Elevate Your D&D Adventures With This Week’s STL Picks
Can’t find the right mini for your game? Maybe it’s time to start 3D printing your own minis to get exactly the figures you want.
Over the last few years, 3D printing has become a more and more accessible hobby. Many introductory printers are smallish and reasonably inexpensive. And the tools and filament you’ll need to start printing are all readily accessible for hobbyists to buy. So if you’ve thought about getting into 3D printing, want to start printing your own minis, or are just curious what jumping into the world of 3D printing would look like, these tools and STL files may get you well on your way.
Human Commoners STL
If your towns are full of interesting NPCs for the players to have meaningful interactions with, they deserve a physical place on the map. This set has five unique human commoners with very different jobs, attitudes, and roles to play in your adventure. They print support free, which seems daunting, but is a lot easier once it’s time to snip and file all of the extra plastic off of your print.
Market Vendors STL
Another piece to populate your local town, these files will give your market some life and personality. Personally, I’m a huge fan of set pieces and non-person figures on the map. Visuals can be a huge part of making a game more immersive. So let your players actually go to the market and have a look around.
Asani Mini 3D Printer
If you want to get into 3D printing, the first thing you’ll need is a printer. My first printer was a lot like this one. It has a relatively small printing bed, so you won’t be creating any huge sets of armor unless it’s bit by bit. But this is perfect for little accessories like minis. Plus, it comes fully assembled and ready to go right out of the box.
Needlecrest Dragon/Wyvern STL
It is called ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, after all. This hulking 32 mm, pre-supported dragon is ready to take on a party of adventurers in a final boss fight. It has a great ancient lizard/dinosaur look to it and even comes with its own gruesome cow snack.
Black and White Filament
Starting with the most basic basics, if you end up with a printer, you’re going to need filament. The one I shared uses PLA, so here is some basic black and white rolls of PLA printer filament. Yes, it comes in many colors and fun effects. But you’re going to want to make a few practice prints first, and there’s no reason to waste the sparkly or glow-in-the-dark filament on those. Especially if you’re looking to make minis and planning to paint them.
Dwarf Traveler STL
If you happen to play a male Dwarf character, this mini is a classic adventurer and traveler. And that’s something I really appreciate about printing my own minis; I may not find anything close to my character on the shelf at the game store. But there’s probably an STL file for something very close.
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