The Tomb of Horrors is arguably both the most famous and most controversial module in Dungeons & Dragons. It debuted at the Origins 1 convention in 1975 as part of an official Dungeons & Dragons tournament event, handcrafted by Gary Gygax - co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons - as a deliberate effort to humble players. In that respect, the Tomb of Horrors is an unqualified success, as it has hit countless groups of adventurers since its inaugural playthrough nearly 50 years ago. Despite its daunting reputation, the Tomb of Horrors remains one of the most beloved dungeons of all time because it introduced classic Dungeons & Dragons tropes that continue to inform modern adventures.

For naysayers, the Tomb of Horrors is typically characterized as an egotistical power trip by a disgruntled dungeon master. To be fair, this is more-or-less accurate, but the beauty of the Tomb of Horrors is that it is intended to be unfair. The puzzles are illogical at times, the traps are completely unforgiving, and the pacing of the module is unpredictable. In contrast to the best modern Dungeons & Dragons modules, the Tomb of Horrors is a bit of a design nightmare, but it's a one-of-a-kind dungeon that has to be seen to be believed.

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Dungeons & Dragons: The Tomb of Horrors Subverts Expectations

Tomb of Horrors Module Cover Dungeons and Dragons

Gygax was onto something when he designed the dungeon specifically for his inveterate players. The Tomb of Horrors isn't the best choice for new Dungeons & Dragons players because they have no expectations about how the game is normally run. When attempted by an experienced party, the Tomb of Horrors gets to really show off. While there is a thread of logic underlying most of the Tomb of Horrors' traps, they tend to be completely different than any modern equivalent, and there are plenty of moments where players must take a leap of faith. Through this unpredictable nature, the Tomb of Horrors possesses an ability to turn even the most foolhardy players into nervous wrecks.

The Tomb of Horrors is also notable because it's almost entirely empty, a far cry from campaigns that center around combat and encounters with high-level Dungeons & Dragons creatures. Instead, the Tomb of Horrors is largely a mental exercise. It forces groups to rely on teamwork more than most modules because the consequences of failure are so merciless. As soon as adventurers enter the Tomb of Horrors, it's not so much about finding treasure as it is escaping alive.

Dungeons & Dragons: Beating The Tomb of Horrors is a Badge of Honor

Dungeons and Dragons ADND Module Shot Tomb of Horrors

Perhaps the most compelling reason to play the Tomb of Horrors is that many groups have managed to complete it, and its overwhelmingly puzzles and traps mean bragging rights earned by beating the Tomb of Horrors have a different meaning than any other module. It's not a dungeon that can be overcome by strong weapons or choosing the best feats. A group that has managed to best the Tomb of Horrors is not necessarily one geared up or experienced enough to do so, they are adventurers who were methodical, clever, and innovative.

Since the Tomb of Horrors has the ability to wipe out beloved characters with a single mistake, it's arguably the best and worst place for players to take their high-level Dungeons & Dragons characters. It can either destroy months of hard work and character building, or it can further cement the legacy of a cherished character. At the very least, players who lose their favorite characters to the Tomb of Horrors can take solace knowing their characters met their end taking on an important part of Dungeons & Dragons history.

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