Lord Soth wrote in B1-9 In Search of Adventure:As a collector I don’t even currently own all of the B modules, nor the super module B1-9.  I was wondering if B1-9 is even worth getting.  Based on the write up here it seems like many of the modules within were modified in a bad way, and I for one don’t like the idea of classic modules being ruined.  So just wanted to get overall thoughts on it.

They are all worth getting.  :D

In all seriousness, are you collecting to play it or just to have it as a trophy?  I never played through the B1-9 supermod but did run the Queen of Spiders.  That one was amazing.  Having read B1-9, in my opinion it is the weakest of the 6 supermod booklets due to its lack of real cohesiveness between the different modules found in it.  As far as terrible edits and omissions, I do remember B1-9 just having the map to B1 and nothing else.

-SKA

I just like having a complete series displayed. Flipping through them is fun, but nothing compared to the display.

B1-9 was my first foray into those modules and it pushed me to acquire the series individually.  The supermodule creates 3 paths for the players to play through based on the rumours they take at Threshold.  I'm pretty sure they start at threshold.  It has been a while. (I did own B2 already)

The suggested flowcharts works like this:


Each entry shows a picture of the original module front and talks about omitted parts and extras.  There is always a small section between each part of the flowchart describing awards and the path options suggested ahead.  On the chart are teo notations that the party may return to threshold and that the silver princess csn occur anytime.  I used the Silver Princess once during an adventure to avoid a TPK (could only do this trick once).  The B3 is the latter on btw.  Pages and extras can be pulled out in the back. (Which i photocopied in the day).  And it is actually a pretty pleasant package and intro.  You do miss a fair amount from the original modules but the meat is here.  Imho, this might be the best of the super modules but I like low level adventures anyway.  It is a fun reading book as well.

Queen of the Spiders would easily be my vote for best supermod. B1-9 attempts to take nine modules written at different times and for different environments and mesh them together by basically rewriting them, and a few of the B series are not exactly shining gems to begin with and were not improved with a rewrite.
IMO the supermods are only worth picking up if you don't have the separate mods and/or are a collector. It doesn't take a 20th level DM to tie the modules together in a series; that is what the modules are designed to do.

Lord Soth wrote in B1-9 In Search of Adventure:

Of the original B1-9 modules which would you consider must haves, and which ones are stinkers?  This would help me decide which to collect first as a priority.

B1-5, B10 are must haves. All the other B-Series modules are meh.

Mike B.

Looks like I really need a copy of B5 then!  I never played it but always heard that it was quite good.  I’ll put it on my priority list of modules to get.

Luckily I have digital copies of all the old stuff to read so I don’t bother my nice paper copies.

Lord Soth wrote in B1-9 In Search of Adventure:Looks like I really need a copy of B5 then!  I never played it but always heard that it was quite good.  I’ll put it on my priority list of modules to get.

Luckily I have digital copies of all the old stuff to read so I don’t bother my nice paper copies.

Remember, you can get a minty hard copy on DriveThruRPG for $9.99 plus shipping.   8)