Today I finally had the chance to properly dive into Maladum.
And while the game itself is strong in terms of mechanics and ideas, I have to admit — some of the original components felt a bit… underwhelming.
Not terrible.
Just not as immersive as the game wants to be.
Luckily, this is exactly where 3D printing shines 🖨️✨
So I decided to replace a few elements with printed terrain pieces — and the difference was immediate.
🧰 Interactive Chest by Dungeons and Wyverns
This is a fully interactive treasure chest:
- the lid opens smoothly 🔓
- the proportions feel right
- it looks like a real object from the game world, not a symbolic marker
Placing this chest on the board instantly changes the experience.
You don’t “flip a token” — you open a chest.
And that small physical interaction adds a surprising amount of tension and excitement.
⚰️ Tomb with Working Lid by Gio
Another excellent piece, also featuring a working lid.
- solid, heavy-looking design
- clear fantasy style
- strong old-school dungeon vibes
It clearly draws inspiration from classic dungeon crawlers, and that works perfectly in Maladum’s dark fantasy setting.
HeroQuest energy? Absolutely.
Maladum-compatible? Without a doubt.
🎲 Why these replacements work so well
🟢 Both models are interactive — opening them feels natural and satisfying
🟢 Perfect stylistic match — they blend seamlessly into the game world
🟢 Grid-friendly scale — they fit the board squares cleanly, without awkward overlaps
On the table, they look like they were always meant to be there.
🖨️ Printing & usability notes
🖨️ Both models print reliably
📐 Details are easy to read even without paint
🎨 Excellent bases for painting and weathering
🧩 Durable enough for regular tabletop use
These are not display-only pieces — they are meant to be handled, opened, and used during play.
🎯 Personal impression
Sometimes you don’t need to overhaul a game.
Sometimes replacing just a few components is enough to elevate the entire experience.
You’re no longer interacting with abstract symbols.
You’re opening chests.
You’re lifting tomb lids.
And in those moments, Maladum stops being just a board game —
it starts to feel like a living dungeon 🕯️
This definitely won’t be the last time Maladum meets my 3D printer 😉