Epic Encounters Buyer's Guide
Steamforged has released two dozens Epic Encounters boxes that feature amazing fantasy miniatures. Don't know how to use them? This buyer's guide is for you.
What is Epic Encounters?
Epic Encounters are readymade RPG encounters in a box. As a gamemaster, you can include the encounter is your current campaign as a side-quest or use it as a standalone adventure. The stats of the creatures are compatible with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition but nothing stops you from using the miniatures and ideas for another game. Did we tell you that the price is an absolute steal for what you get?
What's in the box?
There are two types of boxes: Boss boxes and Warband boxes.
Boss boxes include a single HUGE miniature while Warbard boxes include two dozens or so smaller size miniatures like orcs, goblins, or snake people. The models in Warband boxes are not identical. They usually contain six to nine different sculpts that are very unique. We are not talking about the same sculpt holding different weapons but totally different postures and look! Miniatures are made of colored plastic and come unpainted.
Apart from miniatures, each Epic Encounter box contains:
- a double-sided game mat
- an adventure booklet with plots, hooks, details of the locations, stat blocks, and more.
For which character level are the encounters designed?
Epic Encounters can be used for any party level. The booklet in each box contains specific notes for all Tiers of Play:
- Lower Tier (party level 1 to 4)
- Medium Tier (party level 5 to 10)
- Higher Tier (party level 10+)
For example, the adventure might state that the difficulty of some tests should be 12 for Lower Tier, 14 for Medium Tier, or 18 for Higher Tier. Likewise, a trap might deal d4, d8, or d10 damage depending on the party's level. Monsters will also have different stats block. In the Lair of the Dragon Queen, a group of newbies will face a Young Red Dragon while a group of veterans will confront an Ancient Red Dragon!
Do I need to buy Epic Encounters in a specific order?
Not at all! Pick the creatures you fancy. Some of the boxes are thematically linked though and can be run as a longer double encounter. Check the summary below.
| Name | Box Type | Minis | Linked? |
| Epic Encounters: Lair of the Red Dragon | Boss | 1 | Can be used as a sequel to Shrine of the Kobold Queen. |
| Epic Encounters: Shrine of the Kobold Queen | Warband | 20 | Can be used as an intro to Lair of the Red Dragon. |
| Epic Encounters: Caverns of the Frost Giant | Boss | 1 | Can be used as a sequel to Hall of the Orc King. |
| Epic Encounters: Hall of the Orc King | Warband | 20 | Can be used as an intro to Caverns of the Frost Giant. |
| Epic Encounters: Swamp of the Hydra | Boss | 1 | |
| Epic Encounters: Village of the Goblin Chief | Warband | 20 | |
| Epic Encounters: Temple of the Snake God | Boss | 1 | Can be used as a sequel to Chamber of the Serpent Folk. |
| Epic Encounters: Chamber of the Serpent Folk | Warband | 20 | Can be used as an intro to Temple of the Snake God. |
| Epic Encounters: Web of the Spider Tyrant | Boss | 1 | |
| Epic Encounters: Labyrinth of the Goblin Tsar | Warband | 20 | |
| Epic Encounters: Tower of the Lich Empress | Boss | 1 | |
| Epic Encounters: Arena of the Undead Horde | Warband | 20 | |
| Epic Encounters: Hive of the Ghoul-kin | Warband | 15 | |
| Epic Encounters: Barrow of the Corpse Crawler | Boss | 1 | |
| Epic Encounters: Island of the Crab Archon | Warband | 21 | |
| Epic Encounters: Cove of the Dragon Turtle | Boss | 1 | |
| Epic Encounters: Steppe of the Lizard Thane | Warband | 18 | Can be used as an intro to Nest of the Dinosaur. |
| Epic Encounters: Nest of the Dinosaur | Boss | 1 | Can be used as a sequel to Steppe of the Lizard Thane. |
| Epic Encounters: Camp of the Bandit Twins | Warband | 18 | Can be used as an intro to Cave of the Manticore. |
| Epic Encounters: Cave of the Manticore | Boss | 1 | Can be used as a sequel to Camp of the Bandit Twins. |