Goodman Games worked with WOTC to produce Into the Borderlands, the first volume of a planned series called "Original Adventures Reincarnated." The first printing is sold out, the second is nearly gone, and the third printing has been ordered. It's kind of a cross between a collector's edition since it reprints both B1 Into the Unknown and B2 The Keep on the Borderlands (two editions, so two copies of each) and tons of commentary from folks who were involved in the production of the original material. But it also contains 5e conversions of each module so it's totally up to date as well. It also includes several appendices with conversions to new 5e spells, items, and monsters. Here's a link to Goodman Games' blog.
How many have you have run or played in either of these late 1970s modules? What are your recollections of them? Any stand-out memories? Has anyone purchased this new product? Is anyone running Into the Borderlands with a D&D Beyond group? Has anyone homebrewed any of the material from this book for use in their campaigns? Do you think this is something that might appear in D&D Beyond's compendium someday when we get more 3rd-party published options? I'm curious to hear your thoughts!
I have it. I cut my teeth on the magenta basic set that included b2, so I really wanted this revision.
It is interesting, but I don’t know if it is worth getting, unless you have nostalgia for the original modules. I haven’t run anyone through the updates, but that is because my groups are pretty much all homebrew campaigns with strong narratives. I guess could see maybe running borderlands as a one shot at some point, but by modern standards these modules are very weak in the story department.
The book itself isn’t of the highest quality, not terrible, but the materials just aren’t as nice as WOTC or Paizo.
when they were in preorders Goodman games indicated that they would have PDFs as well, and I wrongly assumed I would get a PDF copy with the hard bound. Not sure why exactly I thought that to be the case. I was under the impression that their 5e modules included PDF codes, but I’m not sure that is the case. Regardless, not only did the book not include a digital copy, the company announced later that, while they originally believed they were going to be able to sell the PDFs, it turns out that WOTC retains that right.
So I think at some point it could well make an appearance here, or in the DMsguild.
Ok, so I am one of those guys that bought this JUST because it is AWESOME! But admittedly I didn't know how my group would respond to it. So when it became my turn to DM, I decided that I would start with Into the Borderlands and see how it went. My group loves it! I have read on different forums that it is not as full featured as some modules but I say BOLLOCKS! This book has many starting points and it is up to the DM to fill in some areas if they want a little ‘more’. My guys spent half a session looking into the Keep once they got there. Then then went out and found a simple 4 room dungeon which had a trap, a trick, and some monsters (Thanks Matt Colville!). I could be wrong but every week they call me asking what time we are starting and can we start earlier or play later….
I think that WOTC should put out a PDF simply because it makes it easier for me to read late at night…yes it is all about me LOL. Overall I think it is a tremendous item and am now looking forward to the Isle of Dread!
Even though I gave Borderlands a less than stellar review here, I am still looking forward to the Isle of Dread update. I’ll be getting that one as well. Word is it will be less expensive, which makes it an easier pill to swallow.
Does anybody know if there is any pregenerated material to support virtual table top play? Specifically I was hoping that somebody created the Keep, overland map, and caves of chaos. (I can of course do this, but figured if something was already out there ...)
Goodman Games worked with WOTC to produce Into the Borderlands, the first volume of a planned series called "Original Adventures Reincarnated." The first printing is sold out, the second is nearly gone, and the third printing has been ordered. It's kind of a cross between a collector's edition since it reprints both B1 Into the Unknown and B2 The Keep on the Borderlands (two editions, so two copies of each) and tons of commentary from folks who were involved in the production of the original material. But it also contains 5e conversions of each module so it's totally up to date as well. It also includes several appendices with conversions to new 5e spells, items, and monsters. Here's a link to Goodman Games' blog.
How many have you have run or played in either of these late 1970s modules? What are your recollections of them? Any stand-out memories? Has anyone purchased this new product? Is anyone running Into the Borderlands with a D&D Beyond group? Has anyone homebrewed any of the material from this book for use in their campaigns? Do you think this is something that might appear in D&D Beyond's compendium someday when we get more 3rd-party published options? I'm curious to hear your thoughts!
I have it. I cut my teeth on the magenta basic set that included b2, so I really wanted this revision.
It is interesting, but I don’t know if it is worth getting, unless you have nostalgia for the original modules. I haven’t run anyone through the updates, but that is because my groups are pretty much all homebrew campaigns with strong narratives. I guess could see maybe running borderlands as a one shot at some point, but by modern standards these modules are very weak in the story department.
The book itself isn’t of the highest quality, not terrible, but the materials just aren’t as nice as WOTC or Paizo.
when they were in preorders Goodman games indicated that they would have PDFs as well, and I wrongly assumed I would get a PDF copy with the hard bound. Not sure why exactly I thought that to be the case. I was under the impression that their 5e modules included PDF codes, but I’m not sure that is the case. Regardless, not only did the book not include a digital copy, the company announced later that, while they originally believed they were going to be able to sell the PDFs, it turns out that WOTC retains that right.
So I think at some point it could well make an appearance here, or in the DMsguild.
Legendary Bundle ~ Master Tier
Ok, so I am one of those guys that bought this JUST because it is AWESOME! But admittedly I didn't know how my group would respond to it. So when it became my turn to DM, I decided that I would start with Into the Borderlands and see how it went. My group loves it! I have read on different forums that it is not as full featured as some modules but I say BOLLOCKS! This book has many starting points and it is up to the DM to fill in some areas if they want a little ‘more’. My guys spent half a session looking into the Keep once they got there. Then then went out and found a simple 4 room dungeon which had a trap, a trick, and some monsters (Thanks Matt Colville!). I could be wrong but every week they call me asking what time we are starting and can we start earlier or play later….
I think that WOTC should put out a PDF simply because it makes it easier for me to read late at night…yes it is all about me LOL. Overall I think it is a tremendous item and am now looking forward to the Isle of Dread!
DM Shaun
Even though I gave Borderlands a less than stellar review here, I am still looking forward to the Isle of Dread update. I’ll be getting that one as well. Word is it will be less expensive, which makes it an easier pill to swallow.
Legendary Bundle ~ Master Tier
Does anybody know if there is any pregenerated material to support virtual table top play? Specifically I was hoping that somebody created the Keep, overland map, and caves of chaos. (I can of course do this, but figured if something was already out there ...)
Thanks!
Did you ever find anything on this?