Customer Reviews

The Nightmare Lands (AD&D Fantasy Roleplaying, Ravenloft, 3bks+16pgs+2maps)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Out of all of the 2nd Edition Ravenloft expansions, this was possibly the best. While the chance to explore the Nightmare Lands (quite possibly one of the most interesting domains in Ravenloft) was cool enough, this expansion also sets up in-depth core rules for running "dream" adventures, which can be adapted for any type of campaign. The only drawback is that it hasn't yet been adapted to the newer 3.5 rules, but any DM should be able to work around that.

This box set is pretty good, and if you're running a Ravenloft Campaign you might as well get it. I like using the nightmare rules to completely remove random encounters. That's right, no d6+2 kobolds, no menagerie of ill fitting monsters rolled from a table. With Ravenloft, it is very important to keep the Challenge rating in the sweet spot at all times, so throwing random monsters at the party is a risky proposition. Luckily, the nightmare rules give you a great way to give the party some bonus experience and experiences that are more dangerous than deadly. I even give out fate points for successfully defeating a nightmare. The box doesn't come with much in the way of props or tools like the other sets, but it is neat that it has a book that the players can read. There aren't too many of those in the campaign setting, so players eat it up. It's basically 2 maps and 4 booklets, so the content is more in line with a hardback or a couple modules. All in all, it's pretty interesting, as long you are ok with memorizing another handful of rules.

This is an excelent campaign expansion for the lands of evil, but now there is the distant lands of Domains of Dread, the Nightmare Lands. These are places of much mistery and fear, a perfect ambient for every Ravenloft adventure, so this is an perfect acessory for every Dungeon Master.