Hey guys! I’m looking to be a new DM! I’m looking for any good one-shots that I can play with my friends. Does anyone have any suggestions on any good (and free) ones that I can use?
I've had a lot of fun running the one-shots that Trilemma puts out. There is also a sort of "One-Page Dungeon Contest" compilation that gets put out every year that has some good stuff in it, if you don't mind wading through a bunch of poorly drawn material to find it. Also there's nothing stopping you from heading over to the DM's Guild and just cruising their Free/Pay-What-You-Want options for anything that looks interesting. I've picked up more than a few adventures that way as well.
In terms of free/pay-what-you-want one shots specifically, Richard Jansen-Parkes (Winghorn Press) has a couple in particular that I like:
A Most Potent Brew is a first level adventure that is compact and deliberately only references content in the free Basic Rules, so you can run it without buying any books at all. It's my go-to option as a quickie one shot for new players. Great if you're limited for time, but would also be easy to add on to if you wanted to stretch it out with your own stuff.
Wild Sheep Chase is fifth-level-ish as written - I've used it as a one off between tier 1 and tier 2 arcs (for example, after running Lost Mine of Phandelver). Features a sheep-shaped wizard who needs help, and the best red dragon pun ever.
I'd recommend looking at Kelsey Dionne's work as well (The Arcane Library). I really like the way she formats adventures. If you sign up for her mailing list you get a free first-level adventure (Temple of the Basilisk Cult - has kind of an Indiana Jones feel). She also has some good one shots (there's a bundle of four horror ones on sale right now).
Ashley Warren has a pay-what-you-want level 3 solo adventure called The Executioner's Daughter that could easily be adjusted to run with a small party. Which reminds me, the Uncaged anthologies are amazing collections and well worth looking at if you get to the point where you want to buy more content.
As Metamongoose already mentioned, you'll find all kinds of good stuff just poking around on dmsguild (and you'll see people discussing them on the Dungeon Masters Guild board on these forums). Off the top of my head, some more authors worth looking at would be Luciella Elisabeth Scarlett, Oliver Clegg, and of course M.T. Black, but there are lots of others.
Now that I've said Oliver Clegg's name, I'd be remiss not to note that I've been meaning to try his one shot Killer Kobolds from Outer Space, which is probably just as ridiculous and fun as it sounds.
I am new to DMing myself and do it at my local gaming shop cafe as a DM for new players and I have adjusted the golden claw quest and Embers hard mine quest from skyrim for dnd as its something new players will be familiar to so I don't have to discribe too much
So don't be afraid to use video game quests as dnd quests that you as a DM can alter to your needs
A few years late or so but for whoever is still looking, a fun one-shot I stumbled upon was Moon over Graymoor. I'll attach the link to the reddit post of where you can read more about it. Overall though it's a quick intro into dungeons and dragons for new players but also a fun time for experienced players. It's intended for 3 players but I made it work with four, just had to adjust some stuff.
Welcome to the world of DMing! If you're looking for well-crafted, easy-to-run one-shots, I highly recommend checking out the Mini-Dungeon Tome series by AAW Games. Each book is packed with dozens of one-page adventures designed for quick setup and flexible play. Perfect for new and veteran DMs alike!
While the physical books are paid, you can sample many of the Mini-Dungeons for free or “pay what you want” by browsing their individual titles on DriveThruRPG or the AAW site.
Hope this helps, and have a blast with your first games!
I'm looking for a fun one shot to play with some friends! I'd like to do a bit of a silly one as we've recently finished Rime of the Frostmaiden, which was quite serious at the end. We've played 5e, pathfinder and savage worlds so am used to playing these formats.
I've never DM'd before but have been playing for about 6 years with friends.
We play on Forge so if people have maps and tracks as well, that would be awesome!
If you search for something light and a little silly I would suggest this one shot of mine, playable with students from Strixhaven searching for bizarre creatures:
If anyone from this thread posts "Here for the Free 5E One-Shot" (or "D&D 2024 One-Shot") in our Discord, I'll send back a free PDF and map pack ready to rock for your game night. Just tell me the level range you're looking for and preferred terrain in your post.
Hey guys! I’m looking to be a new DM! I’m looking for any good one-shots that I can play with my friends. Does anyone have any suggestions on any good (and free) ones that I can use?
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[A]
I've had a lot of fun running the one-shots that Trilemma puts out. There is also a sort of "One-Page Dungeon Contest" compilation that gets put out every year that has some good stuff in it, if you don't mind wading through a bunch of poorly drawn material to find it. Also there's nothing stopping you from heading over to the DM's Guild and just cruising their Free/Pay-What-You-Want options for anything that looks interesting. I've picked up more than a few adventures that way as well.
In terms of free/pay-what-you-want one shots specifically, Richard Jansen-Parkes (Winghorn Press) has a couple in particular that I like:
I'd recommend looking at Kelsey Dionne's work as well (The Arcane Library). I really like the way she formats adventures. If you sign up for her mailing list you get a free first-level adventure (Temple of the Basilisk Cult - has kind of an Indiana Jones feel). She also has some good one shots (there's a bundle of four horror ones on sale right now).
Ashley Warren has a pay-what-you-want level 3 solo adventure called The Executioner's Daughter that could easily be adjusted to run with a small party. Which reminds me, the Uncaged anthologies are amazing collections and well worth looking at if you get to the point where you want to buy more content.
As Metamongoose already mentioned, you'll find all kinds of good stuff just poking around on dmsguild (and you'll see people discussing them on the Dungeon Masters Guild board on these forums). Off the top of my head, some more authors worth looking at would be Luciella Elisabeth Scarlett, Oliver Clegg, and of course M.T. Black, but there are lots of others.
Now that I've said Oliver Clegg's name, I'd be remiss not to note that I've been meaning to try his one shot Killer Kobolds from Outer Space, which is probably just as ridiculous and fun as it sounds.
Good luck, and have fun!
I am new to DMing myself and do it at my local gaming shop cafe as a DM for new players and I have adjusted the golden claw quest and Embers hard mine quest from skyrim for dnd as its something new players will be familiar to so I don't have to discribe too much
So don't be afraid to use video game quests as dnd quests that you as a DM can alter to your needs
looking for a 5th lvl one shot
This is one I made, I really don't know how well it is balanced, never got to play it fully out, but I think it is fun.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PdJ8k628-hcoIP-7Mgmn5O35sFDgKJUEXmARSz3zLMk/edit?usp=sharing
A few years late or so but for whoever is still looking, a fun one-shot I stumbled upon was Moon over Graymoor. I'll attach the link to the reddit post of where you can read more about it. Overall though it's a quick intro into dungeons and dragons for new players but also a fun time for experienced players. It's intended for 3 players but I made it work with four, just had to adjust some stuff.
Credit goes to S. T. Mannell
Reddit Post for One Shot
Hey Zak_The_Slack,
Welcome to the world of DMing! If you're looking for well-crafted, easy-to-run one-shots, I highly recommend checking out the Mini-Dungeon Tome series by AAW Games. Each book is packed with dozens of one-page adventures designed for quick setup and flexible play. Perfect for new and veteran DMs alike!
🗺️ Mini-Dungeon Tome I (5E) – Over 130 one-shots for all tiers of play:
https://adventureaweek.com/shop/limited-edition-rpg-books/dnd-one-shots-5e-mini-dungeon-tome/
🐉 Mini-Dungeon Tome II (5E & PF2e) – 100+ brand-new adventures, including digital maps and VTT support:
https://adventureaweek.com/shop/pathfinder-rpg/pathfinder-2e-adventures/pathfinder-2e-one-shot-adventures/
While the physical books are paid, you can sample many of the Mini-Dungeons for free or “pay what you want” by browsing their individual titles on DriveThruRPG or the AAW site.
Hope this helps, and have a blast with your first games!
AAW Games
I wrote few of them, both for low- and high- level play. They have good ratings:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/177378/Elminsters-Letters-1
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/181472/Elminsters-Letters-2
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/185978/Elminsters-Letters-3
I would recommend as a free one-shot The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse which can be found free on dmsguild and other places.
Hey everyone!
Jonathan here from AAW Games.
I'm happy to share some free one-shots from our company. No charge!
What are you looking for? We have static and moving maps, audio soundtracks, PDF, and print hardcovers. AAWGames.com
Talk soon!
~Jonathan
AAW Games
Hi everyone!
I'm looking for a fun one shot to play with some friends! I'd like to do a bit of a silly one as we've recently finished Rime of the Frostmaiden, which was quite serious at the end. We've played 5e, pathfinder and savage worlds so am used to playing these formats.
I've never DM'd before but have been playing for about 6 years with friends.
We play on Forge so if people have maps and tracks as well, that would be awesome!
Thanks in advance.
Nick
Hi Nick,
If you search for something light and a little silly I would suggest this one shot of mine, playable with students from Strixhaven searching for bizarre creatures:
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/450168/STRIXHAVEN-Four-rogue-terrible-thingies
There's a 5E24 free adventure called Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble available on DDB.
If anyone from this thread posts "Here for the Free 5E One-Shot" (or "D&D 2024 One-Shot") in our Discord, I'll send back a free PDF and map pack ready to rock for your game night. Just tell me the level range you're looking for and preferred terrain in your post.
AAW Games Discord = http://aawgames.com/discord
~Jonathan
AAW Games
AAW Games