Why you should play the "Tomb of Horrors!" (D&D)

[@hawkeyepearce1066]

I ran this as a "Groundhog day" adventure, for my players a while ago, and they loved it! Seeing how far they could get before every character eventually bit the dust, only to wake up to start again, with the knowledge they had before, knowing that the only way out, was to complete the adventure.

[@tonyh8166]

That is perhaps the only sane way to run it. Otherwise its one of the worst dungeons in the game and I'd rather chug warm cat vomit than play it.

[@zumzum3954]

@@tonyh8166 did you actually play it before?

[@tonyh8166]

@@zumzum3954 EXPLETIVE DELETED!!! I had a whole reply typed out and hit the wrong button and wiped it. Ugh. Rather than try to recreate all that I'll summarize, more or less. And bear in mind this was back in 1e, and yes, things have changed since then. I ran it once, as a sort of joke one-off. Its boring, and has no balance at all. Its all trivial encounters (The gargoyle skeleton, a complete joke that would barely be a challenge for a lvl 5 group, somehow played up like its supposed to be a significant fight forinstance), mindless supposed-puzzles, with a couple of almost-certain-death traps thrown in. topped off with a brand new monster nobody would have ever heard of with esoteric methods of dealing with it that nobody even remotely in their right mind would be carrying in sufficient quantities if they didnt know what was coming unless the they had taken the time to go utterly insane writing scrolls beforehand (Like 10 of each spell in the game levels of insane), all for piddly reward. And all this wrapped up in an increasingly, as editions went on, plot-armored-railroad structure. Cant disintegrate your way in, oh look it repairs itself and its surrounded by infinite astral demons etc etc. (In the one I ran the players just said fuckit, we're in no hurry and spent a couple of months using golems and assorted magic to dig the whole place up and then just blew holes in the walls wherever looked interesting. I forget what they did with the demilich. Probably used wish or something to learn what it was, but they might have just filled its room with jello and left for all I can remember. Its 1e taint is such that its the one module I refuse to be involved in, even in 5E, and the tarrasque is the one critter I refuse to acknowledge, its so breathtakingly infantile. It comes off as the creation of a not so bright 12 year old desperately trying to make something cool. I despise it. So, um, yeah...

[@Strontium9T]

I remember this module back from when I was a teenager, playing DND 1E (yes, I'm old). I always got the sense that, if your characters were getting long in the tooth, and unwilling to retire, this module was intended to retire them for you.

[@sebbonxxsebbon6824]

I played 1e when I was a teenager and 2e didn't exist. Humans had another option when they got old, split class to another class.

[@Jorphdan]

Thanks again @WizKidsGames for sponsoring this video. Be sure to check out WarLock Tiles here: wizkids.com/warlock/ Here are some Amazon Affiliate Links if you're interested in the tiles! WizKids Warlock Dungeon Tiles - amzn.to/3gYN7lG WizKids Warlock Dungeon Extras - amzn.to/3exliiS

[@Zak-is8th]

Been following since your subs were in the 100s. Keep it up brother.

[@Jorphdan]

Thanks sir!

[@jaythomas172]

I’m an old gamer I played this in 1978 (I was 9) , fantastic, absolutely play this one. Fair warning you might have a complete party death but it’s still worth the experience imho. Also try white plume mountain, also great 👍 . Greyhawk is my go to game world even today. So much nostalgia.

[@Nildread]

I knew I recognized Hei.

[@rodneymeadows7658]

Greyhawk will ALWAYS be my favorite; No disrespect to FR or DL, but they NEVER had the same flavour....... although they are still great fun.

[@rodneymeadows7658]

Thr whole "S" series was the best....

[@sanddry738]

I really enjoyed how the channel “Third Wheel” did a competition run where two teams went through the dungeon with the ability to time rewind at the cost of points. It was really fun to see how the different teams tackled it and it had so many hilarious moments thanks to JelloApocolypse’s character... which I won’t dare mention I also love the various stories/legends that come from this module. Like the tournament team that stole the mythril doors and won or the scepter/crown combo that took down one of the hardest enemies in D&D back then

[@SimonAshworthWood]

Thanks for making this a spoiler free video. I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to playing the Tomb of Horrors. 🤩

[@Jorphdan]

Have fun!

[@BlackDragonRPGReviews]

I'm planning on running my group of 8 through the Tomb of Horrors this summer! Great video!

[@AnEvolvingApe]

I went through it once. The sleep gas and juggernaut resulted in TPK.

[@sebbonxxsebbon6824]

We got past that, my character had Periapt of proof against poison and wall of force. It forced us to flee, rest, and re-enter though.

[@AnEvolvingApe]

@@sebbonxxsebbon6824 Thanks for sharing that's awesome!

[@SirLucien]

I played this last year and it was so good. Tomb of Annihilation is one of WoTC best "BIG" campaign

[@Kingdomkey123678]

The Tomb of Annihilation is a completely different campaign from the Tomb of Horrors. Though TOA is inspired by TOH

[@RPGmodsFan]

Loved your Campaign Diary {aka "DM Thoughts (Jorphdan Running Tomb of Horrors)"} of the S1 Module. I would love to see more of those type of videos. :-)

[@SwordlordRoy]

I have seen some people mention running the tomb as an introduction to D&D, to help players from getting overwhelmed by smart enemies and traps (this was on a video about "Tucker's Kobolds")...which makes some degree of sense to me, but I'd probably suggest doing so as something like a dream sequence or groundhog day adventure...maybe even throw the other S-series modules (White Plume Mountain, Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, etc.) In their 1e (pre-skill) incarnations.

[@rodneymeadows7658]

My Paladin got turned into a woman, turned chaotic Evil, so she lost her powers, & soul-sucked by The damned Demi-lich; aw well, it was crazy fun!

[@N-cromancer]

The way my old friends ran the tomb was that it was the only campaign we participated in between us that didn't keep "permadeath" for our character sheets, unlike any other run with those same characters. meaning we spent waaaaayyy more time dying in the tomb than any other campaign. I think the logic was that acererak personally hated us for reasons and just kept reincarnating us to suffer XD

[@kevinduke8928]

Thanks for the video! I am running ToH in the near future. I will be using the 5e system but I will be keeping encounters as close as possible to the original version. (ie no auto checks for traps and poison can kill you outright). I have told my players ahead of time not to look at ToH material. I did warn them numerous times and made it abundantly clear that it is not as much hard as it is not fair. The goal is to get as far as you can. We have an open world game and most players have 2-3 characters. I told them that they would make new characters (I don’t want to kill off ones they’ve invested in) and if they make it through alive, then they can keep them with all the loot they’ve obtained. Starting them at level 11. Looking fwd to this. It will be a challenge for me as I don’t DM this way typically. But I believe getting out of one’s comfort zone can often lead to broadening abilities.

[@Jorphdan]

Awesome! Good luck, have all the fun 😁👍

[@BlackJar72]

I don't think "what would my character do" was ever really supposed to be the approach to traps, tricks, or tactics in early D&D -- maybe for roleplaying (dialogue) situations, but never for practical problem-solving. Trying to apply "what would my character do" to literally everything is a much more modern approach and not the only valid way to play.

[@bubbaholmberg7057]

I ran both 1st & 2nd edition D&D with the same group of players (give or take) for about 15 years. We all knew eventually the characters were going to end up in the tomb. I spent a bit of time changing the rumors they heard, names associated with the litch, etc to lure them in. Once they were on the 3 tunnel hill, they knew the time had come. They looked forward to it as they knew the treasure of previous characters may still very well be there. I really tried hard to never discuss the tomb out of module because I knew they would ed up there, and it didnt seem to matter how often I gave their characters things leading up to it (like scrolls with multiple shatter spells)they never completed it before that group eventually spread out over the country. Perhaps one day with my current 5E group.

[@d20misfits]

I just watched this video n found it funny that my players are starting the tomb of horror .... They just found the entrances an went thru a false one first no real dmg but I am excited to see if they can survive

[@DeadlyInsomnia]

just played the tomb for the first time this weekend. I'm definitely the type of character that likes to take his time and inspect everything with caution before making a decision which has paid off for my me so far. Can't say much for the other players. We've had a few that get impatient and dive right into some obvious dangerous situations which has lead to 2 character deaths so far

[@Jorphdan]

Nice!

[@swarleymanlagranbombilla9575]

I can answer this without seeing the video. I won't, cause like The Tomb of Horrors, the fun is in not knowing until you experience it.

[@randomdragon8245]

I think that I’d make a cowardly character for this dungeon. He’d definitely be the one who would die screaming.

[@Csrumk]

is there a better way to die?

[@randomdragon8245]

cSym Maybe in an open field with a Staff of the Magi in hand fighting an opposing army alongside the city which the heir to the kingdom resides.

[@ns0557212]

This video rocked I wana play DnD so bad I only ever have in baldurs gates games. Awesome video!!!

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

Find a gaming group through your local game store, or better yet, play Pathfinder. Pathfinder Organized Play makes it possible to play single games with anyone anywhere in the world and still have compatible characters 10 levels later. We also have online games to play without exposing anyone to covid-19.

[@rodneymeadows7658]

Could you do one on my all-time favorite, Expedition to Barrier peaks? It was INSANE!

[@captainkiwi77]

I really wanna play through this, and then I wanna run it for a group to really test my skills as both a player and dm

[@AreaCode000]

I had a wizard character who made it all the way to the final encounter and then go #wrecked in round one of the fight against Acerak.

[@blazedeshautel2641]

Yeah I poked my giant slayer sword into the devils mouth and it disappeared so I jumped in after it! Then the rest of my team decided to follow the disappearing player also! And that was the game 😂 luckily our dm told us that our characters were safe from having to be re-rolled for the tomb 😅

[@SimonAshworthWood]

That’s what 10’ poles are for, not magic swords (except for cursed swords, perhaps 😉 )!

[@libbyd1001]

Played this module when it first came out with a high school friend of mine. Didn't know what we were getting into, just another module, so we thought. Hahahah. I think I might run this with some friends at our next gathering. But instead of letting them die and ending the adventure, keep score of how many deaths they have from start to 'finish' but let them continue each time, just to have fun. Hey guys! Every time you die, you have to drink! 😂

[@DracosDiabolis]

The Warlock tiles scream HeroQuest replacement for the board. Which is a good thing. I would enjoy that heroquest inspired game. With those tiles. Oh the ideas to run this game. Lol

[@tristencovarrubias4950]

Where did you get that Demi-Lich replica skull?? I love it, I want it so bad!

[@Jorphdan]

Amazon: amzn.to/3gwtJNz DIY Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omXVd6eLdtOaetE

[@briancherry8088]

I heard one idea was to tell the players that they were being taken to another plane to be tested by the Lich, and death would not be permanent to their character.

[@323starlight]

XP to Level 3 would like a word with ya.

[@Jorphdan]

I've heard ;)

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

Yeah well they're idiots whose idea of "fixing" to TOH is to turn it into a theme park of pillows and mild bother.

[@NerdHerdForLife]

@@MrJoeyWheeler Tomb of The Big Spookies!

[@carsormyr]

That's crazy I was just watching videos and reading up on the Tomb of Horrors last night. Jorphdan are you stalking me?

[@elliot2118]

Lmao on the futurama cut.

[@simonmorley4816]

Ugh! I wanna play it, but I am the eternal GM!

[@SimonAshworthWood]

Me too. I might eventually find a DM to DM it though….

[@Artemisthemp]

Curse of Strahd and Tomb of Horror. I fear for my Yuan-ti Swashbuckler

[@TenositSergeich]

This is an excellent vid but I am upset we have to specify that Tenser is indeed Tenser.

[@MassiveKreutz]

are the characters at 7:57 your OC's? I´d love to hear some OC lore from you btw - as a charactomancer, thinking up new backstories, mannerisms, voices etc are my passion ;) ...and while I`m at it - could you make/ recommend some videos that go really in depth on voice acting at the table?

[@overdrive7349]

My players almost unfriended me (literally, not like Facebook or some shit). It was a huge pain in the ass for them.

[@marquisealexander1371]

Since ToH is so widely popular, most players would already know some of the traps and tricks and thus it’s not as deadly per say.

[@msolec2000]

I wish there were credits for the images. Some of them I would like to look at with more detail.

[@zkittlz]

The first time I've ever played dnd was the tomb of horrors. I was a half-elf ranger in 3.5 (original character, do not steal) Yeah, I had only ever known about dnd through pop culture at that time, so I had no idea what to expect, and we went through, I got stuck in a room against a gargoyle with the fighter, we made it through all the way to the bridge over the pit of lava with a light at the end. Instead of carefully walking along the bridge, the party began to run and trip the trap and all of us falling into the lava except for the druid who could fly lol He was barely able to make it back out alive lol

[@angelusmortis5605]

Good afternoon can you do a video on elder evils and demonomicon?

[@agustoalarco8452]

Hi Jorphdan, I’m a big fan of your channel. Are you looking for new players to run the Tomb of Horrors again? If so, I would love to join. I want to follow your advice and play Tomb of Horrors before running it as a DM. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a game.

[@hallking7441]

I LOVE (running) Tomb of Horrors.

[@theGhoulman]

@5:23 can anyone identify this cartoonist? I've seen her work before and it's hilarious! But it was years ago. Would love to rediscover her! :)

[@coledanzer3616]

love oglaf comics

[@NetherRealm265]

I guess if you forget about the traps that send you back to the beginning with none of your items or the “traps” that are just instant death with no save then yah, but it’s not my idea of a fun time

[@wade0004]

I think I'll have to run this when they hit level 10 as a dream sequence...

[@SimonAshworthWood]

*NIGHTMARE sequence. 😉

[@johnpaulhernandezrodriguez]

excellent video, i have a question in wicj level do you think that the players must be to play Tomb of horrors of 5E the yawing portal version?

[@Jorphdan]

10+ probably, but lower levels could go in and have fun too

[@johnpaulhernandezrodriguez]

@@Jorphdan thank you master jorphdan (the ph silent :V)

[@scumbad7953]

5:27 Love Oglaf comics

[@captaindrunksparrow3690]

I am about to run tomb of horrors. I told my players to prepare 3 characters, I just finished my first read of the module. I messaged them to bring 5. 1/4 are smashy smashy beatem ups. I tried to tell them this dungeons not about fighting its about not dying.

[@MrStoltverd]

So... Tomb of horrors vs tomb of annihilation?

[@freddaniel5099]

THE thinking person's module. If that isn't your thing, you may want to skip this one. The mosaic poem is the one thing I would definitely push a player's nose in. If you miss it, you will definitely find the tomb a horror! 💀

[@Paulluxx9000]

My entire party survived the entire thing, they were all the scions of Tiamat and went in to slaughter Acererak and did

[@michaelsrb2522]

There won’t be any spoilers? There’s literally a map showing the dungeons layout…

[@NerdHerdForLife]

When I saw Xp To Lv3 bitching about this tomb, I pretty much figured right away that he was probably just misunderstanding something.

[@sonic-bb]

Just end the adventure as a dream if ur players are using their main characters

[@zerotwoeto3123]

LOVE TOYR VIDEOS

[@supersmily5811]

Hehe, NOPE. Also, I thought Tomb of Annihilation was the name of the spitefully-designed dungeon not meant to be fun, but JUST to TPK. Or... Don't tell me he made two of them... DID HE MAKE TWO OF THEM!?!

[@357Dejavu]

The tomb of Annihilation is actually one of the better campaigns. Tomb of horrors is a death trap.

[@williamwontiam3166]

Well, they were both made by asaroack right?

[@coledanzer3616]

@@MicaiahBaron um no, the tomb of annihilation was made as a sort of homage to the tomb of horrors, Acererak features in both, and the actual tomb of the nine gods in the module the tomb of annihilation is supposed to have aspects reminiscent of the tomb of horrors.

[@skullcruncher76]

I love your videos on dnd history and lore. Your friggin great. You should collab with XP to level 3, Runesmith or Mr. Rhexx. Y'all are all freakin good at this and i love it. A part that makes it so good is that y'all really do enjoy making these videos. It makes it really enjoyable to watch and listen to.

[@Jorphdan]

Thanks! Those are all great channels, perhaps we can do something in the future!

[@seansolomon2267]

Yeah the thinking players module. You know, the one that just straight kills you if you stay in a room for too long. That's how I'd describe it.

[@NoNoNah306]

Kills whoever's in the room, if you haven't learned by that point not to put all your eggs in one basket and to send the hirelings in first, you fucked up and earned the TPK.

[@cameronpearce5943]

5:33 Heheh Oglaf

[@TerrariaGolem]

Ooh.

[@anthonyalexander8886]

"It is not a one shot." Isn't it? It was literally designed to be a one-shot. It only took my group about three hours.

[@Lunarl4ndr]

OGLAF!!!

[@XCrawlFan]

Am I in the minority in that I never wanted to interface with an obvious deathtrap?

[@coledanzer3616]

Nah fam, I looked at the actual campaign book. I'm certain I'd not want any of my actual characters to do this as there is no way it won't result in a tpk. mayybe some random characters I just made up, but honestly actual guaranteed death doesn't sound fun. Jorphdan wayyy downplayed the lethality of this dungeon and just how irritating it is. personally, i don't think it's clever or makes you think, it just kills you, which isn't fun.

[@lee-daniels]

'Twas not fun. I didn't enjoy this ridiculous puzzle and trap fest.

[@georged8644]

5th edition completely wrecks it by nerfing the hell out of every challenge in this dungeon, like it has wrecked everything else that was ever good about Dungeons & Dragons.

[@Jorphdan]

I've had a lot of time since this video to think about it. The dungeon hasn't really changed, but 5e is way more forgiving. I want to run this with Old-School Essentials

[@joycekoch5746]

Imagine the entertainment if Pelosi, Biden, AOC, Schumer, Bill Gates and Maxine Waters were all teleported into the Tomb and we could watch their antics.

[@brothermutant7370]

Tomb of Horrors sucks.

[@baileywatts1304]

Agreed. No clue why it keeps getting reissued instead of something like Against the Giants or Temple of Elemental Evil

[@SimonAshworthWood]

Sucks out the souls of noobs? True. You gotta be leet to complete it.

[@enderdude7828]

Yes. It's made to fuck people over, not to be fun.

[@Jvstm]

Terrible module.