The world of Dungeons & Dragons inspires the upcoming series of LEGO® Minifigures. The popular roleplaying game has already inspired a popular LEGO Ideas set and this new collection of minifigures will expand on that, offering players the ability to build their characters. Across the 12 different characters, some offer the ability to switch heads and they are all based on popular character classes from DnD. LEGO Minifigures have often switched between original and licensed characters, but this series sits between both as they are mostly original characters but inspired by a rich and detailed world crafted over the past 50 years. The series also introduces a handful of new elements but are they worth adding to your collection? Here’s an early look at the LEGO Minifigures Dungeons & Dragons series.
Product Details
Set Name: Dungeons & Dragons | Set Number: 71047 | Pieces: Various | Theme: LEGO Minifigures
RRP: £3.49/$4.99/4.99€/5.99AUD/5.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & general retail from August 1st (September 1st APAC)
How LEGO Minifigures are packaged changed with the Marvel Studios series released in September last year. The switch from ‘feelable’ packets to boxes is part of the drive to offer sustainable packaging for LEGO products. The change has made it harder to discover what’s inside. However, various measures have been deployed to help with this. Firstly, a new outer of LEGO Minifigures has been introduced. This included 12 boxes and should result in a full series of characters. That’s certainly the case with the two boxes of 12 I received for this review. The standard outer of 36 boxes should also offer 3 full sets of characters. Finally, a scannable code has been introduced which can be scanned by a smartphone to decipher the character inside. Once the Minifigures are more widely available, the dedicated apps and web apps such as this one provided by Jay’s Brick Blog, will help you find a particular character. You can also purchase full boxes and series from retailers such as The Minifigure Store.
Inside the box are the elements required to create each Minifigure character, along with their accessories and instructions sheet which provides a guide to piece together certain characters. The Dungeons & Dragons series also offers a unique display base. The standard black base has been decorated with a stone path pattern. I’ve mentioned this in previous reviews so it’s nice to see a special series getting a unique way to display characters, it’s a simple change but a fun one.
Tiefling Sorcerer
A Tiefling is a human-like deity whose essence was infused with the overlord of the Nine Hells. The result is a demon-like character. In LEGO form the character has orange skin, a tail and horns. These can be combined with two different head elements. Both versions of the head also offer two different expressions. The Tiefling’s outfit is nicely detailed and as it doesn’t show any skin, the legs and torso could be used to create different characters. Accessories include a transparent purple three-bolt magic blast and an excellent little red dragon creature element.
Elf Bard
This character blends two classic DnD elements. An elf, which is often associated with magical abilities and a bard, who is more known for being a little more devious by using musical ballads to distract. Combined they create a great-looking minifigure, although it leans more towards the bars than the elf. The only real signifier of an elvish connection is the hairpiece, with its pointed ears. The character’s outfit is suitably garish with a turquoise waistcoat paired with pink gloves and a neck scarf, which can be worn in two different ways. Accessories include a gold sword and a lute with some fancy decoration.
Halfling Druid
This is another character which blends iconic player classes. Druids are spelling casters, with a strong connection to nature. Whereas halflings are often depicted as shorter folk who avoid detection. The minifigure aligns more with the Druid side of the character. The connection to the natural world is perfectly depicted through the character’s outfit, cape and unique head covering. It is also shown through the accessories which include a bird companion and a leaf-topped staff. It also offers the ability to choose between two heads, each with two expressions.
Dwarf Barbarian
The Dwarf Barbarian has a lot going on, including combining two classes which are often used separately. The character has a very detailed outfit, with the print detail offering neat little touches like a battle-axe neckless and a battle horn tucked into its belt. Plus a furry neck collar expands upon the detail found on the arms. There are two heads each with two different expressions. Oddly, despite the hairpiece used, which is often associated with female characters, it actually works better with the male head, although the red beard is a little lost against the darker skin tone. The characters carry a battle axe and a touch.
Dragonborn Paladin
As the name suggests, the Dragonborn has a deep connection to dragons. A similar character was included in the Ideas set with both reusing the Dragon head introduced in the long-forgotten VIDIYO theme. It’s been recoloured for this character in a warm gold. This pairs extremely well with the silver armour worn by the character. The printed detail on this minifigure is amazing. Especially since most of it is hidden beneath the armour element. The colour scheme of the character is continued with its accessories of a shield and jewel-topped Mace.
Aarakocra Ranger
Harking from the Elemental Plane of Air, the Aarakocra are humanoid-bird hybrids. Similar to the Dragonborn, this requires a unique head element, which is styled to resemble an eagle. This is another character which blends player classes and makes the bird-like creature a ranger. In DnD, Rangers are deadly hunters, which works quite well for a flying character. As a flying character, it needs wings and there have been multiple styles used for different minifigures, thankfully the new version used for the Aararkocra. The bird-like appearance is finished off with the faun legs. This unique pair of legs isn’t used often, but when they are, it’s to great effect. As a ranger, the Aarakocra is accompanied by a dog. This is a recoloured version of the puppy from the LEGO City sets.
Gith Warlock
Gith’s are a unique-looking race in DnD and because of this, the minifigure based on the race is the hardest to place by appearance alone. The Gith have easily recognisable faces mainly due to their flattened nose. This is oddly hard to show on a minifigure head. Minifigures famously lack a nose but I think a couple of nostrils would a helped a little here. Gith are often shown to have pale green or yellow skin. For the minifigure, the classic yellow colouring has been used, which does make it stand out a little awkwardly compared to the rest of the series. However, the outfit is great, with some interesting little details and it can switch heads and expressions. The Gith includes a short curved dagger weapon and a staff with an eye on it. I’m no DnD expert but I’m sure it possibly has a name.
Mind Flayer
The Mind Flayer is an iconic part of the DnD universe. For those who have played the recent Baulder’s Gate game, it’s one of the first characters you are introduced to and it has a connection to Stranger Things. The Mind Flayer has a squid-like head, with long tentacles around the mouth area. This requires a unique head element. It’s not the only new piece introduced with this character, an Intellect Devourer is represented by a new element as well. This is best described as a brain with legs. This is perfectly sized to slot over the head of a minifigure. It may seem like a simple character but these new pieces help to capture the character’s unique appearance.
The Lady of Pain
Although most characters are simply inspired by particular races, the series includes a few well-known characters from the world of DnD. One such character is the Lady of Pain. This is an impressive minifigure thanks to the intricate head element. This is a unique piece which sits over a standard black minifigure head. This minifigure has an equally unique cape. The material piece features four trails, which extend the characters flowing, otherworldly appearance. The Lady of Pain’s accessories is a 1×1 printed tile.
Strahd von Zarovich
This is another named character and one with vampiric connections. This is certainly portrayed by the character’s elegant appearance. Strahd has a noble-looking outfit and something most vampires enjoy, a cape. Another trait often associated with Vampires is long hair, well it’s more of a modern association but provides a visible marker to the character’s dark and brooding nature. All this combined with the minifigure’s pale complexion and blood-red eyes. Just to really hammer home that this is a vampire-like creature, its alternate expression features fangs. It feels like one of the less ‘DnD-like’ characters in the series but still a good addition. It also includes a recoloured rat, with offputting red eyes.
Tasha the Witch Queen
Tasha’s LEGO appearance has been toned down a little compared to some of her descriptions in other mediums. As a minifigure, she has a more traditional witch-like appearance. This uses the witch hat element first used in the Hocus Pocus set. Her outfit isn’t what would normally be associated with witches but fits the overall tone of the character. Her accessories include a book with a printed cover and 1×2 tile inside. Plus a small cauldron with a purple flame element simply laid inside of it.
Szass Tam
Szass Tam is a lich, which is an undead spellcaster. The character’s less-than-alive appearance is shown by its decaying skin and exposed bones. Although the character’s minifigure has minimal print detail, the way the ribcage is exposed through the character’s crimson robes is great. Szass Tam’s demonic powers are embraced with an orange flame ‘power blast’ element and a transparent red skull.
DnD players have been using LEGO elements to enhance their game experience. Crafting their meticulously created characters from various minifigures. So this series of characters directly inspired by the rich world of DnD was inevitable. The detail on the characters is impressive as are the newly created elements. Just like the characters from the Red Dragon’s Tale set, the ability to use alternate faces to reflect different genders, allows them to reflect different players. There will be those with little interest in DnD, yet this series still offers something unique. The LEGO Minifigures Dungeons & Dragons series will be available from September 1st globally (October 1st APAC) and they can be pre-ordered now from LEGO.com and The Minifigure Store.
Shop Now: UKIrelandUSCanadaMexicoGermanyFranceDenmarkAustraliaNew Zealand
These were provided to BricksFanz by the LEGO Group for review purposes. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or Hasbro. Providing a set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
