Wellcome to the Hellfire Club
A First impression into a D&D Stranger X Things Starter Set
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Intro
Wizards of the Coast has released a new starter set titled Welcome to the Hellfire Club, a collaboration between Dungeons & Dragons and the Stranger Things series. Arriving in October 2025, it follows closely after Heroes of the Borderlands, making it the second new starter set of the year and using the new 2024 core rules.
While both products aim to introduce new players to the game, Welcome to the Hellfire Club takes a different approach, a more linear adventures with a unique art style, filled with nostalgia.
This set contains four adventures, pre-generated character sheets, maps, tokens, dice, and a Dungeon Master screen. Unlike Heroes of the Borderlands, which emphasized open-world exploration and an easier board-game-to-RPG approach, this starter set offers a more traditional, dungeon-focused play experience.
Theme, Story, and Presentation
The thematic framing is one of the standout features. The adventure is presented as though Eddie Munson—the Hellfire Club’s Dungeon Master—has passed down this adventure box to the next DM at Hawkins High. Opening the box is meant to feel like receiving something personal, a gift to help the new DM take the reins of the club. This idea is reflected in the physical design:
The adventure booklets feature faux wear, doodles, tape marks, and handwritten-style notes.
The art direction leans into 80s zine aesthetics.
Black and White illustrations for the token and monster cards.
It’s clear the design team had fun with this product. The details feel intentional and character-driven, and the tone resonates particularly well with players who enjoy Stranger Things or the nostalgia of early D&D play.
What’s Inside the Box
The box includes everything required to begin playing immediately:
Four adventure booklets (Levels 1–3 structured progression)
Premade character sheets for:
Will – Wizard
Mike – Paladin
Lucas – Fighter
Dustin – Cleric
Erica – Rogue
Full-color battle maps with solid paper texture
Punch-out creature and character tokens (clean black-and-white line art style)
DM Screen tailored to the adventures (condition references, difficulty guidelines, key rules reminders)
11 red dice (standard D&D starter color)
Equipment, Spell, and Action Cards to hand to players as needed
Compared to digital play or online VTT setups, the value here is especially visible with all the physical components that are in the box . Tokens, handouts, maps, and the DM screen make this ideal for in-person sessions, especially with new or younger players.
Adventures and Play Style
The included adventures are linear and dungeon-centric, offering a familiar “rooms → encounters → progression” structure. This makes it beginner-friendly while still giving the DM enough flexibility for creativity.
The tone leans adventurous rather than horror—though one of the highlight monsters, a Demi-Dragon / Demo-Gorgon hybrid creature, pushes the Stranger Things atmosphere forward without overshadowing classic fantasy.
Battle maps look visually strong and are sized well for the table. Paper durability may vary with frequent play.
Who This Starter Set Is For
Best suited for:
Groups who plan to play in person
Fans of Stranger Things or anyone drawn to the 80s tabletop nostalgia vibe
People who prefer pre-generated characters and quick start play
Dungeon Masters who enjoy tactile props and table immersion
Less suited for:
Groups playing exclusively online
Players seeking a longer campaign (this covers roughly levels 1–3)
Those who prioritize cost-efficiency over presentation
Price-wise, it sits around $60–70 CAD, depending on retailer. Almost the same price as a traditional 5e adventure book, although the physical production quality is high, and the components do feel worth using.
Final Thoughts
Welcome to the Hellfire Club is a thoughtful, well-constructed starter experience that understands the appeal of passing down stories, play traditions, and character sheets from one group to another. It is nostalgic and tactile.
For groups learning D&D at the table—especially those who appreciate the Stranger Things connection—it stands out as one of the stronger starter boxes Wizards has released in recent years.
If purchased at a discount or during a sale, it is an easy recommendation. At full price, the value comes down to whether the physical play experience matters to your group.
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