Best D&D Adventures Where You Can Be The Villain

Summary

Some D&D adventures allow players to be villains, like Tomb of Horrors, Curse of Strahd, and Out of the Abyss.
Curse of Strahd includes the option to play as a Dhampir or party member double-crossing allies for Strahd.
Greyhawk: Slavers gives players the opportunity to take on the role of pirates, slavers, or soldiers working for a violent warlord.

In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, many stories unfold, often centering on the age-old battle between good and evil. Typically, players embody the forces of good, engaged in a struggle against an antagonistic evil entity. However, a clever Dungeon Master can offer a twist to this narrative by enabling players to assume the roles of the villains instead. It’s more feasible to execute this shift in some modules compared to others.

In a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) narrative, the antagonist can assume numerous shapes, influenced by the storyline and the Dungeon Master’s (DM) arrangements for each phase of the adventure. Sometimes, there could be a hidden malevolent force within the heroic party working to undermine the protagonists’ efforts, or an entire villainous group guarding their lair – a cave, castle, or keep – from meddling heroes who aspire to be the champions. Each of these adventures is a fantastic starting point for players aiming to portray the villain, and they are all part of Wizards of the Coast’s adventure library.

Tomb Of Horrors

Linked to The Tomb Of Annihilation Adventures

Character Levels: 10 – 14
Author: Gary Gygax
Release Date: 1975

Among the oldest D&D adventure modules ever crafted is one that offers players ample room for improvisation and innovative thinking when it comes to roleplaying and puzzle-solving. This intriguing narrative unfolds within the domain of Greyhawk, a realm ingeniously brought to life by Gary Gygax. Its purpose is to test the mettle of seasoned players.

Considering this scenario, there’s ample opportunity for malevolent characters within a module about a group of adventurers exploring a treacherous dungeon in search of a wizard’s crypt. Perhaps one member of the party harbors treacherous intentions and is plotting to betray his comrades in order to seize the treasure, or another sorcerer may have sinister intentions for the wizard’s remains.

Curse Of Strahd

Play An Undead Character

Character Levels: 1 – 10
Authors: Jeremy Crawford, Laura Hickman, Tracy Hickman, Adam Lee, Christopher Perkins, Richard Whitters
Release Date: March 15, 2016

The Curse of Strahd game draws inspiration from an older module called Ravenloft, first published in 1983, which offers a rich setting for players who enjoy taking on villainous roles. Unlike traditional adventures, this campaign invites players to traverse the dark land of Barovia, pursuing the vampire wizard Strahd von Zarovich and his companions. A notable feature exclusive to this module is the Dhampir, a unique race that combines both vampire and human lineage.

A Dungeon Master (DM) might frequently ponder whether it’s appropriate to let a player create a character from this race due to potential negative connotations associated with evil. This issue can be addressed in several ways, such as incorporating one or more party members acting undercover for Strahd, the vampire lord, who would lead them into a trap to be eliminated, or by setting up an entire party composed of vampires within the module, where they protect their territory.

Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

A Story Of Thieves

Character Levels: 1 – 5
Authors: Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett
Release Date: September 18, 2018

Debate will arise among players over whether Volothamp Geddarm is portrayed as a hero or a villain, given his tendency to cause or become entangled in trouble for the story’s main characters. It is due to him that the principal figures embark on their quest for an enormous treasure rumored to be buried beneath the affluent and esteemed city of Waterdeep.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d say this narrative is crafted in such a way that it navigates the intricate landscape of moral complexities, where the primary motivation often revolves around accumulating wealth, and power-hungry individuals are always on the lookout for more opportunities to gain an edge. The plot also introduces several formidable antagonists – Manshoon the Manyfaced and Xanathar the Beholder. The course of events can sometimes lead a player to adopt the role of one of these powerful adversaries, depending on how the story unfolds as we all strive towards our shared goal.

Tales Of The Yawning Portal: Dead In Thay

Roleplay A Red Wizard

Character Levels: 9
Author: Scott Fitzgerald Gray
Release Date: April 2014

In the fifth tale of the “Tales of the Yawning Portal” collection, players journey through a narrative that elevates characters from level 1 to 11. This chapter immerses players into the murky depths of Thay, a society governed by powerful wizards, where they encounter Szass Tam, who is trying to open a portal called the Bloodgate for an invasion on the Sword Coast. The party’s mission is clear: prevent him from doing so. However, one may question whether they are truly committed to this task or not.

In the spirit of the ‘Curse of Strahd’ campaign, there’s a chance that a group of Szass Tam acolytes could be lurking in the shadows, ready to undermine or eliminate our band of heroes at any moment. Just as fans of ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ and viewers of ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ might attest, Red Wizards are known for their ability to blend into society by assuming false identities. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if one of these powerful sorcerers were to infiltrate our very own adventuring party under a disguise.

Out Of The Abyss

The Dark World Of The Drow

Character Levels: 1 – 15
Authors: Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters
Release Date: September 15, 2015

In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, the Underdark is a perilous part of the universe, inhabited by some of its strongest and malevolent races. The narrative commences when Gromph Baenre, an Archmage from Menzoberranzan, recklessly creates several gateways to a demonic void, unprepared for the horrors that surge forth towards him.

Brave heroes with noble intentions might intervene to protect Faerun’s wellbeing, but there’s always the chance that some mischievous Underdark denizens like Drow or Duergar could seize the rewards, treasures, or magical secrets instead. This campaign is quite extensive, comprising seventeen chapters and four additional sections, so if a player chooses to play as a villain, they should fully embrace that role and inform the DM accordingly.

D&D Starter Set: Lost Mine Of Phandelvar

An Adventure With Multiple Foes

Character Levels: 1
Authors: Wizards RPG Team
Release Date: July 15, 2014

A great starting guide suitable for any player or character class, it also caters to those seeking mastery in the craft of villainy. This is a beginner-level course with a straightforward concept, hence it’s simple to modify for an antagonistic character. The focus is primarily on role-play and personality traits, urging players to delve deeper than mere dice rolls, making this more engaging for either overt or covert villain characters.

This adventure is divided into four main segments. In the initial stage, the characters might come across Goblins who guide them towards the mine. Alternatively, the Dungeon Master could let the players decide their own reasons for visiting this region and the city of Phandalin. The first phase offers an excellent opportunity for a character with malicious intentions to unfold their plan.

Greyhawk: Slavers

The Title Makes It Obvious

Character Levels: 4 – 5
Authors: Sean K Reynolds and Chris Pramas
Release Date: 2000

In this series, the first module was named “Scourge of the Slavers,” and it primarily focused on characters who were against the slavery trade. However, in this second installment, characters are given more leeway to explore the storyline from an opposing perspective – that is, they can choose to portray a character involved in buying and selling slaves. The main theme of these adventures revolves around combating slave traders who have disrupted peace in a previously tranquil land. Interestingly, it’s also possible for players to assume the role of one of the slavers themselves.

In this tale, the antagonists originate from the realm of Pomarj and have been causing havoc along the coastline for a decade prior to the story’s start. Characters can choose to be pirates, slave traders, or thieves, but they might also opt to be soldiers, following the orders of Turrosh Mak, a notoriously violent half-orc warlord. It is somewhat confusing as to why anyone would side with the righteous in such an environment.

2025-09-12 09:35