The best D&D campaigns

One of the most influential games ever made, Dungeons & Dragons has generated countless settings across multiple editions over the last 45 years. If you are a Dungeon Master, or want to become one, know that creating a world and a rich storyline from scratch can be punishing. But there are many new and beautifully illustrated sourcebooks from Wizards of the Coast that provide all the monsters, maps, and narrative you need to get started.

From the gothic horror of Strahd von Zarovich’s beloved Barovia to the deadly jungles of the Chultan peninsula, the scope of D&D is nearly immeasurable, offering something for every kind of player. But since the latest edition’s launch in 2014, there is an awful lot to sift through. You won’t go from zero to Matt Mercer overnight, but these professionally designed adventures are a fantastic way to get started.

Here are the best 5th edition D&D campaigns you can play right now, both online and in person.

Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Image: Greg Rutkovski/Wizards of the Coast

In this campaign, the sea is your biggest foe. Ghosts of Saltmarsh combines the popular adventures from the first edition of Dungeons & Dragons, with upgrades to include 5th edition rules and mechanics. Ghosts of Saltmarsh offers flexibility depending on how long you want to play the campaign. You can go through all seven adventures back to back, or you can go through one adventure to tell a complete story if you prefer the one-shot approach. As the backdrop is at sea, Ghosts of Saltmarsh features seven campaigns brimming with pirates, terrifying fish people, and krakens to face in nautical battle.

There’s a real breadth of adventure to experience. Players can explore a haunted house, spy on lizardfolk, or claim a cursed island for a mariner’s guild. Given the emphasis on seafaring, there are some excellent rules for sea combat, ships, and unusual sea encounters. It’s also fairly modular. These adventures can be a jumping-off point for your own homebrew campaigns, or help set the scene for an already established group to head off in a new direction. For both players and DMs, Ghosts of Saltmarsh combines strong narrative with a unique combat setting to provide memorable role-playing experiences regardless of player skill level.