Comparing LEGO Ideas Dungeons & Dragons set to original design

LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale is the result of a LEGO Ideas contest – but how much has it changed from that original design?

While at first glance, the outline of LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale marks it clearly as a progression from fan designer Lucas Bolt’s original concept, there are definitely some key differences that demonstrate the evolution of the set. In most cases, it seems that the LEGO Ideas team has opted to add more than it takes away, which can surely only be a good thing.

Following the official reveal of 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale, we can now see every detail of the 3,745-piece set. Here's a closer look at what's the same and what's changed since Lucas' original project.

Let's talk about the red dragon in the room

Of course, the most notable change is the dragon. Even without looking at the set, this change is clear from the name update as well. Originally, Lucas' concept was titled Dragons' Keep: Journey's End. Now, the official name is 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale, opting to pull on brand recognition around Dungeons & Dragons and referencing the change from a green dragon to a red one.

Within the lore of Dungeons & Dragons, different coloured dragons have different temperaments, with green dragons being more tricksy and cunning while red dragons are considered to be the most cruel and fearsome of their kind. Clearly then, making this change certainly changes the mood of the set to those in the know, with an even more terrifying creature to face down now.

Aesthetically, the red dragon does stand out from the grey keep more than the original dark green did. With orange and black accents, it packs quite a punch visually, making the change a welcome one in our books.

A faithful overall structure

The silhouette of 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale has remained largely the same, made up of a tavern, a flag-topped tower, and a dungeon in what appears to be the same structure as Lucas' original design. The brick-built tree even stands in the same place, across from the door to the tavern and next to the half-collapsed wall. In this, the LEGO Ideas team seems to have changed fairly little.

A vibrant colour scheme adds more warmth overall

However, much like the dragon, the final LEGO Ideas set includes a warmer, more vibrant colour scheme than the original project. The grey bricks of the main tower and wall remain but the tavern has a bright purple and blue roof, rather than the original dark red. More greenery has also been added to the ruined wall and the base of the tower, brightening up the otherwise monochrome grey. Together with the red dragon, there's a lot more colour to break up the enormous set than first suggested.

21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale's party got quite a refresh

Although the party of minifigures has remained at six, the designs have seen quite the refresh, now including the four player characters – a Dwarven Cleric, a Halfling Fighter, an Orc Rogue and an Elf Wizard – and the human tavern keeper and a Dragonborn too. The original minifigure designs were impressive but made using only existing LEGO elements. The LEGO Group has treated 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale to a number of new minifigure elements, as well as providing extra minifigure heads for each character to customise their gender and appearance, in keeping with the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons as a role-playing game.

The same updated design treatment has been given to the monsters included in the set, of which there are quite a few more than originally provided. The Beholder, which was up front and centre in Lucas' project, has got a new look, thanks to the printed eye elements from LEGO DREAMZzz and it has plenty more Dungeons & Dragons creatures to hang out with: an Owlbear, Gelatinous Cubes, a Black Pudding, and a Displacer Beast – as well as the red dragon of course.

LEGO Ideas 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale will be available for LEGO Insiders from April 1 and launch widely on April 4. Those who purchase the £314.99 / $359.99 / €359.99 set before April 7 will also score a free Mimic Dice Box gift-with-purchase while stocks last.

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