Before you buy: LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons

31/03/202431/03/2024Jack Yates1054 Views 0 Comments

There’s not long left until LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale hits shelves for LEGO Insiders, so here’s everything you need to know about the first LEGO D&D set.

21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale launches tomorrow in early access for LEGO Insiders ahead of its wide release on April 4 and with hours remaining until the model is available, there’s a few things that you should know before you buy the build. It’s one of many new models arriving to LEGO.com and LEGO stores on April 1 but only one of two especially massive sets. It’s releasing for £314.99 / $359.99 / €359.99 with 3,745 and six minifigures, likely taking up a significant amount of your monthly LEGO budget.

Don’t forget that those purchasing the model between April 1 and 7, or while stocks last, will score a free Mimic Dice Box gift-with-purchase that we’ve reviewed here. There’s a Collectible Minifigures series based on D&D launching in September to expand on the already massive model too. Still, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is the first LEGO D&D set and you find out more in our comprehensive, in-depth review.

Ahead of the huge launch tomorrow, we’re here to help you decide whether to jump into LEGO D&D with 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale or wait until September to roll the dice.

It’s the ultimate LEGO D&D set

Despite the high price, it’s undeniable that 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is the ultimate LEGO D&D set, bringing together some of the most iconic creatures from the game into one model that encompasses the core themes of Dungeons & Dragons. From adventure to battles and avoiding traps to roleplaying, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale has it all and looks good at the same time.

The designs for the monsters including the Gelatinous Cube, Beholder. Displacer Beast, Owlbear and more are impressive, capturing the fierce nature of each creature in a distinctly LEGO fashion, adding a splash of colour where possible. Colour is a huge part of 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale‘s design too, opting for a brighter and more varied appearance than that of the fan-designed submission.

The minifigures are amazing and customisable

Of the projects that could have become the first LEGO D&D set, we’re pleased that Dragon’s Keep: Journeys End was picked as it has provided a chance to debut some great LEGO D&D minifigures. Six are included in the set specifically covering four classes with two non-playable characters. These are an elf wizard, a dwarf cleric, a gnome fighter, an orc rogue as ell as Alax Jadescales the Dragonborn and a mysterious tavern owner.

Many weapons are included in the set as well as a lute to transform Alax into a Bard. Alternatively, you can customise any of the minifigures to depict whatever race and class you desire as alternate heads are included for each and no minifigure parts from the neck down feature any skin colours. It’s an impressive assortment of customisable minifigures and may be teasing what is to come in September.

It’s displayable and playable

As you might imagine from a LEGO D&D set, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is as playable as it is displayable, though not entirely in the way you would expect. As for its traditional play value, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale has a trap door to open, hidden loot to find, traps to avoid, removable panels and a modular setup to explore every inch of the model.

On display, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is colourful and attaching the dragon to the tower can make for a striking combination of builds to show off to your D&D group or any fellow LEGO Castle enthusiasts. Those with custom LEGO D&D minifigures will finally have an appropriate place to display them too.

There’s a free adventure to play and add context

The other way to play with 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is with the free adventure designed alongside the LEGO set which influenced each other. Red Dragon’s Tale is a new adventure module designed by Wizards of the Coast and D&D legends including Chris Perkins, incorporating and providing simplified rules for those less familiar with the game.

It’s free to download for LEGO Insiders from tomorrow and you can pick up a physical copy with 2,700 points too, which we’ve reviewed here. Even those not interesting in playing D&D can find value in the free adventure and it’s well worth a read to provide additional context to specific elements in 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale.

LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale verdict

For the seasoned D&D player or Dungeon Master, 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is sure to impress and delight, paying homage to many key components of the roleplaying game for its 50th anniversary. Those not familiar with D&D likely won’t be quite as taken with the model upon first glance but rest assured that the LEGO Ideas set is a stunning build incorporating play and display value seamlessly with each other.

For £314.99 / $359.99 / €359.99, it’s anything but inexpensive but the number of interesting pieces, prints and the quality of the minifigures explain the high price as it’s clear that the designers weren’t sticking to traditional price constraints, going all-out for the first of a surprisingly fruitful partnership with Wizards of the Coast.

You can pick up 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale for £314.99 / $359.99 / €359.99 starting tomorrow as long a you’re a LEGO Insider. Otherwise, April 4 is the wide launch day for the latest LEGO Ideas set and there’s a free D&D gift until April 7, or while stocks last too. You can take a much closer look at the set by clicking here. It’s free to become a LEGO Insider and get early access to the LEGO D&D set and you’ll earn points to redeem towards future purchases too.

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Author Profile

Jack Yates

LEGO has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started when my brother passed down 7657 AT-ST to me. It’s guided me through my early years, through school and eventually through my degree in journalism. I still have all my collection proudly on display, including my many NINJAGO sets, my favourite of all the LEGO Group’s themes. Outside of Brick Fanatics I am an avid gamer and enjoy a good game of Dungeons & Dragons.