As the weather grows colder and the spooky season peeks around the corner, many Dungeons and Dragons players might be looking for a particularly creepy campaign to pull off the shelf. An old classic might be just the thing, as Curse of Strahd has everything a horror fan could look for. This beloved and terrifying campaign boasts vampires, werewolves, and an experience in a doomed dimension that will leave players quaking in their seats as the dice hits the table.
Originally published in 1983 as the Ravenloft series, Strahd Von Zarovich has left decades of players awed by the nature of a true villain. When Wizards of the Coast announced the release of Curse of Strahd for 5th edition in 2016, fans across the globe were given the chance to experience the harrowing circumstances of provincial Barovia anew with expanded content and an updated play system. Unlike other new Dungeons & Dragons content that has released, Curse of Strahd specifically had a high bar of expectations to meet. The careful expansion of a well loved story allowed for a fresh and newly terrifying take on the adventure.
With werewolves, vampires and plenty of spooky side-quests, Curse of Strahd creates a chilling atmosphere. Danger lurks around every corner and supplies are hard to come by, creating challenges for players and Dungeon Masters. One wrong move and the entire party could meet their demise in a blood-sucking infestation of vampire spawn. Every potion is priceless in a place where towns are corrupted and all hope of change has been lost entirely. Any class or race a player takes on to tackle this dark adventure will provide a rich and fulfilling experience as they muck through the misty forests of Barovia.
D&D Has Created Terrifying Legacy in Strahd
For players looking for a slightly shorter stay at castle Ravenloft however, there is a one-shot available through DND Beyond. Taking content from various parts of the Ravenloft collection, fans can now play through the dark nightmare of the castle in Strahd Must Die Tonight. With a little preparation, and a team of any structure and player level, Strahd's castle becomes a haunted house that will leave lasting impression for years to come. Dungeons & Dragons players can pull out all the stops with crazy feats and level twenty characters, or go in at level one with a stick equipped. The possibilities are endless, making replay not just fun, but often a tradition among many D&D enthusiasts.
Curse of Strahd and its one-shots offer a vast world of challenges and potential nightmares for D&D players of all experience levels. Whether it's a group of new players, or veterans replaying for the joy of nostalgia and Halloween traditions, this campaign ages like a fine wine. With every D&D expansion that Dungeons and Dragons releases, the included new content makes a yearly run through Strahd's castle fresh and exciting. This is the perfect campaign for any player's spooky needs and is definitely a Halloween treat.