Honestly, what an incredible resource this product is. First of all, it's HUGE--you're bound to find something in here that you can use. But also the information in this book is so versatile - you can use it to add a little flavor to your campaign or use the encounters to build out one-shots. And, on top of it all, it's beautifully executed; the layout is easy to follow and the illustrations add an extra dimension.

For a one-shot, I combined the Goblin/Hobgoblin encounters by Joey "Gnome" Barranco as was suggested and my players really enjoyed it! I hope I'll have a chance to play more content from this book. :)

I honestly can't wait to whip some of these out on my players in our new campaign. I've been using monsters in a very standard way and thanks to Beyond the Basics not only do I have encounters for when I don't have the time or energy to make my own, I also have so many ideas based off reading this!

This is a wonderful resource for DMs who might need a little nudge of inspiration in designing dynamic and engaging encounters with a boatload of the iconic monsters of D&D. A ton of great authors collaborated for this project, and the variety presented in the various approaches and perspectives in the encounters is incredibly handy in keeping encounters fresh and surprising at your table. Plus the PDF just looks rad! I would highly recommend this resource to any DM looking to keep their players on their toes with new takes on classic monsters :)

One of the most useful kinds of content for me as a DM is something that is more than a random encounter (like 2d6 goblins or whatever) but less than a full adventure, something I can quickly insert into a session over anything from 30 minutes to two hours. This is packed with that kind of material, and the encounters are at a very high standard with some that are just fantastic (it's worth it just for the Awakened Shrub encounter, tbh). Special mention also to the art, which is really stunning - nothics have never looked better.

An excellent collection of encounters centrered around each of the creatured found in the D&D Basic rules, with a description of the scenario and a level suitability guide. Most have the option to resolve as either a social or combat event, so works for many types of playstyle.

Recommend to all skill levels, and will be particularly useful in a west-marches style campaign.

You’ve watched a few episodes of Critical Role or Dice, Camera, Action! and you decide you want to be the next great DM! You get the free Basic 5e rules from the WotC website and get a group of friends, some dice, and pen and paper but as the eyes stare at you, and a bead of sweat rolls down your forehead you realize you don’t have anything prepared, or even know how to prepare an encounter! That’s where “Beyond the Basics” steps up and offers you a helping hand. To the new dungeon master creating an encounter can be one of the most difficult parts of making your very first campaign. This supplement is designed to be used in conjunction with the D&D 5e Basic Rules and has an encounter for every major monster included. Some encounters are the classic swords and monsters style like “Cockatrice” by Charlie Smith which has the party track down and save a farmer’s favorite goose from the clutches of a fowl monster, while others work to subvert expectations of traditional monsters or even the encounter itself. TK Johnson changes the way a new DM might see an encounter from a confrontation to a social, learning experience in “Manticore”, the only way the party can fail is if they decide to fight the monster in this more subdued but still tense character study encounter. Each encounter includes an afterword by the author that gives more insight into the content. Every afterward is different, Celeste Conowitch uses her afterward to suggest plot hooks to continue the encounter, changing it from a single night adventure into a campaign, like in “Adult Red Dragon” where the party will rally a community and take on a fearsome dragon. Some highlight the intent behind the encounter like Jen Vaughn’s “Gargoyle” about a father wanting to learn how to be a better dad by using the party as guinea pigs. Every afterword is different but all will help a new DM learn what inspires, and helps fuel an encounter. There are also lots of small details that help make this guide a polished work. Pronunciation guides follow typical fantasy names which can be difficult for even the seasoned D&D player to parse out how to say some of the made up names. The header of each section has a label for which kind of interaction will be in that part of the encounter, be it “social” or “combat” and some of the encounters come with a content warning should they include anything that might be triggering for the players. The illustrations are amazing, especially Kayla Cline’s “Dadgoyle” and black light inspired “Nothic”. Armed with the Basic Rules, some dice, and this supplement a fledgling dungeon master has all the tools to create a fun, compelling session of D&D for a table and with all the insight into the creative process, intent, and inspiration that these writers give anyone can be well on their way to becoming the next Mercer or Perkins.