D&D 5E What starting adventure provides a "best of D&D" experience?

[Parmandur]

I'd go with a small scale sandbox based on LMoP:

• Use Dragon of Icespire as a list of possible side treks once they are established in Phandalin.
• Position TftYP's adventures somewhere on the map not to far from your Phandalin.
• Do the same with Saltmarsh's adventures.

So with all that you have an incredible adventure (LMoP) with a boat load of possible adventures sites to create the ultimate High Adventure Zone.

Honestly, I think Chris Perkins has designed the entire 5E Adventure line to facilitate a Lego-like build your own High Adventure Zone environment.

 

[Marc_C]

Lost Mines of Phandelver was a great start, then I tied in with Hoard of the Dragon Queen. It's better to start HotDQ at higher than level 1. YMMV.

 

[Urriak Uruk]

I love Dragon Heist as a starter adventure. It is modular and has a couple of parts that are janky, so requires a skilled DM. But I find it very engaging, as the environment (a city) and the villains (any of them) are very proactive in their goals and keep the PCs on their toes.

 

[Parmandur]

I love Dragon Heist as a starter adventure. It is modular and has a couple of parts that are janky, so requires a skilled DM. But I find it very engaging, as the environment (a city) and the villains (any of them) are very proactive in their goals and keep the PCs on their toes.

I like it, but it really is almost more a Setting than an "Adventure" if you consider that to mean having a tight plot.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

Sunless Citadel was a hit with my players. Plus I always feel a game like D&D needs dragons introduced early. (Which this adventure does)

 

[Urriak Uruk]

I like it, but it really is almost more a Setting than an "Adventure" if you consider that to mean having a tight plot.

I don't really think of adventures that way... if I did, I would consider both Avernus and Icewind Dale as more settings than adventure, as they are quite sandbox-y as well and introduce very detailed worlds.

 

[Retreater]

I really enjoyed Frog God Games' Grimmsgate. There's a starter town with a missing person mystery, sandbox exploration, and a small dungeon to explore. Very straightforward for players and GMs.

 

[aco175]

I would like to take the 4e Netir Vale map and the 4e DMG Fallcrest to make a setting. I may update the Keep on the Shadowfell adventure as a starter and add some homebrew as well. Problem is that I would need to update everything to 5e.

You can also take some the DMsGuild adventures for Phandalin and Leilon to use. Several are pay what you want.

 

[Mercurius]

I'd go with a small scale sandbox based on LMoP:

• Use Dragon of Icespire as a list of possible side treks once they are established in Phandalin.
• Position TftYP's adventures somewhere on the map not to far from your Phandalin.
• Do the same with Saltmarsh's adventures.

So with all that you have an incredible adventure (LMoP) with a boat load of possible adventures sites to create the ultimate High Adventure Zone.

This is good and pretty much what I have in mind, plus sprinkling in a megadungeon or three. I'd have to re-skin it for my world (plus, I hate the name "Phandalin").

I haven't purchased any of the last few books, but might have to bite the bullet with Saltmarsh.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

This is good and pretty much what I have in mind, plus sprinkling in a megadungeon or three. I'd have to re-skin it for my world (plus, I hate the name "Phandalin").

I haven't purchased any of the last few books, but might have to bite the bullet with Saltmarsh.

I think its the last one I bought. Its pretty good honestly.

If you own Princes of the Apocalypse, you can use the whole dungeon plus its 4 outposts as is.

I'd skip: Dead in Thay, The Final Enemy and Isle of the Abbey. They are, IMHO, a little bland when compared to the others.