Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk (Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Book)

Running for five brand new players, they are enjoying it so far and I'm excited for the later chapters developments which are a new addition from the original. I'll say that the level 1 encounters in the cave can be rather challenging, had a few drops to 0 HP during that part.

I played LMoP with my family as a first time Dnd session and I was the DM (although not a very good one, but we managed)I was excited to see an expansion on the world as I also love to read the books in order to gain and understand exactly what the adventure is going to be introducing my players.For our first time learning experience, it was so much fun to see them all become invested in whatever was happening throughout their journey. Through their battles, and NPC interactions. I was a bit surprised to see the quiet one in the group open up in dialogue as a very outspoken and intimidating persona.If something ever became too advanced, I would improvise to keep the game entertaining for everyone. There were moment where they shocked me at how natural they were with role playing their characters which helped tie everything together as they journeyed further into the story.The best part about these adventure books is that you don't need to follow linearly if you can get creative. However, if you go that route, be prepared to improvise. It is sometimes best to know your players well enough to pique what interests them and maintain full engagement to the story.Some reviews express dissapointnent on this entry, but as long as we can manage to have fun, I think it does a fine job at expanding on the story for those of us that wanted more =)I cant wait to play it with them again using this entry =)

Came in perfect condition my boyfriend loves it!

Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk takes the beloved Lost Mine of Phandelver and expands it into a full campaign, diving into cosmic horror elements that bring a fresh twist to the classic setting. While it’s an interesting evolution of the original adventure, the execution feels a bit uneven in places.The Good✅ Great for New and Returning Players – If you loved Lost Mine of Phandelver, this builds on that foundation while adding new mysteries and dangers. New DMs will find the first half well-structured and easy to run, while experienced groups can still enjoy its familiar-yet-expanded setting.✅ Cosmic Horror Elements – The transition from a traditional fantasy adventure to something darker and weirder is an ambitious choice. Some of the body horror and eldritch themes add real tension and stakes to the story, giving it a unique feel compared to standard 5e adventures.✅ Expanded Content & Maps – The book includes new dungeons, expanded NPC interactions, and more detailed locations, giving a lot of material to work with. If you like Phandalin, this deepens the setting significantly.The Not-So-Good❌ Abrupt Tone Shift – While the cosmic horror elements are cool, the shift from a grounded, traditional adventure into full-blown eldritch horror might feel jarring for some groups. The transition isn’t always smooth, and it could throw off players expecting a more classic D&D experience.❌ Railroaded Second Half – The first half of the adventure is open-ended and engaging, but as the story progresses, it becomes more linear, with fewer player-driven choices. Some DMs may need to tweak sections to keep player agency strong.❌ High-Level Content Feels Rushed – The higher-level encounters and final act don’t feel as polished or well-paced as the earlier parts of the campaign. Some areas could have used more depth, and DMs might need to adjust encounters for balance.Final VerdictIf you’re looking for a fresh take on Phandelver with weird horror elements, this is a fun and creative adventure. However, the tonal shift and linearity might not be for everyone. DMs willing to adjust pacing and expand on certain areas will get the most out of this book. Great for groups who enjoy a mix of classic D&D and eldritch horror!

I'm not a 5e guy, but this adventure is pretty well thought out. It can be converted to nearly any system. I think the original soft cover addition is all you really need, but this offers a handful of additional content and concepts.

Typically high-quality adventure from Wizards of the Coast. Well laid-out maps and clear instructions for the Dungeon Master. I particularly appreciate that all the monsters are bolded in the text, making it easy to scan for them when setting up the session. Lots of possible branching for the adventurers, so they don't feel they are just being pushed along a linear path. I'm the DM for my son and grandson (12) and the adventure is appropriate for his age and skill level. It would be easy to scale up the difficulty for more mature players.

The perfect addition to the starter set and Essential kits. Taking place in Phandelver off of the Swords Coast. This story adds an element of horror to the forgotten realms.

Great beginner adventure in D&D.