RPG Evolution: Gift Ideas for the DM's Table (2025)

This list includes everything from hills to volcanic terrain, pillars to graveyards and mausoleums. Please Note: Prices are listed in least- to most-expensive. These are Amazon products so prices and availability may differ from what's listed here.

Volcanic Tile ($7)​

This volcanic tile is made out of transparent resin, but that's not all. It has a battery and light inside it that, when turned, on makes the lava flicker like it's moving. Just be mindful you will need a lot of these if you're using a large map of lava terrain.

Pillars ($16)​

Pillars are a staple of any dungeon terrain, and this set makes clever use of LEGO-like pieces to easily add torches to the decor.

Desert Terrain ($24) ​

This 3D-printed set works for desert-style games as well as alien worlds like Star Wars' Tattooine.

Haunted Mausoleum ($30)​

3D printed but surprisingly detailed, the best part about this set is you can take the lids off to see what (undead) goodies await inside.

Owlbear Hills ($75)​

These are injection-molded green hills that can be painted to any color. Best of all, they can be stacked, and each flat layer has a one-inch square defined on it.

 

[Dire Bare]

There are actually two different volcanic tiles if you fall down the rabbit hole on Amazon . . . one "flat" (the one pictured and linked) and one raised to form 1/4 of a volcano. They are . . . interesting. The company listed has one of those fake sounding names out of Asia and doesn't seem to make anything else TTRPG related.

I can't decide if I should roll my eyes and grumpily declare, "Back in my day, we didn't need light up volcanic tiles for the occasional scenario set in a lava field or volcano!" . . . or if I should be purchasing these by the dozen before the price goes up . . .

 

[Sossij]

I can't decide if I should roll my eyes and grumpily declare, "Back in my day, we didn't need light up volcanic tiles for the occasional scenario set in a lava field or volcano!" . . . or if I should be purchasing these by the dozen before the price goes up . . .

The correct answer is to make a baking soda volcano and then you don't even need dice rolls to see who the lava hits.

 

[talien]

There are actually two different volcanic tiles if you fall down the rabbit hole on Amazon . . . one "flat" (the one pictured and linked) and one raised to form 1/4 of a volcano. They are . . . interesting. The company listed has one of those fake sounding names out of Asia and doesn't seem to make anything else TTRPG related.

Yeah I reviewed both, and the problem with the other one one is it's raised awkwardly in the corner, so you can't just use it by itself. You need four to make it not look strange. The flat tile is marginally better in that regard.

But it ain't cheap. And if your PCs are supposed to walk across a lava field it's easily $200+. I should point out they are legit and I have one of each as a reviewer.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

Pillars is a good call, just this past weekend my DM ran out of pillars for a scene.

 

[Clint_L]

Yeah I reviewed both, and the problem with the other one one is it's raised awkwardly in the corner, so you can't just use it by itself. You need four to make it not look strange. The flat tile is marginally better in that regard.

But it ain't cheap. And if your PCs are supposed to walk across a lava field it's easily $200+. I should point out they are legit and I have one of each as a reviewer.

At that price, I’d suggest getting Dwarven Forge lava tiles. They are going to be much high quality and much more configurable. The selling point of these is that each has its own LED, so if you just need a few for a particular effect they are probably pretty cool!

 

[delericho]

I can't decide if I should roll my eyes and grumpily declare, "Back in my day, we didn't need light up volcanic tiles for the occasional scenario set in a lava field or volcano!" . . . or if I should be purchasing these by the dozen before the price goes up . . .

Isn't the correct answer to that "both"?

 

[Stone Dog]

Isn't the correct answer to that "both"?

"Why did you buy so many?"
"So could properly showcase what a ridiculous and unnecessary luxury this dumb things are!"