Welcome to Tavern Talk Thursday! We are expanding. What started as a column dedicated to chatting with members of the TTRPG community is growing to talk about all things TTRPG and board games. We aim to continue sharing everything we love about the community and all the content within. So, consider this a little peek into our favorite worlds and creators as we explore everything we love.
Like many who love Dungeons and Dragons, we want to share our great feelings and experiences with the world. There is no better feeling than bringing in a new player and seeing them grow, encouraging them to take risks and receiving rewards. But we all know how terrifying the TTRPG can be to new players. From building their very own character to understanding the rules of combat to even trying to navigate the feel of the table. It’s a lot to take in. Thankfully, Wizards of the Coast has some incredible stories to guide new players.
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Starter Set
What better way to kick off a Dungeons and Dragons adventure for new players than with the iconic starter set? Wizards of the Coast updates the story every few years, but the kit includes everything a group will need to set off on an adventure. The current edition introduces players to Stormwreck Island and the mystery that awaits. It’s extremely beginner-friendly with already prebuilt characters and all the stat block monsters. The adventure is exciting and will have players on the edge of their seats while also slowly introducing them to the rules within. The current set will always have fun additionals like dice or maps.
Jump into the action and learn more about the Dungeons and Dragons: Dragons of Stormwrek Isle on the DnD Marketplace.
Hunt for Thessalhydra
If the friend or family member you are trying to hook on Dungeons and Dragons has ever watched Stranger Things, look no further than the Hunt for Thessalhydra adventure. While published by Wizards of the Coast, the story was written by Mike Wheeler himself. Okay, maybe not Mike Wheeler, but definitely someone thinking with the mind of a young boy in the 80s. It features iconic characters in both franchises and allows players to take on the Demogorgon. If you have the ability to find a copy of the released starter set, do so. But the adventure itself is worth playing through multiple times.
Set off for adventure and learn more about the Hunt for Thessalhydra on the DnD Marketplace.
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Tales for the Yawning Portal
While not a traditional starting kit, we love the Dungeons and Dragons anthology series for new players. In particular, Tales for the Yawning Portal. Within are seven deadly dungeons for players to adventure to. While they might need a bit of a crash course on the rules, these bite-sized adventures are the perfect introduction to the world. And even more exciting is that as players grow and understand really how they can make each one their own, the adventure can morph into whatever the player wants or needs.
Find your next dungeon and learn more about Tales from the Yawning Portal on the DnD Marketplace.
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Our final recommendation, and one that is close to our hearts, is Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. This isn’t an adventure for brand-new players but more for those looking to take the next step. This is one of the greatest heists Wizards of the Coast has created and one that takes creator your own adventure to a new level. Because it features several different paths, players can truly feel like they are guiding how the adventure plays out. It even features more advanced things like running a tavern. It’s a great bridge campaign to help lead your fellow players deeper into the Dungeons and Dragons world.
Prepare for a heist and learn more about Waterdeep: Dragon Heist on the DnD Marketplace.
Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
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