Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) can seem overwhelming at first – but the right adventure helps enormously! Beginner-friendly adventures offer a good mix of story, combat, and role-playing without overwhelming the game master or the players with too many rules. Here are our top recommendations for new players.
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1. Lost Mine of Phandelver
Book: Lost Mine of Phandelver 🛒
Length: 4-5 sessions (approx. 20-30 hours)
Included: Adventure book, basic rules, ready-made characters, maps
Additionally required: Player’s Handbook 🛒 (PHB) for more character options
This adventure, included in the Starter Set, is one of the best for newcomers. It introduces the group to the classic D&D world, starting in the town of Phandalin. Players experience a mix of exploration, combat, and diplomacy as they discover a hidden mine. Ideal for new gamemasters, it gradually introduces mechanics.
Continuation options:
- Tyranny of Dragons 🛒 (Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Rise of Tiamat)
- Storm King’s Thunder 🛒 for an epic campaign against giants
2. Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Book: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle 🛒
Length: 3-4 sessions (approx. 15-20 hours)
Included: Beginner rules, adventure book, maps
Additionally required: Dice set and Player’s Handbook 🛒 for more options
This newer starter adventure (included in the Essential Kit) offers an atmospheric, dragon-focused story on a remote island. It’s simpler in structure than Phandelver, but provides a great introduction to D&D. Perfect for players who want to dive straight into the adventure.
Here’s our review.
Continuation options:
- The group can be integrated into the Sword Coast Adventures 🛒
- A change to The Wild Beyond the Witchlight 🛒 for a magical fairy tale adventure
3. Curse of Strahd
Book: The Curse of Strahd 🛒
Length: 30-40 sessions (100+ hours)
Included: Complete campaign, detailed world (Barovia), maps
Additionally required: Player’s Handbook 🛒, Monster Manual 🛒, Dungeon Master’s Guide 🛒
A great, though challenging, adventure for beginners who desire a dark, story-driven campaign. Players confront the vampire lord Strahd and explore a gothic world full of horror. It’s more demanding than Phandelver, but an unforgettable experience.
Here you can find our review of the book.
Continuation possibilities:
- A transition to Ravenloft Adventures for even more horror
- Returning to the Forgotten Realms with Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
4. Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Book: Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Length: 30-50 sessions (100+ hours)
Included: Complete campaign, new setting (Icewind Dale), monsters & maps
Additionally required: Player’s Handbook 🛒, Monster Manual 🛒, Dungeon Master’s Guide 🛒
A sprawling open-world campaign set in the icy north of the Forgotten Realms. While it is a more complex adventure, it allows new players plenty of freedom. Particularly suited for groups who enjoy exploration and survival elements.
Continuation options:
- Storm King’s Thunder 🛒 if the group remains further north
- Tales from the Yawning Portal 🛒 to experience classic D&D dungeons
Conclusion: Which adventure is the right one?
| Adventure | Length | Difficulty | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lost Mine of Phandelver | 20-30 hrs. | Simple | Classic D&D-Fantasy |
| Dragons of Stormwreck Isle | 15-20 hrs. | Very easy | Dragons & Island Adventure |
| Curse of Strahd | 100+ hrs. | Medium/Hard | Gothic Horror |
| Icewind Dale | 100+ hrs. | Medium | Open-World Survival |
For absolute newcomers, Lost Mine of Phandelver and Dragons of Stormwreck Isle are ideal. Those looking for a longer, immersive story can start with Curse of Strahd or Icewind Dale.
