Critical Role and Dimension 20 are easily the most popular insights into the world of D&D, but both feature heavily homebrewed storylines made from scratch. Not everyone can manage to balance the challenges of building an engaging storyline, keeping combat encounters reasonable, and giving players their freedom. This is why Wizards of the Coast creates Dungeon Modules to play.
Lost Mines of Phandelver
Perhaps surprisingly, one of the best adventure modules for new players is included in the starter set itself. Lost Mines of Phandelver provides new players with an easy-to-grasp setting and the promise of a magical adventure. If players are particularly new to the idea of a tabletop game, the starter set includes 5 premade characters to jump right in with.
The long-ago past of this adventure is that Phandelver's Pact was a t operation between dwarves, gnomes, and later on humans. These races worked together on a mystical forge that was later lost when an orc army attacked. Players must help archaeologists who have uncovered this forge, and defeat the bandits and baddies who want it for themselves.
Storm King's Thunder
Storm King's Thunder takes place in the D&D universe most older players are familiar with. Featuring old standby locations such as Baldur's Gate and Faerun, this adventure is a great introduction to the standard setting of D&D. Though the high-fantasy setting might feel restrictive or inspired to some, the simpler nature of the setting provides a great introduction to the game in general.
The basic story is that the Storm King Hekaton has disappeared, and the many races of giants - frost, fire, etc - are on the loose. Players will start at the first level and fight off different giant incursions as they try to discover where the Storm King went. This experience provides a great introduction to the game for beginning dungeon masters and players alike.
Dragons Of Icespire Peak
Dragons of Icespire Peak is one of the least structured and most variable adventure modules. This adventure is designed with a "Western Marches" campaign in mind - this means that it is very much 'pick up and play.' There is no group size limit or requirement, no regular plot aside from "eventually beat that big dragon," and no regular meet-up time.
This adventure provides players with a simple starting setting, Phandalin, the same city as is in the Lost Mines adventure. This works as the starting hub for each game session. Dragons of Icespire Peak is very much a sandbox adventure, with a large map and many tasks available for the current party to attempt - this makes a good and relatively casual form of D&D.
Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Many of the best campaigns in D&D take the high-fantasy foundation and add on a unique spin or flavor - Descent into Avernus is one of the best uses of this idea. This adventure brings the hit Baldur's Gate video games back to tabletop D&D with an adventure that takes players into Avernus - the first layer of the nine hells.
Players of the Baldur's Gate games will delight in this exploration of the game's universe, and even those who aren't familiar with the setting will love the grandiose adventure and difficult choices. Will players in the demonic Blood Wars? Will they change the nature of hell? Can they? This setting provides a bit more of a theological riff than most.
The Wild Beyond The Witchlight
This is one of the most recent introductions to the Dungeons and Dragons universe, with The Wild Beyond the Witchlight being released in 2021. The story follows players after they are whisked away to the Feywilds - the fairy realm. Players will start off at the Witchlight Carnival and be drawn into the fairy realm's struggles.
With the introduction of the Fairy and Herengon (rabbit-person) races, this adventure can be a refreshing take on D&D for either players who are experienced or players who have low expectations of the game. The Feywild provides a number of ways for strange and mysterious characters to interact, so creativity is very welcome here.
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Everyone loves a heist. This adventure module can be one of the most accessible to new players for this reason alone. Building a party of thieves and rogues who have their own unique talents provides players with an easy foundation, especially with inspiration like the Oceans or Bad Guys.
In this more Urban-themed adventure, players a treasure hunt to find a massive hoard of gold hidden in the city of Waterdeep. As this is the first adventure to feature the city, players find ample opportunity to learn more about the history and characters within. This is a campaign designed for beginners in many ways, and only takes players from levels 1 to 5.
Tales From The Yawning Portal: Tomb Of Horrors
Tales From The Yawning Portal is an anthology of adventures, featuring updated versions of many of the most popular and well-regarded adventures throughout D&D's history. The best of the best is the Tomb of Horrors adventure, which pits players against the demilich Acerak and his titular tomb.
This adventure is easily one of the most difficult in the game's long history, originally created by D&D creature Gary Gygax as a challenge to experienced players. Some of the difficulty has been lost in translation from the first edition to the fifth, but only a little bit. This module is a classic and can bring together players of all ages - as long as they know how to play.
Ghosts Of Saltmarsh: The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh
Another anthology book, Ghosts of Saltmarsh re-introduces a number of sea-side and sea-faring adventures to the mix. The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh introduces a starting point for the nautical adventures, using a possibly-haunted mansion in the coastal town of Saltmarsh. This adventure is an excellent take on Cthulhu-esque stories and adventures.
While Lovecraftian inspiration has always been a part of the D&D mythos, thanks to aberrations and old gods, this anthology brings that inspiration to the forefront. The town of Saltmarsh will feel extremely familiar to readers of The Shadow Over Innsmouth or other similar stories, and provide a great stepping-stone to the rest of this anthology.
Out Of The Abyss
Out Of The Abyss utilizes D&D's most underrated setting - the Underdark. The Underdark is essentially the extensive network of tunnels, caverns, and underground worlds. This setting is most often the home of the Drow - Dark Elves - who kidnap the party at the beginning of this adventure module.
What makes this adventure so interesting is that the Underdark is now home to several major demons, including the Stranger Things. Players will have to defeat these demons using their new friends among the drow, their own powers and wits, and a bit of creativity if they want to return to the surface.
Curse Of Strahd
One of the most popular and easily the best adventure modules in D&D's fifth edition, the Curse of Strahd features a creative setting, an excellent story, and ample opportunities for players to make hard choices. The challenging nature of the story might incline one to avoid this as a newer player - but that's why players roll backup characters.
Strahd is a vampire, as well as the de facto ruler of Barovia. As players journey deeper into this mysterious land, they will discover horrific monsters, powerful and unique D&D magic items, and strange allies for their quest. This module features many ways the DM can randomize encounters and rewards, creating a relatively replayable experience.
