Free Content on DnDBeyond - Prisoner 13

I like free stuff - but, I also know it comes with a price.

Logging in to prep for tonight’s game, I saw the following:

Intrigued, I clicked the READ More and got the following:

Get your lockpicks out because you're going to need them! Prisoner 13 is a heist-based adventure from the upcoming anthology Keys from the Golden Vault. It takes 4th-level characters to the frigid prison of Revel's End, where the party's skills and ingenuity will be put to the test as they plan and execute a daring heist to extract information from one of the prison's inmates. 

D&D Beyond users can claim Prisoner 13 at no cost, simply click the button below to visit to claim page and add it to your account. If you're not yet a D&D Beyond user, you can sign up here.

I initially felt excited when I saw that Wizards of the Coast (WotC) was releasing another hardcover adventure book. These books contain a mini-campaign or adventures, along with special rules, classes, spells, and more for both players and Dungeon Masters (DMs). However, the issue with this approach is that players need to buy the book to access these rules, which also exposes them to the adventure itself. Some players may be tempted to read ahead, potentially spoiling the experience.

In contrast, the past system involved DMs purchasing low-cost modules that players never saw. These modules could be a part of a larger campaign (such as the G series - Against the Giants), loosly tied together like the B series or just a stand alone adventure. These could be run in any order, and the DM had the option to keep the mystery intact and reduce the temptation for players to peek behind the curtain.

Now, WotC is offering free adventures that are available to everyone, which could lead to players accessing information they shouldn't have. As a result, some DMs may be hesitant to run these adventures, knowing that players may have access to the same information. This could be problematic if the adventure requires surprise or suspense.

In my opinion, the previous system of individual adventures was better.

I wish WotC would go back to the individual adventures again, where I can pick & choose what I like, drop it into my world and go from there - vs an investment in time and money that I will have to make to run some epic quest that fits their narrative, not mine.

Am I off base here? You tell me in the comments below, then “Get off my lawn”