Epic Encounters is a fantastic addition to the D&D community, targeting new and experienced players who enjoy having a blast.
Setting up adventures and massive Campaigns can be unending fun, but sometimes it gets a bit too much, even for people who love it.
In those cases, Epic Encounters is the perfect alternative for players who just want to “plug and play,” even though there’ll be more playing and no plugging.
Epic Encounters perfectly combines real-world awe and D&D expedition mastery for everyone.
Contents
What Are Epic Encounters for 5e?
Epic Encounters are memorable 5e adventures all wrapped up in a box and filled with all sorts of ingredients that complement each other perfectly.
Boxes contain detailed miniatures, a game mat, a comprehensive adventure book, and DM tips for running the adventure smoothly.
All these elements create an immersive experience played as its own adventure or as an adventure linked to a current or custom campaign. What you want to do with it is all up to you!
The Best Epic Encounters Sets For 5e
10. Arena of the Undead Horde
Epic Encounters: Arena of The Undead Horde
- Venture into a crumbling arena of undead gladiatorial combat with this Epic Encounters warband box!
Box Contents:
- 20 Detailed Miniatures (9 are unique sculpts)
- Double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create excitement and tension in an encounter
Description
The Arena of the Undead Horde allows players to venture into an undead gladiator-style arena where they must fight for their lives.
Players will enter a ruined city where an eerie arena stands, filled with undead spectators who want to see the undead horde achieve another victory in their gladiator battles.
Only those willing to continue through inhuman conditions will achieve victory in these twisted battles aimed at tormenting their contenders!
Thoughts
Arena of the Undead Horde is considered to be one of the best Epic Encounters you can put into a Campaign.
The reason is that undead are common enemies that adventurers know they’ll face at some point.
The difference with Undead Horde, however, is that the enemy variety, intense difficulty, and overall ambiance of the setting are incredible, leaving so much for a party and their DM to engage with.
9. Village of the Goblin Chief
Epic Encounters: Village of The Goblin Chief
- Hidden in their treetop village, the giggling goblins plot their raids and feast on whatever they can steal or kidnap!
Box Contents:
- 20 Detailed Goblin miniatures
- One double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create an awesome encounter
Description
Goblins reside within their nest they call the Treetop Village, as they plot raids and feast on items they’ve stolen or those they kidnapped.
Far beneath their branches, the ground became rotten, and those Goblins know why. It’s up to you to deal with this threat and exterminate these vermin.
Thoughts
Where there are villages, there are Goblins, and there is no shortage of villages.
Goblins are an iconic piece of any roleplaying game, and with an encounter this easy to fit into an ongoing or new Adventure, there’s no reason not to include it.
A DM can’t go wrong with a good, old-fashioned, horrific Goblin encounter.
8. Hall of the Orc King
Epic Encounters: Hall of The Orc King
- You have reached the Hall of the Orc King, danger lies ahead role for initiative. Want to raise the stakes? Then combine this set with Caverns of the Frost Giant for a truly epic experience!
Box Contents:
- 20 Detailed Frost Orc Miniatures (9 are unique sculpts)
- One double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create an awesome encounter
Description
Winter has come, and the Orc King has orchestrated brutal raids on settlements before they simply vanish into the snow.
Rumors about the King growing stronger are on the rise, yet nobody dares to brave the wilderness and infiltrate their lair.
Will your party muster up the courage to save the surrounding villages that have fallen victim to the Orc King’s greed?
Thoughts
Similar to the Goblins I’ve mentioned above, Orcs act as a benchmark to any Adventure and aren’t pushovers, either.
There are ample ways you can use these Orcs to supplement your Adventures. You can even have them side with Goblins to make for a truly horrific encounter.
One of the best things about the Hall of the Orc King encounter is the icy setting linked to the Caverns of the Frost Giant encounter. So watch your step!
7. Hive of the Ghoul-kin
Epic Encounters: Hive Of The Ghoul-Kin
- The townsfolk try to pretend that nothing’s amiss; the missing corpses and desecrated crypts flatly ignored. But beneath their very feet, unspeakable creatures teem in the blackness.
Box Contents:
- 15 Detailed Miniatures
- 5 Unique sculpts
- Ghoulish Adventure book
- One double-sided game mat
- Monster Stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create excitement and tension in an encounter
Description
Recently, more and more dead have been taken from their final resting places, yet nobody notices.
Before long, the living started to be taken from the streets, all the more noticeable and much more concerning.
Those who investigated the clues have realized terrible, flesh-eating foes have created a nightmarish subterranean realm we call the hive.
Is there anyone brave enough to stop these monsters and put an end to these harvests?
Thoughts
The Hive of the Ghoul-kin is a truly terrifying encounter, perfectly embodying its eerie atmosphere and disturbing plot.
While Ghouls aren’t as common as Orcs or Goblins, when they appear, they induce so much fear that it makes for the perfect standalone Adventure if you want your players to experience a true hellscape.
It would also make for the perfect encounter to have when your adventurers wander into a town that doesn’t “feel right” if you catch what I’m saying!
6. Labyrinth of the Goblin Tsar
Epic Encounters: Labyrinth of The Goblin Tsar
- Down in the labyrinth, the chittering shadows seem alive. Hungry. Perhaps it’s not the Tsar you should fear, but the one he serves.
Box Contents:
- 20 Detailed Miniatures (9 are unique sculpts)
- Double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create excitement and tension in an encounter
Description
Within the labyrinth, all shadows bear a slight resemblance to life, yet the shadows are not your only concern.
The Goblin Tsar rules supreme among goblins, yet he is not the reason for so many disappearances.
Can your party venture into the depths of the Goblin Tsar’s cave and find the evil monstrosity lurking behind his gaze?
Thoughts
I’ve previously mentioned how well Goblins fit into almost any Campaign, and with Labyrinth of the Goblin Tsar, it’s the same, but with a little twist.
Usually, when you face Goblins, you’ll face your ordinary Goblins, maybe with a Hobgoblin as their leader or a few Orcs to keep them straight.
However, this encounter quickly becomes a nightmare for those who underestimate it.
It’s recommended to use Web of the Spider Tyrant in combination with this encounter to get the full encounter!
5. Barrow of the Corpse Crawler
Epic Encounters: Barrow of the Corpse Crawler
- It’s said the Corpse Crawler plaguing nearby villages has flattened buildings with its prodigious bulk. Can you overcome this gluttonous abomination, or will you end up as worm food?
Box Contents:
- 1 Gargantuan, Detailed Corpse Crawler Miniature (100mm base)
- Double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster Stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create excitement and tension in an encounter
Description
Corpse Crawlers are few and far between. Most remain small, but the lands have been littered with endless death, and thus, the worm has sustenance.
The scholars have gained knowledge that a Corpse Crawler has reached an unfathomable size, being nearly unkillable.
It’s not a time to think. A party of adventurers must act and stop this beast before it becomes unkillable, but what if it’s already too late?
Thoughts
Even when used as a standalone boss encounter, Barrow of the Corpse Crawler has some bone-chilling lore behind it, fitting perfectly in Campaigns that have a lot of war or need an ominous ambiance to it.
While Barrow of the Corpse Crawler can be played in combination with the Hive of the Ghoul-kin, it also functions well as a standalone boss encounter you can use to torment your players!
4. Tower of the Lich Empress
Epic Encounters: Tower of the Lich Empress
- Climb a never-ending tower to confront an ancient evil. The endless staircase finally gives way to an enormous ornate door. Intense evil emanates from the room beyond: a Lich Empress.
Box Contents:
- 1 Huge, Detailed Miniature
- 4 Detachable skill spell effects
- Double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create excitement and tension in an encounter
Description
The evil that emanates beyond this door knows no bounds.
Within, the Lich empress, an ancient among ancients and once a Wizard, has turned into something utterly despicable.
A thing that clings to life, using dark magic to sustain itself, never dying and turned to a living corpse holding forbidden lore of civilizations long past.
It is unknown if this evil can be destroyed, but with a party of talented adventurers, we might be saved from the Lich’s evil.
Thoughts
Adventurers often gaze up at the horizon to see all kinds of strange things, but nothing can prepare a party for this ominous tower existing beyond mortal comprehension.
It has an eerie setting and does well to isolate the players, making them feel how small they are compared to the evil forces that lurk in the shadows.
Tower of the Lich Empress can easily be brought into an ongoing or new Campaign and functions extremely well as a standalone Adventure.
3. Shrine of the Kobold Queen
Epic Encounters: Shrine of The Kobold Queen
- The kobolds believe in a new world born of fire and blood, and will destroy anything in their path to claim it. Face their vicious warriors, seek out their dreaded queen, and prevent their prophecy from coming to pass!
Box Contents:
- 20 Detailed Kobold Miniatures (9 are unique sculpts)
- Double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster Stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create an awesome encounter
Description
Kobolds believe in a total worldwide rebirth brought about by flames and blood. Destined to destroy those who would defy their terrible prophecy.
You will have to face these vicious cultists, seek out their queen, and stop their dark illusions of bringing their plan to fruition.
Thoughts
When met with Kobolds, an adventurer’s mind should start to race, thinking only of one thing – dragons.
While Kobolds are rare, solitary creatures, they make for exciting encounters that can prove to be quite tough.
Shrine of the Kobold Queen is a perfect example of an Adventure that shouldn’t be underestimated, as your party can easily be wiped from this plane, but not because of Kobolds.
When combined with Lair of the Red Dragon, the true extent of danger your party is in will become clear!
2. Lair of the Red Dragon
Epic Encounters: Lair of The Red Dragon
- With intelligence sharp as its teeth, this tyrant covets riches above all else—and will rain fire on any foolish enough to enter its glittering lair.
Box Contents:
- 1 Red Dragon Miniature (4.5-inch height, 11-inch wingspan)
- Double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create an awesome encounter
Description
Plunge into a battle with a red dragon, fierce and ready to devour anyone who stands in his way.
Thoughts
Dragons are known as some of the most iconic fantasy creatures out there, but unlike Goblins or Orcs, their power and evil truly know no bounds, especially Red Dragons.
Stepping into the lair of a dragon can be identified by the smell of sulfur but mainly by the smell of burning flesh and screaming victims.
Lair of the Red Dragon will be one of the most challenging Adventures you’ll go on, and whether you want to make it a standalone Adventure or part of an overarching Campaign is entirely up to you.
1. Caverns of the Frost Giant
Epic Encounters: Caverns of The Frost Giant
- Caverns of the Frost Giant will slide you into the fray against a hard-headed frost giant! Tread carefully when entering the giant’s frozen lair. These tyrants have a nasty habit of laying murderous traps…
Box Contents:
- 1 Frost Giant Miniature
- 12 Grimfang Orc tokens
- 6 Trap tokens
- Double-sided game mat
- Adventure book
- Monster Stats
- Tips and tricks that help the DM create an awesome encounter
Description
Enter the lair of a Frost Giant. They have the habit of laying traps to greet adventurers who wander into their cave.
Not before long, you’ll hear the roar of a Frost Giant, an old race of beings who’ve always harbored a hatred as cold as their hearts.
Thoughts
Going up against an evil Frost Giant is no small task, especially when you have to face a whole band of Orcs beforehand.
It embodies the perfect frozen nightmare as your party faces one of the oldest evil races on the mortal planes.
Whether you want to play this encounter as a standalone, combine it with Hall of the Orc King, or add it as a separate boss encounter, all work exceptionally well.
Note: Think about incorporating this encounter into a Campaign that may include the Ring of Winter, a powerful Artifact capable of freezing the entire mortal world!
Epic Encounters FAQs
How Big Are Epic Encounters Miniatures for 5e?
Epic Encounters miniatures are a few millimeters larger on average compared to other D&D miniatures, especially the boss monsters.
Most bases fall around 32mm, and there are certain creatures that have bases of 100mm! Some of these guys are pretty chunky, but that shouldn’t stop you from just tweaking your battlefield slightly.
Many DMs also suggest that the enemies you’re fighting seem larger than usual, adding to the mystery of the adventure you’re on, so props to them!
Are Epic Encounters Worth It for 5e?
In my opinion, definitely! While it might not be as important to players who don’t want to become DMs, it can still be an intriguing buy, as many players love reading about adventures and enjoy painting miniatures.
On the more functional side of things, DMs will appreciate this a ton, especially DMs who see D&D as their main hobby and love incorporating immersive scenes into their adventures – which the miniatures will only improve.
You should also take into consideration the quality of the miniatures, as they’ve always been good and in recent years they’ve just become better.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to relax and play a ready-made D&D campaign, need miniatures for your campaign, require some new additions to your current campaign, or just love painting, Epic Encounters is for you!
There’s a beautiful simplicity and a sense of immersion when playing with physical miniatures, not to mention the great storytelling of the captivating encounters all adventurers dream of.
So, if you’re craving a snowy cave, hordes of undead, or an army of goblins, Epic Encounters comes prepared with many more adventures to be held using your new miniatures.