D&D 5E How big does a dungeon have to be to be a megadungeon?

[Jacob Lewis]

It's basic math. A Megadungeon is a million dungeons, and a Gigadungeon is a billion dungeons. We don't have the technology to create Terradungeons yet, but soon...

 

[Jer]

Number of game sessions your are stuck in it. Over 4, it is certainly a mega dungeon.

There are groups that I've DMed where by this rule the Caves of Chaos (B2) would be a mega-dungeon.

Personally I think a mega-dungeon is more about the levels of challenge that the dungeon provides than just the number of sessions it takes to "beat" it. My rule would be that if it's a dungeon where it provides challenges for at least two "tiers" of play across multiple levels in each tier, then its might be a megadungeon. If it's designed just for low-level pr high-level characters, then I'd just call it a dungeon no matter how big it was.

(Though I'm second-guessing myself - I might call a dungeon that was designed for mid-level characters a mega dungeon if there was enough of a dungeon there that they could start it at the start level 5 and earn their way to level 10 just with that dungeon even if it didn't go to higher levels. I don't think I'd say the same about a dungeon that took them from level 1-4, or even one from 10-15, but there's something special about the mid-level that makes me think that if I saw one, it would fit my view of a megadungeon).

 

[jasper]

2.5 Kilos using standard paper which includes maps, stats for special monsters. No more than 2.5 ounces can be used for the binder. Bonus points if pages are double sided.

 

[Schmoe]

Multiple Characteristic Areas - not just levels, but different themes. You should be able to realize you're in a different place.

Multiple Factions - Many dungeons are lairs. Like the Steading of the Hill Giant Chief, there's one organized force (though often with a few rogue elements). A megadungeon is different in that it is multipolar. A megadungeon has its own _politics_. Factions have grudges and alliances and different interests. You can befriend some, betray others, enlist the help of one against another, and so forth.

Exploration is an end to itself - there's more to being there than just killing things. There are wonders in the depths. Temples to Forgotten Gods, Talking Statues, underground oceans, weird portals.

Room to maneuver - partially due to multiple factions and also due to size, the explorers can find paths to other areas and are not limited to linear paths (room 1, then room 2, etc.) so they can choose which part of the dungeon to interact with. Many dungeons are effectively linear, and a megadungeon is very non-linear.

It's alive - perhaps not literally (like Eyes of the Stone Thief), but metaphorically. It changes. Empty rooms get repopulated. Other rooms become empty. The inhabitants are not static, nor are they mere re-spawns.

Not just one boss monster - levels and sections may have bosses, but just as there are multiple factions, there is more than one boss monster (usually at least.)

Those all do a great job of describing my expectations, too. I especially agree with the point about exploration. Mega-dungeons should reward exploring forgotten nooks and crannies to reveal hidden or forgotten worlds of wonder and terror.

 

[alienux]

I always thought a Megadungeon was just a dungeon where they were cranking Megadeth through the speakers the whole time.

 

[Satyrn]

A always thought a Megadungeon was just a dungeon where they were cranking Megadeth through the speakers the whole time.

View attachment 93578

Possibly I've seen to much
Level 18 I know too much

 

[Yes]

I believe it's not about size.

A dungeon is a place where one, or at most, two factions of villains practice their villainy with temporary living accommodations. And a band of heroes might clear it in half a day of adventure.

A megadungeon is a place where more factions are not only practicing their evils rituals, building their doomsday device, snatching up townsfolk and such... but actually living there permanently. There's a complete ecosystem and a balance of powers. An adventuring party who ventures into a megadungeon isn't here to "clean up" the place, but becomes an integrant part of that ecosystem for a while, and they may have to live in the place for several days or more.

That would be my take on the concept of "megadungeon"

 

[GlassJaw]

A always thought a Megadungeon was just a dungeon where they were cranking Megadeth through the speakers the whole time.

If it's just Peace Sells, So Far So Good, and Rust In Peace, I'd be ok with it.

 

[GlassJaw]

I consider a dungeon a "megadungeon" if it's the primary focus of a campaign and will span multiple levels of experience. There could be a wilderness sandbox to explore and quests that take the players to and from but the vast majority of both in- and out-of-game time should be spent in the dungeon.

 

[Sunseeker]

If it's just Peace Sells, So Far So Good, and Rust In Peace, I'd be ok with it.

What you don't want to feel like a grog and listen to Back in the Day?

Yeah I think my experience with dungeons in general would be improved dramatically if we played Megadeth the entire session. I'mma have to try that one day.