The Seven-Foot Terror: One D&D Fan Conquers 3D Printed Castle Ravenloft

Dungeons and Dragons fans are no strangers to monumental quests, but one recent endeavor makes even facing down Strahd von Zarovich seem like a walk in the park. A dedicated D&D enthusiast has successfully 3D printed a behemoth, seven-foot-tall replica of Castle Ravenloft, the iconic gothic fortress from the Curse of Strahd adventure.

The idea of bringing Count von Zarovich’s infamous lair to life in such detail first emerged late last year with the release of the ‘Castle of the Vampire Lord‘ model by Axolote Gaming. While not an official D&D product, its striking resemblance to the official 2D maps of Castle Ravenloft quickly captured the imagination of the D&D community, evidenced by its Kickstarter raising over $46,000 back in November 2024.

However, the sheer scale of the project meant it remained a pipe dream for most home 3D printer owners. That is, until Czech D&D podcasters Bez Zástěny decided to accept the challenge. On May 21st, they unveiled their awe-inspiring creation to the world with a build video posted to social media, showcasing the culmination of an epic printing journey.

Designed to perfectly accommodate standard D&D miniatures, the Axolote Gaming model is cleverly broken down into eight-inch cubes, making it feasible for construction with a home 3D printer. An integrated OpenLock clip system ensures that each printed piece securely connects, allowing for the construction of a robust and formidable structure.

@bezzasteny Castle Ravenloft 3d Print for DnD 5e – Timelapse. #dnd #dnd5e #dungeonsanddragons #ttrpg #dndmoments #czechdnd #fyp #curseofstrahd #ravenloft #3Dprint #3dprintedterrain #dndterrain #dndterrainbuilding #ttrpgaccessories #3dprintdnd #wargaming #wargamingterrain #dndminiatures #dndminis #5e #castle #strahd #barovia ♬ původní zvuk – bezzasteny

In a Reddit post also on May 21st, Bez Zástěny confessed to having “lost count” of the countless rolls of filament devoured by the printing process. They did, however, provide some staggering statistics: the entire creation took a mind-boggling 3,700 hours to print and, once assembled, weighs in at over 60 kg (132 lbs)!

The video above offers a breathtaking tour of the completed Castle Ravenloft in all its imposing, gothic glory. For any D&D aficionado, especially those with a particular fondness for Barovia’s most infamous resident, this magnificent monstrosity is undoubtedly an object of extreme envy – space permitting, of course! This incredible feat truly demonstrates the passion and dedication within the D&D community, proving that even the most daunting of tasks can be overcome with enough filament and perseverance.

If you will excuse me, I’m off to give my 3d printer a serious workout.