Reverse Dungeon

Reverse Dungeon is a 96-page adventure module for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in May 2000.

Official synopsis[]

See how the other half lives!
Herpulh the goblin heard a knock-knock-knocking in the upper corridor—those nosy explorers have found the secret entrance to the goblin den! Herpulh must hurry to warn the tribe. If the invaders cut him off at the pass, there will be no means of stopping their mad advance into the lair!
Welcome to Reverse Dungeon, the adventure where everything is backward! Instead of playing bold heroes who venture into the dens of evil, the players take the roles of the monsters, determined to stop adventurers from invading their homes. Instead of always being the good guys, the players get a chance to be the bad guys.
Reverse Dungeon contains three linked minicampaigns in which the players represent:

Goblins whose warrens are under siege from a band of heroes seeking fame and fortune;

Guardian abominations whose vaults are attacked from several directions at once; and

Ancient undead that must defend the silence of their tomb against crusading clerics intent on destroying them.
Enter the Reverse Dungeon—and find out how it feels to be on the receiving end of a hero's blade.

Content[]

The adventure module is an unusual reversal of the typical method, in which the player characters are a group of monsters who seek to defend their home from adventurers. There are three dungeon levels: Goblintown, The Vault Level, and Lichland.

In each section, the players play monsters associated with that level. Special rules are provided for goblin player characters and advanced technology from the Barrier Peaks.

Development and release[]

Development[]

The book was written by John D. Rateliff and Bruce R. Cordell. Cover art was provided by Wayne Reynolds, and interior art byDennis Cramer.

Release[]

Reverse Dungeon was released by Wizards of the Coast in May 2000 for $17.95 US, or $26.96 Canadian.

On August 1, 2017, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $4.99.

Reception and influence[]

Critical reception[]

As of 2023, Reverse Dungeon reached the rank of Electrum seller on DriveThruRPG.

Influence on other works[]

External links[]

References[]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition
Core rules
Player's Handbook • Dungeon Master Guide Monstrous Compendium Volume One • Monstrous Compendium Volume Two • Monstrous Manual First Quest • Introduction to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Game • The Complete Starter Set • Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game
Optional core rules
Player's Option: Combat & Tactics • Player's Option: Skills & Powers • Player's Option: Spells & Magic Dungeon Master Option: High-Level Campaigns • Campaign Option: Council of Wyrms
Supplement lines
Player's Handbook Rules Supplement • Dungeon Master's Guide Rules Supplement Monstrous Compendium Appendix • Monstrous Compendium Annual Encyclopedia Magica • Historical Reference • The Magic Encyclopedia • Monstrous Arcana • Priest's Spell Compendium • Wizard's Spell Compendium
Other supplements
Bastion of Faith • Book of Artifacts • Castle Sites • Chronomancer • City Sites • College of Wizardry • Country Sites • Den of Thieves • Dungeon Builder's Guidebook • Guide to Hell • Legends & Lore • Rogues' Gallery • Shaman • Tome of Magic • The Vortex of Madness and Other Planar Perils • Warriors of Heaven • World Builder's Guidebook
Adventures
The Apocalypse Stone • Axe of the Dwarvish Lords • Cleric's Challenge (II) • The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga • Destiny of Kings • Die Vecna Die! • Dragon Mountain • Dungeons of Despair • Fighter's Challenge (II) • The Gates of Firestorm Peak • A Hero's Tale • Labyrinth of Madness • The Lost Shrine of Bundushatur • Moonlight Madness • The Murky Deep • Night Below: An Underdark Campaign • A Paladin in Hell • Return to the Tomb of Horrors • Reverse Dungeon • Road to Danger • The Rod of Seven Parts • The Shattered Circle • The Silver Key • Swamplight • Tale of the Comet • Tales of Enchantment • Temple, Tower, & Tomb • Thief's Challenge (II) • TSR Jam 1999 • Wizard's Challenge (II)