The best D&D mods for beginners to try if you enjoyed Baldur's Gate 3

This can hardly be called controversial Baldur's gate 3 one of the most popular games of all time. The series has not only attracted CRPG fans and nostalgic players of the first two games, it has attracted many new players to the series, some of whom are experiencing the mechanics of D&D and the world of the Forgotten Realms for the first time. It wouldn't be a surprise if – between the popularity of this game and similar shows Strange thingsa lot of people who have never given D&D a second look suddenly want to give it a try.

D&D has a reputation for being one of the most streamlined and easy-to-choose tabletop RPG systems available today. Many of the story and plot are taken from Baldur's gate 3 can be structured to work in a board game as well. Although D&D is an easy system to learn, new players and DMs should start small so that their ambitions don't overwhelm them. This means that – for this list – some modules related to Baldur's gate 3 but not very suitable for beginners such as Descent into Avernuswhich has many moving parts and reaches a high level were omitted.

7 Candle Keep Mysteries

Proximity to Baldur's Gate and great, easy mystery adventures

• Released: 2021
• Book Type: Adventure Module Anthology
• Levels: 1-16
• Themes: Mystery, Intrigue, Puzzles

Candle Keep Mysteries is a modular anthology, meaning that instead of the entire book being one long adventure, each level is a separate adventure that can be incorporated into a home campaign or even just played as a one-off session.

While part of what does Baldur's gate 3 so great is its length that for first-time players and especially DMs, playing one or two of the first adventures in this anthology is a great way to experience the world of the Forgotten Realms without overwhelming yourself.

6 Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

A familiar name for BG3 players and a shorter module

• Released: 2018
• Book Type: Adventure Module
• Levels: 1-5
• Themes: robberies, planning, intrigue

Any adventure that starts and ends at levels 1-5 will be perfect for beginners to this game. 1-5 are the first “level” of play for D&D, where the players are recognized as adventurers still trying to find their way in the world.

Dragon Heist is great for players who want to try out quirky or cunning characters, set in the city of Waterdeep, where a crafty crook or thief can find success.

5 Wild Beyond The Witchlight

Brings focus to Fey elements from BG3

• Released: 2021
• Book Type: Adventure Module
• Levels: 1-8
• Themes: Exploration, Magic, Fae

The fight with Aunt Ethel is one of the most iconic and deadly boss battles in Baldur's gate 3. For many players, this gruesome display of the Witch's power was one of the best things about the opening, and Wild Beyond The Witchlight this is the perfect way to keep track of it.

The level is a little higher than what a beginner-only module would go to, but the book has wonderful resources to help the DM create a bright but dangerous Fae word for his group to study.

4 Ghosts of the Salt Marsh

Isolated adventures that are easy to run

• Released: 2019
• Book Type: Adventure Module Anthology
• Levels: 1-11
• Themes: undead, pirates, water enemies

The Ghosts of Solanchaki The module isn't set specifically in the Forgotten Realms, but its nature as an anthology of adventures means that it's very easy to place the earlier games anywhere on the Sword Coast the DM's heart desires – as long as the ocean isn't too far away.

This anthology contains remasters of old editions of D&D adventures and is really perfect for those who want to experience a “classic” high fantasy group of adventurers out to kill things.

3 Dragons of Stormwind Island

Great starter module

• Released: 2022
• Book Type: D&D Starter Set
• Levels: 1-5
• Topics: coastal travel, dragons, exploration

While dragon slaying occurs in many games, and is indeed an option for many D&D players, Dragons of Stormcrook Island it's the perfect place to start for beginners – the module comes with pre-written characters and everything a DM will need to tell a compelling story.

The coastal, arid setting of this module is exciting, with plenty of opportunities for the DM to work the players' backstories into something bigger and grander.

2 Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

Let the DM set his own pace

• Released: 2023
• Book Type: Adventure Module
• Levels: 1-11
• Themes: Lovecraft, dungeon crawling, body horror

If mindfliers and nautiloids were your favorite part Baldur's gate 3 – it's a bit disturbing. However, it also means that Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk would be an ideal module for a D&D launch.

Levels 1-5 are an updated version of the old starter module, perfect for getting players into the game. If after level 5 players want more, the game can be taken up to level 11, and everything after those previous levels will focus on body horror and mind destroyers.

1 Travel through the Radiant Citadel

A great adventure anthology for a unique D&D experience

• Released: 2022
• Book Type: Adventure Module Anthology
• Levels: 1-14
• Themes: space fantasy, multiverse, horror

Travel through the Radiant Citadel very different from the other entries on this list. Drifting across the astral plane, the Radiant Citadel connects to multiple realms and dimensions and is far more cosmic than the other D&D modules on this list.

​​​​​​While the early levels are unusual for a beginner, they are a fantastic way to introduce players and DMs to the possibilities of the game beyond going into pits and killing things for loot. The Adventure Modules located in and beyond the Shining Citadel really showcase what 5th Edition D&D is capable of.