u/Qualex

I have played many campaigns where DM did not disclouse some improtant information to the players at the beginning of the campaign, because he wanted it to be "an adventure."

Once, he didn't tell us we will travel 50 miles into the forest.

Another, that the plot requires us to make a moral choice (not for real life, but still a moral choice).

One time our characters were just drinking in a tavern, when suddenly an old wizard came in and sent us on a quest.

Also, when I told the DM my character is the greatest swordsman in the world and I kill the BBEG, he made me start rolling dice for some reason? Also he said I missed, which I didn't agree to.

There were other instances as well, but what unites them all is the fact that it never, ever worked out. Players have been prepared and excited for a specific plot that they wrote into the backstory for their super special OC main character and then lost it all to a sudden thing they couldn't see coming, like the plot of the actual adventure the DM prepared. This taught me to never make plots in my campaigns. I just ask the players what should happen.

I wonder however, if it's always the case. Do you have similar experience? Have you ever done or prepared an adventure and it worked out well?

I love board games and D&D, and I want to make sure there aren’t some awesome crossover experiences out that I’m missing out on. Which D&D games are worth purchasing?

I own Castle Ravenloft and Wrath of Ashardalon from years ago, as well as HeroQuest and Dragonstrike from my childhood. Are there any current board games out that are similar dungeon crawlers but using mechanics closer to 5th edition D&D? Are any of them better than the others? (Preferably D&D branded, and not Gloomhaven)

I also know there are a ton of non-dungeon-crawl games that are D&D branded. The only one I own is Inn-Fighting, which I think is fun for a short warm up or end-of-evening game. Are any of the other games particularly good? Lords of Waterdeep? Red dragon inn? Something I’ve never heard of? What should the lover of both be sure to have in their collection?