Choosing among RPG adventures & campaigns means deciding whether you want one defined scenario to run or a flexible resource for building encounters around player choices. Earthshaker and Random Encounters serve those different planning styles. The fastest way to choose is to start with your table's preferred level and prep method, then use price and format as tie-breakers.
Quick verdict
Choose Earthshaker when a fixed adventure scope is the point; choose Random Encounters when customizable prep is more useful. The listed prices are USD 25.00 and USD 8.99 respectively, so the gap between them is $16.01.
At a glance
| Product | Listed price | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Earthshaker | USD 25.00 | Dungeons & Dragons adventure module |
| Random Encounters | USD 8.99 | Paperback |
Where each product wins
- Earthshaker wins for specificity. The phrase "Dungeons & Dragons Companion Set Adventure Module" identifies a focused purchase for shoppers seeking a named adventure rather than a general encounter toolkit.
- Random Encounters wins for adaptability. "Adventure Location Edition" is paired with customizable settings, random-location generation, tables, and story hooks, making it a natural fit for a GM who builds sessions around changing player choices.
RPG Dungeons & Dragons Companion Set Adventure Module, Earthshaker

Earthshaker's clearest reason to choose it is its stated scope: 4-6 characters at levels 18-20. If your group already plays in that range, the defined scenario gives the purchase a specific job at the table. The limitation follows from the same detail: a level 18-20 adventure is a specialized fit, not a general starting point for a campaign. The 1985 publication year further narrows the appeal to shoppers looking for that particular edition-era material. It is New, never used, and has no missing pages. That combination supports choosing Earthshaker for a focused, intact module experience, while shoppers wanting adjustable encounter-building material should choose Random Encounters.
Game Master's Book of RANDOM ENCOUNTERS Adventure Location Edition NEW 2023

Random Encounters' concrete draw is quantity and variety in prep material: more than 40 locations with maps and variant encounter tables, plus thematic NPCs, detailed lore, and GM notes. That makes it a fit for a GM who wants to assemble side quests or respond to player detours. Its limitation is presentation: it is a paperback publication in newsstand condition, with possible scuffs or slight signs of wear despite being brand new. The book is aimed at 5th Edition fantasy tabletop RPGs, so that compatibility should guide the decision. Choose Random Encounters when location generators and story hooks are more useful than a single pre-defined scenario.
Final choice by use case
- For a party of 4-6 characters at levels 18-20: choose Earthshaker, whose stated scope matches that table.
- For a 5th Edition GM building encounters on demand: choose Random Encounters, with more than 40 locations, maps, variant encounter tables, and story hooks.
That leaves a clean tie-breaker: choose Earthshaker when the campaign's level range makes its defined scope relevant; choose Random Encounters when adaptable location material is the priority. The former is a focused named module, while the latter is a preparation toolkit.