DM resources for Lost Mine of Phandelver and Phandelver and Below — encounter rebalances, expansion adventures, maps, NPC packs, and supplements across 74 resources tested across campaigns.
By Derek Ashworth — researched and curated by a working DM
Complete DM's Resource Pack →Essential map packs for VTT and print. Tessa's 30-map pack covers every major encounter plus all random encounters with built-in lighting layers.
30 maps covering every major encounter + all random encounters; light layer built in; 53MB; best single VTT map pack for LMoP
View on DMsGuild33 maps for Shattered Obelisk chapters incl. Mudslick Tower, Underdark random encounters; counterpart to 30-maps set
View on DMsGuildFills two key map gaps in the official book: Venomfang Tower + Tresendar Manor; grid/no-grid, print + VTT assets
View on DMsGuildVenatus Maps + Printable Heroes collab; high-quality encounter setup for the finale dungeon
View on DMsGuildBattle maps + NPC tokens + room descriptions + goods & services; Roll20/Foundry/FG/print formats; fills an underserved but frequently visited location
View on DMsGuildLong-standing community staple; full battle map set
View on DMsGuildVTT-ready Cragmaw Castle map; standalone or campaign-linked (2024)
View on DMsGuildRoll20 format of Tessa's Shattered Obelisk maps
View on DMsGuildPrintable paper minis for all LMoP creatures + NPCs
View on DMsGuildFree/low-cost simple inn map; quick reference
View on DMsGuildPrep guides, reference packs, and troubleshooting advice. Eventyr Games' DM Resources pack covers maps, troubleshooting notes, magic item cards, and expanded stat blocks for chapters 1–4.
From Eventyr Games (high authority); maps, advice, troubleshooting, magic item cards, expanded stat blocks, ch. 1-4; best single DM resource pack
View on DMsGuild2024 prep guide from Eventyr Games covering Lost Mine of Phandelver through Shattered Obelisk; free; high authority
Read Guide (Free)Player maps (hidden info removed), encounter list, monster stat sheets, village rosters from Game Night Blog; most-linked free community resource
View Resources (Free)Bird's-eye encounter/creature/trap/treasure overview per room; prep planning tool
View on DMsGuildPer-session checklists for all 8 Shattered Obelisk chapters
View on DMsGuildStructured run guide from Dungeon Master Academy; pacing, difficulty spikes, NPC tips
Read Guide (Free)Eight-step Lazy DM prep framework applied to LMoP from SlyFlourish; authoritative DM brand
Read Guide (Free)Chapter-by-chapter multi-part guide from cros.land; NPC backstory expansions
Read Guide (Free)Session-zero prologue adventure; bridging character creation into LMoP
View on DMsGuildShop cards, NPC art, tokens, community roundup from InchoateThoughts; free
View Resources (Free)Printable quest cards, magic items, NPC portraits, and VTT-shareable handouts to help players track NPCs and remember quest details between sessions.
Comprehensive set: quest cards, NPC cards, magic items, lore cards; VTT-shareable
View on DMsGuildCore printable props; PDF + image formats; popular and utilitarian
View on DMsGuild37 PNG NPC portraits for all named LMoP NPCs; quick visual aid at table
View on DMsGuildCh. 1-4 DM packs for Fantasy Grounds; 2024-25 releases
View on DMsGuildArt assets + handouts for chs. 1-2 in printable binder format
View on DMsGuildFG ch. 1 module; Nov 2024
View on DMsGuildFG ch. 2 module; Jan 2025
View on DMsGuildFG ch. 3 module; Mar 2025
View on DMsGuildExpanded NPC rosters, deep-dive character packs, and portrait art to help players remember which townsperson is which.
Full townspeople toolkit: populations, professions, roaming tables, massive NPC table; fills major characterization gap
View on DMsGuildFull backstory, roleplay guide, voice/mannerism, custom stat block + combat tactics for key NPC
View on DMsGuild78-page aid reimagining NPCs as PCs; unique angle for veteran groups
View on DMsGuildNPC cards/reference for Phandalin townspeople; 2025 release
View on DMsGuildExpanded roster for Phandalin townsfolk; older community staple
View on DMsGuildMinor NPC deep-dive; 2025
View on DMsGuildMinor NPC deep-dive; 2025
View on DMsGuildLost Mine of Phandelver's biggest weakness: boss encounters that end in one or two rounds. These resources fix the problem without requiring system mastery.
Updated stat blocks + encounter tuning; addresses boss weakness (Glasstaff, Nezznar specifically); ~$0.95 — best value rebalance product
View on DMsGuild11 upgraded monsters with abilities, lore, loot, minigames; legendary Gorglarr the Darklurker; high creativity
View on DMsGuildRecharged treatment extended to Shattered Obelisk campaign
View on DMsGuildScales LMoP + Dragon of Icespire Peak to Tier 2; 1st-11th level combined campaign option
View on DMsGuildUnderdark monsters expanded for Shattered Obelisk chs. 5-8
View on DMsGuildRoll20 format of Recharged LMoP
View on DMsGuildIndividual monster loot tables and crafting systems to give players more material rewards beyond gold.
Individual monster loot for every LMoP creature + basic 5e crafting system; popular Monster Loot series
View on DMsGuildSame series, Shattered Obelisk creatures
View on DMsGuildDifferentiated approach: usable items AND raw materials for crafting; distinct from Monster Loot
View on DMsGuildSide quest seeds, faction-driven dungeon crawls, and adventure expansions that flesh out underused locations like Tresendar Manor, Old Owl Well, and Wave Echo Cave.
5 faction dungeon crawls (Harpers, Lord's Alliance, Emerald Enclave, Order of Gauntlet, Zhentarim); 18+ side quests per faction; full-color VTT maps; $7.96; non-AI art; highly reviewed
View on DMsGuild25 quest hooks tiered by level (L1-2 and L3-4) for the hinterlands; noticeboard drop-in format
View on DMsGuildExpands Wave Echo Cave; the headline dungeon of the campaign
View on DMsGuildExpands the orc camp at Wyvern Tor (Part 3 side quest); L3-5; standalone use
View on DMsGuildAll 7 Lost Tales entries: Drow Necromancer, Ghosts of Tresendar Manor, Old Owl Well, Wave Echo Cave expansion, and more
View on DMsGuildComplementary adventure for LMoP; sold individually
View on DMsGuildExpands underused Tresendar Manor with lore + encounters
View on DMsGuildExpands Part 3's Old Owl Well encounter
View on DMsGuildStandalone Tresendar Manor adventure; alternative to Lost Tales II
View on DMsGuildRecent Apr 2025 Augmenting series adventure
View on DMsGuildShort adventures along the Triboar Trail region
View on DMsGuildRegion lore, faction supplements, historical deep-dives, and setting guides to add depth to Phandalin and the surrounding area.
Region lore expansion; gazetteer-style; for DMs and players
View on DMsGuildBest value for the Factions series; includes Old Owl Well supplement
View on DMsGuildSet dressing, NPCs, original material for Shattered Obelisk chs. 5-8
View on DMsGuildHistorical lore deep-dive for Phandalin; 2025
View on DMsGuildCompact Phandalin location reference
View on DMsGuildOld Owl Well faction content
View on DMsGuildPost-LMoP continuation adventure
View on DMsGuildContinuation content bundle beyond L5
View on DMsGuildSidekick NPCs for small groups, solo play, and prologue adventures to smooth session-zero entry into LMoP.
8 Phandalin-themed sidekicks (L1-6); popular for small groups and new players
View on DMsGuildCompanion characters for small-group or solo LMoP play
View on DMsGuildThree short prologue scenes; smooth session-zero entry into LMoP
View on DMsGuildIndividual pregen with deep backstory; part of a larger character pack series
View on DMsGuildSoundtracks, dynamic SFX packs, and curated playlists for immersive audio at the table. Syrinscape's official pack is premium; free alternatives abound.
Official D&D/Syrinscape collab; dynamic SFX + ambient music per encounter; premium quality
Note: Syrinscape (not DMsGuild) — no affiliate link
View on Syrinscape2hr+ fan soundtrack; most-recommended free audio resource
Watch on YouTube (Free)Curated Spotify/YouTube playlists per location from MichaelGhelfistudios; great DM prep shortcut
View Playlists (Free)Community-made per-location playlist from Lyre RPG Music
Listen on SoundCloud (Free)Official virtual tabletop modules for Roll20 and Foundry VTT with integrated tokens, maps, and automation.
Official WotC Roll20 module; 40+ NPC/monster tokens; most complete VTT package
View on DMsGuildOfficial Foundry module; $29.99 via Foundry; not on DMsGuild
Note: Foundry VTT (not DMsGuild) — no affiliate link
View on Foundry VTTRoll20-native format of Tessa's Shattered Obelisk maps
View on DMsGuildLevel 1. The adventure takes characters from level 1 to level 5.
Typically 2–3 months of weekly play. The campaign covers levels 1–5 and is designed as an introductory adventure.
Yes, it's the best-regarded beginner adventure for D&D 5e, for both new players and new DMs. The main criticism is that boss fights need rebalancing — addressed by the resources on this page.
Depends on what you're trying to run. New DM or new players: run LMoP — it's contained, the session count is predictable, and the failure modes are manageable. If your group has finished LMoP and wants to keep those characters going, Phandelver and Below picks up at level 5 and runs to level 12. But the obelisk plotline takes the campaign into Far Realm / mind flayer territory — a significant tonal shift from the bandit-clearing first act. Not every group wants that, and it's better to flag it in session zero than discover it in session 17.
Level 1. The book reprints the LMoP adventure as its first section (levels 1–5), then continues into the Shattered Obelisk arc from level 5 to 12. If you already own the Starter Set or Essentials Kit, Phandelver and Below functions as a direct upgrade — the first section is essentially the same adventure with revisions. The new content starts in Part 3.
The LMoP portion (levels 1–5) is beginner-accessible — same adventure structure as the Starter Set, clean encounters, clear objectives. The Shattered Obelisk continuation is harder to run without experience: the obelisk and Far Realm content is more abstract, the faction dynamics are denser, and several dungeon sections need expansion from the DM. New DMs who want the full 1–12 campaign should run LMoP first and make the call at level 5 whether to continue into Phandelver and Below or find a different next campaign.