D&D General Best beginner box for a duet game

[Nilbog]

After the delights of BG3, my partner has shown an interest in playing PnP DnD, and I'm more than happy to oblige.
It'll be a duet game, with me DMIng and her playing (likely using the companion rules in Tasha's to help and guide the game) I've over 30 years experience at running games, and she has experience of DnD through BG3.

I was tempted to throw together a small campaign myself, but I'm pretty time scarce with work and also running my main campaign.

With that in mind, I was wondering what simple published adventure/beginner box would be a good starting point?

I've looked at the various beginners boxes and all look reasonable, I'd like one that isn't just a dungeon crawl and isn't tied to pregen characters (as it looks like the borderlands one leans heavily into that) as I think she'd be most excited about making her own character.

So what do you guys recommend? are there adventures outside the beginner boxes that'd be suitable? (The reason I lean into them is because I like the idea of having everything needed ie maps , item cards) And very little prep needed.

Thank you for any help

 

[Ezequielramone]

This may not be what you are looking for, but BEOWULF is a setting designed to be played with only one player. It changes MANY d&d rules and there is a different game loop (travel -> investigation -> fighting the monster). They have a demo adventure for free. BEOWULF: Age of Heroes

 

[aco175]

Some might depend on playstyle. When I ran the Stormwreck Isle box I found that I needed to modify a lot for my game. The idea of a tiny village with nothing to do or sell did not fit my players. There was no reason these people needed to be there. It has some basic missions that should be good for a couple PCs can easily be adjusted. It only lasts several sessions to level 3 or 4 depending on side quests and filler you place in it. It is all contained to only location with not really any wandering around. If playing is not liked, it only takes a few sessions to complete and not much is wasted.

With Lost Mines and Icespire Peak I would choose Icespire. The idea of a mission board to choose from seemed liked more than just a linear series to my players. There is some changes in the missions and interesting NPCs to meet. Lost Mines is a great box but might be better for a whole table of players.

Maybe play Lost Mines as the next campaign after your partner decides to play again.