Adventures for Newbie DM and Newbie Player(s)?

[Grey Watcher]

So I'm trying to put together a one-shot. I have very little DMing experience and one of my players is brand-spankin' new to the game.

Anyone have any suggestions for a fairly self-contained one-shot? I'd rather not have the characters any higher than level 5, especially for the guy who's new to the game. Ideally, it would be more than just a combat slog.

Price is also something of an issue, so stuff that sells for cheap on DM's Guild or the like is more feasible than buying one of the books.

So, what suggestions does the Playground Hive Mind have?

[nickl_2000]

There are a few in my signature that are designed for level 3-6. The gladiator one is a little more combat based and need some adjustments down in the amount of critters in combat.

However, I have run the heist and it went over pretty well

[ciarannihill]

Matt Colville has a video of a basic one-shot first adventure that he makes as he explains about the logical steps he puts into making it, it's a worthwhile resource that can perhaps spark interest in further play. I'm not saying to necessarily run his one-shot, but it could inspire you to make your own.

FWIW: Lost Mines of Phandelver is a super good starting adventure, and it comes with some pre-gen characters and their first 5 (iirc) levels if your new player wants to just sit down and play, but it's not a one-shot, it's a 1-5 adventure so it's not quite within the parameters you've described.



GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN DMING!

[GlenSmash!]

Harried in Hillsfar: https://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/DDEX31_HarriedHillsfar.pdf

It was released in the Dragon+ magazine, but is also was the introductory adventure for Season 3 of Adventurers League.

As such it is very consumable by newbie Players and DMs alike.

It's basically 5 mini adventures that you can complete in one or two sessions, and has a healthy mix of combat , exploration, and social encounters.

[DnDegenerates]

Most Adventurers League games within the first few tier 1 of each season.

The black road from season 5 is a great first time Adventure. It has a bit of everything and us simple, fun, as well as rewarding.

I also recommend tales trees tell, Secrets of sokol keep, and the season 7 tier 1 trilogy.

[DerficusRex]

I'd rather not have the characters any higher than level 5, especially for the guy who's new to the game. Ideally, it would be more than just a combat slog.

I've recommended Wild Sheep Chase to a couple of people lately - it's level 5, a ton of fun, and free on DM's guild: http://www.dmsguild.com/product/170937/The-Wild-Sheep-Chase--A-SingleSession-Adventure

Another level 5 one-shot I have lined up to run is Skyhorn Lighthouse (her modules are written up in a way I find really easy to follow - the rest of her stuff is at http://thearcanelibrary.com, including another free module for level 1): http://www.dmsguild.com/product/215629/The-Secrets-of-Skyhorn-Lighthouse