Out of the Abyss

Out of the Abyss is a Dungeons & Dragons adventure that takes players deep into the Underdark, a vast network of caves and tunnels beneath the surface world. It’s a survival-focused campaign filled with strange creatures, dark environments, and moral dilemmas. This guide will help you decide if it’s the right choice for your group, especially if you’re new to tabletop RPGs.

Verdict: Play Out of the Abyss if your group thrives on survival challenges, dark themes, and moral dilemmas — skip it if you prefer lighter adventures or are new to DMing.

At a Glance

System	Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
Best for	Players who enjoy survival, exploration, and dark themes
GM required	Yes
Player count	4–6
Session count	50–60
Tone	Dark, horror, survival

The One-Sentence Verdict

Out of the Abyss is a challenging and immersive adventure for groups who enjoy survival, exploration, and dark themes, but it’s not ideal for beginners due to its complexity and heavy workload for the Dungeon Master.

Who This Adventure Is For

Out of the Abyss is a great fit for players who enjoy a darker tone and a sense of constant danger. The Underdark is a hostile environment, and the campaign emphasizes survival mechanics like managing food, water, and sanity. If your group likes the idea of being stranded in a strange, dangerous world and slowly unraveling its mysteries, this adventure will appeal to them.

This campaign also works well for groups who enjoy roleplaying and moral ambiguity. The Underdark is home to many morally complex characters, including drow, duergar, and other creatures who are often portrayed as villains but have their own motivations. Players will need to navigate alliances, betrayals, and tough decisions, which can lead to memorable moments.

Finally, Out of the Abyss is ideal for Dungeon Masters who enjoy world-building and improvisation. The Underdark is a vast, interconnected setting, and the adventure encourages DMs to flesh out its details. If you like creating unique NPCs, designing side quests, and adapting the story based on player choices, this campaign offers plenty of opportunities.

However, it’s important to note that Out of the Abyss requires a lot of preparation from the Dungeon Master. The adventure is sprawling and nonlinear, which can make it harder to run than more straightforward campaigns. If you’re a new DM or prefer a more structured experience, this might not be the best choice.

Who Should Skip It

Out of the Abyss isn’t for everyone. If your group prefers lighthearted, action-packed adventures, this campaign might feel too grim or slow. The Underdark is a dark and oppressive setting, and the survival mechanics can feel tedious if your players aren’t interested in resource management.

This adventure is also not ideal for beginners, especially new Dungeon Masters. The campaign’s complexity and open-ended structure can be overwhelming, and it requires a lot of improvisation and planning. If you’re still learning the basics of running a game, you might want to start with a simpler adventure.

Additionally, groups who dislike morally ambiguous stories or roleplaying-heavy scenarios might struggle with Out of the Abyss. The campaign focuses heavily on interactions with NPCs and navigating alliances, which can feel frustrating if your players prefer straightforward combat or exploration.

Finally, if your group has a hard time with scheduling or long campaigns, Out of the Abyss might not be the best fit. The adventure is designed to last for months of regular play, and its nonlinear structure can make it harder to wrap up quickly if your group loses momentum.

How Long Does Out of the Abyss Take?

Out of the Abyss is a long campaign, typically taking 50 to 60 sessions to complete, depending on your group’s play style and pacing. Each session usually lasts 3 to 4 hours, so you’re looking at roughly 150 to 240 hours of gameplay in total. This makes it one of the longer official Dungeons & Dragons adventures.

The campaign is divided into two main parts. The first half focuses on survival and escape, as the players are stranded in the Underdark and must find their way back to the surface. This section can feel slow-paced, as it involves a lot of exploration, resource management, and interactions with NPCs. Some groups might find this part tedious, while others will enjoy the immersion and tension.

The second half shifts to a more traditional adventure, with the players returning to the Underdark to confront a growing threat. This part is more action-oriented and plot-driven, but it still requires careful planning and decision-making. The transition between the two halves can feel abrupt, so the Dungeon Master will need to smooth it over to maintain the story’s flow.

Because of its length and complexity, Out of the Abyss is best suited for groups who can commit to regular play over a long period. If your group struggles with attendance or prefers shorter campaigns, you might want to consider a different adventure.

What to Buy

To run Out of the Abyss, you’ll need a few essentials:

1. The Out of the Abyss Book: This is the core book for the campaign. It includes the adventure, maps, NPCs, and all the information you need to run the game. Out of the Abyss

2. The Player’s Handbook: This contains the rules for creating characters and playing the game. If your group doesn’t already have a copy, you’ll need one.

3. The Dungeon Master’s Guide: While not strictly necessary, this book provides additional tools and advice for running the game, which can be helpful for a complex campaign like Out of the Abyss.

4. Dice: You’ll need a set of polyhedral dice for rolling during the game. Most sets include a d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20.

5. Miniatures or Tokens: While optional, miniatures or tokens can help visualize combat and exploration. You can also use coins, paper tokens, or other substitutes.

6. A Battle Map: This is a grid-based map for tracking movement during combat. You can use a dry-erase mat or print out maps from the book.

If you’re on a budget, you can start with just the Out of the Abyss book and the Player’s Handbook. The other items can be added later as needed.

Play This Next

If you enjoy Out of the Abyss and want to try something similar, here are a few recommendations:

1. Curse of Strahd: This is another dark, atmospheric campaign with a focus on survival and moral dilemmas. It takes place in the gothic horror setting of Barovia, where players must confront the vampire lord Strahd.

2. Tomb of Annihilation: This adventure combines exploration, survival, and dungeon crawling in the jungles of Chult. It’s a challenging campaign with a strong focus on player choices and consequences.

3. Waterdeep: Dragon Heist: If your group enjoys roleplaying and interacting with NPCs, this urban adventure offers a rich setting and a flexible, player-driven story. It’s shorter and more structured than Out of the Abyss, making it a good option for beginners.

4. Storm King’s Thunder: This campaign focuses on exploration and epic battles in the Forgotten Realms. It’s less grim than Out of the Abyss but still offers plenty of opportunities for roleplaying and decision-making.

Each of these adventures has its own unique tone and challenges, so choose one that matches your group’s preferences and play style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I run Out of the Abyss as a beginner DM?

It’s possible, but not recommended. The campaign is complex and requires significant preparation and improvisation, making it better suited for experienced Dungeon Masters.

Q: Is Out of the Abyss suitable for younger players?

Due to its dark themes and survival mechanics, Out of the Abyss is better suited for mature players who enjoy a gritty, challenging experience.

Q: Can I shorten the campaign if my group prefers shorter adventures?

Yes, but it requires careful editing. Focus on key plot points and streamline the survival mechanics to reduce the overall length, though this may lessen the campaign