The 25 Best DnD One Shots (Updated for 2025)
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While playing in a full-fledged Dungeons & Dragons campaign over of the course of months or even years is an amazing experience, it can also be an incredible time commitment. Enter the DnD one shot, a short but satisfying standalone adventure that can usually be completed in a single session.
The good news is that there are tens of thousands of single session adventures available. Yet with so many options to choose from, it can also be hard to know which ones are worth your time. That’s why we’ve scoured the internet and put together this list of the best of the best. This includes both official and unofficial DnD 5e products that can be completed in a maximum of 10 hours (although most are much less than that). We’ve also included a range of level options and settings, which means you can drop these into just about any campaign setting or run them as a one-and-done scenario.
So grab your group and pencil in a session as we roll into… the 10 best DnD One Shots for 5e!
25. The Mountains of Kam’Arag & The Eternal Frost
One of the most versatile DnD one shots in recent memory, this adventure is unusually flexible in that it can be played by any group, of any level, in virtually any setting. At the same time, it’s an absolute blast to play as a single standalone adventure. The story finds the heroes exploring the frozen mountains of Kam’Arag where they soon join forces with a mysterious wizard on a quest to unlock a sealed magical gate located at the peak of the mountain. The one shot blends survival, combat, exploration, puzzle solving and a touch of horror into one satisfying whole that can be completed in about 6-10 hours.
24. The Lost City of Oren Bran
This unique one shot is designed for three to five characters of 4th to 8th level and can be completed in about 5 to 6 hours. It’s a unique blend of exploration, horror and mystery set within a long-abandoned dwarven city. It also features a variety of modular encounters, a detailed city map with lore-rich districts and mechanics for skill challenges that can be completed without combat. The adventure includes over 20 handouts, six full-color battlemaps and new magic items and monsters. It’s a solid offering to run in a single session or dropped into an existing campaign.
23. Hunted!
This adventure is designed for 4 to 6 players of Levels 5 to 7 that can be wrapped up in about 6 to 10 hours. The action takes place in the remote frontier village, with players tasked with hunting down a mysterious creature that’s been killing the local livestock. As a one shot, it’s a solid combination of exploration, investigation, role-playing and combat – offering a little bit of something for everyone. It also features new monsters, magic items, and a range of custom maps you can easily drop into a VTT.
22. The Haunt
This spine tingling adventure is the perfect DnD one shot horror, while also offering up a solid dungeon crawl experience. Written for Level 4-5 characters, the adventure can be wrapped up in about 6-8 hours. The story takes place in an ancient town that was long destroyed by orcs. The only building still standing is a sprawling and decrepit manor rumored to contain vast treasures and ancient horrors. It’s a surprisingly creepy adventure with mix of combat, exploration and puzzle solving. If you’re looking for something on the creepier side, this one shot definitely has you covered.
21. To the End of Time
If you’re looking for a high level DnD one shot, this adventure is definitely a must-play. It can be completed in about 5-6 hours and is designed for Level 20 characters (players can make their own or choose from a series of pre-generated options). The adventure starts at the end, with players killed and heading into the afterlife. A powerful angel, however, intervenes and whisks them back to the mortal realm to stop a multiverse-threatening evil. Along the way players will battle world destroying monsters and unleash class powers most players rarely get to use. It’s a great one shot option if you want to experience what high level DnD is all about.
20. The House of the Midnight Violet
The horror-themed standalone adventure is designed for 4-5 characters of Level 4-6 and can be wrapped up in about 3 hours (making it a perfect option for a Halloween one shot). Players are hired to recover a mysterious flower from the depths of an old abandoned mansion. As the players explore the ruins, they stumble upon an ancient curse, battling monstrous creatures and strange puzzles. It’s an atmospheric and genuinely unsettling one shot that’s perfect if you’re looking for a departure from your usual hack and slash affairs.
19. The Lich-Queen’s Begotten
Another high level shot shot, this adventure is designed for Level 11 to 16 characters and can be wrapped up in about 4-6 hours of play. The story takes place in the Astral Plane, where players take the infamous Lich-Queen, who threatens the very fabric of the Multiverse itself. Notably, the one shot is part of Wizards of the Coast’s official Adventurer’s League, and has been run in numerous conventions and official DnD events.
18. Madness of the Rat King
The quick and quirk one shot is a perfect introductory experience for both new players and new Dungeon Masters. The adventure takes place in the depths of mad alchemist’s lab and features mutant rats, traps, puzzles and a range of highly detailed maps. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a fun and a little bit off-the-wall one shot that’s also a great way to get first time players interested in the game.
17. Banquet of the Damned
This all-you-can-eat one shot is designed for 4th level characters and offers up a satisfying blend of mystery, horror and action that can be devoured in about 4-6 hours. The story takes place in the Forgotten Realms during the village of Womford’s annual pie eating contest. The players, however, soon learn of a hungry evil lurking in the shadows. Throw in some solid artwork, new monsters and range of high quality maps, and you’ve got a recipe for a perfectly prepared D&D one shot.
16. Shore of Dreams
Designed for 5th to 7th level characters, Shore of Dreams is an incredibly popular D&D 5e one shot that takes place in the remote jungles of Chult in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting (the same location as the popular DnD 5e campaign Tomb of Annihilation). The players are lured there by the promise of a vast fortune hidden away by the infamous pirate known as Captain Jadescale. The adventure then kicks off at the legendary tavern known as the Shore of Dreams which is run by a beautiful and enigmatic Triton who has secrets of her own. The end result is an incredibly satisfying adventure that features a sharp storyline, memorable NPCs, an epic dungeon crawl and a thrilling conclusion – all of which can be played in about 3-6 hours.
15. Grammy’s Country Apple Pie
This all ages DnD one shot is the perfect way to introduce DnD 5e to new players. The adventure kicks offf with the players tasked with hunting down the greatest apple pie in the world, which can only be found in an ancient and long abandoned magical bakery. Unfortunately, the bakery has long since been overrun by goblins and it’s up to our players to deal with them. The adventure includes six pre-generated characters (although players can also whip up their own) and is a great blend of exploration, combat and puzzle solving that covers all the basics of DnD 5e.
14. Tower of the Mad Mage
Another great option for new players, this one shot is designed for 1st level characters and can easily be completed in about 4 to 6 hours. The adventure kicks off when a goblin named Skwelch convinces the players to accompany him to an abandoned wizard’s tower where an ancient treasure awaits. Inside, however, they’ll face down deadly creatures, sinister traps and mysterious puzzles. It’s a fun and fast-paced adventure that’s perfect for players looking to get their first taste of DnD 5e.
13. Death House
While technically this is an introductory adventure for the larger Curse of Strahd campaign, it can also be run as a standalone one shot. The adventure is designed for Level 1 characters and can be completed in 3 to 4 hours. The story takes place in the cursed land of Barovia of Ravenloft fame. Players themselves trapped in a mysterious manor and must work together to escape. It’s a bloody blend of horror, action, mystery and puzzle solving that can be used to kick off a new campaign or run as a one-and-done option.
12. The Wolves of Welton
Designed for Levels 2 to 3 characters, this one shot can be wrapped up in about 3 to 6 hours. The adventure takes place in the village of Welton, where residents are being accosted by pack of mysterious wolves. With food running low and the local sorcerer-in-residence nowhere to be found, it’s up to the players to come to the rescue. It’s a great blend of mystery, action, roleplaying and exploration, and can be easily dropped into an existing campaign.
11. One-Page One-Shots
This collection from game designer Robert Peake (aka the Spontaneous Dungeon Master) features 10 amazing bite-sized adventures that run the gamut from dungeon crawls and urban adventures to wilderness explorations and role-playing heavy mysteries. Each adventure takes up just a single page yet is crammed with amazing puzzles, NPCs and plots. The best part though (and the reason this made our list) is that each adventure is ready to go right out of the gate without any real setup required for DMs. It’s a ton of fun in a small amount of space.
10. The Delian Tomb
Based on a YouTube video from legendary RPG designer Matt Colville of MCDM fame, this adventure has arguably become one of the most famous DnD one shots in recent years. Designed for Level 1 characters it can be completed in just 3 to 4 hours. The story kicks off with the players investigating a mysterious tomb, where they discover hidden enemies, traps and an ancient secret. It’s a great adventure for first time players or for a group of seasoned veterans looking to kick off a new campaign.
10. Frozen Sick
This free one shot for DnD 5e has become incredibly popular over the years as it’s been made available for free on both D&D Beyond and the popular virtual tabletop platform Roll20. The action takes place in the Wildemount region of Exandria (the campaign setting developed by Matthew Mercer of Critical Role fame), and finds the characters trying to stop a bizarre plague that is spreading among the inhabitants of a remote ice-locked village. The adventure is designed 1st to 4th level characters and features plenty of exploration, combat, puzzle solving, a mystery and an amazing dungeon crawl, with the entire module reaching a satisfying conclusion in about 6-8 hours.
8. A Dragon’s Breath
A four-hour adventure designed for Level 1-4 characters, this amazing one-shot is perfect for players looking for a quick and fun session that’s heavy on roleplaying and character development. The story follows an ancient gold dragon who enlists the players to help track down a magical musical instrument that was last seen in the depths in a haunted forest. It features exploration, combat and a unique (and surprisingly heart warming) plot that really showcases the best of what DnD is all about. Notably, this is part of the Clover Group Series of one shot adventures, which are also fantastic and definitely worth running.
7. A Most Potent Brew
Designed for 1st level characters, this is the perfect one shot for new DnD players and can be wrapped up in about 3 to 4 hours. Players are tasked with exterminating a nest of giant rats which have taken up residence in the cellar beneath the world famous Wizard’s Tower Brewery. It’s a solid introductory blend of puzzles, exploration and combat, and a great way to introduce the mechanics of DnD 5e to new players.
6. The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse
Created by popular RPG designer Kelsey Dionne of The Arcane Library and Shadowdark fame, this one shot adventure is designed for Level 5 characters and can be wrapped up in about 5-7 hours. The adventure takes place near a remote lighthouse, with players facing down pirates, man-eating sharks and slippery eelman (a new species of monster created just for the adventure). It’s a fast and fun adventure, that blends mystery, action and exploration. The end result is one of the best DnD 5e one shots ever created.
5. Wild Sheep Chase
If you’re looking for a one shot that’s a little more whacky, then Wild Sheep Chase has you covered. This adventure is perfect for characters level 1-4 and can be completed in about 3-6 hours, making it one of the best DnD one shots for new players. The story features a sorcerer that’s been magically transformed into a sheep, with the players then dodging assassins and a bitter ex-apprentice armed with a powerful magical artifact. Along the way there are hilariously bad puns, puzzle solving and some truly amazing set pieces. Best of all, it’s completely free.
4. Curtain Call: A Sharn Adventure
Co-written by noted gamer designer Keith Baker, this one shot is a perfect introduction to the Eberron campaign setting and is designed for characters of 1st to 4th level. The adventure takes place in the City of Towers and finds the characters on the hunt for a missing noble while dealing with cultists, spies, assassins and thieves. It’s an action-packed urban DnD 5e one shot that can be wrapped up in about 3-4 hours.
3. Blue Alley
Designed for characters from Levels 1-4, Blue Alley is an epic dungeon crawl, despite the fact that it can be wrapped up in about 3-4 hours. The adventure takes place in the city of Waterdeep and finds the players visiting the enigmatic Blue Alley, a hidden maze built by a reclusive wizard to torment adventurers with an array of tricks, traps, monsters and treasure. It’s an absolutely amazing one shot that every DM should try and run at least once.
2. Rise of the Redscales
One of the most unusual and entertaining one shots of all time, in Rise of the Redscales players take on the role of a party of kobolds who are members of a tribe serving a powerful dragon queen. But after the great wyrm abandons her lair, the kobolds find themselves at odds with another rival tribe, with both sides battling for control of the trap and treasure-filled tunnels. The end results is a mix of roleplaying, puzzle solving and wacky combat featuring kobolds wielding powerful magical artifacts. It’s the perfect one shot for players looking for something a little different than the usual DnD fare.
1. Scarab of Death
Arguably one of the greatest single-session adventures of all time, Scarab of Death is a D&D murder mystery one shot designed for characters of Levels 8-12 and can be completed in about 4-6 hours. The story takes place in the Raging Bull District of Waterdeep and finds the players investigating the death of a noble who was seemingly killed by a cursed scarab owned by a purveyor of magical artifacts named Nabulee. The resulting adventure has plenty of roleplaying, puzzles, action and an intriguing mystery that can’t be solved by magic alone. It’s a near-perfect one shot that has something for almost every kind of DnD player.
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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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