I would still consider myself a beginner level DM. I currently have two separate three PC mini campaigns running getting everyone to around 5th level. I was then gonna combine the groups for the main campaign.
We love all things CR, so I was gonna run CotND. However, I picked up DotMM and I actually kind of like it. I know both groups favor action over RP'ing. So now I am kind of torn.
Which of these two campaigns would you recommend? Keeping in mind that everyone involved would consider themselves beginner to just below average experience with D&D. Thanks!
While I love DotMM, there definitely isn't much in way of an overarching story, as most adventures have. Unless your players are more comfortable forging their own paths and choosing their own goals, you might want to stick to a more traditional narrative structure.
Also, especially as a new DM, Mad Mage can just be a LOT to run.
I highly recommend Dungeon of the Mad Mage, you just can't go wrong, especially as a beginner DM who is still mastering the most important skill that a Dungeon Master needs to master- mastering dungeons.
You see, the Dungeon is the game when it comes to Dungeons and Dragons. It is the discreet, bounded environment where the action of the game takes place. Try to really soak it all in as you run DotMM- what the encounters look like, how to maneuver the monsters and run the combats, how the traps and puzzles and NPCs fit into it all, what the actual geometry of the dungeon itself tends to look like, everything.
Think hard about how you can learn from these things, and then be set up to implement your own dungeons in your own adventures. These are just such fundamental and essential skills for a new DM to focus on.
What kind of experience is the group looking for? Lots of combat, dungeon crawling or role play? (I know a good campaign should have a mix but is there any preference). My understanding is DotMM is more dungeon crawl, once the party leaves Waterdeep they are basically going deeper and deeper though levels of the dungeon. I was tempted to give it a go after dragon heist but found the tone very different. Netherdeep probably offers more role play especially with interactions with the rivals as well as a familiar setting if your party also like CR.
That is where I am at a crossroads. The groups all enjoy CR. They also prefer action to RP'ing. If only, because they aren't as learned in the ways of role playing.
Even though Mad Mage has a weaker overarching plot line, there seems to be several smaller plot lines to keep interests moving forward.
My first inclination, please correct me if I am wrong, is that CofND is fashioned for players who are more comfortable in their PC/DM skins. I am not sure we are there yet.
Personally, Call of the Netherdeep is much more appealing to me. It has an overarching story, it allows for more character choices + roleplaying, and the fact that it is set in Exandria will likely make it much more appealing for your group.
Dungeon of the Mad Mage is fine. It is incredibly combat heavy, but it does provide a decent variety of challenges. Personally, I think that Netherdeep will be more enjoyable for you and your players. That being said, you pick what you think will work best.
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I would still consider myself a beginner level DM. I currently have two separate three PC mini campaigns running getting everyone to around 5th level. I was then gonna combine the groups for the main campaign.
We love all things CR, so I was gonna run CotND. However, I picked up DotMM and I actually kind of like it. I know both groups favor action over RP'ing. So now I am kind of torn.
Which of these two campaigns would you recommend? Keeping in mind that everyone involved would consider themselves beginner to just below average experience with D&D. Thanks!
While I love DotMM, there definitely isn't much in way of an overarching story, as most adventures have. Unless your players are more comfortable forging their own paths and choosing their own goals, you might want to stick to a more traditional narrative structure.
Also, especially as a new DM, Mad Mage can just be a LOT to run.
I highly recommend Dungeon of the Mad Mage, you just can't go wrong, especially as a beginner DM who is still mastering the most important skill that a Dungeon Master needs to master- mastering dungeons.
You see, the Dungeon is the game when it comes to Dungeons and Dragons. It is the discreet, bounded environment where the action of the game takes place. Try to really soak it all in as you run DotMM- what the encounters look like, how to maneuver the monsters and run the combats, how the traps and puzzles and NPCs fit into it all, what the actual geometry of the dungeon itself tends to look like, everything.
Think hard about how you can learn from these things, and then be set up to implement your own dungeons in your own adventures. These are just such fundamental and essential skills for a new DM to focus on.
What kind of experience is the group looking for? Lots of combat, dungeon crawling or role play? (I know a good campaign should have a mix but is there any preference). My understanding is DotMM is more dungeon crawl, once the party leaves Waterdeep they are basically going deeper and deeper though levels of the dungeon. I was tempted to give it a go after dragon heist but found the tone very different. Netherdeep probably offers more role play especially with interactions with the rivals as well as a familiar setting if your party also like CR.
Thanks for all the great insights.
That is where I am at a crossroads. The groups all enjoy CR. They also prefer action to RP'ing. If only, because they aren't as learned in the ways of role playing.
Even though Mad Mage has a weaker overarching plot line, there seems to be several smaller plot lines to keep interests moving forward.
My first inclination, please correct me if I am wrong, is that CofND is fashioned for players who are more comfortable in their PC/DM skins. I am not sure we are there yet.
https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/48216/roleplaying-games/review-call-of-the-netherdeep
don’t know if this helps, it’s a review for netherdeep
Personally, Call of the Netherdeep is much more appealing to me. It has an overarching story, it allows for more character choices + roleplaying, and the fact that it is set in Exandria will likely make it much more appealing for your group.
Dungeon of the Mad Mage is fine. It is incredibly combat heavy, but it does provide a decent variety of challenges. Personally, I think that Netherdeep will be more enjoyable for you and your players. That being said, you pick what you think will work best.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.