D&D 5E What is good One shot for 3rd level?

[Wrathamon]

I am running some players in a quick one-shot (3 to 4 hrs) over thanksgiving and was wondering if there are any good pre-made stuff to pilfer as I dont have much time to write something, only modify slightly.Thoughts?

 

[steeldragons]

Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh is one of my favorites for low levels. Just do the "haunted" mansion and smuggling operation. No need to worry about the second or third modules in the series.

Lots of folks like the Secret of Bone Hill, which I think is the only adventure stated as being for levels "2-4". So 3rd is smack where it should be. I haven't played it in ages but don't remember being that "wowed" by it.

Against the Cult of the Reptile God is another favorite. Though some don't like the "railroady/mary sue" of the plot at the end. I've never run into that problem.

SSoS and AtCotRG are always my go to "early adventure" recommendations.

 

[Wrathamon]

How long do those run? I only have 4 hours.

 

[steeldragons]

Well, depends on the pc's I guess and what they get into. Saltmarch, I would think, should be easily doable in 4 hour.

Cult might be a bit tougher to get through.

Bone Hill is kind of sandboxy, as I recall, so you could just stop whenever you need to.

 

[aramis erak]

If you're dealing with Hack-n-slashers, B2 Keep on the Borderlands is good. If you're dealing with face-time-with-NPC's players, it's pretty bad.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I'm a big proponent of Lost Island of Castanamir (C3). A wizard's tower to explore except that the tower isn't vertical, but each level is connected to four others via portals. The wizard isn't there to be found, but there are several fun NPCs and creatures lurking about to deal with, along with traps, magical items, and magical effects. I find it to be lots of fun.

 

[Plaguescarred]

If you can crank it to L4, the adventure Mines of Madness by Scott Kurts and Chris Perkins that featured during the playtest can be a fun (and brutal!) 4 hrs one-shot. We had a blast with it!

 

[Krug]

Another thumbs up to Mines of Madness! Lots of fun for both the DM and players!

 

[mcintma]

The Forge of Fury (3e) could maybe be done in that time, seeing how relatively fast 5e combats are.

 

[r0gershrubber]

No way Forge of Fury (3e) could be done in four hours. I just ran my group through Sunless Citadel, and it took four sessions. (Forge of Fury is next on our agenda.)

You might want to check out the various Living Greyhawk modules for 3e. Most were written to be played in 4 hours. I think RPG Geek has lots of them.