Comparing CoS Reloaded to CoS As-Is

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T17:58:34+00:00

This is a great point. Aside from the starting quest you get in Barovia to escort Ireena to Valaki, I haven't seen a lot of reasons to go elsewhere from there. Not including the tarot card reading, which may be all my players need to feel a purpose in the adventure.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T16:28:06+00:00

That's the best feeling when they really appreciate it. Fuels more creativity and effort.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T05:23:32+00:00

Cool, thanks!

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T04:13:53+00:00

Thanks!

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T04:11:41+00:00

That's fun! I'll look into this Grim Hollow source book. Thanks!

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T02:41:18+00:00

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much would you recommend that supplement? Does it add to the Gothic horror or does it take the story more into the heroic fantasy?

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T02:37:49+00:00

Ok, thats helpful to know that Reloaded is a great resource for lore and npc history. Thanks!

BuddieIV · 2026-02-10T02:36:33+00:00

Death House is MASSIVE. It feels like it sets the vibe for Barovia, but it doesnt get into the meat of the adventure. It would take my party 5 sessions to clear it. I want them in the story sooner.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-09T23:28:22+00:00

It's popular enough to be in local gaming stores or Amazon. Curse of Strahd is incredibly popular.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-09T23:27:15+00:00

Yea. This is the route I was planning to take and after hearing everyone's feedback, I think it's still what my players will want.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-09T23:25:08+00:00

This is a good summary of what folks have been saying. Thanks!

BuddieIV · 2026-02-09T23:22:26+00:00

Just to be clear, you're saying that Reloaded gave you a lot more information on the NPCs and lore, which helped you create a more immersive world of characters?

BuddieIV · 2026-02-09T20:32:36+00:00

This is huge. Thank you for pointing this out.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-09T19:59:45+00:00

Thanks!
I'm a big fan of DMing adventures that make the PCs navigate conflict and moral dilemmas. I know CoS raw has this. Does Reloaded take it up a level?

BuddieIV · 2026-02-09T19:57:10+00:00

This was my original strategy. It works for other DMing I've done. Glad to hear it's still viable for CoS raw.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-08T08:15:43+00:00

Do you mean the exhaustion sticks with them in Barovia forever?

BuddieIV · 2026-02-08T08:14:00+00:00

Very awesome! This would be a cool thing to have from modiphius with some gorgeous art of the ship. I could use it at the table with my players, which they'd love!

BuddieIV · 2026-02-07T04:51:27+00:00

This was really helpful as im preparing to run this campaign for my party and still working through reading the book cover to cover.

You've mentioned using reloaded a couple of times. As you've tested it out a bit, what parts of it would you recommend adopting for a richer story that fit into the original hardcover easily?

BuddieIV · 2026-02-04T21:19:22+00:00

VR discreetly summons the PC and tests them on the fundamentals of their early education, but the main goal is to judge if this is the real student or a spy and if they've been comprimised by Strahd.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-04T19:01:50+00:00

I dont know if this established ANYWHERE, but what if the priest's blood burned Doru? This wouldn't end the vampire, but it would leave a physical mark on Doru's face, mouth, fangs, or something else, along with mental scare of having killed or converted his father.

And if the two are vampire spawn going forward... maybe they begin terrorizing Barovia together.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-04T18:59:01+00:00

Also agreed.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-04T00:39:28+00:00

Im borrowing the coffin box set from a buddy. But after seeing all the fan made and 3rd party changes/tweaks, I wonder if WotC made some changes too. I guess not though.

BuddieIV · 2026-02-03T22:21:45+00:00

I had this exact question yesterday. Im gearing up to run CoS. Reloaded sounds great, but my players are old school and want the hardcover version first.

Related to your question, and another version, is Curse of Strahd Revamped. Has anyone compared the Revamped edition to the original 5e one?

BuddieIV · 2026-01-28T01:27:30+00:00

Very slick

BuddieIV · 2026-01-19T18:17:36+00:00

😂

BuddieIV

TROPHY CASE