Since 1932, Hasbro’s multicolored plastic LEGO bricks have been a family-friendly hit, allowing users to build whatever their heart desires. And since 1974, Wizards of the Coast’s tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has let players’ imaginations soar within a mystical fantasy realm. It should be no surprise that the two companies are joining forces for an official set- Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale.
The Red Dragon’s Tale Set
In honor of D&D’s 50th anniversary, LEGO will be releasing a fan-designed brick representation of the iconic tabletop game. This set was designed via a challenge on the LEGO Ideas platform, based on a brief co-developed by Wizards of the Coast. Over 600 fans responded to the request, but 32-year-old BoltBuilds (aka Lucas Bolt) from Amsterdam is the design that prevailed.
“The DUNGEONS & DRAGONS theme combined with my love of history, fantasy and making games, inspired me to create a playable layout with different challenges and routes to explore,” Bolt said. “I had so much fun designing this piece, and it is a real privilege seeing my design developed into a detailed LEGO set to celebrate 50 years of the iconic game.”
The Red Dragon’s Tale set contains 3,745 pieces creating a detailed tavern, where you can meet your fellow adventures. This tavern has a removable roof allowing you to see inside to the upper level. It also features a dungeon and a tower. The set also comes with six LEGO minifigures including a Orc Rogue, Gnome Fighter, Elf Wizard, Dwarf Cleric, and even a gelatinous cube! Along with brick-built monsters, like a beholder, an owlbear, and a displacer beast. There is even a giant Cinderhowl red dragon that builders can wrap around the tower. Since you certainly cannot have a dungeon WITHOUT a dragon!
The Design Process
Bolt worked closely with LEGO’s Design team, to develop the unique setting represented in the final set. Wizards of the Coast also developed a bespoke adventure to go along with the set offering a completely new and unique play experience! These adventures are available for LEGO Insiders as a free digital download, or as a paperback book for 2,700 Insider points (while supplies last). The book is also available at D&D Beyond along with character sheets, digital dice, and more.
“LEGO bricks and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS have been used by fans to generate stories and build adventures for so long that bringing these two creative brands together during our 50th Anniversary felt like a no-brainer,” said Dan Rawson, Global Play Lead on Dungeons & Dragons and RPGs. “With the amazing LEGO Ideas set designed by Lucas Bolt, the adventure package available on D&D Beyond, and the LEGO Minifigure series coming this fall, fans will have so many new sparks of imagination available to enjoy creating fantasy stories together with friends and family.”
LEGO also asked fans for help designing the cover of the set’s building instructions. The winning design is by Chris Yu and features an epic battle between good and evil centered around D&D’s iconic 20-sided die. Yu’s design is a celebration of the game’s core values of collaboration, creativity, and adventure.
Epic Game Nights
If all of that wasn’t enough LEGO has invited well-known D&D players Anjali Bhimani, Luis Carazo, and Ginny Di. Alongside fan designer Bolt and LEGO Designer Jordan Scott for an epic game night at the LEGO House. Recorded live, fans can watch all the action on April 6th via their website, or D&D’s YouTube and Twitch channels.
The Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale set will be available for LEGO Insiders on April 1st. From April 1st-7th, all purchases of this set will receive a LEGO Dungeons & Dragons Mimic Dice Box for free. A Dungeons & Dragons-themed minifigs series will launch in September 2024. We’ll let you know when the pre-order links are live.
