D&D 5E Vote for Todays Best Adventures for Use in 5E

[LordEntrails]

As nominated, and often described and/or justified, in this thread: D&D 5E - Nominate Today's Top Adventures for Use in 5E
It is now time to vote for the best adventures for use with 5E.

The poll will be open for 14 days and you get 3 votes.

Please remember:
Criteria:
Best adventure as written that can still be used with today's expectations. This does not mean that some DM additions or modifications can't be done, but extensive preparation should not be required.
The adventure does not need to be written for 5E. DM updating of NPCs, magic, and loot is fine.

What to Avoid:
Fond memories: this is not about the best adventures from our youth, but what adventures if you had never seen before and picked up today you would be thrilled with.
Not adventures that the DM turned into a great time, let's look at the best adventures As Written (not as a great DM ran them for you!)

 

[Parmandur]

Curse of Strahd
Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Lost Mines of Phandelver

 

[Paul Farquhar]

None of the above.

Although three down-votes for CoS for being the most overrated adventure that doesn't actually work.

 

[Hussar]

None of the above.

Although three down-votes for CoS for being the most overrated adventure that doesn't actually work.

Really? Wow. I would put this as probably the best module I've played in, like, ever. This was a fantastic adventure. I am always a bit sad that we never got to finish it - our DM ran into real life issues and the campaign fizzled. But, before that, one of the most interesting campaigns I've ever played in.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

we never got to finish it

That happens suspiciously frequently with CoS.

 

[Nebulous]

That happens suspiciously frequently with CoS.

We finished. It was fantastic. Took two years on Roll20. I would run it again for a new group.

 

[toucanbuzz]

I'm going with the ones I know, but really it's highly subjective. A good DM can take a weak adventure and turn it into quality entertainment. A good DM can take a great adventure and make it something classic.

The original ratings were largely based on novelty in design, whether it be introducing new map concepts or things like new monsters. While some of those adventures didn't age well, you can often see their influence in products decades later.

 

[not-so-newguy]

I love Nights Dark Terror. I've run this module twice and have used pieces of it many times. That being said, they needed an editor before they published it.

 

[TheSword]

Age of Worms
The Enemy Within
Way of the Wicked

The three best adventures for 5e I’ve seen… ironically as none were written for 5e.

Age of Worms is the definitive classic adventure path that is one of the best examples I’ve seen of onion layers being peeled back. It can be adapted to any setting easily, features excellent villains and balances town, wilderness, city and dungeon adventuring.

The Enemy Within is a master class in mystery adventure writing and has more depth than the next 2 best adventures combined. Full of player choice and amazing scenarios.

The Way of the Wicked is refreshingly… well… evil. With chance to do something that most campaigns don’t - bring down a kingdom of pious zealots. Lots of fun.

 

[Argyle King]

None of the above.

Although three down-votes for CoS for being the most overrated adventure that doesn't actually work.

I'm also not a fan of CoS.

 

[TheSword]

Ahhh, Lost Mines of Phandelver, the beige carpet of adventures. Doesn’t fail in any way… by virtue of being utterly unambitious.

 

[TheSword]

I'm also not a fan of CoS.

I think that 80% of Curse of Strahd is amazing… it’s just let down at the end with Castle Ravenloft and Strahd

 

[ersatzphil]

None of the above.

Although three down-votes for CoS for being the most overrated adventure that doesn't actually work.

I really enjoyed CoS as a DM, but it took a lot to make it hang together.

 

[LordEntrails]

None of the above.

Too bad you didn't participate in the previous thread, I would of added your suggestions to the poll. Had you participated, what would have you nominated?

 

[Argyle King]

I think that 80% of Curse of Strahd is amazing… it’s just let down at the end with Castle Ravenloft and Strahd

There are pieces of it which I think are interesting to borrow and use elsewhere. But, overall, I didn't enjoy it as a player.

I voted for Red Hand of Doom. It's an old 3E adventure, but still one of my favorites.

I also like Ghost Tower of Inverness, but it's designed for a different playstyle than 5e tends toward, so it requires some adjustments.

 

[LordEntrails]

I'm going with the ones I know, but really it's highly subjective. A good DM can take a weak adventure and turn it into quality entertainment. A good DM can take a great adventure and make it something classic.

Absolutely. And part of the reason I would suggest o any DMs looking for an adventure to run they review the full list of these adventures. Each one is recommended by at least one other person, and as such is certainly a better place to start looking for something to run than just a random selection from what all is available.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Curse of Strahd
The Last Breaths of Ashenport
Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh

I haven't done it yet (because most of my current crop of players have played the various adventures in other campaigns) but I'm hoping to one day put together my "coastal themed" adventure campaign... which would include the classic modules in Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Isle of Dread, plus The Last Breaths of Ashenport, The Dread Pirate Braxis and Captain Slygo's Treasure (all 4E Dungeon Magazine modules), as well as The Secret of Sokol Keep (one of the first 5E Adventurer's League modules around Phlan).

 

[Burnside]

Curse of Strahd, Lost Mines of Phandelver, and Tomb of Annihilation, in that order, as God intended.

 

[pukunui]

That happens suspiciously frequently with CoS.

I finished it twice — once as a player and once as DM. I really enjoyed it both times. Would run / play again.

 

[Burnside]

I finished it twice — once as a player and once as DM. I really enjoyed it both times. Would run / play again.

Agreed - I've run it twice as a DM and I'd run it again.