by theygamesFor a decade, Hero Forge has been the go-to site for tabletop RPG fans who want to recreate their characters in miniature form. Now the service has a new Kickstarter campaign on the horizon that expands its offerings. You can still craft custom minis in immense, colorful detail – but now you’ll be able to place them inside designable dice.
Said Kickstarter campaign begins crowdfunding on March 6, and it’ll offer backers a range of rewards and shiny extras. The main event, a reward that backers at all tiers shall receive, is early access to Hero Forge’s new browser-based custom dice maker. This promises to offer as much creative control over dice sets as Hero Forge’s other tools do for RPG minis.
Using the custom dice maker, you’ll be able to place, rotate, and scale any part of Hero Forge’s items and miniatures, arranging them exactly as you desire inside your dice set. All the essential polyhedral shapes are on the table, with D4s, D6s, D8s, D10s/D100s, D12s, and D20s all customizable using the tool. D20s can be further customized with standard or life counter layouts, and the numerals on all dice can be resized, repositioned, and recolored to match the contents within.
For a die with maximum detail, we recommend opting for the super chunky XL-sized D20 that will be available. While the regular-sized dice look best with just an accessory or character bust inside, the XL D20 is large enough to comfortably fit a complete character.
Each die is crafted using an advanced material jetting 3D printing process at a resolution of 21 microns per layer. These are printed simultaneously with clear and color resin, and the almost-finished product undergoes waterjet polishing and tumbling. That means the final die is glassy, smooth, and crystal-clear.
While every pledge tier grants early access to the dice maker, Kickstarter backers can opt for a variety of other rewards, including individual dice and complete sets. The Kickstarter also lets fans contribute to the Hero Forge community, as one pledge tier offers fans the chance to design an outfit or item that will be available in Hero Forge’s custom miniature creator. Kickstarter has always been a meeting place for fans to share thoughts, feedback, and passion with Hero Forge’s creators, and this campaign is no different.
Hero Forge hasn’t revealed its full plans for stretch goals, but it has dropped some enticing hints. These include more dice fonts, symbol choices, and additional custom parts for Hero Forge’s already-expansive catalog of custom mini tools. More stretch goals will be revealed during the campaign, so be sure to check back regularly when the page goes live.
Long-time fans of custom minis will know that Hero Forge is no stranger to successful crowdfunding campaigns. Its debut Kickstarter launched 10 years ago and aimed to bring the RPG community completely customizable miniatures, with a level of detail and freedom never seen before. After raising over $360,000, the company swiftly began to pursue this vision.
Not content to rest on its laurels, Hero Forge returned to Kickstarter in 2020, offering new technology and design options for 3D color-printed minis. This second outing raised over $3 million – 10 times the funds of the original campaign.
Fast-forward to today and Hero Forge offers a variety of tools that help bring tabletop gaming to life. Its easy-to-use character creator can alter every detail of a design, from the axe in a warrior’s hand to the color and shape of their eyes. Colors, accessories, and even the position of limbs can be tinkered with. Plus, with new content added weekly, Hero Forge constantly offers new customization options.
Anyone can test Hero Forge’s core design tools for free, but pro subscribers are offered even more flexibility. Thanks to kitbashing features, it’s possible to alter the shape, size, and frequency of pretty much anything. If two arms and one head sound too basic, Hero Forge won’t get in the way of your vision. You’re free to design diverse and fantastical miniatures with all manner of features.
Once you’ve perfected a design, Hero Forge can print it in a variety of materials, colors, and sizes. From luxury bronze to colored plastic to 2D standees, there’s a style to suit every campaign. Or, if you’re proficient with 3D printers, you can download the STL file and bring your character to life from home.
Custom products like dice and minis give RPG fans a way to engage with their hobby on a deeper level. It’s essentially merch for the grand story you and your friends are telling in your imagination.
Once Hero Forge’s custom dice tools drop, it’ll be easier than ever before to represent your creations in the real world. We can’t wait to rock up to a game with our new D&D Druid, recreated in miniature form, with their signature hat and owl familiar preserved in a custom dice set.