5 out of 5 rating for Curse of Strahd
Here's why: Wizards finally introduces other worlds in the D&D multiverse, (Ravenloft) interesting mechanics for setting games utilizing horror/gothic themes, use of an updated specialty deck of cards, (taroka, to be released as a deck by Gale Force 9) that lead for customization of the story plot and can be used as an in-game prop, first time Wizards includes a huge pull-out poster map in an adventure book, (they listened to player input in their online surveys!!) and it is the first AP produced in-house by WotC. With CoS Wizards has taken one of the most popular modules of its 2e and has updated it in a very unique way to the newest 5th edition. The book is big, 256 pages big, which lays out an adventure that is sand-box in style, (vs the traditional linear format). This allows for re-playability and regular use as both a campaign setting book for Ravenloft, and an adventure path that is easy to tailor/customize. The book further introduces an appendix of monsters that are added to the Monster Manual, as well as new magic items that are found in the Ravenloft setting. This book is a new direction for D&D and if its anything of what is to come, then its the first AP that really expands the Forgotten Realms core setting into other worlds. Im excited because its both classic and original.