Looking for a quick and fun adventure? Try a one-shot!
One-shots can have great stories and fun combat elements in a short gaming session, which also makes them a great choice for groups who can’t commit to a regular campaign.
There are many great one-shot adventures published by Wizards of the Coast or other content creators on DMsGuild, but if you want to prepare a quick one-shot yourself, there are many themes and ideas that can be great for a DND game. We’ve got plenty of great one-shot ideas for you to try out, from music festivals to cursed towns.
The humble villagers aren’t adventurers
Your players will take on the role of humble villagers who are more used to sticking to a local tavern for a few drinks rather than venturing out on epic adventures. However, when mistaken for a group of similar-looking high-level adventurers, your players are soon swept up in an epic quest that they are woefully underqualified for. They aren’t cut out for the enemies they are about to face and must get creative with their plans to save their tiny village.
Ordinary people from the real world
Your players can instead play as ordinary people from the real world, suddenly teleported into a fantasy realm with newfound class abilities. They must adapt to their new reality to find a way home.
Haughty adventurers
In contrast to the previous one-shot idea, your players can instead play as high-level adventurers, perhaps a little past their prime. They are mere days from retirement when they are asked to head off one last time on a quick adventure to save the world. Set in a devastating apocalypse after the end of a failed campaign, this One-shot idea explores the aftermath and how survivors can gather together to keep going.
A giant festival is taking place where all the best bands have gathered to compete.
Your players will be one of the bands competing, having to design their epic performances for the stage, perhaps using magic to make it a spectacle too.
The big, bad, evil villain has decided to head off on a much-needed holiday to rest and recover after a humiliating defeat from an adventuring party.
In their absence, who is left in charge of the evil lair? The minions, of course.
Your party has annoyed the wrong person and has awoken to find themselves cursed the following day.
They have until the next day to find a cure, or they will remain in a cursed state forever. The Domains of Dread offer the perfect setting for a terrifying one-shot.
The Arena faction from The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
Strange noises have been heard from one of the noble’s mansions, and no one has seen them out in town for over a month. The Arena faction from The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion is the inspiration for this next one shot idea.
Bandits have targeted the Museum of magical creatures and Mysteries.
The museum’s defenses were activated, but they got away. Now the museum is looking for help to track down the bandits and their loot.
Check out our Dungeons & Dragons guide to learn more about the popular RPG game.
