OSR and old-school D&D adventure modules

One of the most impressive achievements of the OSR movement is the incredible proliferation of finely-crafted adventure modules, including classic dungeon crawls, as well as sprawling megadungeons, hexcrawls, pointcrawls, and tools for procedural generation. Few areas of the contemporary RPG scene can compete with this explosion of creativity when it comes to sheer abundance.

However, this accomplishment should not be measured solely in terms of numbers. Since the beginning, people involved in OSR (including module designers and countless bloggers and forum posters) have been concerned with rigorous investigation into what constitutes a well-made pre-written adventure. This gradual refinement of theory and invention brought about widely accepted standards for dungeon design, writing style, and typographical layout.

Much of this reflection was guided by the rediscovery and careful re-reading of the classic Dungeons & Dragons modules published by TSR, Judges Guild, and others. Their merits were contrasted with later developments in RPG publishing, which, since the 1990s, has been dominated by linear and plot-driven campaigns. The return to old-school mode of play called for a much greater degree of freedom for the players and more at-table usability for the DMs. However, not every single adventure published during the TSR era was considered a success from the OSR standpoint; as a result, the canon of old-school modules popular among OSR players differs from many of the general best-of lists of classic D&D adventures.

It has become something of a stereotype, especially among the veterans of the original editions of D&D, that OSR modules are by default ostentatiously weird or “gonzo”. While many OSR writers, particularly those associated with the so-called “artpunk” scene, prefer wild flights of imagination to the confines of somber traditional fantasy, this is only one colorful region of the entire OSR universe. Indeed, many of the celebrated OSR adventures exhibit great concern for the internal consistency of their worlds, and some of them are straightforward stylistic homages to the original TSR publications.

The following list of modules is based on numerous recommendation threads and blog posts made by the online OSR community. While it includes many old-school D&D adventures, they were not given special consideration when compiling the list; that is, the majority of the sources consulted dealt with general OSR recommendations and not the original TSR releases in particular. This helps to explain why, despite their classic status, they often rank lower than some modules published only a few years ago.

Each item on the list is described by its self-reported system compatibility, the recommended level of player characters, and a descriptive tag, such as “Megadungeon” or “Hexcrawl” (if applicable). The ostensive system compliance should not be taken too seriously (except by the inexperienced DMs), because the majority of OSR modules are designed to be universally compatible, requiring only minor conversions between games. The “Beginner-friendly” tag is intended to identify starter modules that are especially recommended to first-time OSR DMs, typically because they contain extended advice or ease-of-use enhancements.

If you’re looking for systems rather than adventures, I also maintain a list of fantasy OSR games.

The list

  • B2: The Keep on the Borderlands cover

    B2: The Keep on the Borderlands

    by Gary Gygax

    B/X D&D · Level 1–3 · Beginner-friendly

    5 figs out of 5

  • Tomb of the Serpent Kings cover

    Tomb of the Serpent Kings

    by Skerples

    System-neutral · Level 1 · Beginner-friendly

    5 figs out of 5

  • Stonehell Dungeon cover

    Stonehell Dungeon

    by Michael Curtis

    LL · Level 1–7+ · Megadungeon

    5 figs out of 5

  • Barrowmaze cover

    Barrowmaze

    by Greg Gillespie

    LL · Level 1+ · Megadungeon

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • The Hole in the Oak cover

    The Hole in the Oak

    by Gavin Norman

    OSE · Level 1–2 · Beginner-friendly

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • Winter's Daughter cover

    Winter's Daughter

    by Gavin Norman

    OSE · Level 1–3 · Beginner-friendly

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • B4: The Lost City cover

    B4: The Lost City

    by Tom Moldvay

    B/X D&D · Level 1–3 · Large

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • The Caverns of Thracia cover

    The Caverns of Thracia

    by Jennell Jaquays

    OD&D · Level 1+ · Large

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • Anomalous Subsurface Environment cover

    Anomalous Subsurface Environment

    by Patrick Wetmore

    LL · Level 1–4 · Megadungeon

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • Deep Carbon Observatory cover

    Deep Carbon Observatory

    by Patrick Stuart

    LotFP · Level 3–5 · Large

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • Tower of the Stargazer cover

    Tower of the Stargazer

    by James Edward Raggi IV

    LotFP · Level 1 · Beginner-friendly

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • Castle Xyntillan cover

    Castle Xyntillan

    by Gábor Lux

    S&W · Level 1–6 · Large

    4.5 figs out of 5

  • The Black Wyrm of Brandonsford cover

    The Black Wyrm of Brandonsford

    by Chance Dudinack

    System-neutral · Level 1–3

    4 figs out of 5

  • T1: The Village of Hommlet cover

    T1: The Village of Hommlet

    by Gary Gygax

    AD&D · Level 1 · Beginner-friendly

    4 figs out of 5

  • Prison of the Hated Pretender cover

    Prison of the Hated Pretender

    by Gus L

    System-neutral · Level 0–1 · Beginner-friendly

    4 figs out of 5

  • The Incandescent Grottoes  cover

    The Incandescent Grottoes

    by Gavin Norman

    OSE · Level 1–2

    4 figs out of 5

  • U1: The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh cover

    U1: The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh

    by Dave J. Browne and Don Turnbull

    AD&D · Level 1–3

    4 figs out of 5

  • The Waking of Willowby Hall cover

    The Waking of Willowby Hall

    by Ben Milton

    Knave · Level 3

    4 figs out of 5

  • B10: Night's Dark Terror cover

    B10: Night's Dark Terror

    by Jim Bambra, Graeme Morris, and Phil Gallagher

    B/X D&D · Level 2–4 · Hexcrawl

    4 figs out of 5

  • DCC #67: Sailors on the Starless Sea cover

    DCC #67: Sailors on the Starless Sea

    by Harley Stroh

    DCC · Level 0 · Beginner-friendly

    4 figs out of 5

  • The Gardens of Ynn cover

    The Gardens of Ynn

    by Emmy Allen

    System-neutral · Level 3–5 · Generative

    4 figs out of 5

  • X1: The Isle of Dread cover

    X1: The Isle of Dread

    by David “Zeb” Cook and Tom Moldvay

    B/X D&D · Level 3–7 · Hexcrawl

    4 figs out of 5

  • N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God cover

    N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God

    by Douglas Niles

    AD&D · Level 1–3

    4 figs out of 5

  • B1: In Search of the Unknown cover

    B1: In Search of the Unknown

    by Mike Carr

    B/X D&D · Level 1–3 · Beginner-friendly

    4 figs out of 5

  • The Dark of Hot Springs Island cover

    The Dark of Hot Springs Island

    by Jacob Hurst, Gabriel Hernandez, Evan Peterson, and Donnie Garcia

    System-neutral · Level unspecified · Hexcrawl

    4 figs out of 5

  • Death Frost Doom cover

    Death Frost Doom

    by James Edward Raggi IV and Zak Smith

    LotFP · Level 1–3 · Negadungeon

    4 figs out of 5

  • The Stygian Library cover

    The Stygian Library

    by Emmy Allen

    System-neutral · Level unspecified · Generative

    4 figs out of 5

  • BF1: Morgansfort: The Western Lands Campaign cover

    BF1: Morgansfort: The Western Lands Campaign

    by Chris Gonnerman

    BFRPG · Level 1

    4 figs out of 5

  • The Evils of Illmire cover

    The Evils of Illmire

    by Zack Wolf

    OSE · Level 1–2 · Hexcrawl

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Rappan Athuk cover

    Rappan Athuk

    by Bill Webb

    S&W · Level 1–20 · Megadungeon

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • X2: Castle Amber cover

    X2: Castle Amber

    by Tom Moldvay

    B/X D&D · Level 3–6 · Large

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Maze of the Blue Medusa cover

    Maze of the Blue Medusa

    by Zak Smith and Patrick Stuart

    System-neutral · Level unspecified · Megadungeon

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • The Hyqueous Vaults cover

    The Hyqueous Vaults

    by Rebecca Dettmann, Guy Fullerton, Allan Grohe, Jimm Johnson, Matthew Riedel, and Alex Zisch

    OSRIC · Level 3 · Large

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • The Halls of Arden Vul cover

    The Halls of Arden Vul

    by Richard Barton

    OSRIC · Level 1–12 · Megadungeon

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • I6: Ravenloft cover

    I6: Ravenloft

    by Tracy and Laura Hickman

    AD&D · Level 5–7 · Large

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Lair of the Lamb cover

    Lair of the Lamb

    by Arnold K.

    GLOG · Level 0 · Beginner-friendly

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • In the Shadow of Tower Silveraxe cover

    In the Shadow of Tower Silveraxe

    by Jacob Fleming

    OSE · Level unspecified (low)

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Dark Tower cover

    Dark Tower

    by Jennell Jaquays

    AD&D · Level 7–11

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Broodmother SkyFortress cover

    Broodmother SkyFortress

    by Jeff Rients

    LotFP · Level unspecified

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • KH1: The Blackapple Brugh cover

    KH1: The Blackapple Brugh

    by Kyle Hettinger

    BFRPG · Level 1–3

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Dyson's Delve cover

    Dyson's Delve

    by Dyson Logos

    LL · Level 1–6 · Large

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Slumbering Ursine Dunes cover

    Slumbering Ursine Dunes

    by Chris Kutalik

    LL · Level 2–4 · Pointcrawl

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Many Gates of the Gann cover

    Many Gates of the Gann

    by Guy Fullerton

    OSRIC · Level 3–5 · Large

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Tomb of the Iron God cover

    Tomb of the Iron God

    by Matt Finch

    S&W · Level 1–2 · Beginner-friendly

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • S3: Expedition to the Barrier Peaks cover

    S3: Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

    by Gary Gygax

    AD&D · Level 8–12 · Large

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • S2: White Plume Mountain cover

    S2: White Plume Mountain

    by Lawrence Schick

    AD&D · Level 5–10

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • T1-4: The Temple of Elemental Evil cover

    T1-4: The Temple of Elemental Evil

    by Gary Gygax and Frank Mentzer

    AD&D · Level 1–8 · Large

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Through Ultan's Door cover

    Through Ultan's Door

    by Ben Laurence

    System-neutral · Level 1–2+

    3.5 figs out of 5

  • Fever Swamp cover

    Fever Swamp

    by Luke Gearing

    LotFP · Level unspecified · Hexcrawl

    3 figs out of 5

  • Operation Unfathomable cover

    Operation Unfathomable

    by Jason Sholtis

    S&W · Level 1+ · Large

    3 figs out of 5

  • DCC #66.5: Doom of the Savage Kings cover

    DCC #66.5: Doom of the Savage Kings

    by Harley Stroh

    DCC · Level 1

    3 figs out of 5

  • Tegel Manor cover

    Tegel Manor

    by Bill Webb, Thom Wilson, and Gabor Lux

    OD&D/S&W · Level unspecified · Large

    3 figs out of 5

  • Trilemma Adventures cover

    Trilemma Adventures

    by Michael Prescott

    System-neutral · One-page dungeons

    3 figs out of 5

  • The Sleeping Place of the Feathered Swine cover

    The Sleeping Place of the Feathered Swine

    by Logan Knight

    LotFP · Level 1 · Beginner-friendly

    3 figs out of 5

  • Dwimmermount cover

    Dwimmermount

    by James Maliszewski, Alexadner Macris, and Tavis Allison

    LL/ACKS · Level 1+ · Megadungeon

    3 figs out of 5

  • The Sky-Blind Spire cover

    The Sky-Blind Spire

    by Michael Prescott

    System-neutral · One-page dungeon

    3 figs out of 5

  • AA#01: The Pod Caverns of the Sinister Shroom cover

    AA#01: The Pod Caverns of the Sinister Shroom

    by Matthew Finch

    OSRIC · Level 2–4 · Large

    3 figs out of 5

  • S1: Tomb of Horrors cover

    S1: Tomb of Horrors

    by Gary Gygax

    AD&D · Level 10–14 · Large

    3 figs out of 5

  • The Forbidden Caverns of Archaia cover

    The Forbidden Caverns of Archaia

    by Greg Gillespie

    LL · Level 1+ · Megadungeon

    3 figs out of 5

  • Dolmenwood cover

    Dolmenwood

    by Gavin Norman

    OSE · Campaign setting / Hexcrawl

    3 figs out of 5

  • The Sunless Citadel cover

    The Sunless Citadel

    by Bruce R. Cordell

    D&D 3e · Level 1 · Large

    3 figs out of 5

  • Veins of the Earth cover

    Veins of the Earth

    by Patrick Stuart

    LotFP · Level unspecified · Generative

    3 figs out of 5

  • Ultraviolet Grasslands cover

    Ultraviolet Grasslands

    by Luka Rejec

    System-neutral/SEACAT · Pointcrawl

    3 figs out of 5

  • Better Than Any Man cover

    Better Than Any Man

    by James Edward Raggi IV

    LotFP · Level 1–4

    3 figs out of 5

  • The God That Crawls cover

    The God That Crawls

    by James Edward Raggi IV

    LotFP · Level 1–2

    3 figs out of 5

  • The Tomb of Black Sand cover

    The Tomb of Black Sand

    by Jacob Hurst and Donnie Garcia

    D&D 5e · Level 4–5

    3 figs out of 5

  • L1: The Secret of Bone Hill cover

    L1: The Secret of Bone Hill

    by Lenard Lakofka

    AD&D · Level 2–4

    3 figs out of 5

  • C1: The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan cover

    C1: The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan

    by Harold Johnson and Jeff Leason

    AD&D · Level 5–7 · Large

    3 figs out of 5

  • Fever-Dreaming Marlinko cover

    Fever-Dreaming Marlinko

    by Chris Kutalik

    LL · Level 2–5 · City

    3 figs out of 5

  • Hideous Daylight cover

    Hideous Daylight

    by Brad Kerr

    OSE/Cairn · Level 2? · Hexcrawl

    3 figs out of 5

  • Yoon-Suin cover

    Yoon-Suin

    by David McGrogan

    System-neutral · Level unspecified (low) · Campaign setting

    3 figs out of 5

  • B3: Palace of the Silver Princess cover

    B3: Palace of the Silver Princess

    by Jean Wells

    B/X D&D · Level 1–3 · Beginner-friendly

    3 figs out of 5

  • Highfell cover

    Highfell

    by Greg Gillespie

    LL · Level 1+ · Megadungeon

    3 figs out of 5

  • Ironwood Gorge cover

    Ironwood Gorge

    by Eric Jones

    LL/OSRIC · Level 2–5

    3 figs out of 5

  • I1: Dwellers of the Forbidden City cover

    I1: Dwellers of the Forbidden City

    by David “Zeb” Cook

    AD&D · Level 4–7

    3 figs out of 5

  • Misty Isles of the Eld cover

    Misty Isles of the Eld

    by Chris Kutalik

    LL · Level 2–5 · Pointcrawl

    3 figs out of 5

  • The Lichway (White Dwarf #9) cover

    The Lichway (White Dwarf #9)

    by Albie Fiore

    OD&D · Level 1

    3 figs out of 5

  • Halls of the Blood King cover

    Halls of the Blood King

    by Diogo Nogueira

    OSE · Level 3–5

    3 figs out of 5

  • Goblin Gully cover

    Goblin Gully

    by Dyson Logos

    System-neutral · Level 1 · One-page dungeon

    3 figs out of 5

  • Neverland cover

    Neverland

    by Andrew Kolb

    D&D 5e · Hexcrawl

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • B5: Horror on the Hill cover

    B5: Horror on the Hill

    by Douglas Niles

    B/X D&D · Level 1–3

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Thieves of Fortress Badabaskor cover

    Thieves of Fortress Badabaskor

    by Bob Bledsaw, Tony Floren, Craig Fogel, Bill Owen, Mike Petrowsky, and Marc Summerlott

    OD&D/AD&D · Level unspecified · Large

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • G1-2-3: Against the Giants cover

    G1-2-3: Against the Giants

    by Gary Gygax

    AD&D · Level 8–12 · Large

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Gunderholfen cover

    Gunderholfen

    by G. Hawkins

    OSRIC · Level 1–10+ · Megadungeon

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Halls of Tizun Thane (White Dwarf #18) cover

    The Halls of Tizun Thane (White Dwarf #18)

    by Albie Fiore

    AD&D · Level 1–2

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Burial Mound of Gilliard Wolfclan cover

    The Burial Mound of Gilliard Wolfclan

    by Joshua L.H. Burnett

    System-neutral · Level unspecified · One-page dungeon

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Tomb Robbers of the Crystal Frontier cover

    Tomb Robbers of the Crystal Frontier

    by Gus L

    OSE · Level 1

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Carcosa cover

    Carcosa

    by Geoffrey McKinney

    LotFP · Level 1+ · Campaign setting / Hexcrawl

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • A1-A4: Scourge of the Slave Lords cover

    A1-A4: Scourge of the Slave Lords

    by David “Zeb” Cook, Allen Hammack, Harold Johnson, Tom Moldvay, Lawrence Schick, and Skip Williams

    AD&D · Level 4–11

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Willow cover

    Willow

    by Lazy Litch

    S&W · Level unspecified · Hecrawl

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Darkness Beneath (Fight On! #2–10) cover

    The Darkness Beneath (Fight On! #2–10)

    by various

    OD&D? · Level 1+ · Megadungeon

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Temple of the Blood Moth  cover

    The Temple of the Blood Moth

    by Jacob Butcher

    System-neutral · Level 1–5

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Night Below cover

    Night Below

    by Carl Sargent

    AD&D 2e · Level 1–10 · Large

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Wyvern Songs cover

    Wyvern Songs

    by Brad Kerr

    OSE · Level 1–6 · Anthology

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • X5: Temple of Death cover

    X5: Temple of Death

    by David Cook

    B/X D&D · Level 6–10

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • X4: Master of the Desert Nomads cover

    X4: Master of the Desert Nomads

    by David Cook

    B/X D&D · Level 6–9

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Scenic Dunnsmouth cover

    Scenic Dunnsmouth

    by Zzarchov Kowolski

    LotFP · Level 2–5 · Village

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Demonspore cover

    Demonspore

    by Matt Finch

    S&W · Level 3–6 · Large

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Sanctuary Ruin cover

    The Sanctuary Ruin

    by Eric Jones

    LL/OSRIC · Level 1–3

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Woodfall cover

    Woodfall

    by Lazy Litch

    System-neutral · Level unspecified · Hecrawl

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Lorn Song of the Bachelor cover

    Lorn Song of the Bachelor

    by Zedeck Siew

    System-neutral · Level unspecified

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Lost City of Barakus cover

    Lost City of Barakus

    by W.D.B. Kenower and Bill Webb

    S&W · Level 2–6 · Large

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • DCC #79: Frozen in Time cover

    DCC #79: Frozen in Time

    by Michael Curtis

    DCC · Level 1

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Spire of Iron and Crystal cover

    The Spire of Iron and Crystal

    by Matt Finch

    S&W · Level 5–6

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Monolith from Beyond Space and Time cover

    The Monolith from Beyond Space and Time

    by James Edward Raggi IV

    LotFP · Level unspecified

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • WG4: The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun cover

    WG4: The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun

    by Gary Gygax

    AD&D · Level 5–10 · Large

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Tomb of Abysthor cover

    The Tomb of Abysthor

    by Clark Peterson, Bill Webb

    D&D 3e · Level 2–8

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Temple of the Moon Priests cover

    Temple of the Moon Priests

    by Will Doyle

    System-neutral · Level unspecified · One-page dungeon

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Temple of 1000 Swords cover

    Temple of 1000 Swords

    by Brad Kerr

    OSE · Level 3

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Ruins of Undermountain cover

    The Ruins of Undermountain

    by Ed Greenwood

    AD&D 2e · Level unspecified · Megadungeon

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Alchemist's Repose cover

    The Alchemist's Repose

    by Ben Milton

    System-neutral · Level unspecified · One-page dungeon

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • DCC #81: The One Who Watches From Below cover

    DCC #81: The One Who Watches From Below

    by Jobe Bittman

    DCC · Level 1

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Demon Driven to the Maw cover

    Demon Driven to the Maw

    by Brad Kerr

    Cairn · Level

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • Where the Wheat Grows Tall cover

    Where the Wheat Grows Tall

    by Camilla Gree, Evlyn Moreau

    System-neutral · Level unspecified

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • A Thousand Dead Babies cover

    A Thousand Dead Babies

    by Zzarchov Kowolski

    System-neutral & NGR · Low level · Beginner-friendly

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • S4: Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth cover

    S4: Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth

    by Gary Gygax

    AD&D · Level 6–10

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Gnomes of Levnec cover

    The Gnomes of Levnec

    by Zzarchov Kowolski

    System-neutral & NGR · Low level

    2.5 figs out of 5

  • The Red Prophet Rises cover

    The Red Prophet Rises

    by Malrex, PrinceofNothing

    For Gold & Glory · Level 3–5

    2.5 figs out of 5