7 Best Beginner D&D Modules To Try If You Liked Baldur’s Gate 3

It’s hardly a controversial take to call Baldur’s Gate 3 one of the most popular games of all time. The series has gone beyond drawing in CRPG fans and nostalgic players of the first two games, bringing in a slew of new players to the series – some of whom are experiencing the mechanics of D&D and the world of the Forgotten Realms for the first time. It wouldn’t be a surprise if – between the popularity of this game and shows like Stranger Things, plenty of people who’ve never given D&D a second glance are suddenly wanting to try it out.

D&D has a bit of a reputation for being one of the most streamlined and easy to pick up tabletop roleplaying systems available today. Many of the story and plot beats from Baldur’s Gate 3 can be structured in a way that works in the tabletop game as well. While D&D is an easy system to learn, new players and DMs should still start off small to not be overwhelmed by their ambitions. This means that – for this list – some modules that are relevant to Baldur’s Gate 3 but not truly suitable for beginners, such as Descent Into Avernus, which has a lot of moving parts and goes up to a high level, have been omitted.

7 Candle Keep Mysteries

Proximity To Baldur’s Gate And Excellent, Lightweight Mystery Adventures

• Released: 2021
• Book Type: Adventure Module Anthology
• Levels: 1-16
• Themes: Mystery, Intrigue, Puzzles

Candle Keep Mysteries is a module anthology, meaning that instead of the entire book being one long adventure, each level is its own isolated adventure that can be slotted into a homebrew campaign or even just played as a one-off session.

While part of what makes Baldur’s Gate 3 so great is its length, for first time players and DMs especially, playing the initial one or two adventures in this anthology is a great way to get a feel for the world of the Forgotten Realms without overtaxing yourself.

6 Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

A Familiar Name To BG3 Players And A Shorter Module

• Released: 2018
• Book Type: Adventure Module
• Levels: 1-5
• Themes: Heists, Planning Ahead, Intrigue

Any adventures that begin and end within levels 1-5 will be perfect for beginners to this game. 1-5 is the first ‘tier’ of play for D&D, where the players are recognized as adventurers still trying to get their bearings in the world.

Dragon Heist is great for players wanting to try out quirky or sly characters, set in the city of Waterdeep where a slick rogue or thief could make it big.

5 Wild Beyond The Witchlight

Brings Closer Focus To Fey Elements From BG3

• Released: 2021
• Book Type: Adventure Module
• Levels: 1-8
• Themes: Exploration, Magic, Fey

The fight with Auntie Ethel is one of the most iconic, and most lethal, boss battles in Baldur’s Gate 3. For many players, this gruesome display of a Hag’s power was one of the best things about the opening act, and Wild Beyond The Witchlight is the perfect way to follow up on this.

The level is a little higher than what a strictly beginner-focused module would go up to, but the book has excellent resources to help DMs create a vibrant – but dangerous word of the Fey for their party to explore.

Related

Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guide Wish List

D&D 2024’s Player’s Handbook has sold like hotcakes, but the revised Dungeon Master’s Guide will be the true test for this rule update.

4 Ghosts Of Saltmarsh

Isolated Adventures That Are Easy To Run

• Released: 2019
• Book Type: Adventure Module Anthology
• Levels: 1-11
• Themes: Undead, Pirates, Aquatic Enemies

The Ghosts of Saltmarsh module is not set in the Forgotten Realms specifically, but its nature as an anthology of adventures means it’s very easy to slot the earlier games into anywhere on the Sword Coast that the DM’s heart desires – provided the ocean isn’t too far.

This anthology contains remasters of older edition D&D adventures, and really is perfect for those looking to get into that ‘classic’ high fantasy feel of a group of adventurers heading off to kill things.

3 Dragons Of Stormwreck Isle

An Excellent Starter Module

• Released:2022
• Book Type: D&D Starter Set
• Levels: 1-5
• Themes: Coastal travel, dragons, exploration

While dragon slaying takes place in many games, and indeed is an option for many players in D&D, Dragons of Stormwreck Isle is the perfect place for beginners to start off – the module comes with pre-written characters and everything a DM will need to tell a compelling story.

The coastal, arid setting of this module is fascinating, with plenty of opportunities for the DM to work in player backstories into something larger and more grand.

2 Phandelver And Below: The Shattered Obelisk

Lets DMs Set Their Own Pace

• Released: 2023
• Book type: Adventure Module
• Levels: 1-11
• Themes: Lovecraftian, Dungeon delving, body horror

If mindflayers and nautiloids were your favorite part of Baldur’s Gate 3 – that’s a little concerning. However, it also means that Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk would be the perfect module to start up D&D with.

Levels 1-5 are an updated version of an old starter module, perfect to get players into the game. If after level 5, players want more, the game can be taken up to level 11, with everything after these preliminary levels being focused on body horror and mindflayers.

1 Journeys Through The Radiant Citadel

A Great Adventure Anthology For Unique D&D Experiences

• Released: 2022
• Book type: Adventure Module Anthology
• Levels: 1-14
• Themes: Cosmic fantasy, multiverse, horror

Journeys Through The Radiant Citadel is very different to the other entries on this list. Drifting through the Astral Plane, the Radiant Citadel connects to many realms and dimensions, and is far more cosmic than other D&D modules on this list.

While unorthodox for a beginning module, the early levels are fantastic ways to introduce players and DMs alike to the possibilities of play beyond going into holes and killing things for loot. The adventure modules set in and beyond the Radiant Citadel truly showcase what 5th Edition D&D is capable of.

More

8 Best RPGs That Challenge Traditional Morality Systems

Not all morality systems in RPGs are black-and-white. Here are some of the best that aim to challenge the concept.