstone, with the latter accessories supported by skeleton arms, as though floating.
A baby gelatinous cube is also included and represented by a trans-light blue Minecraft head, which has previously formed the Tesseract in Marvel sets. This is a delightful addition and the dungeon also contains a bow, a diamond and a barrel in its darkest corner, housing a mystical Staff of Frost to be collected.
Beyond those gelatinous cubes and the Staff of Frost, the dungeon actually continues into the next section of the model. The pink-tinted plant life here is interesting and includes some trans-opalescent pink fern elements, which look wonderful. Moreover, a book can also be discovered among these outlandish plants, featuring a sticker on the cover and a printed 1x2 tile inside.
Another such book rests against the back wall of the dungeon, located behind a silver shield, which would normally be attached to the empty 1x1 clip. Coins are also scattered on the floor, as well as a devotee's censer, consisting of a pearl gold chain and a metallic silver Technic ball. Lastly, the remains of a skeleton near the entrance grip a sword.
The book and the skeleton are difficult to reach, so a section of the wall is cleverly designed for easy removal. In some ways, the function feels unnecessary to access a couple of accessories, but the detachable cliff face is perfectly disguised and the book is doubtless valuable to passing adventurers, containing one more printed scroll.
The ladder leading to the next floor is remarkably basic, compared with the high level of detail elsewhere in the model. Perhaps the ladder could have been brick-built and had some broken rungs, for instance. Similarly, the stonework around the prison lacks the complex texture found in other areas, relying on bland 3x3x6 angled wall panels instead.
However, the prison cell is suitably sparse, containing only a bucket and a chain connected to the ceiling. There is space for a minifigure inside and perhaps two, although the second would be tucked around the corner and hard to reach. A decorated shield is found outside, pictured in the past adventurers' portrait in the tavern. The beholder design looks brilliant, with the golden shield boss forming the creature's central eye.
Magenta-topped mushrooms grow beside the prison cell, two of which are actually myconids. These peculiar creatures make perfect use of the body elements introduced with DREAMZzz sets in 2023, appearing for the first time in tan. Their printed heads look splendid, both topped with magenta 3x3 dishes, although I have removed one to show the face in this image.
As well as a small campfire, this grassy area includes a spiky bush. Minifigures can climb this plant to the platform above, or move the bush aside to reveal a secret entrance to the base of the ruined tower. A wooden door in the dungeon beneath provides similar access, so there are multiple means of entering the tower.
The crumbling steps beside the awakened tree provide another means of approach and these look fantastic. Constructing the steps sideways minimises their size and I like the steps' varied shapes, denoting wear over time. The first flight of steps leads to the plain where the myconids reside and the second continues up to the fortress.
I like the predominant light bluish grey colour used for the tower and the fortified bridge, which contrasts with other areas of this model. Also, occasional dark bluish grey pieces and masonry bricks introduce some detail, alongside the stickered dragon insignia. The blocky merlons at the end of the bridge look splendid too, finished with a pearl gold and dark blue flag, recalling flags from the memorable Fantasy Era range.
Our next monster is situated here on the packaging, guarding the approach to the tower. The feline displacer beast is similar in size to the owlbear, albeit more slender, corresponding with the source material. Its six legs and characteristic tentacles look good and I love this monster's printed lime green eyes, even though its head lacks other details of the original creature.
Some compromises are inevitable though, at this scale. Maybe a few specialised pieces could have been developed for the animals, although a consistent style between them is paramount, so relying on standard parts and printed eyes is reasonable. Additionally, the displacer beast's head, legs, tentacles and tail are all articulated, allowing more dynamic poses than the owlbear can achieve.
The tower is built directly into the dark tan rocks and this combination is surprisingly effective, punctuated by some greenery. The main entrance could certainly be grander than a standard wooden door, but this structure has obviously fallen into ruin, so it could once have been more elaborate. The damaged stonework above the archway looks excellent though.
Whereas other areas are littered with accessories and plants, the tower interior is neater. The shrine inside the door looks nice, featuring five dragon-shaped hilts arranged around a printed Orb of Dragonkind. This shrine is dedicated to the five-headed dragon Tiamat, a notoriously evil creature from Dungeons & Dragons.
The pearl gold key on the floor nearby is tempting, presumably opening a door somewhere in the tower. Moving the key accordingly causes a trapdoor hidden in the floor to open, dropping any unwanted visitors into the basement. Although this function is simple, it is integrated neatly and the trapdoor is difficult to spot, blending with the floor.
Surprisingly, the basement is by far the largest internal space of any in the set, assembled on a 16x16 plate. However, this cavernous interior is necessary and the open back and side provide easy access. The rocky texture on the back looks great, although I am not convinced the minor extension underneath the stone column was needed.
The wooden door from the dungeon leads in here, although it is probably best avoided, as an axe trap waits on this side. Unfortunately, there is no means of supporting the axe in its raised position and then releasing it, which feels like a missed opportunity. Even so, you can raise the weapon manually and it is ideally positioned to attack anybody walking through the door.
I mentioned the need for space in the basement and the presence of a beholder is the reason why! These monstrous beings are probably the most recognisable of all Dungeons & Dragons creatures and the translation to LEGO is outstanding. I love the lavender colour choice and the beholder's rounded shape reflects their usual depictions in other media.
Furthermore, the beholder measures just under 10cm in height atop its trans-clear support, so seems an appropriate size next to minifigures. The open mouth looks suitably intimidating and the creature's eleven eyes are printed, with one large eye in the middle and ten more mounted on the surrounding tentacles. I am impressed the designer included exactly the right number.
Each tentacle is articulated, although some are shorter than others, which obviously impacts their movement. Posing options are essentially limitless though and I think the creature looks tremendous from all sides, as even the back is nicely finished with a lavender 2x2 inverted tile. In fact, the beholder is one of my favourite parts of this whole set.
The various routes into the sorcerer's tower are another of my favourite features and following the door behind the tavern counter would certainly have shortened the journey! In addition, the hole behind the dragonborn painting in the bedroom can be seen from the basement, leading to a small landing part way up the staircase.
Although much of this staircase comprises specialised parts, the lower section is constructed sideways, using curved slopes and tiles to form uneven steps. Combining the spiral staircase pieces with standard steps works perfectly and these steps pass a couple more potion bottles on the way up, opposite two candles burning with magical trans-bright green flames.
Returning to the entrance level and avoiding the trapdoor on this occasion, the path continues up another flight of steps. Once again, these steps are highly detailed and I like how they wrap around the rocks, with a spider and a gold potion underneath. However, the grassy area outside looks odd, given its small size. Perhaps adding some plants would improve its appearance.
I think the staircase is suitably steep and dangerous, with nothing to prevent minifigures falling off until reaching the top. This entrance reflects that on the floor below, although the stonework here is seemingly better maintained. The symbol representing the Cult of the Dragon reappears on the balcony and the trans-blue and trans-orange bricks over the door provide some colour.
The dark green and dark blue 1x1 slopes above the windows further break up the grey exterior, representing angled roof tiles. The dark bluish grey tiles attached at the corners also look lovely and the same construction method is used on the fortified bridge, albeit hidden by the awakened tree. I appreciate the realism of this brickwork.
The tower becomes increasingly slender and its damaged state grows worse towards the top, with uneven stone showing where the walls have crumbled. Nonetheless, there is still enough room for some furniture inside, including a sinister skull serving as a candle holder and several magical scrolls, two of which are printed like those in the aforementioned books.
Ervan Soulfallen concocts new potions and experiments with magic here, hence a cauldron is also supplied. A golden goblet, an inkwell, two red candles and a trans-opalescent blue crystal can be discovered too, so the designer has certainly packed as much detail as possible into the small space available.
Unfortunately, there is no staircase or ladder for characters to climb to the next level. Space is obviously limited, but perhaps the shattered masonry on the lower floor could have doubled as makeshift steps. Regardless, the scene on this level is intriguing, with candles arranged around a dragon egg, presumably warming the bright light green egg as it nears hatching.
A ladder is included to reach the uppermost reaches of the tower, which has crumbled into little more than a single wall by this point. Another pearl gold and dark blue flag is placed on top and the platform underneath is absolutely tiny, only allowing enough room for one character to stand there. Ideally, there would be space for a second, where a hero can vanquish the sorcerer.
The broken wall looks marvellous from either side and I like how the ladder is visible through a crack, therefore resembling a barred window. The curved wall at the base of the flagpole looks awkward though, as this section of the tower appears relatively intact. Even adding a couple of 1x1 slopes on top could have been effective, indicating worn stone.
While the model is spectacular in its normal state, perching the titular dragon on top doubtless gives the structure an extra dimension on display. This concept is taken directly from the Ideas submission, in which the dragon originally wrapped its whole body around the tower. Like many people, I wish that feature was preserved, although a bulky dragon is arguably better suited to the Dungeons & Dragons setting.
Additionally, the dragon's tail still wraps around the tower and serves an unexpectedly pivotal role in supporting the creature. The wings are adjustable as well, so they can be positioned to maximise the dragon's impact when viewed from the front. Despite the changes from the Ideas design, I still think the dragon looks stunning when clambering across the fortress.
The stability of the dragon is questionable, however. The claws on its front legs wrap properly around the stone balustrade, but there are no actual connection points. Similarly, the rear legs merely rest against the tower, which amazes me because even a couple of clips could surely be secreted among the ruined stone. Currently, the dragon feels sufficiently stable for display, but there is scope for major improvement.
LEGO dragons are extremely common nowadays, appearing most often in the NINJAGO and Monkie Kid themes. This example is therefore a little less interesting when separated from the tower, as dragons of comparable size are invariably available. With its tail extended, this model measures over 40cm in length and has a maximum wingspan of 45cm.
Also, I think this dragon lacks the dramatic style of NINJAGO dragons, for instance. That being said, this monster is definitely identifiable with Dungeons & Dragons, thanks partly to its superb colour scheme and frightening name, Cinderhowl! The articulation is reasonable as well, despite the absence of joints along the dragon's body and noticeably limited hip motion.
Cinderhowl's head feels restricted too. A ball joint between the body and the neck provides a good degree of movement, but the neck cannot be lowered. Meanwhile, the smaller ball joint supporting the head lacks the necessary friction, so the head sometimes tilts downwards. The detail on the head is exceptional though, making clever use of bat wings and mop elements.
The printed eyes, on the other hand, are only effective when viewed from certain angles, since they tend to blend with the surrounding texture. The scales across the dragon's neck and body are fantastic though, comprising tan and orange 1x1 slopes on its chest. These are an unusual feature among LEGO dragons, which are often deliberately smooth.
The legs more closely resemble dragons seen in NINJAGO, although they are attached right next to the body, so the hips can only rotate back and forth, without lateral motion. Articulated knees on the front legs and individually adjustable claws are helpful for posing though. Notably, Cinderhowl also has rear-facing claws, serving as thumbs.
While much of the dragon's body is either red or orange, the wings combine these shades into the new reddish orange colour. I like their organic shape and the use of fabric elements across Technic frames, although the wings cannot fold against Cinderhowl's body, which is unfortunate. Even so, their outstretched design works for most poses, especially when placed on the tower.
Overall
LEGO Castle has experienced something of a renaissance recently and 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale continues that trend. The model looks incredible on display and includes an amazing variety of Dungeons & Dragons icons. The design of the many monsters stands out in particular, as well as the brilliant standard of detail and numerous references.
As with so many sets recently, the price has attracted criticism. I do consider £314.99, $359.99 or €359.99 too expensive, although not to the degree I anticipated because the level of detail is so high throughout. However, I hope LEGO considers producing some slightly smaller and more affordable Dungeons & Dragons sets in the future, as this set undoubtedly proves the subject's potential.
Part one of our review, focusing on the minifigures, is available here.
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70 comments on this article
It’s a decent enough set but at this price point you’ve got to be a serious D&D fan to justify it.
Will be interesting to see if this is a sell out set or if it will be a shelf warmer.
Great review! Will this set be a Lego exclusive? Or will other retailers be selling it too? Trying to decide if I should buy it at release or if it’s likely to see a 20% discount in the future.
This set is a lot cooler having had a look into all the little hidden details. Having a variety of secrets and traps makes this feel like D&D to me. Thanks for the review!
Very good review! This set looks amazing—the architecture is exciting, and the brick-built monsters look fantastic.
In addition to how gorgeous the build is in general, I like how the layout of this set seems well-suited to open-ended, player-driven adventures like the game it's based on. There are lots of secrets and traps and multiple potential routes through the dungeon, culminating in a great scene for a climactic battle at the very top.
I probably won't be getting this one, since I don't really have any history with the Dungeons and Dragons franchise, but it's still cool seeing it adapted this well.
I'll stick around for Barad-Dur.
Oh, hey, they managed to brickbuild a minifig-scale Mimic chest. I really hope those eyes end up on PAB at some point.
I'm quite ignorant of D&D and its lore, but this set is just so much fun. I might try to wait for a discount, but I think this might be my first purchase of a licensed set since the Simpsons.
Now that I've seen more of the detail and design hidden in the set, I have to say I'm alot more impressed and can see that many of the 'play features' like the trapdoor etc could play into a D&D adventure.
That said, is this a play set, or a display piece? So much of the detail being hidden around the back, along with things like the axe and hidden stash etc makes me say its more of a play set as you obviously meant to play with and explore the model. Which makes me say as something priced like a display piece, you're paying for alot of pointless parts and I can see this dropping at least £50 inside of a month or two going off past sets.
My wife loves D&D, and this review was enough to tip her from “meh” to “we are buying this on release day” and immediately text her playing group that they all need to get their own too, so I guess it’s a good review!
Incredible review! and that's with the high standard we've become accustomed to from our good Cap'n.
The price, unarticulated dragon, purple roof, and meagre amount of figs are quite unfortunate. Yet, the creatures, model detail, fig detail, and exclusive GWP are quite attractive. I'm probably going to get this one early.
It's been incredible to read this review here on Brickset, the place I always go to read reviews, and what a privilege to be featured as the fan designer! I'm glad this detailed review appreciates all the great details that were added by the LEGO designers, there is just so many ways to play with this adventure. Very grateful for all the comments too, thank you!
On First viewing this set looked disappointing : compared to the original design.
However all the hidden detail certainly opens the set for many adventures....
This could now be a day one purchase???
Using a few Insider points.......
@Wellspring said:
"Great review! Will this set be a Lego exclusive? Or will other retailers be selling it too? Trying to decide if I should buy it at release or if it’s likely to see a 20% discount in the future. "
My guess that after the initial copies of April will get sold - sales will stop. So even if Lego exclusive I'm sure it'll get a discount for 2024 Black Friday or Christmas sales. If 10305 got a discount, this one will get as well.
One thing that bugs me about the Beholder is the use of a cat eye for the main eye, and round eyes for the eyestalks. Other than the Blacktron Spyballs, I've been very careful to make sure the eyestalks matched the main eye on my Beholders. I'll probably try to get all the parts to build a second Beholder, and just use Dreamzzz eyes instead.
The dragon's eyes are extremely weak, would have expected more.
That sticker for the Cult of the Dragon looks more like the album art for Demon Hunter and their first album.
So in my eyes, extra points, good (unintended) work LEGO.
While still probably too expensive to be in my reach for a while, this review revealing all the little hidden details, paths and references have definitely pushed it a bit higher up my wanted list
I was so amazed by the number of details reading this review that I had forgotten there was a dragon to I got to that part of the review !
Maybe the same set without the dragon would have worked as well for a cheaper price (even though the dragon was in the Ideas submission)
This is an incredible set, and I'd be getting it if it weren't so expensive!
Good review! I love that this set is not only really beautiful as a display piece, but also includes lots of playable details like hidden treasures, potions, secret passages, etc. Even if you don't choose to play with the set, hidden features like this help it feel very true to the sense of adventure and mystery you might expect in a D&D campaign. I appreciate you bringing up the fan designer's background, as it gives me a lot more insight into how they could come up with such a complex setting, which is both exciting to look at and well tailored to play or storytelling!
The designers did a really beautiful job maintaining the elaborate asymmetric composition and distinctive arrangement of architectural and landscaping features from Lucas Bolt's original project submission. Certainly, they changed some colors and implemented more interesting and detailed building techniques in many areas like the trees, coastline, tavern roof, meadow, irregular stone stairs, and tower balcony. But they also retained many of the original model's specific parts, building techniques, and motifs: for instance, the wall texture and parapets of the stone bridge and coastal bastion, the blend of slopes and BURPs for the cliff faces, the irregular quoins and narrow bartizan of the crumbling stone tower, and the spiral stair and SNOTted rock faces inside the dungeon.
The brick-built creatures are also fantastic, with enough printed detail and curved or textured elements to feel lifelike, but also much more detail and articulation than molded animals this size might have. The claw construction of the Owlbear really puts those rounded SNOT bricks to great use to give the claws individual articulation (and avoid too large a gap between them)! The dragon's blend of rough scaly textures and smooth muscular curves is also outstanding, even compared to some of the most impressive dragons from the Ninjago and Elves themes. That said, I wish that the dragon's eyes were printed on sloped elements of some sort instead of flat wedge plates so they'd be visible from the front as well as from the sides (like how the eye patterns are angled in 70653 or 76956).
While I know a lot of AFOLs don't care for stickers, I appreciate the narrative details they add. In particular, the dragonborn family photo is super cute and heartwarming, while the portrait of the three deceased adventurers that you call attention to in your review evokes a complex feeling of loss and tragedy you wouldn't ordinarily get from a trio of relatively generic minifig skeletons!
Great review overall! I'm not a D&D fan myself and am not sure whether I should get this set to accompany my other fantasy sets like the Medieval Blacksmith and Lion Knights' Castle — the gloomier colors and fantasy architecture are a bit of a departure from their more directly medieval-inspired designs, and of course any set this size is a pretty big a commitment in terms of both price and space. Plus, I still have a few other large sets I'm waiting to build with my wife once they get more of a break from their schoolwork, so I am not in too big a hurry to buy more!
That said, it's definitely an outstanding model, with many of the sort of features I tend to love in non-licensed themes like Elves, Ninjago, and Castle. And even with only a passing awareness of a lot of the specific licensed creatures, I find their designs and builds really compelling! So I guess time will tell if I end up adding it to my wish list before it retires.
@GrizBe said:
"Now that I've seen more of the detail and design hidden in the set, I have to say I'm alot more impressed and can see that many of the 'play features' like the trapdoor etc could play into a D&D adventure.
That said, is this a play set, or a display piece? So much of the detail being hidden around the back, along with things like the axe and hidden stash etc makes me say its more of a play set as you obviously meant to play with and explore the model. Which makes me say as something priced like a display piece, you're paying for alot of pointless parts and I can see this dropping at least £50 inside of a month or two going off past sets. "
I always find the question of whether something is a display piece or a playset to be a false binary. It's absolutely possible for something to be both, and I'd argue that some of the best sets are. I certainly wouldn't consider the parts used on aesthetic features of this set to be "pointless", especially if you plan to use it for something like a collaborative D&D game where both having a functional and explorable scene and wowing your friends with its intricacy are equally important.
Like a few others have said, this would be an insta-purchase if it was cheaper and came without the dragon. Especially since it can't wrap around the tower in the same way as the original submission, it feels like halfway between a play feature and display piece in that way, which is a little weak.
@Lyichir said:
" @GrizBe said:
"Now that I've seen more of the detail and design hidden in the set, I have to say I'm alot more impressed and can see that many of the 'play features' like the trapdoor etc could play into a D&D adventure.
That said, is this a play set, or a display piece? So much of the detail being hidden around the back, along with things like the axe and hidden stash etc makes me say its more of a play set as you obviously meant to play with and explore the model. Which makes me say as something priced like a display piece, you're paying for alot of pointless parts and I can see this dropping at least £50 inside of a month or two going off past sets. "
I always find the question of whether something is a display piece or a playset to be a false binary. It's absolutely possible for something to be both, and I'd argue that some of the best sets are. I certainly wouldn't consider the parts used on aesthetic features of this set to be "pointless", especially if you plan to use it for something like a collaborative D&D game where both having a functional and explorable scene and wowing your friends with its intricacy are equally important."
Fully agree. The idea that some sets are for display, and some are for play, has always been really silly to me. Outside of things like the Titanic or Eiffel tower, that are just too big to do anything with, how does something *not* have play value? What *is* play? Do you need to swoosh the minifigs and spaceships around? Do you need flick-fire missiles? I've never seen anyone be able to articulate what actually, practically differentiates a play or display set
Excellent review! Thank you for the detailed descriptions and photographs. It has definitely heightened my desire for this set. Put it on the list of "maybe someday" big purchases.
@fakespacesquid:
If it explodes when you touch it, like 7184 or the first version of 79104, it's a display piece. Also, mosaics are display pieces, unless you turn 31203 into a Risk gameboard.
Play or display?
The other day at a local Bricks & Minifigs, a little boy was looking at the Eiffel Tower. He told his dad that if it were his, he'd put Lego frogs all over it. :-)
@AcePilotHarryKane said:
"Like a few others have said, this would be an insta-purchase if it was cheaper and came without the dragon. Especially since it can't wrap around the tower in the same way as the original submission, it feels like halfway between a play feature and display piece in that way, which is a little weak. "
A Dungeons and Dragons set without a dragon.
Well, that's... an idea, I guess.
Every review and the official set’s statement all say the same thing: it’s to be played with. Besides, LEGO is a toy after all. You want it to be a display, fine, but this is completely playable. The set is played with the adventure book with the quest led by the dungeon master. CapnRex’s review explains how the players play/interact with the set. Great example how the set is played with is demonstrated perfectly, with great enthusiasm, by Mike Rytter from Beyond the Brick. Check it out: https://youtu.be/vSFqa40Pv5E?si=7kaDP2UvwKfNvQ3Z.
A little too expensive?
So what nice ok price $250? $300
@560heliport said:
"Play or display?
The other day at a local Bricks & Minifigs, a little boy was looking at the Eiffel Tower. He told his dad that if it were his, he'd put Lego frogs all over it. :-)"
Was the father Nicolaas Vás?
@LuvsLEGO_Cool_J said:
"Every review and the official set’s statement all say the same thing: it’s to be played with. Besides, LEGO is a toy after all. You want it to be a display, fine, but this is completely playable. The set is played with the adventure book with the quest led by the dungeon master. CapnRex’s review explains how the players play/interact with the set. Great example how the set is played with is demonstrated perfectly, with great enthusiasm, by Mike Rytter from Beyond the Brick. Check it out: https://youtu.be/vSFqa40Pv5E?si=7kaDP2UvwKfNvQ3Z."
It's a toy?
Thought was booby traps house.. (step on)
LEGOs, the secret weapon against bare feet.
joking, What do you do if someone doesn’t like your lego jokes? Block them.
@PurpleDave said:
" @560heliport said:
"Play or display?
The other day at a local Bricks & Minifigs, a little boy was looking at the Eiffel Tower. He told his dad that if it were his, he'd put Lego frogs all over it. :-)"
Was the father Nicolaas Vás?"
Thought was booby traps house.. (step on)
LEGOs, the secret weapon against bare feet.
This was originally on my must-buy list for 2024 because of the medieval theme, but the high price point (presumably $499 New Zealand Dollars) and the heavy lean into D&D themes makes it far less appealing. It looks cool, but I liked the somewhat simpler original design better.
@whaleyland:
Yeah, it is kinda weird how a licensed set commemorating the 50th anniversary of an RPG system would lean heavily into that system for design inspiration...
@fakespacesquid said:
" @Lyichir said:
" @GrizBe said:
"Now that I've seen more of the detail and design hidden in the set, I have to say I'm alot more impressed and can see that many of the 'play features' like the trapdoor etc could play into a D&D adventure.
That said, is this a play set, or a display piece? So much of the detail being hidden around the back, along with things like the axe and hidden stash etc makes me say its more of a play set as you obviously meant to play with and explore the model. Which makes me say as something priced like a display piece, you're paying for alot of pointless parts and I can see this dropping at least £50 inside of a month or two going off past sets. "
I always find the question of whether something is a display piece or a playset to be a false binary. It's absolutely possible for something to be both, and I'd argue that some of the best sets are. I certainly wouldn't consider the parts used on aesthetic features of this set to be "pointless", especially if you plan to use it for something like a collaborative D&D game where both having a functional and explorable scene and wowing your friends with its intricacy are equally important."
Fully agree. The idea that some sets are for display, and some are for play, has always been really silly to me. Outside of things like the Titanic or Eiffel tower, that are just too big to do anything with, how does something *not* have play value? What *is* play? Do you need to swoosh the minifigs and spaceships around? Do you need flick-fire missiles? I've never seen anyone be able to articulate what actually, practically differentiates a play or display set"
We have lights and minifigs all over our Eiffel Tower! We have definitely turned it into a play set as well as a giant standing dust collector.
@BoltBuilds said:
"It's been incredible to read this review here on Brickset... "
I can only imagine how weird this feels. Awesome achievement with the set! It's a stunner.
Although I think the dragon design is excellent, having the eyes mostly hidden is a “miss” in my opinion. They should be bold and piercing, striking fear into whatever Hobbit, er, traveler would dare peer into them.
@Aanchir said:
"Good review! I love that this set is not only really beautiful as a display piece, but also includes lots of playable details like hidden treasures, potions, secret passages, etc. Even if you don't choose to play with the set, hidden features like this help it feel very true to the sense of adventure and mystery you might expect in a D&D campaign. I appreciate you bringing up the fan designer's background, as it gives me a lot more insight into how they could come up with such a complex setting, which is both exciting to look at and well tailored to play or storytelling!
The designers did a really beautiful job maintaining the elaborate asymmetric composition and distinctive arrangement of architectural and landscaping features from Lucas Bolt's original project submission. Certainly, they changed some colors and implemented more interesting and detailed building techniques in many areas like the trees, coastline, tavern roof, meadow, irregular stone stairs, and tower balcony. But they also retained many of the original model's specific parts, building techniques, and motifs: for instance, the wall texture and parapets of the stone bridge and coastal bastion, the blend of slopes and BURPs for the cliff faces, the irregular quoins and narrow bartizan of the crumbling stone tower, and the spiral stair and SNOTted rock faces inside the dungeon.
The brick-built creatures are also fantastic, with enough printed detail and curved or textured elements to feel lifelike, but also much more detail and articulation than molded animals this size might have. The claw construction of the Owlbear really puts those rounded SNOT bricks to great use to give the claws individual articulation (and avoid too large a gap between them)! The dragon's blend of rough scaly textures and smooth muscular curves is also outstanding, even compared to some of the most impressive dragons from the Ninjago and Elves themes. That said, I wish that the dragon's eyes were printed on sloped elements of some sort instead of flat wedge plates so they'd be visible from the front as well as from the sides (like how the eye patterns are angled in 70653 or 76956).
While I know a lot of AFOLs don't care for stickers, I appreciate the narrative details they add. In particular, the dragonborn family photo is super cute and heartwarming, while the portrait of the three deceased adventurers that you call attention to in your review evokes a complex feeling of loss and tragedy you wouldn't ordinarily get from a trio of relatively generic minifig skeletons!
Great review overall! I'm not a D&D fan myself and am not sure whether I should get this set to accompany my other fantasy sets like the Medieval Blacksmith and Lion Knights' Castle — the gloomier colors and fantasy architecture are a bit of a departure from their more directly medieval-inspired designs, and of course any set this size is a pretty big a commitment in terms of both price and space. Plus, I still have a few other large sets I'm waiting to build with my wife once they get more of a break from their schoolwork, so I am not in too big a hurry to buy more!
That said, it's definitely an outstanding model, with many of the sort of features I tend to love in non-licensed themes like Elves, Ninjago, and Castle. And even with only a passing awareness of a lot of the specific licensed creatures, I find their designs and builds really compelling! So I guess time will tell if I end up adding it to my wish list before it retires."
A bit off-topic but you clearly possess a great talent for writing.
The review is also well written. A pleasure to read.
Price just doesn't justify the finished product. The build is mostly hollow, and the tower isn't even built up fully as it is in ruins. And only 6 proper minifigs in a $360 minifig scale set is ludicrous. (Three skeletons are a cop out.) No Lich or Mindflayer or even some minifig minions like goblins or bullywugs? I shouldn't have to buy into the CMF to fill this set out.
Yes, this review had me wishing I had the space for the set, but even more so, it had me wanting to roll up a character and play some D&D. Also, that beholder shield is almost certainly IP-locked, and thus not likely to show up on PaB, but if I'm wrong and I do see it there, I'm grabbing some.
@PurpleDave said:
" @fakespacesquid:
If it explodes when you touch it, like 7184 or the first version of 79104, it's a display piece. Also, mosaics are display pieces, unless you turn 31203 into a Risk gameboard."
A gameboard that you would proceed to run 10178 all over, right?
@gatorbug6:
The Mindflayer showing up as a CMF makes it easier to armybuild, where it would be prohibitively expensive if it came in this set (to the point that some might sell theirs off to cover a portion of the cost). When you consider the breadth of monsters provided, the minifigs are less of a concern.
@TheOtherMike:
Hmm. Missed a tag when I edited it. Anyways, you know me well, but not that well. When I did that, there was basically an entire continent full of single armies, making it simple to reset the board (or I never would have done it, knowing I would not be easily forgiven). And the Galoob Action Fleet one I used was small enough to stand on my palm, so it was a lot easier to control. I’d worry about the LEGO version catching on the studs and falling sideways onto larger armies that would not be so easily reset.
@PurpleDave: Yeah, I knew you hadn't used the Lego one, and I knew about the one-army-per-territory thing, I was just sticking to a theme.
This review makes me realize the dragon is the worst looking thing out of this set. Without the dragon, the front of the set looks OK, good for $150-200. The sides and back are hollow of course, making it only OK for $150-200. The dragon adds no value. So basically at 50% off, a D&D fan could see this set as decent. I see this set priced at $250 at the get-go in Bricklink due to low demand. Also, 6 not well known minifigures make this set hold almost no value in the long run.
Overall, short run and long run, this set will flop. This will perhaps be one of those few sets that takes a decade for second hand value to reach MSRP after retirement. A unique set indeed.
@morvit said:
"This review makes me realize the dragon is the worst looking thing out of this set. Without the dragon, the front of the set looks OK, good for $150-200. The sides and back are hollow of course, making it only OK for $150-200. The dragon adds no value. So basically at 50% off, a D&D fan could see this set as decent. I see this set priced at $250 at the get-go in Bricklink due to low demand. Also, 6 not well known minifigures make this set hold almost no value in the long run.
Overall, short run and long run, this set will flop. This will perhaps be one of those few sets that takes a decade for second hand value to reach MSRP after retirement. A unique set indeed."
Obviously, you are entitled to your opinions, but to suggest the dragon adds no value is ridiculous. It should go without saying that just because you dislike something does not mean it has no value when considering the overall price of a set.
Your 'analysis' of the set's future value is utterly flawed as well. There are countless examples of sets with unremarkable minifigures increasing hugely in price after retirement. Also, the minifigure issue does not apply to this set anyway, as most people interested in the set are probably Dungeons & Dragons or medieval fantasy fans, who would almost certainly find the minifigures appealing.
I don't know how successful this set will be but I can't be the only person who has been drawn back into LEGO as a result of the early images of this set and who has been planning accordingly (the INSIDERS points I have built up will most certainly discount one of these sets massively)
FWIW, as a keen D&D player of a certain age, I can tell you that many of my fellow players will be buying this set whether they are AFOLs or not. Many of them see this as another piece of D&D merchandise and will collect it as a result. In addition, many of them, like me, are in the fortunate position of being able to afford such luxuries so the price point argument is a non-starter.
All of you on here are far more expert than me but, IMHO, I think you may be surprised how popular this set (and the ensuing minifigure collection) will prove to be.
Great review, it's amazing to know every detail like more than a week before its release. Likely my first Day 1 Buy !
@gatorbug6 said:
"Price just doesn't justify the finished product. The build is mostly hollow, and the tower isn't even built up fully as it is in ruins. And only 6 proper minifigs in a $360 minifig scale set is ludicrous. (Three skeletons are a cop out.) No Lich or Mindflayer or even some minifig minions like goblins or bullywugs? I shouldn't have to buy into the CMF to fill this set out."
That much interior detail is "hollow?" Would you prefer solid brick all the way through? Not sure what else could be expected, or what else could be crammed in
Fantastic set, it really is! So is the review, very well done. I would love to see expansion sets or smaller add ons to this. You can combine it with other stuff to tell different stories. The more character variantions and loot there is, the better and more epic it gets.
The dragon’s “eyes” are ridiculous. I don’t understand how that design made it to production stage.
Great review, thank you! I both love this set, and kind of hate it. “LEGO Castle has experienced something of a renaissance recently” - indeed, but not an affordable one. Since this renaissance started with the Ideas Blacksmith, nothing castle/medieval/fantasy has clocked in under $100. Clearly, AFOLs and their disposable income have been identified as the main market, which is fine, but not all of us are made of endless amounts of money. It still feels like this renaissance only just started, but I’m already feeling the financial fatigue of trying to enjoy it.
Please, LEGO, please consider numerous, affordable sets, rather than knock-out after (financial) knock-out…
I have no history with D&D beyond unexpectedly loving the Chris Pine film. I’m also not normally into Day 1 purchasing, even though we almost never see any type of discounts on exclusives here in the U.S. The recent sales on the Razor Crest and Lion Knight Castle were so unexpected but so very exciting.
This could be a Day 1 purchase for me.
No Venger, so easy pass. ;-)
Personally, I find the dragon a major draw for this set. Yes, it's very unlike any of the Ninjago dragons--as it should be, since it's a Red Dragon, very much from the Western tradition. It's brawny and solid, a very dangerous adversary and not likely to be a potential friend--again, Red Dragons are not noted for their social skills. I even find the invisible eyes (I still haven't been able to find them in any of the photos) appropriate under these circumstances. Monsters with large, expressive eyes might be worth talking to; monsters whose eyes are tiny and squinty are generally bad-tempered at best. (Of course, mimics and beholders don't follow this rule, but no rule is perfect!)
Beautiful set but, there's no way it's worth 9.6 ppp. Honestly, just remove the D&D logo, and slash $80 off its price. As a D&D fan you'd spend much less buying two 31120 + 31058 (for a bigger green dragon). As for minifigs, there's plenty of options nowadays to build a cool party. You'll also have a lot more fun going this route, than spending $360 on this one. I understand that licensed sets are more expensive, but this one is beyond excusable.
Hey TLG, just so you know, Wizards of the Coast doesn't have a license over dragons, dungeons, or adventurers. You can release sets around this theme without getting sued.
@lego__maniac said:
"Beautiful set but, there's no way it's worth 9.6 ppp. Honestly, just remove the D&D logo, and slash $80 off its price. As a D&D fan you'd spend much less buying two 31120 + 31058 (for a bigger green dragon). As for minifigs, there's plenty of options nowadays to build a cool party. You'll also have a lot more fun going this route, than spending $360 on this one. I understand that licensed sets are more expensive, but this one is beyond excusable.
Hey TLG, just so you know, Wizards of the Coast doesn't have a license over dragons, dungeons, or adventurers. You can release sets around this theme without getting sued."
They already did: it's called Heroica.
@iriki said:
"They already did: it's called Heroica."
I'm not talking about releasing more Heroica sets. I meant regular sets like this one.
@sklamb:
Took me a while to spot them, too, because there's no photo that really showcases them. If you exclude the teaser photo at the top, when you get to the section where dragon photos show up, there is one eye that is completely visible in the second, third, and fifth photos. It's small, it's almond-shaped, it's yellow with a black outline...and it's still very easy to miss because it's always cast in shadow by those huge brickbuilt brow ridges. In the fourth and sixth photos, there's a sliver visible under the brow ridges. In the first, seventh, ninth, and tenth image, it's completely hidden by the brow ridge, and in the eight image you can't even see that part of the head.
@CapnRex101, would it be possible to get a better look at the Mimic chest and maybe the Element ID for the printed Mimic eyes plate?
@lego__maniac said:
" @iriki said:
"They already did: it's called Heroica."
I'm not talking about releasing more Heroica sets. I meant regular sets like this one."
Bringing the set down to $280 suddenly makes it all okay? It stinks that licensed sets are getting so expensive but the continual public bemoaning is almost as tiresome. The market will determine if this was set too high. In the meantime, we all get to make our own choices.
Awesome detailed review. As a huge D&D/fantasy fan I'll be buying this day one hoping to score the GWP. I will definitely display it, likely with a few additional CMFs, and with a few minor changes (change purple roof to another color, and not include a monster or two to cut down on how busy it looks).
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
"No Venger, so easy pass. ;-)"
I never even watched the cartoon (in fact I wasn't even aware of it until I was in my twenties), but if it did include him, I'd be tempted to Bricklink him to add to my "characters voiced by Peter Cullen" collection. So far the collection is just 10302 and 854203.
@macordani said:
"Awesome detailed review. As a huge D&D/fantasy fan I'll be buying this day one hoping to score the GWP. I will definitely display it, likely with a few additional CMFs, and with a few minor changes (change purple roof to another color, and not include a monster or two to cut down on how busy it looks)."
You’d get rid of the Mimic roof? I’m assuming that’s what the color scheme means, of course.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"No Venger, so easy pass. ;-)"
I never even watched the cartoon (in fact I wasn't even aware of it until I was in my twenties), but if it did include him, I'd be tempted to Bricklink him to add to my "characters voiced by Peter Cullen" collection. So far the collection is just 10302 and 854203."
That grow into a fairly big collection with everything Peter Cullen has voiced. I have those too as well, but I'm sure there are more.
@PurpleDave said:
" @macordani said:
"Awesome detailed review. As a huge D&D/fantasy fan I'll be buying this day one hoping to score the GWP. I will definitely display it, likely with a few additional CMFs, and with a few minor changes (change purple roof to another color, and not include a monster or two to cut down on how busy it looks)."
You’d get rid of the Mimic roof? I’m assuming that’s what the color scheme means, of course."
Oh I never even thought of that, the entire inn being a mimic! I'm not sure then. Although as a display piece I might still change it. Colors just don't work for me.
I would possibly drop the displacer beast, and maybe the owlbear if everything looks too busy. Also likely remove the flame from the dragons mouth along with the clip. Flame is way too small/weak and dragon would look better just with its mouth open.
@ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"No Venger, so easy pass. ;-)"
I never even watched the cartoon (in fact I wasn't even aware of it until I was in my twenties), but if it did include him, I'd be tempted to Bricklink him to add to my "characters voiced by Peter Cullen" collection. So far the collection is just 10302 and 854203."
That grow into a fairly big collection with everything Peter Cullen has voiced. I have those too as well, but I'm sure there are more."
Yeah, but how many of his voice roles have been done as Lego figures/sets, that's the question.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @ToysFromTheAttic said:
"No Venger, so easy pass. ;-)"
I never even watched the cartoon (in fact I wasn't even aware of it until I was in my twenties), but if it did include him, I'd be tempted to Bricklink him to add to my "characters voiced by Peter Cullen" collection. So far the collection is just 10302 and 854203."
That grow into a fairly big collection with everything Peter Cullen has voiced. I have those too as well, but I'm sure there are more."
Yeah, but how many of his voice roles have been done as Lego figures/sets, that's the question."
I genuinely don't know! But the more, the better!
@Wellspring said:
"Great review! Will this set be a Lego exclusive? Or will other retailers be selling it too? Trying to decide if I should buy it at release or if it’s likely to see a 20% discount in the future. "
The listing on LEGO's website shows the "EXCLUSIVE" tag so I'm going to say yes. However I've seen some sets that display that show up at places like Barnes & Nobel recently.
Great set, but out of my reach financially. I like D&D, not that much though
I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a small box to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle.
Then, I opened the book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban on demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring.
'Only What We Feel is Appropriate for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'