D&D: Top 5 Classic Modules of All Time
The BoLS crew lists our top 5 favorite classic D&D modules of all time!
Everyone has a favorite module (or published adventure) for Dungeons & Dragons. Well the BoLS Crew got together and brainstormed up our favorites and here they are Ranked in order of Best-to-Greatest of all time!
#5 Temple of Elemental Evil
This adventure is a classic for many reasons. It was originally designed for 1st-8th level characters and was a great intro into D&D and the Greyhawk campaign setting. It was also transformed into a pretty solid D&D video game later on, but the module still lives on as a fantastic blue-print for all types of adventures.
#4 Against the Giants
Side note: If you want to play this adventure, your Google-Fu does not have to be very strong to find it…
Against the Giants is another BoLS favorite and a classic because it just so happens to pick-up at 8th level (so right after you finished The Temple you could go right into this one) and you get to fight Giants! Now, I know this was technically released before Temple, but they both used AD&D rules. It’s a natural progression to go from one to the next! It might take a little work from the DM, but hey GIANTS! I’m also pretty sure we’ll see echos of this adventure in Storm King’s Thunder as well.
#3 Ravenloft/Curse of Strahd
Ravenloft – the classic module – was first published in 1983. It was designed for characters of level 5-7 and has recently be “revived” via the Curse of Strahd books for 5th edition. Why is this on our list? Simply put this was one of the first “Horror” RPG supplements created for D&D. It’s full of what we consider tropes and goofy Gothic Horror elements now, but back when it first came out it was a game changer! The other great thing about Ravenloft as a setting was players could simply “end-up” there after walking through a fog. It was place a DM could always keep in their back pocket for a special occasion (like playing in October).
#2 Sinister Secrets of Saltmarsh
Another adventure you can run if your Google-Fu is strong enough…
The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh is another classic adventure set in the Greyhawk campaign. Let me just set this up for you really quick: Haunted Mansion, Creepy Alchemist, a Ghost Ship, and a Secret Treasure. Sounds good right? But really what I love/hate about this adventure is that it’s the first one created that used the Underwater series of modules. So yes, Swimming becomes important! It’s also worth nothing that while the recommended level was 1-3, it was designed for 5-10 players. That’s a HUGE group! With a little work and some DM skills, you could adjust this module to fit pretty much any group.
#1 Tomb of Horrors
Oh come on – You knew this was going to be on the list! If your a player and you don’t know what the Tomb of Horrors is don’t spoil it for yourself. Just know that it’s both loved and loathed by veteran players and DM’s alike. If you’re a DM and you don’t know what it is, you really need to check it out. It’s the perfect adventure to run when your party thinks they are untouchable. It will mess with them in ways…well, I won’t spoil it.
Basically it involves the Demi-Lich Acererak and his WONDERFUL vacation home/resting place. The recommended levels are 10-14, but really, it won’t matter because you’re probably going to be rolling new characters by the time you get to the end of this one. This adventure was designed by the Late, the Great Gary Gygax himself and if you run it as is, The Tomb of Horrors is one of the toughest/greatest adventures ever written. I think it’s an experience every D&D group should try at least once. And if you somehow live there is always the follow-up…Return to the Tomb of Horrors!
Bonus: Dragonlance
I wanted to include a Dragonlance module, but couldn’t decide on just one. The Dragonlance Mods are one of the longest series of modules and thus it’s one of the most fleshed-out “worlds” created for D&D. Plus: DRAGONS! It’s also got multiple books, comics and various other forms of media to go along with it. Dragonlance is probably the image of D&D most non-players have in their mind because of the all those Dimestore softbacks that were in print. The art work is iconic, the characters are fun and it’s just a really cool setting and set of adventures. If there is one module I hope Wizards brings back one day, its the Dragonlance series.
Well I hope you enjoyed this nastagolia trip as much as the BoLS crew enjoyed brainstorming it. We can’t recommend these modules enough so if you’re in an RPG rut go dig up one of these modules and give them a try! If nothing else it will give you some ideas for your next campaign.
What do you think? Is your favorite module not on the list? Let us know what it is and why you love it!
