If you are looking for the best Pathfinder 2e campaigns, you have plenty of fantastic adventures to choose from. Pathfinder Second Edition offers a huge variety of Adventure Paths, from classic fantasy quests and massive dungeon crawls to magical schools, kingdom building, and dark supernatural adventures.
Choosing the right campaign can be difficult, especially if you are a new Game Master or a group looking for its next long-term adventure.
In this article, we rank the 5 best Pathfinder 2e Adventure Paths based on story, setting, variety, replayability, character development, and how well each campaign uses the strengths of Pathfinder Second Edition.
Some classic Pathfinder campaigns, such as Rise of the Runelords and Hell’s Vengeance, were originally written for Pathfinder First Edition. They can still be converted to Pathfinder 2e, but the campaigns below focus primarily on adventures that have official Pathfinder 2e support.
What Makes a Great Pathfinder 2e Campaign?
A great Pathfinder campaign needs more than exciting combat encounters. The best Adventure Paths combine memorable characters, interesting locations, meaningful choices, varied encounters, and a story that gives the entire party a reason to keep adventuring.
The best Pathfinder 2e campaigns should also give players opportunities to use different skills and character abilities.
Some groups may prefer traditional heroic fantasy. Others might want political intrigue, exploration, horror, dungeon crawling, or something completely different.
With that in mind, here are our picks for the 5 best Pathfinder 2e campaigns.
5. Abomination Vaults
Best for: Dungeon crawling and horror
If your group loves classic dungeon adventures, Abomination Vaults is one of the best Pathfinder 2e campaigns available.
The story begins near the town of Otari, where a mysterious lighthouse called the Gauntlight has begun to glow. The characters soon discover that something sinister is happening beneath the lighthouse.
The heroes must explore the enormous dungeon known as the Abomination Vaults, fighting monsters, discovering secrets, and gradually uncovering the history of the powerful villain behind the dungeon.
Paizo describes the campaign as a sprawling megadungeon filled with monsters, traps, and ghosts. The campaign was designed specifically for Pathfinder Second Edition and is one of the system’s most popular adventures.
Why Play Abomination Vaults?
The biggest strength of Abomination Vaults is its atmosphere.
The dungeon feels like a living place rather than a collection of unrelated rooms. Different areas have their own inhabitants, dangers, factions, and stories.
Combat is also a major part of the campaign. Groups that enjoy tactical Pathfinder 2e encounters will find plenty to appreciate.
The campaign is particularly good for players who enjoy:
- Dungeon exploration
- Horror and dark fantasy
- Tactical combat
- Monster hunting
- Exploration and secrets
- A focused campaign setting
One potential weakness is that groups looking for a huge variety of locations may eventually find the dungeon-focused structure repetitive.
Nevertheless, if you want a classic Pathfinder 2e dungeon campaign, Abomination Vaults is difficult to beat.
4. Strength of Thousands
Best for: Roleplaying, magic, and character development
What if your Pathfinder campaign took place in a magical university?
That is the basic idea behind Strength of Thousands, one of the most original Pathfinder 2e Adventure Paths.
The campaign takes place at the Magaambya, an ancient and prestigious magic academy located in the city of Nantambu.
The player characters begin as students and gradually gain more responsibilities. Over the course of the campaign, they can eventually become teachers and important figures within the academy.
The campaign is designed to take characters from level 1 to level 20, making it a full-length Pathfinder 2e campaign.
Why Play Strength of Thousands?
The biggest advantage of Strength of Thousands is its focus on characters and relationships.
This is not simply a campaign about defeating increasingly powerful monsters. The characters attend classes, develop relationships, explore the world, and become increasingly important members of the Magaambya.
Despite its magical-school premise, the campaign is not restricted to spellcasters. Paizo specifically designed it so that every Pathfinder class can contribute to the adventure.
The campaign is particularly suitable for groups that enjoy:
- Roleplaying
- Magic
- Character development
- Exploration
- Social encounters
- Unique fantasy settings
- Long-term storytelling
If your group wants something different from traditional medieval fantasy, Strength of Thousands is an excellent choice.
3. Kingmaker
Best for: Exploration, kingdom building, and player freedom
Few Pathfinder campaigns offer as much freedom as Kingmaker.
The basic premise is simple: the characters are sent into the dangerous Stolen Lands to explore the wilderness and establish a new kingdom.
From there, the campaign becomes much more than a traditional adventure.
The players can explore the wilderness, establish settlements, manage their kingdom, interact with neighboring powers, fight monsters, and make decisions that influence the future of their nation.
The Pathfinder 2e version of Kingmaker expands and updates the original campaign for the second edition rules and includes all six chapters of the original Adventure Path.
Why Play Kingmaker?
The greatest strength of Kingmaker is player agency.
Instead of following a strictly linear storyline, players have significant freedom to decide where to go and what to do.
One session might involve exploring an unknown region. The next could involve negotiating with another faction. Later, the party may have to deal with problems inside their own kingdom.
This variety makes Kingmaker particularly attractive to groups that enjoy sandbox campaigns.
It is ideal for players who like:
- Open-world exploration
- Kingdom building
- Political intrigue
- Strategic decisions
- Sandbox gameplay
- Player-driven storytelling
The campaign does require more work from the Game Master than some more linear Adventure Paths.
However, if you want a Pathfinder 2e campaign where the players can genuinely shape the world, Kingmaker is one of the best choices available.
2. Rise of the Runelords
Best for: Classic epic fantasy
Few Pathfinder campaigns are as iconic as Rise of the Runelords.
Originally released for the first edition of Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords helped establish many of the themes and locations that would become central to the Pathfinder universe.
The campaign begins in the small coastal town of Sandpoint, where what appears to be a relatively straightforward goblin attack soon develops into a much larger threat.
The heroes gradually uncover an ancient evil connected to the mysterious Runelords and become involved in an increasingly epic conflict.
The original Adventure Path takes the characters from relatively humble beginnings to an enormous confrontation with powerful supernatural forces.
Why Is Rise of the Runelords Still So Popular?
The campaign is an excellent example of classic fantasy storytelling.
It starts small and personal before gradually expanding in scope.
Players encounter:
- Goblins
- Giants
- Ancient ruins
- Dangerous cults
- Powerful magic
- Forgotten civilizations
- Ancient villains
- Epic battles
This progression makes the campaign particularly satisfying for players who want to experience their characters growing from inexperienced adventurers into legendary heroes.
It is important to note that the original Rise of the Runelords was written for Pathfinder First Edition rather than Pathfinder 2e. Groups wishing to play it in PF2e should therefore use an appropriate conversion rather than treating the original rules as a direct PF2e adventure.
For experienced Game Masters willing to do some conversion work, however, Rise of the Runelords remains one of the greatest Pathfinder campaigns ever created.
1. Season of Ghosts
Best for: Storytelling, horror, and atmosphere
Our number one choice for the best Pathfinder 2e campaign is Season of Ghosts.
This Adventure Path offers a very different experience from traditional high-fantasy campaigns.
The characters become trapped in the remote town of Willowshore, where supernatural events begin to unfold. The campaign combines horror, mystery, exploration, survival, and character-focused storytelling.
Rather than simply traveling from one dungeon to another, the players become closely connected to the community around them.
This creates an atmosphere where the people, locations, and relationships in the setting become just as important as the monsters.
Why Play Season of Ghosts?
The greatest strength of Season of Ghosts is its atmosphere.
The campaign gives the Game Master many opportunities to create tension and mystery while allowing the players to become invested in the community.
It is an excellent choice for groups that enjoy:
- Horror
- Mystery
- Investigation
- Character-driven stories
- Exploration
- Japanese-inspired fantasy
- Supernatural adventures
- Strong atmosphere
The campaign is also a great example of how modern Pathfinder 2e Adventure Paths can move beyond traditional dungeon-crawling and offer different styles of fantasy storytelling.
For groups looking for something atmospheric and memorable, Season of Ghosts is an excellent Pathfinder 2e campaign.
Pathfinder 2e Adventure Paths: Honorable Mentions
The five campaigns above are not the only excellent options.
Pathfinder Second Edition has a large selection of Adventure Paths, including Age of Ashes, Agents of Edgewatch, Blood Lords, Fists of the Ruby Phoenix, Gatewalkers, Quest for the Frozen Flame, Stolen Fate, Sky King’s Tomb, Outlaws of Alkenstar, and others. Paizo’s current Adventure Path catalog contains a wide range of campaigns covering different genres and play styles.
Blood Lords
A great option for groups interested in undead characters, dark fantasy, politics, and a more unusual setting.
Fists of the Ruby Phoenix
An excellent choice for groups that want a tournament-style campaign with powerful characters and plenty of action.
Outlaws of Alkenstar
Perfect for groups looking for a weird-west adventure with guns, technology, and a very different flavor from traditional fantasy.
Quest for the Frozen Flame
A strong choice for players who enjoy wilderness exploration, survival, tribal cultures, and discovering a dangerous frozen landscape.
Which Pathfinder 2e Campaign Should You Play?
Choosing the best Pathfinder 2e campaign ultimately depends on what your group enjoys.
| Campaign | Best For | Difficulty for GM | Main Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season of Ghosts | Horror & story | Medium | Atmosphere |
| Rise of the Runelords | Classic fantasy | High* | Epic story |
| Kingmaker | Sandbox gameplay | High | Player freedom |
| Strength of Thousands | Roleplaying | Medium | Character development |
| Abomination Vaults | Dungeon crawling | Medium | Exploration & combat |
*The original Rise of the Runelords requires conversion work to run with Pathfinder 2e.
If you are a new Pathfinder 2e group, Abomination Vaults is an excellent introduction to dungeon-focused Pathfinder. Paizo itself recommends Abomination Vaults, Sky King’s Tomb, and Season of Ghosts as starting points for players new to Pathfinder or Adventure Paths.
If you want maximum freedom, choose Kingmaker.
If your group loves roleplaying and character development, choose Strength of Thousands.
If you want classic heroic fantasy, Rise of the Runelords remains an iconic choice, provided you are comfortable with conversion.
And if you want horror, mystery, and atmosphere, Season of Ghosts is our top recommendation.
Final Thoughts
The best Pathfinder 2e campaigns offer something different from one another, which is one of the greatest strengths of Paizo’s Adventure Path format.
Abomination Vaults delivers classic dungeon horror.
Strength of Thousands focuses on magical education and character development.
Kingmaker gives players an enormous sandbox to explore.
Rise of the Runelords remains one of the defining epic fantasy campaigns in Pathfinder history.
And Season of Ghosts provides an atmospheric combination of horror, mystery, and roleplaying.
There is no single Pathfinder 2e campaign that is perfect for every group.
The right choice depends on what your players want from their adventure.
But if you are searching for a long-term Pathfinder 2e campaign, any of these five can provide dozens of memorable sessions and countless opportunities for your party to create its own stories.
FAQ
What is the best Pathfinder 2e campaign for beginners?
Abomination Vaults is a strong choice for groups that want to learn Pathfinder 2e through dungeon exploration and tactical combat. Paizo also recommends Season of Ghosts and Sky King’s Tomb as starting points for new Pathfinder players.
Is Rise of the Runelords available for Pathfinder 2e?
The original Rise of the Runelords was created for Pathfinder First Edition. It does not have the same type of official Pathfinder 2e version as Kingmaker, so players need to use a conversion to run the campaign with PF2e rules.
Is Kingmaker good for Pathfinder 2e?
Yes. The Pathfinder 2e version of Kingmaker was specifically expanded and updated for Second Edition. It combines exploration, combat, kingdom building, politics, and sandbox gameplay.
Which Pathfinder 2e campaign is best for roleplaying?
Strength of Thousands is one of the best choices for roleplaying because the campaign focuses heavily on relationships, education, personal development, and the characters’ growing responsibilities within the Magaambya.
What is the best Pathfinder 2e campaign for horror?
Abomination Vaults is an excellent choice for traditional dungeon horror, while Season of Ghosts is better suited to groups looking for atmospheric horror, mystery, and character-driven storytelling.