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    Canonfire :: View topic - What are the best 1e modules?
    Canonfire Forum Index -> Greyhawk- AD&D 1st Edition
    What are the best 1e modules?
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    Apprentice Greytalker

    Joined: Aug 14, 2005
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    From: SW Missouri

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    Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:45 pm  
    What are the best 1e modules?

    What would you consider the best 1e GH modules out there? I interested in the absolute must haves to run and that give excellt added lore to GH. I'm trying to collect some for my hybrid C&C/1e game.
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    Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:10 am  

    My favorite are the Us, the As and the GDQs, but I love almost all the old ones set in GH. Oh yeah I loved T1, but not T1-4, which IMO was pretty weak. Here a a couple of threads that favorite discuss mods. You can pick out the 1st ed ones.

    http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=691&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=favorite+favourite+module

    http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=421&highlight=favorite+favourite+module
    Journeyman Greytalker

    Joined: Aug 12, 2001
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    From: Hanover Park

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    Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:22 am  
    My comments

    Hi all,

    I have worked on compiling a "best modules ever" list. It's a top 50 list so far, only good through 1992, and is available for viewing at http://kinazar.com/SouthProv/viewtopic.php?t=35. Cutting back to just 1st ed. Greyhawk titles, I can cull the following top 10 from my larger list:

    1. S4
    2. A3
    3. T1
    4. EX1
    5. G2
    6. T1-4
    7. A2
    8. G1
    9. EX2
    10. UK6

    ~Scott "-enkainen" Casper

    Yak-Men were cheated out of each of these modules...
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:24 pm  

    N1 - Against the Cult of the Reptile God.
    S4 - Lost Caverns of Tsjoth(sp)
    L2 - Assassin's Knot
    GDQ - Giants & Loth supermodule
    ...cheating a bit here: Return to the Tomb of Horrors (really 2nd but I only play 1e, so I played as 1e)
    Novice

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    Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:29 pm  

    My list:


      T1 - The Village of Hommlet
      GDQ - Queen of Spiders without Q1, which is rather weak
      U1-3 - Saltmarsh Triology
    Novice

    Joined: Apr 13, 2007
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    Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:58 am  
    Favorite Modules

    I would have to say, that N1 was the best for me of all time. But that was because it had a huge effect on our campaign.

    I was going to list other favorites, but to tell you the truth, they were all great for having fun!
    Adept Greytalker

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    Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:15 am  
    Re: What are the best 1e modules?

    Julian_Grimm wrote:
    What would you consider the best 1e GH modules out there? I interested in the absolute must haves to run and that give excellt added lore to GH. I'm trying to collect some for my hybrid C&C/1e game.


    In terms of added lore, T1-4 and S4 are obvious choices. (To be perfectly honest, while I love T1-4 as a sourcebook, I don't think much of the Temple itself as a dungeon-crawl, and tend to move characters along once they've finished with the moathouse.)

    As far as "best" it depends on what you're looking for. In terms of straight dungeon crawls, the Giants series is one of the best out there. People tend to completely bollux the Descent into the Depths of the Earth, turning it into a straight dungeon crawl when it is really at its most fully realized when you treat it as an exercise in playing politics (I'll try to write an essay on that subject sometime).

    I know I'm in the vast minority, but I tend to like Greyhawk Ruins as a straight dungeon-crawl. It's 2E, but I think it can be run as a 1E module straight off the shelf.

    There are also more puzzle-solving modules out there, of course. S1 is the classic, but it's more an exercise in killing characters than anything else, as EGG himself has admitted. S2 is a better example of the trap-maker's art, and adds some more background to the setting, too. Same with Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan. (As a general rule, don't forget to look at the character sheets to get some of the best bits of info, such as the hitherto-unknown deities Stern Alia and Dalt, from Tamoachan and Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure, respectively.)

    That's just off the top of my head; I'll try to go through my bookcase and see if anything else jumps out at me as particularly appropriate.
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:27 am  

    When talking about greatest 1st ed grehawk modules you cant leave out

    Ravenloft (see the alternate settings for gh locations)
    and
    Tomb of Horrors (the ultimate pc killer dungeon)
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:14 am  

    Expidition to the Barrier Peaks
    Adept Greytalker

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    Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:42 pm  

    C1: Tamoachan and L1: Bone Hill are my personal favorites.

    I'm a lot more partial to the Classic D&D "B" series.
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    Apprentice Greytalker

    Joined: Nov 04, 2005
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    From: Somewhere in Time

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    Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:14 am  

    I would add:

    S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

    and for lots of GH info:

    WG4 The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun
    WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure
    WG6 Isle of the Ape
    WG8 Fate of Istus (Adventures 7 & 9 ~ Rob's work)

    Happy
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    From: Whitehorse

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    Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:33 pm  

    Hiya.

    For me, it's gotta be:

    --I3 to I5 (?) The Desert series (Lost Tomb of Martek in particular)
    --L2: The Secret of Bone Hill
    --T1: The Village of Homlet
    --A1 to A4: Slavers modules.

    I'd also have to toss in a serious Honorable Mention to U1: The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh and S2: White Plumb Mountain.
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:17 pm  

    lorekeeper wrote:
    When talking about greatest 1st ed grehawk modules you cant leave out

    Ravenloft (see the alternate settings for gh locations)
    and
    Tomb of Horrors (the ultimate pc killer dungeon)

    Ravenloft is indeed one of the all time greatest modules (an entire campaign setting was spawned by its popularity, after all), but it is not a Greyhawk module. Likewise, some of the Dragonlance modules are brilliant (DL1, DL4, DL8, DL10, and DL12 are the best of an excellent series), as are the Desert of Desolation series (I3-5), but not they're not Greyhawk modules (Some can be easily dropped in). (All of these are at least in part by Tracy and Laura Hickman - that team knew how to write modules).

    As far as Greyhawk goes, my favorites are:
    S1-4, each for different reasons (each quality products with extra illustrations, monsters, background material, etc.)
    WG4 The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun, WG6 Isle of the Ape: both by EGG, both creative with EGG's Greyhawk flavor (even though most of WG6 takes place elsewhere)
    C1-2 Hidden Shrine of Tomoanchan, Ghost Tower of Invernes: great thinking modules
    A4 In the Dungeon of the Slave Lords: original premise - higher level characters armed with rocks and sticks; my favorite of the slave series
    EX1-2 Dungeonland and the Land Beyond the Magic Mirror
    And for good old dungeon crawls, G3 and D3 are archetypical examples from EGG, demonstrating his creativity and mastery of game balance
    U1-3, the saltmarsh series are strong too
    Journeyman Greytalker

    Joined: Jun 13, 2008
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    From: Houston Texas

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    Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:23 am  

    sadly I didn't see my favorite modules among this list.

    UK1

    The Sentinel

    UK2

    The Gauntlet

    This series involves a murder mystery, magic talking gloves and puts the players, who at most are about 5th level (Oooooooo) at the end, although possibly as high as 7th (Ahhhhh) against an Army lead by a Fire Giant who is not just am angry giant, but a concerned parent as well.
    CF Admin

    Joined: Jun 29, 2001
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    Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:54 am  

    Here's my list of favorite D&D adventures:


    1. G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King by Gary Gygax (D&D; TSR)
    2. WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure by Rob Kuntz (AD&D; TSR)
    3. T1 Village of Hommelet by Gary Gygax (AD&D; TSR)
    4. A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity by David Cook (AD&D; TSR)
    5. Maze of Zayene #4 Eight Kings by Rob Kuntz (AD&D from Creations Unlimited, or d20 from Different Worlds)
    6. WG4 Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun by Gary Gygax (AD&D; TSR)
    7. Dark Druids by Rob Kuntz (d20; Troll Lord Games)
    8. D3 Vault of the Drow by Gary Gygax (AD&D; TSR)
    9. Starstone by Paul Vernon (OD&D; Northern Sages)
    10. S4 Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth by Gary Gygax (AD&D; TSR)
    11. Return of the Eight by Roger E. Moore (AD&D 2nd edition; TSR)
    12. Tomb of Abysthor by Clark Peterson and Bill Webb (d20; Necromancer Games)
    13. "Treasures of the Dragon Queen" by Rutgers University Gamers (D&D convention tourney c. 1983; Rutgers University Gamers; details on my site @ http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/gh_tourneys_dragon_queen.html)
    14. Maze of Zayene #1 Prisoners of the Maze by Rob Kuntz (AD&D from Creations Unlimited, or d20 from Necromancer Games)
    15. D1 Descent into the Depths of the Earth by Gary Gygax (D&D; TSR)
    16. The Lost Abbey of Calthonwey by Kerry Lloyd (AD&D; Phoenix Games)
    17. Castle Zagyg: Dark Chateau by Rob Kuntz (d20; Troll Lord Games)
    18. Beastmaker Mountain by Bill Fawcett (AD&D; Mayfair Games)
    19. R1 To the Aid of Falx by Frank Mentzer (AD&D; TSR)
    20. Crucible of Freya by Clark Peterson and Bill Webb (d20; Necromancer Games)

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    Adept Greytalker

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    Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:51 pm  

    my top ten list would look something like:

    S2 White Plume Mountian
    S4 Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
    G3 Hall of the Fire Giant King
    UK3 Guantlet
    UK4 When a Star Falls
    I7 Baltron's Beacon
    UK2 Sentinal
    D3 Vault of the Drow
    I2 Tomb of the Lizard King
    CA1 Swords of the Undercity (not a greyhawk module, either originaly or retrofitted, but still a cool module and one that I would use were I running a 1e grehawk campaign based upon modules).


    Last edited by cwslyclgh on Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
    Novice

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    Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:30 pm  

    I'm surprised nobody mentioned B2 - Keep on the Borderlands.

    Although not strictly Greyhawk oriented, it was easily placed, and most DM's I knew that started out with Greyhawk played it regularly for new groups.

    Personally, my all-time favorite pure Greyhawk modules were G1-3, D1-3. Q1 and Lolth left me a bit underwhelmed. But D3... ah, that was pure awesome.
    Adept Greytalker

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    Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:07 pm  

    caa wrote:
    I'm surprised nobody mentioned B2 - Keep on the Borderlands.



    the original question was about 1e modules which B2 does not fit into... B2 is definatly on my top 10 favorite module list (in the top 3 infact, falling between S2 and S4 if it were to be added to the list I gave above).
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:36 pm  
    Fav 1st ed modules

    have to go with

    White Plume Mountain
    Tomb of Horrors
    temple of elemental evil
    A1-4
    The desert of desolation series
    Secret of bone hill
    Ghost tower of invernous
    and even though I will catch a load of crap for this one

    Castle Greyhawk (I know its a joke module but its really funny)
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    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:35 pm  

    Expedition to Barrier peaks always has a special place with me, but you can't let them take to long otherwise they lose interest. I grew up on Keep on the borderlands.
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    Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:39 pm  

    T1 - Village of Hommlet
    Adept Greytalker

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    Mon Jan 18, 2021 8:56 pm  
    1st Edition vs. Later

    B2 wasn't assigned to Greyhawk officially until after 1st Edition.
    Adept Greytalker

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    Thu Feb 18, 2021 1:04 pm  

    I know the OP is ancient, but the easier question to ask is, among so many classics, which 1e Greyhawk modules AREN'T worth the bother?

    My list:

    S1-4 Realms of Horrors throws out more information than it adds.

    A1-4 Scourge of the Slaverlords. The new information is fun, but the links to ToEE are poor and inflating the original modules for higher-level characters messes with the dynamics.

    WG7 Castle Greyhawk. I ran half of this and had fun, but even if you're a weirdo that doesn't hate this module, it has nothing to do with canon Greyhawk.

    H1 Bloodstone Pass is 99.9% generic.

    L3 Deep Dwarven Delve. WotC lost the manuscript and while the published draft is fine, it has little GH content and the production is poor.

    I9 Day of Al'Akbar. Sexploitation cover, lackluster module, and mostly ignored GH canon.

    S1 Tomb of Horrors is awesome, but has little GH content and is perhaps better as a one-shot or tournament gauntlet than part of a campaign. Proceed with caution.

    A4 Dungeons of the Slave Lords. Ditto. Good one-shot. Campaign players don't like the railroad.

    -------

    On a positive note, I'll argue with those who poo-poo T1-4. ToEE is absolutely awesome, but the editing is poor and it's a sandbox, not a megadungeon. A DM really has to analyze the text, figure out how the dungeon works, and bring it to life. The characters and factions require natural and dynamic reactions that will quickly expand the campaign into the whole Verbobonc region. Running the module like a dungeon crawl is doomed to boredom.
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:34 pm  

    I like the G series in this order: G2, G1, G3 followed by A2, A1, then UK2 and UK3.
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:04 am  

    My personal favorite is D3 Vault of the Drow because it should be played as a delicate balancing act of factions and intrigue. But Drowmania casts an unfortunate light on it.

    Quote:
    I know the OP is ancient, but the easier question to ask is, among so many classics, which 1e Greyhawk modules AREN'T worth the bother?


    I know they have some fans, but I don't think EX1 Dungeonland or EX2 Land Beyond the Magic Mirror are very good.
    Apprentice Greytalker

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    Mon Sep 27, 2021 8:28 pm  

    Easily for me:
    T1 Hommlet
    S4 Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
    G series
    D3

    So many other 'good' ones, but the above really stand out IMO.
    CF Admin

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    Tue Sep 28, 2021 6:01 pm  

    grodog wrote:
    Here's my list of favorite D&D adventures:


    My updated list of favorites: https://grodog.blogspot.com/2018/05/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-things.html

    Allan.
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