D20Medieval weaponry has always been a source of fascination, combining functionality with raw intimidation. One of the most iconic examples is the Morning Star, a spiked mace designed to shatter the defenses of even the most polished knight. But what happens when you blend this medieval marvel with a touch of Dungeons & Dragons creativity? You get the ultimate weapon for tabletop gaming enthusiasts: a Morning Star featuring a functional D20 dice as the head. In this article, we’ll walk through the process of designing, prototyping, and 3D printing this unique weapon—a perfect addition to your D&D campaigns or cosplay collection.
The Morning Star was a weapon of choice in the 14th century, often used to pierce armor and dominate the battlefield. Translating this historic weapon into a fantasy-inspired design meant merging its intimidating appearance with the playful functionality of a D20 dice. The result? A weapon that’s as deadly-looking as it is practical for rolling critical hits during your next campaign.
To bring this idea to life, I turned to Nomad Sculpt, a versatile 3D modeling tool perfect for creating organic and detailed designs. Here’s how I approached the design: Designing the Chain: Chains are tricky to model, requiring precision and patience. The key was to create a repeating link pattern that could be adjusted for balance and flexibility.
Before committing to a full-scale print, I created a small prototype of the Morning Star. This step was essential to test the chain’s flexibility and durability, ensure the D20 head rolled correctly without breaking, and identify and fix potential design issues, such as fused chain links or imbalanced weight distribution. After refining the chain and confirming the functionality of the design, it was time to scale up.
Using Bambu Lab Studio, I prepared the design for a full-scale print on the X1 Carbon 3D printer. While the process required significant print time, the results were worth it—except for one hiccup. Mid-print, the X1 Carbon experienced a massive layer shift, proving even the best machines can roll a natural 1. After troubleshooting and reprinting, the Morning Star was finally complete: a stunning combination of medieval craftsmanship and geeky innovation.
The finished D20 Morning Star is perfect for a variety of uses: Tabletop Gaming: Roll the dice and wield the weapon for ultimate immersion. Cosplay: This mace is a show-stopper. Display: A unique conversation starter for any fantasy fan’s collection.
We're offering them in the MakerBuildIt store. https://makerbuildit.com/products/d20-dice-morning-star-flail-cosplay-prop
This D&D-inspired Morning Star is a testament to what happens when creativity meets technology. With tools like Nomad Sculpt and modern 3D printers, the possibilities for combining historical designs with geek culture are endless. Whether you’re a maker, gamer, or cosplayer, this project is a critical hit waiting to happen. For more ridiculously nerdy builds, 3D printing tips, and DIY inspiration, stay tuned to MakerBuildIt.com. And remember—keep on making!
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