The 10 Best DnD Horror One Shots for 5e
We delve into some of the most terrifying adventures for Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition
While DnD has plenty of adventures filled with dungeon crawling, urban intrigue and wilderness exploration, the game is also known for offering up the occasional dose of blood-soaked horror. And while there are entire dread-filled campaign worlds like Ravenloft to delve into, sometimes you just want a short but satisfying scare that can be wrapped up in a single session.
The good news is that there are actually a number of one shot adventures designed to terrify your players, making them the perfect option for a Halloween one shot or simply a night of scares. So prepare to roll a saving throw versus fear as we dig up… the 10 best DnD Horror One Shots for 5e!
10. The Horror of Ashwood Crypt
A DnD horror one shot filled with solid OSR vibes, this adventure is designed for level 4 characters and can be wrapped up in about 4-6 hours of gameplay. As the name suggests, the story takes place in a sprawling underground crypt, with players tasked with uncovering the dark mystery behind the ancient ruins. It’s a classic dungeon crawl that also offers plenty of atmospheric horror and a narrative mystery that features multiple endings. The adventure also includes a number of new monsters, traps, high-resolution maps and even a custom magic system, making it a solid experience for players looking for a dose of exploration and hair-raising hack n’ slash.
9. Horror at Havel’s Cross
Designed by popular third-party DnD publisher Winghorn Press, this horror-themed one shot is a great way for new players to pick up the basics of the DnD 5e ruleset, but is also something that seasoned players will likely enjoy. The adventure is designed for 2nd level players and can be wrapped up in about 6-7 hours (although the story actually has enough meat that a DM could potentially expand it into multiple sessions). The adventure kicks off when the players are tasked with transporting a powerful artifact uncovered in a long-forgotten temple and which has attracted the attention of an ancient evil. Featuring a solid mix of combat, horror and roleplaying, it’s a gore-spattered one shot that’s definitely worth picking up.
8. A Shadow Over Pinewood
Inspired by the works of legendary horror writer H.P Lovecraft, this one shot is designed for 10th level characters and takes around 6-8 hours to complete. The adventure is really a classic monster hunt that finds the players taking on a mysterious and powerful creature that lurks within the depths of a fog-shrouded forest and is capable of evolving based on the player’s actions and abilities. One of the coolest features of this particular one shot is that it offers four different endings (based on the choices the players make) and includes a number of random event tables, battle maps, NPCs and story hooks.
7. The Haunting of Valentyne Manor
Designed for characters of Levels 1-4 (although the adventure can be scaled up for higher levels), this horror one shot takes place in a decrepit mansion where an ancient family curse has caused the restless spirits inside to reenact their own grizzly murders for all eternity. It’s up to the players to find the cause of the curse and help put the spirts to rest. The adventure can be wrapped up in about 5-6 hours and includes a ton of exploration, roleplaying and atmospheric tension. The one shot also comes with a variety of detailed maps, printable stand-up creature tokens and a number of well-rounded NPCs that help flesh out the unique horror narrative.
6. Down Came a Blackbird
Inspired by the iconic Alfred Hitchcock horror film The Birds, this one shot is designed for 1st to 4th level characters and can be completed in about 4 hours. The adventure is designed to complement the Ghosts of Saltmarsh (arguably one of the better DnD 5e campaigns), but can be dropped into just about any setting. The story finds the villagers of Saltmarsh being attacked by the local birds that lie in the area. It’s then up to the players to find out why, uncovering a dark ritual and a mysterious otherworldly power. Atmospheric and tense, this particular one shot leans heavily into social and skill-based encounters and includes a well-rounded cast of unique NPCs. The adventure also features a number of solid hand-drawn player handouts and maps which really help bring this solid horror outing to life.
5. The House of the Midnight Violet
Designed for Level 4-6 characters, this creepy one shot can be wrapped up in about 3 hours. The adventure takes place in a remote wilderness area where players are hired to recover a mysterious flower from the depths of an old abandoned mansion. The players quest, however, takes a detour when they encounter evil forces inside the depth of the ruined home and must deal with supernatural creatures, macabre puzzles and powerful magic items, as they learn more about the dark fate that befell the mansion’s former residents. The end result is a short but surprisingly tense DnD horror one shot that’s definitely worth playing at least once.
4. Banquet of the Damned
A veritable feast for both DnD fans and horror lovers, this one shot is designed for 4th level characters and can be devoured in about 4-6 hours. The adventure takes place in the Forgotten Realms during the village of Womford’s annual pie contest. But something is rotten in the heart of Womford and the players soon find themselves on the hunt for a dark presence that lurks in the shadows of the village. Featuring unique artwork, a range of creepy monsters and a cast of bizarre NPCs, the end result is a fiendishly delicious horror one shot.
3. The Haunt
This unique single-session adventure blends classic DnD dungeon crawling with a solid horror theme. Designed for players of levels 4-5 characters, it can be completed in about 6-8 hours. The story (which can be dropped into just about any campaign setting) takes place in the depths of a long-abandoned town, where a ruined manor is rumored to contain a hidden treasure. Unfortunately for the players, a dark power also dwells within the forgotten manor. It’s a legitimately creepy and atmospheric one shot featuring plenty of gore spattered combqt, exploration and puzzle solving.
2. The Lamenting Lighthouse
Designed for characters from levels 5 to 10, this one shot can be wrapped up in about 4 hours and features a solid mix of horror and mystery set against a larger nautical theme. The adventure takes place near the Moonshae Isles of the Forgotten Realms (although it’ll work in just about any world), with the players racing against time to find out what happened to the inhabitants of a lighthouse before any ships can run aground. It also includes a variety of custom monsters, player handouts, magical items, maps and NPCs. It’s spine-chilling and entertaining adventure that really showcases all the elements that make up a great DnD horror one shot.
1. Happy Jack’s Funhouse
And rounding out our list as our number one pick as one of the best DnD horror one shots ever made is this blood-curdling adventure, which can be scaled for players from levels 3 to 10 and wrapped up in about 4 to 8 hours of play. While the adventure works perfectly as an add-on to the Curse of Strahd campaign, it can be used in just about any campaign. The story finds the players matching wits with Happy Jack, a demonic clown who sets up a traveling carnival in the midst of a remote town (think Pennywise meets Ravenloft). The adventure features a pitch-perfect mix of roleplaying, combat and exploration, and includes a variety of new monsters, NPCs, traps, mini-games, magic items and subclasses, making it a complete funhouse of fear.
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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.
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