However, though this dungeon is rewarding, it can prove incredibly tricky to run as a Dungeon Master.

These are the best times to use milestones in your D&D: Curse of Strahd campaign.

Or, you’re able to go theater of the mind.

Collage of D&D fifth edition, showing a five-headed dragon and a halfling descending on a rope

Either way, here are some tips and tricks to prepare to run Castle Ravenloft.

There is a random encounter table and rules for using it inside the Curse of Strahd module.

Castle Ravenloft is enormous, and part of the fun is letting players explore at their own pace.

A split image of a player in a module from Ravenloft against the backdrop of Greyhawk in Dungeons & Dragons.

Conversely, if players are dawdling, it might be worth it to throw more random encounters at them.

This space is so vast that it can be very easy for players to get lost inside it.

One great way to subtly guide players is touse a DMPCin the form of their traveling companion.

An image of a D&D adventuring party trying to solve a difficult puzzle hidden in a dungeon.

However, you’ll also want to double-check you’re emphasizing rewards for players as well.

Otherwise, it’s very easy for this dungeon to become too punishing.

You’ll want to use treasure where you’re able to to incentivize exploration.

The Curse of Strahd cover art featuring Strahd and Castle Ravenloft in Dungeons & Dragons.

Curse of Strahd by Ben Oliver

The more players explore, the more prepared they may be for their final encounter with Strahd.

7Be Careful With Game-Enders

Are You Sure?

Castle Ravenloft has several areas with potentially game-ending traps.

Strahd von Zarovich, the Death House, and Rudolph van Richten, from Dungeons & Dragons.

Tsolkena Pass via Wizards of the Coast

If players come to Ravenloft early, this can prove incredibly helpful.

Be careful when players interact with traps like this, and be clear about consequences when you could.

For example, Ezmerelda D’Avenir is a really interesting and compelling NPC.

A giant Roc attacks the Tsolenka Pass in Dungeons & Dragons.

Tsolkena Pass via Wizards of the Coast

Are you looking for a Dungeons & Dragons module that’ll really challenge your players?

Look no further than this list.

Part of the fun of Curse of Strahd is creating a successful horror atmosphere.

Strahd playing his organ in Dungeons & Dragons.

Strahd’s Organ via Wizards of the Coast

Use music, acute visual description, and other sounds to help make the atmosphere feel spooky and grounded.

This will help keep the crawl feeling more engaging throughout.

This helps keep the crawl moving at a nice pace.

A hag in Vallaki in Dungeons & Dragons

Vallaki via Wizards of the Coast

However, you do want to be careful with relying on Passive Perception too much.

If there’s a particularly deadly trap, you might want to call out Perception or Investigation checks directly.

attempt to limit their exploration to a handful of levels if possible.

A tree blight attacks in Curse of Strahd in Dungeons & Dragons.

Tree Blight via Wizards of the Coast

Looking to stump your table of high-level Dungeons & Dragons players?

Otherwise, they might assume that destroying it is merely a trap.

A vistani tells a tale around a green fire in Curse of Strahd in Dungeons & Dragons.

Tale of the Vistani via Wizards of the Coast

A vistani wagon in Dungeons & Dragons in the Curse of Strahd module.

Vistani Wagon via Wizards of the Coast

A vistani wagon riding off into the sunset in Dungeons & Dragons.

Epilogue via Wizards of the Coast

A walking house in a swamp in the Curse of Strahd Dungeons & Dragons module.

Swamps of Barovia via Wizards of the Coast

Strahd staring into the mists on his nightmare steed in Dungeons & Dragons.

Yesterhill via Wizards of the Coast

The Heart of Sorrow in Dungeons & Dragons.

Heart of Sorrow via Wizards of the Coast

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