The 10 Best DnD Campaigns for Beginners
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Playing Dungeons & Dragons for the first time can often be a daunting experience, with players juggling rules, character creation and lore. The good news is that there are dozens of official DnD campaigns that are perfect for beginners, helping ease both new players and new Dungeon Masters into the basics.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of our favorites, with options that keep the rules simple, tell engaging stories and offer flexibility for both players and DMs. For ease of reading, we’ve included the date it was published, the type of campaign it is and why it’s great for first timers.
So grab your dice and get ready to to take your first step into adventure as we break out… the 10 best DnD campaigns for new players.
10. Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Published: May 2019
Type of Campaign: Nautical, Dungeon Crawls and Exploration
Why It’s Great for New Players: Set in the world of Greyhawk (one of the oldest official Dungeons & Dragons settings), this series of nautical-themed adventures can be run individually as one shots or sequentially as an epic campaign that takes players from Levels 1 to 11. It’s a fantastic introduction for both new players and Dungeon Masters, with the campaign featuring dungeon crawls, exploration and action on the high seas.
9. Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Published: July 2024
Type of Campaign: Dungeon Crawls and Exploration
Why It’s Great for New Players: If you’re a new player looking to get a taste of some of DnD’s most iconic adventures, then Quests from the Infinite Staircase is a fantastic option. It features six classic DnD modules that have been updated for the fifth edition rules. These adventures can be played individually or run as part of a connected campaign that takes players from Levels 1 to 13. The story finds the players traveling across the multiverse in service to the all-powerful genie Nafas, who grants wishes to those in need. The low level adventures are particularly great for first-time DMs and introduce the basic mechanics of running an adventure in a fun, simple and engaging way.
8. Tales from the Yawning Portal
Published: April 2017
Type of Campaign: Dungeon Crawls and Exploration
Why It’s Great for New Players: This campaign collection is perfect for beginners looking to get their first taste of a dungeon crawl. It features seven classic modules updated to the fifth edition rules that can be played individually or as part of a larger story arc taking characters from Level 1 to 13. Playing through them is a great way to experience some of the most iconic dungeons in DnD history, including fan favorites like The Sunless Citadel and White Plume Mountain. All of them are fairly easy for new DMs to run and perfect for new players looking for a classic DnD experience.
7. Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel
Published: July 2022
Type of Campaign: Roleplaying and Exploration
Why It’s Great for New Players: This unique campaign offers a contemporary take on DnD, featuring thirteen individual adventures inspired by the real-world mythologies and histories of places like Central America, Vietnam and the American South. Like other DnD anthologies, the adventures can be run individually or collectively in a campaign that takes players from Levels 1 to 14. The action takes place in the legendary Radiant Citadel, a city that’s a crossroads in the multiverse and home to a variety of different species and cultures. It’s a great option for beginners looking to experience the modern face of the game and get away from the more Eurocentric adventures of old school Dungeons & Dragons.
6. Candlekeep Mysteries
Published: March 2021
Type of Campaign: Mystery and Puzzle Solving
Why It’s Great for New Players: This campaign features 17 short, mystery-themed adventures. As with other anthologies on this list, the adventures can be played individually or in sequence as part of a complete campaign that takes players from Levels 1 to 16. The story focuses on the great library of Candlekeep in the Forgotten Realms, with magical books transporting characters to different locations. It’s a fantastic option for new players and DMs looking for a more cerebral DnD experience than the traditional hack and slash dungeon crawls found in many other introductory campaigns.
5. The Wild Beyond The Witchlight
Published: September 2021
Type of Campaign: Roleplaying and Exploration
Why It’s Great for New Players: If you’re a new player or DM looking for more of a narrative experience with a lighter tone and more dramatic roleplaying, then this campaign will be right up your alley. The adventure takes players from Levels 1 to 8 and is set in the Feywild; a realm of powerful fairy creatures and whimsical magic. Players are tasked with finding out why a dark presence has invaded the once peaceful realm, while dealing with strange monsters and a bizarre traveling carnival. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something that’s a little less serious and offers plenty of options for character interaction and social encounters.
4. Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Published: September 2018
Type of Campaign: Urban Adventure
Why It’s Great for New Players: Set in the legendary city of Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms, this campaign takes players from Levels 1 to 5 as they set out on a quest to recover a stolen hoard of gold hidden somewhere inside the City of Splendors. While it can be a little tricky for new DMs (as it allows you to customize the specific villain and even season during which the campaign takes place) it’s still relatively easy to run and is a perfect way to give first-time DnD players a taste of what urban adventures are all about.
3. Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Published: October 2022
Type of Campaign: Dungeon Crawling
Why It’s Great for New Players: This unique campaign is specifically designed for first-time Dungeon Masters and players and offers everything you need to get started, including pre-generated characters and a simplified rules guide. The adventure takes character from Levels 1 to 3 and takes place on a remote island off the Sword Coast in the Forgotten Realms, where a war is brewing between two deadly factions of dragons. It’s a short but sweet campaign that’s the perfect way to ease beginners into the rules of Dungeons & Dragons.
2. Dragon of Icespire Peak
Published: September 2019
Type of Campaign: Dungeon Crawling
Why It’s Great for New Players: This campaign is also designed to teach new players the ropes of Dungeons & Dragons, and contains character sheets, dice and a complete campaign entitled the Dragon of Icespire Peak. The adventure takes players from levels 1 to 7, with the action focused on the Sword Coast region of the Forgotten Realms. Players must hunt down a rogue dragon that has been terrorizing the area. It’s a fun and fast-paced campaign, but does an even better of job walking both new players and new DMs through the basics of how to play the game.
1. The Lost Mine of Phandelver
Published: July 2014
Type of Campaign: Roleplaying, Exploration and Dungeon Crawling
Why It’s Great for New Players: Arguably the greatest starter set in DnD history, this incredible campaign takes place in the Forgotten Realms near the remote town of Phandalin on the Sword Coast. Players will go from levels 1 to 4 as they seek to rescue a kidnapped dwarf merchant, uncover an ancient mine and face down a mysterious criminal mastermind. Using more of a sandbox approach, the campaign really puts the onus on players to choose what to do next, while still providing enough structure to ensure the first-time DMs can run it smoothly. It’s an absolute masterpiece of adventure design and the perfect introduction to the world, lore and fun of Dungeons & Dragons.
See Our Complete D&D Book Coverage
Visit our D&D Books page for more reviews of the latest novels and game books.
Subscribe to D&D Fanatics
Get exclusive D&D news, reviews and rules updates delivered right to your inbox.
Ollie Delano is a Staff Writer who lives in Chicago, Illinois where he majored in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He’s been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over 10 years and currently plays in a weekly game group where he rolls way too many natural 1s and chugs way too much Mountain Dew. His favorite D&D campaign setting is Eberron and his favorite character to play was a Tiefling rogue named Draxiss who enjoys both literal and figurative backstabbing.
