Apologies if there is already thread somewhere on this topic, but I didn't search for it.

After decades of writing my own adventures, I came to the conclusion that it is easier (for me) to write one big megadungeon than a number of smaller dungeons (primarily because I don't need to invent new plots/stories for each new dungeon). The wisdom of Gygax has finally been realized, in a way.

Anyway, what are you favourite megadungeons and why?

The ones I own personally are:

- Return to the Tomb of Horrors
- Night Below
- Dragon Mountain
- Rappan Athuk
- Barrowmaze
- Castle of the Mad Archmage
- Dwimmermount

I haven't played completely through any of them. Night Below and Dragon Mountain were slow starts.

I'm not sure I have a favourite, but the artwork in Barrowmaze (and the illustration book) is really inspiring.

Castle White Rock - Mostly for the way that they interweave adventures into the lower levels. There's always some sidequest popping up that's pushing the party lower and lower.

The only Megadungeon I actually own; is Dungeon of the Mad Mage, for 5E.  I have the hardcover, and the map pack.  The level maps I saw in the hardcover won me over, so I bought it.  Then I went ahead and purchased the map pack accessory, as well.  About half of the 23 level maps are truly great, plus there is also a map for a town.

I have only run parts of this dungeon, though.  A complete run through would require a long term campaign group.

Return to the Temple of Evil is a megadungeon and I liked it for a time in 3e. It grew tiresome eventually.

I'm not a fan of megadungeons in the least. I won't run them and I won't play in a game based on one.

My Ur-Mega Dungeon is Under Mountain but honorable mention goes to AEG's World's Largest Dungeon.

Edit: The reason why is a mixture of those maps that fill your wall and the delicious sense that almost anything could be found inside them.

In fact most of the Under mountain is empty space ready to be filled.

I love what I've read of The Halls of Arden Vul so far, but the lack of boxed text is a tragedy.

My favorites:  https://grodog.blogspot.com/2020/06/grodog-favorite-mega-dungeons.html

Quote from: Libramarian;1145298I love what I've read of The Halls of Arden Vul so far, but the lack of boxed text is a tragedy.

Agreed completely.

Allan.

The problem with published dungeons is they're static, and megadungeons should be dynamic. So the best megadungeon is your own.

Though the maps of the Mines of Khunmar are pretty.

Quote from: Shasarak;1145169My Ur-Mega Dungeon is Under Mountain but honorable mention goes to AEG's World's Largest Dungeon.

Edit: The reason why is a mixture of those maps that fill your wall and the delicious sense that almost anything could be found inside them.

In fact most of the Under mountain is empty space ready to be filled.

Right, I have World's Largest Dungeon, too. How could I forget. I haven't played it, though. I'm not even sure what the premise is.

Hm, probably Stonehell. Love the concise presentation. Big problem is the level 5 > 6 pinch point; without easy access to the deep levels I found it tends to tail off.

Quote from: S'mon;1145368Hm, probably Stonehell. Love the concise presentation. Big problem is the level 5 > 6 pinch point; without easy access to the deep levels I found it tends to tail off.

Right, forgot about that, too! I have both of the Stonehell books.

There are lots of megadungeons but a lot of them get criticism for being boring or same-y. Do you guys know any that don't have that problem?

Greg Gillespie does great work with megadungeons.

-Forbidden Caverns of Archaia (make sure to run a couple of adventures that get your player characters to level 2, as the adventure area is more than dangerous to level ones).
-Highfells - Haven't run this one, but I've read it. Its different in its environment.
-Barrowmaze - Very traditional dungeon crawl, but I found it fun, if not a little repetitive.

I have to also second Stonehell 1 and 2. I ran all of Stonehell 1 and it is a top notch megadungeon.

SS

Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1145405There are lots of megadungeons but a lot of them get criticism for being boring or same-y. Do you guys know any that don't have that problem?

I think that there are good/easy ways to work around that, even if you're running a more samey-ish mega-dungeon:  add your own content to it, add outside content to it, and/or leave the mega-dungeon for greener content pastures (and then come back later, of course).

Allan.