Review: Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

“Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk” is a great new adventure for D&D fans. This high-fantasy journey takes players back to the beloved town of Phandalin, where danger looms in the form of a malevolent cult threatening the region. The adventure seamlessly weaves together the familiar story of “The Lost Mine of Phandelver” with new twists and challenges that keep players on their toes.

The obelisks mysteriously appearing in previous adventures such as “Rime of the Frostmaiden,” “Tomb of Annihilation,” and “Dungeon of the Mad Mage” take center stage here as the players will have to delve below Phandalin into the Underdark, last seen in “Out of the Abyss.”

The first four chapters of the adventure reprint “The Lost Mine of Phandelver,” with a few changes made to tie into the back half of the book, as well as update it after nine years.

One of the standout features of this book is its ability to cater to both Dungeon Masters and to players who have already played through “Lost Mine.” It offers a classic dungeon crawl experience that tests the mettle of adventurers while retaining the beloved “Lost Mine of Phandelver” quests, which then evolve into a brand-new adventure infused with classic D&D themes and a hint of horror. This combination of the old and the new ensures that both seasoned players and newcomers to the game will find something to enjoy. The Illithid nature of the Underdark makes me happy, as I’ve loved the Mind Flayers since the 4e Underdark supplement.

The introduction of around 20 new creatures mutates and more adds depth and variety to encounters, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. The inclusion of a magic appendix with new consumable metamagic items and duergar magic further enhances the richness of the adventure. The back of the book features a story tracker, but it’s very slim, only stating the name of the chapter and leaving room for notes. I’d love to see it more robustly filled out with more for the players and DM to write.

Lastly, the double-sided poster map is very nice. It provides a detailed view of the Phandalin region on one side, with each hex representing 5 miles, and large enough you can use a miniature to track your party’s progress across the region. The opposite side showcases the town of Phandalin along with multiple dungeons featured throughout the adventure.

“Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk” is a must-have for Dungeons & Dragons adventuring paries. Its captivating storyline, diverse content, and thoughtful design make it a fantastic addition to any campaign. Whether you’re a Dungeon Master looking for a new adventure to challenge your players or a player seeking an exciting journey, this book delivers on all fronts.

“Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk” is available at your FLGS in both standard and deluxe covers September 19th. You can get the digital adventure at D&D Beyond. 

Dice Monkey was sent a copy of Phandelver and Below for review.