The Ultimate Free DnD One Shots Guide

I’ve been playing DnD for years, and even with all that, I'm always surprised at how every gaming session is different. I’ve made some of my best friends playing the game, and some of our group's best tabletop gaming adventures have come from DnD one shots.

If you’ve played Dungeons and Dragons before or have friends who do, you’ve probably heard about the famous DnD one-shots. DnD one-shots are self-contained adventures designed to be played in a single session. They're perfect for new players as they provide a great introduction to the game. And for experienced players, they offer a chance to try out new characters and explore different aspects of TTRPGs and have some incredible adventure.

I’m here to let you in on my top DnD one-shot adventures picks, and tips for running your own.

The Best DnD One Shots for Your Next Game

There are a lot of reasons to use one shots with your gaming group or even in your campaign, but I want to start by sharing some of my favorites published adventures with you. These are all prewritten storylines that you can change up or use as-is. Best part? All of these DnD one shots are free!

1. Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Hoard of the Dragon Queen starts with a bang and doesn't let up. First off, it's co-written by Wolfgang Baur - a true legend in the world of TTRPGs.

The first few levels are spent trying to survive in the wilderness and then the adventure ramps up to include defeating a dragon queen and her hoard. When it comes to playing Dungeons and Dragons, there's really nothing better than that pinnacle sort of feel that comes from slaying a mighty dragon. This one shot features a series of exciting set-piece encounters that will keep your players engaged and on their toes. The adventure is also structured in a way that allows for plenty of roleplaying opportunities, giving the session a very well-rounded feel.

The setup from a Halloween one shot "mega dungeon" I ran last year. When it comes to bigger adventures or holiday events, I like to set an atmosphere that really adds to the overall game.

Additional D&D Adventures

A great way to run any one shot adventure is to actually find a campaign book from Wizards that you really like, and then either condense the book into a single game session, or to just run the book's first few encounters. The reason is that oftentimes, I've found from running one shots that the group ends up wanting to play more. It's actually pretty rare to run a one shot that doesn't have the opportunity to turn into something more, so it's worth having entire campaign ideas on hand.

Though these one shot options aren't free, they are inexpensive compared to the amount of game sessions you're likely to get out of them. So, I still highly recommend any of these great books, and want to share with you some of my favorites so that you can have help only spending money on the adventures you're most likely to have a great time with.

What Exactly Are DnD One Shots?

Just in case you weren't already aware when you started reading this article, DnD one-shots are self-contained adventures. They're meant to be played in a single session, and can range anywhere from an hour to an entire day. Seriously, I have played one shots that have lasted for 12+ hours. Most typically, however, they probably go from 2-4 hours.

Besides the DnD one shots listed above (my favorite picks), you can find DnD one shot adventures online or in books like the D&D Adventurer's League modules.

One of the great things about D&D one-shots is that they’re perfect for new players. If you've wanted to try DnD or take a shot at being a dungeon master, but were worried about committing to a long-term game, or have wondered about how to start a dnd campaign, try a one shot. They’re the perfect way to get your feet wet and experiment with the game. They are also great if you already play DnD and just want to have a quick adventure with your group.

Types of DnD One Shots

There are a few different types of DnD one shots:

1. The first type is the published adventure. These are written by professional writers and can be found online or in books.
2. The second type is known as a "homebrew adventure." These amateur-made or at-home adventures are created by other DnD players and can be found for free online.
3. The third type is that you can always make your own one shot adventure, and doing so is relatively easy. If you want more information on how to create your own one shot adventure, keep reading as I've included all kinds of tips for you, below.
4. Finally, you can incorporate all three kinds of adventures if you want, just make sure you’re not trying to do too much all at once.

If you’re a new DM (dungeon master), I recommend using a prewritten adventure before taking a shot at a homebrew or creating your own. It's extremely fun to go with your own creativity, but involves a lot more setup on your part, and it definitely does require some skill to create an adventure with good game flow.

Once you choose the type of one shot adventure you want to play, you’ll need a few things. The first is your party — a small group of players. Four to six players are ideal. More than that may be difficult due to the time constraints of your typical one shot adventure, but of course, it's up to you. It's also possible to have a smaller group size, and if you weren't aware, single player DnD is definitely a thing, so you can even do a one shot flying solo.

What You Need For Your One Shots

If you are going to play with a gaming group, your adventure will require:

• A dungeon master. The DM's job is to make sure that the one shot is fun (most importantly!), and that it stays on track.
• A set of dice. Take a look at my best DnD dice article to find a set that adds to the magic of your game. It’s also best if each player has their own set of dice, but if you have a group of new players, the party can share one or two sets pretty easily.
• A character sheet or a DnD character creator app like DnD Beyond. This is where you will keep track of your character's stats and inventory, which of course is important, as one shot adventures tend to be pretty deadly more often than not.

If you don't have a group of friends who already play DnD, don't worry! There are tons of ways to find players. One way is to look for a DnD meetup group in your area. Another way is to post on online forums. You can also try asking your local game store if they know of any players looking for a group. DnD is such a popular game nowadays that with a little effort, you should have no problem getting a solid group together.

Why Use DnD One Shots In Your Campaign?

DnD one shots are a great way to change up the pace of your ongoing campaign. It may seem surprising, but if you've been playing the same campaign for a while, adding a one shot can be a refreshing change of pace for a lot of reasons. They're also a great way to experiment with your tabletop gaming, including allowing your players to mess around with some of their own unique character ideas.

Fill in Gaps for Your Campaign's Story

DnD one shots are a great way to fill in gaps in your campaign. Almost every dungeon master at some point or another runs into a scenario where the main storyline just has to be put on hold for one reason or another. Maybe the party recently defeated a major villain, overcome major obstacles, or the plot line simply needs some in-between time before the timeline calls for the next major adventure. In any case, a one shot allows you to bring in some very exciting and fantastic story elements to keep your party engaged in between major events.

If you're going to use one shot adventures this way, you may even find that some of your ideas end up working their way into your long-term storyline. Thus, your "one shot" may turn into something more, after all.

Try Out New Ideas for Your Campaign

Trying a one shot game of DnD is a great way to experiment with new ideas for your regular campaign. It can be used to try out different character classes, races, and monsters. You can also use it to test out new ideas for your campaign setting. If you're not sure how something will work in your campaign, a DnD one shot is a perfect way to find out.

Change the Pace of Your Campaign

One shots are shorter and often more action-packed than regular campaigns. Not that your normal game can't be as dramatic and intense as one shots, but the short-lived nature of one shots does seem to bring out more action-packed attitudes in everyone at the gaming table.

If I notice that my gaming group is starting to lose interest or get bored during slower parts in a campaign, I’ll sometimes pause the main campaign to bring in a one shot. This change of pace mixes up the vibe of the group, and oftentimes brings in fresh energy that really benefits the main game, once we get back to it at the following session.

Tips for Running D&D One Shots

So, you've got your D&D one shot picked, gaming group's ready, and you're excited for a great gaming session. What about making the most of the game? To help you out, here are some tips to help you run the best one shot session, possible. Really, these tips are important for running any game of D&D, but they're especially important for shorter adventures:

Be Prepared

As the DM, once you start the one shot, you’re the most knowledgeable person in the room. If you don’t know what’s going on, no one will. Make sure you have clear goals both for the players and the storyline. If you're not sure what you want for the game to "be," exactly, it's going to be hard to create an enjoyable game. Players can sense when the DM is lost, and it can take away from the experience.

As the old saying goes, “fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” This is especially true for D&D one shots. Because there's no time to recover from mistakes, it's important that you're as prepared as possible before the game begins. This means having a great game ready to go, knowing the rules inside and out, and having a backup plan for everything. By being prepared, you can make sure everyone has a great time.

When it comes to preparation, you can also check out my article on Dungeon Master Tools for overall insights on how to improve your skills as a dungeon master and make the most out of your game. 

Give Everyone a Chance To Shine

One of the best things about D&D is that it allows everyone to be the hero of their own story. In a one shot, this means giving everyone a chance to shine, and make the most of their characters. To do this, make sure you design your adventure in a way that allows each player to contribute. This could mean giving each player a unique skill or ability that they can use to help the party, or designing encounters that require everyone to work together. The great thing about one shot games is that you can really play with the rules, even bending or breaking them, because - after all - it's just for one session.

By giving everyone a chance to shine, you'll virtually ensure that everyone has a great time and feels like they're an important part of the game.

Rewards and Treasures

Either in-game or out-of-game, make sure you reward your players for their successes. This could mean giving them extra XP, perhaps, for their main characters. You may pass out magical treasures, or simply tell your group how great they did. If you want to reward you players with small real-world gifts after major one shot adventures (something I often do after a mega dungeon or holiday game), take a look at my comprehensive article on DnD Gifts. There's no doubt that rewards are one of the reasons that dungeons and dragons is such a fun and exciting game.

Rewarding players is also a great way to motivate them and ensure that they have a good time. It also helps to create a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, as players are more likely to help each other if they know they'll be rewarded for their efforts.

Be Flexible

Finally, remember that D&D is a game, and games are meant to be fun. If something isn't working or someone isn't having fun, change it up! Basically, just keep your focus on ensuring that your D&D one shot is the best it can be. Be prepared, flexible, and accommodating to everyone, and you'll create an unforgettable experience for the whole party.

Stay Organized

For normal campaigns, I use a DnD campaign planner to keep on top of everything. Honestly, even for short games, using one is a good idea. Especially if you do plan to extend your one shot to a longer series of games, or into your main campaign's storyline, it certainly helps to keep all your notes in one place.

Try Playing Other Games Besides D&D

Obviously, D&D is the most well-known most often-played tabletop RPG out there. However, if you aren't familiar with other Games Like DnD available today, there are a lot of them. Some games - honestly - are much easier to learn and play than D&D 5th edition. If you're looking to set up a one shot adventure anyways, it could be a great opportunity to try out a new game system.

One shots can be a wonderful way to experiment with a game system you've always wondered about or wanted to try, but never wanted to commit to for a full campaign. I've played many tabletop RPG systems using one shot adventures to test them out, and I can definitely recommend it as a good use of time and resources.

Tips for Creating Your Own D&D One Shots

This article simply wouldn't be complete without some best practices on creating your own D&D one shot. Especially if you've already played through a couple pre-made one shots, you're definitely ready to try your hand at creating your own concepts, if you enjoy that sort of thing. For myself, I love creating stories and games so much that I ended up making my own tabletop roleplay game. You may just find that adventure, world, and game creation is a major passion of yours, as well.

You can also use my article on DnD Quest Ideas as a starting point for a D&D one shot. Each of those ideas is honestly a great way to create a quick adventure.

Start With a Premise

The first step to creating any adventure is to come up with a premise. This can be as simple as “the players need to find and stop the big bad guy,” or perhaps “the players need to find the lost city of X,” or even “the players are hired to retrieve an item from a dungeon.” Whatever the premise is, it should be something that:

1. Can be accomplished in a single session.
2. Features over-the-top elements of story, action, or magic that will pull people into the adventure, immediately.

Make sure you’re realistic on timeframe. If you’re DMing for a group of newbie players, it’s going to take a while for them to get their feet under them and understand how gameplay, gathering information, and combat work. So, don't pack too much into your adventure your first time making one. Keep things simple.

Create a Setting

Next, you'll need to decide on the setting. Will the adventure take place in a city, in the wilderness, in a dungeon, or some other location? Once you've decided on the setting, you can start to flesh out the details. As with every other piece of your one shot, you want to have something that's somewhat fantastic. Does the adventure take place in a mountain range, or rather, could it take place in a mountain range where rocks levitate in a sky that's hued in golds and purples?

See what I mean? Aim for something that will really grab your players and make them want to play.

Give the Players a Hook

To get the players invested in your one shot it is absolutely crucial to give them a hook. This can be done in several ways. The simplest way is to make the adventure personal for the players. Perhaps their character's family is kidnapped and they need to rescue them, or maybe their character has a personal grudge against the villain.

Another way to give the players a hook is to offer them a reward that is too good to pass up. Perhaps the lost city is rumored to be full of treasure, or the boss has a magical artifact that the players want. Whatever you do, make sure that the hook is something that will interest the players and make them want to play.

If you fail to "hook" players into your game, your one shot adventure might get de-railed very quickly...

Prepare Flexible Scenes

Speaking of challenges with players de-railing your story, one of the challenges of running a D&D one shot is that you never know exactly how your players are going to react. They might go off on a tangent, or they might ignore your carefully prepared plans altogether. I’ve had players completely miss the clues I had laid out for them, knock out one of the NPCs that had vital information because they thought he was threatening them, and go off for a traipse in the woods miles away from their objective. Or, even better (or worse), the players intentionally ruin your plans just because they know they can.

Great!

To prepare for this, it's important to have flexible scenes. Have a couple of different options for how each scene can go, and don’t get too attached to one option. Also, have a few different ways that combat encounters can play out, and stick with the larger story you have in mind, rather than making every encounter progress exactly as you'd originally planned. I’ve found that writing myself notes with lists of different alternatives can help keep me organized.

You also have to be prepared to completely improvise. The players will most likely do something that de-rails you (intentionally or otherwise), and you’ll have to make up something on the spot. I know this can sound intimidating, but it’s actually one of the most exciting parts of the game. And, it's one of the marks of a great dungeon master.

Also, the players may even have a better idea for the storyline than you do — let them lead and don’t try to manipulate their gameplay. Whatever ideas you "happen" to steal from them along the way ultimately become your ideas, after all, as they'll simply think that they "guessed your master" plans, fueling their interest in the game.

Come Up With an Interesting Villain

One of the most important aspects of any adventure is the villain. The villain should be interesting, threatening, and challenging. They should also be a foil for the players - by which I mean that they should be their opposite, but in a very unique way. Think paladin > fallen paladin, sort of thing.

To create an interesting villain, start by deciding on their motivation. What are they trying to accomplish? Why are they doing what they're doing? Once you have their motivation, you can work on fleshing out their personality. What kind of person are they? How do they act and speak?

If you have an interesting and memorable villain, you're basically guaranteed an amazing one shot. It's amazing how valuable a great villain can be for your gaming sessions.

Create Player Characters in Advance

If you're running a one shot, chances are that you won't have a lot of time to create characters. This means that you'll need to do some work in advance. Have each player create their characters before the game starts. Alternatively, you can pre-make some characters before the session that the players simply pick the day of, and use for the game.

Keep It Simple - Seriously

I mentioned it earlier, but one of the keys to running a successful one shot is to keep it simple. Try to limit the number of NPCs, side quests, and subplots. Make it easy for the players to focus on the main quest, and goal of the adventure. When running one shots, I always try to keep the combat encounters relatively simple, too. One or two big baddies are usually sufficient. You don’t want to eat up all your game time in battle after battle. Finally, try to keep the puzzle encounters relatively simple as well. The players should be able to figure out puzzles without spending hours working on them.

Focus on the Big Picture

The challenges of running a one shot are that you only have a limited amount of time, and you need to keep the players engaged. This means that it's extremely important to keep the focus on the big picture and not get lost in the details. The players should always know what the goal is, and they should feel like they're making progress towards it.

One way to do this is to keep the environment focused. When you're designing the dungeon, think about how each room can contribute to the overall goal. Every room should have a purpose, and every encounter should be meaningful. There isn’t any time or any space at all for filler content.

Another way to keep the focus on the big picture is to limit the options available to the players. If they're given too many choices, they'll get bogged down in the details and lose sight of what's important. They also might choose to go off for a hike in the woods with no goal. Make sure that each decision is meaningful and has consequences.

Let Your Players Experiment with New Ideas

One shots are the perfect place to experiment. One way you can do that is by checking out the following D&D 5th edition-specific strategy guides. Let your players try out some of the unique ways of using spells and topics to see if you can come up with some fun new ways of gaming:

• Bless 5e
• Bonus Action 5e
• Cause Fear 5e
• Charm Person 5e
• Cure Wounds 5e
• Silence 5e

End With a Bang

End your one shot with a bang! Players should feel like they've accomplished something, and they should be excited about the next game. If you’re doing the one shot as a part of a larger campaign, you can level up the players at the end to help with gameplay during the larger campaign.

• One of the best ways to end a one-shot is to have the final confrontation be against a powerful enemy. This could be a dragon, a giant, or even a god. It’ll give the players a bit of motivation, knowing that this guy is big enough to beat them all. They have to work together and think critically to make it.
• Another great way to end a one-shot is to have the players uncover a major plot point. This could be something that changes the game world forever, or it could be something that sets up the next one-shot or propels the plot in a larger campaign.
• Finally, you could always end the one-shot with a cliffhanger. This is a great way to get the players excited for the next game, and it can be a lot of fun. Just make sure that you don't leave the players hanging too much, or they'll get frustrated.

Play a TTRPG Designed for One-Shots

Some tabletop RPGs are simply better suited for one-shot adventures. If you've only ever heard of DnD when it comes to tabletop roleplaying, there is a whole world of additional options out there for you. For instance, take a look at the Eternity TTRPG PDF roleplaying game. The game I've designed makes it easy to create one-shots, using your entire gaming group for creative inspiration for the session.

Whatever game you decide to play, make use of one-shots in your campaign, or in between regular sessions! You'll love the experiences that ensue.