I just started this campaign for the 2nd time about a month ago, but since it's supposed to start at 3rd level and I didn't want to use the included mini-scenario, I haven't actually ever gotten to the content in the book. The first campaign crashed after 4 or 5 sessions.

After reading the entire book (I didn't last time), I'm left with tons of post-it notes in the book, a couple pages of revisions that were too big to fit on post-it notes, and scraping or redoing an entire chapter/encounter area (Amber Temple).

I'm on a FB Group for DM's of Curse of Strahd and from there I've learned there are TONS of "mods" people have written, but I've decided to avoid those so as not to get too confused. One thing I find odd from the group is some of the parts I have completely removed seem to be some of the things other DM's liked the most. I guess it's all about group play style and past experience.

I'm hoping to return here and up this rating after playing the entire campaign, but only time will tell. ( )

An update of the classic 1983 adventure, this campaign takes a sandbox approach to the setting of Barovia, a mysterious valley with serious Eastern European flavor. An ancient vampire, Strahd van Zarovich, rules over the land with an iron fist. The heroes are drawn unwilling into the land, and the only way out is to defeat Lord Strahd.

It's thick with gothic horror elements, and the new stuff is well done and thoughfully woven into the overarching plot. ( )