Dungeonsand Dragons fifth edition is about to undergo a major transformation, with new rulebooks scheduled for 2024, heralding a shift in the game system. The current era of 5e is wrapping up with only two significant adventure modules, marking the end of a prolific decade in Dungeons and Dragons lore.
Late 2024 and early 2025 will witness the release of fresh core rulebooks for D&D, designed to enhance the 5e experience while maintaining compatibility with all existing adventures. This ranking assesses these adventures based on their playability, innovative features, and flexibility to accommodate both Dungeon Masters and players. Notably, the list excludes collaborations like 'Stranger Things' or 'Critical Role' tie-ins, as well as smaller adventures exclusive to platforms like D&DBeyond and the DMsguild. Anthology modules, such as Candlekeep Mysteries, are considered as single entities.
S-Tier - Top Dungeons and Dragons 5e Official Adventure Modules
- Dragon of Icespire Peak
- Lost Mine of Phandelver
- Curse of Strahd
S-tier modules represent the best of the best, with 'Dragon of Icespire Peak' standing out as a standout choice. This 'Essentials Kit' adventure caters to newcomers to D&D, whether they are embarking on their first quest as players or as dungeon masters. It offers extensive customization, a vibrant starting town, and a series of bite-sized quests that can easily be adapted into one-shot adventures. On the other hand, 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' provides a similar experience with slightly less flexibility.
'Curse of Strahd' consistently receives accolades as one of the premier D&D modules, transporting players from the familiar Forgotten Realms to the eerie realm of Ravenloft. Barovia, the setting for this adventure, presents a rich tapestry of gloom and despair, featuring a compelling villain who engages with players throughout their journey. The world is fraught with challenges beyond the players' capabilities, adding a sense of urgency and strategy to their decisions.
A-Tier - Noteworthy Dungeons and Dragons 5e Official Adventure Modules
- Journeys Through The Radiant Citadel
- Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
- Out of the Abyss
- Tomb of Annihilation
- Keys from the Golden Vault
'Journeys Through The Radiant Citadel' teeters on the edge of S-tier, offering a collection of diverse adventures linked by a central quest hub, allowing for extensive customization. This D&D module caters to Dungeon Masters, providing guidance on character development, pronunciation tips, and unique fantasy elements seldom explored in 5e. Conversely, 'Keys from the Golden Vault' demands more effort from the DM but remains a compelling anthology.
'Out of the Abyss' strikes a balance between detailed storytelling in the Underdark and user-friendly formatting, coupled with engaging hooks that propel the narrative forward. The module's gripping prison-break introduction serves as an excellent catalyst for group cohesion. 'Tomb of Annihilation' and 'Waterdeep: Dragon Heist' offer distinct experiences; the former delivers a challenging D&D adventure laden with intricate traps, while the latter presents an urban setting for low-level characters with ample opportunities for customization, catering to different player preferences.
B-Tier - Decent Dungeons and Dragons 5e Official Adventure Modules
- Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
- Ghosts of Saltmarsh
- Candlekeep Mysteries
- Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk
- Wild Beyond the Witchlight
- Tales from the Yawning Portal
B-tier modules offer solid gameplay experiences and can shine under the right circumstances, particularly 'Dragons of Stormwreck Isle,' 'Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk,' and 'Wild Beyond the Witchlight.' While the first is ideal for novice groups, it may feel simplistic in certain aspects. 'Shattered Obelisk' continues the story of 'The Lost Mine' with a cosmic horror twist, catering to players with a penchant for darker themes. 'Wild Beyond the Witchlight' introduces intriguing lore for players seeking more than combat in their D&D adventures.
'Ghosts of Saltmarsh,' 'Candlekeep Mysteries,' and 'Tales from the Yawning Portal' present anthology-style adventures suitable for DMs looking to integrate standalone quests into an ongoing campaign. 'Ghosts of Saltmarsh' stands out for its consistent difficulty curve and nautical rules, albeit with limited application. Conversely, 'Yawning Portal' offers a range of challenges, including a 5e adaptation of the notorious 'Tomb of Horrors,' cautioning DMs about its unforgiving nature.
C-Tier - Lower-ranked Dungeons and Dragons 5e Official Adventure Modules
- Baldur's Gate Descent into Avernus
- Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
- Icewind Dale: Rime of The Frostmaiden
- Storm King's Thunder
- Tyranny of Dragons
- Princes of the Apocalypse
C-tier modules offer enjoyable experiences but may require additional effort from DMs or lack lasting impact. This rings true for the last three modules, with 'Storm King's Thunder' bordering on a sourcebook for the Forgotten Realms rather than a traditional adventure, despite its detailed NPC layout at the outset. Conversely, 'Dungeon of the Mad Mage' appeals to fans of D&D's dungeon-crawl genre but may prove arduous for others.
Enthusiasts of 'Baldur's Gate 3' might gravitate towards 'Descent into Avernus,' although it is advisable to omit the Baldur's Gate segment from the module due to its imbalance and lack of relevance. However, the Avernus section offers captivating spectacles, infernal themes, and a 'Mad Max'-esque war machine aesthetic.