Gifts for D&D Players: 15 Ideas They Will Actually Use at the Table
Buying for a D&D player can be tricky if you don't play yourself. The gifts that actually end up being used at the table are usually either about the player's character or something that makes game night more fun. Generic "I'd rather be rolling dice" merch usually ends up in a drawer.
Below are 15 gift ideas for players and Dungeon Masters. The first one is my clear favourite: a miniature of their own character.
- For a player, make a miniature of their own character with the D&D Character Miniature template.
- For a DM, go for a mimic chest, monster miniatures or terrain.
- A dice tray gets used at every table.
- For groups that play online, a token of their character from the D&D Token Maker is a nice touch.
What do D&D players actually want as a gift?
Most players love anything connected to their character, since that's where they've put the most time and imagination. Anything that makes the game itself better is a good bet too. What usually doesn't land is joke merch, and dice if they already own a huge pile of them (most players do).
1. A miniature of their character
This is the one I'd go for. Find out their race, class and a few details about how they look. Their character sheet or an old session recap helps, or you can just ask what their character would look like as a statue. Then:
- Open the D&D Character Miniature template.
- Pick their race and class.
- Describe them in one sentence, like "An old dwarf with a braided white beard and a huge war hammer".
- Pick a pose, a base and a mount if you want one.
A few minutes later you have their hero as a 3D model. If you're not sure about the details yet, my list of D&D character ideas goes through all the races and classes.
2. A hero mini of them
If they don't have a character yet, or you want something a bit funnier, make the hero from a photo of them. The Hero Miniature of You template keeps their face and dresses them up as a fighter, wizard, rogue or cleric.
3. A mimic chest
DMs love mimics, the treasure chests that turn out to be monsters. The Mimic Chest template makes one that's attacking, peeking out or still disguised as a normal chest.
A fun extra is to print a disguised one and an attacking one, so the DM can put the closed chest on the table and swap it when someone opens it.
4. A dice tray
Dice fly off the table all the time, so every group can use one of these. The D&D Dice Tray template makes themed trays (a red dragon coiled around the rim, castle walls, an ancient tree, a dungeon wall with chains) in a round, hexagon or square shape. With the felt recess option you can glue in a piece of felt so the rolls are quieter.
5. Tokens for online games
A lot of groups play online on Roll20, Foundry or Owlbear Rodeo, and a good token of their character makes the screen feel a lot more personal. The D&D Token Maker paints a portrait, puts it in a ring and gives you a transparent PNG.
6. Monster miniatures for the next boss fight
Ask the DM what's coming up. They won't tell you, but you might get a hint. Or make a few classics like an owlbear or a troll. The Monster Miniature template puts them on the right base size.
7. Terrain pieces
Ruins, a campfire, a crypt entrance or a wizard's tower make a battle map feel like an actual place. The Tabletop Terrain template makes pieces that fit 28 to 32 mm minis.
8. The whole party
Make every player's character and hand them out at the same session. It's more work, but a group will talk about it for a long time.
9. A themed chess set
For a friend who's into D&D and chess, you could do heroes against monsters. Here's how to make a custom chess set.
10. A dragon for their shelf
A big painted dragon is a great display piece for any fantasy fan. My guide on how to 3D print a dragon covers sizes and painting.
Gifts you can buy
Not everything has to be printed, and these are always welcome:
- A nice set of metal or resin dice, if they don't have a favourite set yet
- A new adventure book or a sourcebook they don't own
- A DM screen for whoever runs the game
- A battle mat they can draw on with dry erase markers
- A paint set if they've started painting minis, together with my guide on how to paint 3D prints
Which gift fits which person?
| Person | Best gift | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New player | Their first character as a mini | Makes their hero feel real from session one |
| Long time player | Their character, painted, on a scenic base | They've earned it |
| Dungeon Master | Mimic chest or monster minis | Things they can use to surprise the table |
| Online group | Character tokens | Used every single session |
| Collector | A painted dragon or the whole party | A display piece |
| Painter | Grey primer minis to paint | They'll want to paint it themselves |
Painted or grey primer?
Every D&D template has a finish option. Painted gives you a model with colours, which is nice if you print in colour or want a colour reference. Grey primer gives you a clean grey model that's ready to paint, so if the person paints minis, go with grey primer and let them do the painting.
How to print a D&D gift
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Hero size | 28 to 32 mm tall on a 25 mm base |
| Printer | Resin is best for faces and small details. FDM works at 0.08 to 0.12 mm layers |
| Monsters | Large on 50 mm, huge on 75 mm |
| Dice tray | FDM, 0.2 mm layers, 15% infill |
No printer? Send the STL to a resin print service and ask for miniature quality.
Getting started
If you only make one thing from this list, make their character. Open the D&D Character Miniature template, pick their race and class and describe their hero.
More guides
I wrote a full guide to making D&D miniatures, mimics, dice trays and tokens where every setting is explained. For inspiration on the character itself, check out my D&D character ideas, and for everyone else on your list there are my 3D printed gift ideas.
Have fun at the table!
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FAQ
What is the best gift for a D&D player?
A miniature of their own character. Most players have spent months or years with their hero, and a mini of exactly that character is something they can't buy anywhere. You can make it from a description with the D&D Character Miniature template and print it at 32 mm.
What do you get a Dungeon Master?
Things they can use in their game: monster miniatures for the next boss, terrain pieces, a mimic chest to put on the table at the right moment, a dice tray, or tokens for online sessions. A DM screen or a new adventure book is always welcome too.
How do I make a custom D&D miniature of someone's character?
Find out their character's race, class and look (their character sheet helps, or just ask casually). Pick the race and class in the D&D Character Miniature template, describe the look in one sentence, and you get a 3D model you can print as a 32 mm miniature.
What size should a D&D miniature be?
Standard heroes are 28 to 32 mm tall on a 25 mm (1 inch) round base, which is one square on a battle map. Large monsters go on a 50 mm base and huge ones on 75 mm.
Do I need a 3D printer to give a custom miniature?
No. Download the STL and order the print from a print service, ideally in resin since it shows the most detail at this size. You can also give the file together with a voucher for the printing.
What is a good cheap gift for a D&D player?
A 3D printed miniature of their character, a set of tokens for online games, or a few monster minis. Printing a 32 mm mini costs only cents in resin or filament, so it's personal without being expensive.
What should I get a DM for Christmas?
A mimic chest miniature, a few monster miniatures for upcoming fights, terrain pieces like ruins or a campsite, a dice tray or a new DM screen. Anything they can surprise their players with tends to go down well.
Can I make a D&D miniature from a photo?
Yes. The Hero Miniature of You template keeps the face from a photo and turns the person into a fighter, wizard, rogue or cleric mini. For an existing character without a photo, describe them in the D&D Character Miniature template instead.
Are 3D printed D&D minis good enough for the table?
Yes, especially in resin. At 0.03 to 0.05 mm layers a resin printer shows faces, gear and base details that are on par with store-bought minis. FDM works too at 0.08 to 0.12 mm layers, with a bit less detail.
Is it free?
You can try the D&D templates for free when you sign up and see each model in 3D in the browser. Downloading the STL or 3MF to print is part of the paid plans.