Dungeons & Dragons, the iconic tabletop role-playing game, emerged in 1974 and has since sparked countless adventures. It has inspired entire genres within the video game industry and gave rise to actual play formats, influencing creations like Dimension 20, The Adventure Zone, and Critical Role. D&D provided the language and lore for Netflix’s Stranger Things, inspired the mystery in Ready Player One, and was adapted into the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. While these stories offer glimpses into a world of flawed heroes overcoming adversity, the best way to truly understand D&D is by playing it yourself. This guide helps you embark on your first adventure in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.
Gather Your Fellowship
The first and arguably most crucial step in starting your D&D journey is assembling your party. Most players will embody player characters, each possessing unique abilities, backgrounds, and motivations that drive their decisions and actions throughout the game. An ideal party usually consists of four to five players.
One player steps into the role of the Dungeon Master (DM). The DM serves as the game’s storyteller, rules adjudicator, and the voice of every character the players encounter – from friendly innkeepers offering quests to fearsome monsters guarding ancient ruins. While diving straight into DMing is possible, understanding the game mechanics as a player beforehand is often beneficial.
A D&D party faces a Beholder.
While D&D is traditionally played around a table, gathering in person isn’t always feasible. Fortunately, online resources connect players worldwide. Wizards of the Coast offers an event locator to find local game stores for in-person games. Online platforms like StartPlaying connect players with both amateur and professional Dungeon Masters.
Virtual tabletops (VTTs) have become increasingly popular, enabling remote play with or without video and voice chat. Basic tools like Google Meet or Zoom can suffice, but VTTs like Roll20, Foundry, Fantasy Grounds, and One More Multiverse replicate physical maps, dice, and character sheets in a digital environment, perfect for both remote and in-person play.
Session Zero: Setting the Stage for Adventure
The most important rule of Dungeons & Dragons is ensuring everyone enjoys the game. A “session zero” before diving into the adventure is a great way to establish expectations and boundaries. Safety tools, like John Stavropoulos’ X-Card, allow players to signal discomfort during the game. Similarly, the lines-and-veils system, popularized in Ron Edwards’ Sex and Sorcery, sets “lines” that are never crossed and “veils” for subjects briefly mentioned but not explored in detail.
Character selection also greatly influences enjoyment. A shy player might avoid roles like bards or rogues requiring extensive interaction, while a mechanically complex class like a wizard might overwhelm a new player who may be better suited for a fighter. Consider handing out pre-generated characters for the initial sessions, before diving into character creation. The free official online toolset at D&D Beyond also assists in character creation and rule clarification.
The Yawning Portal Tavern
As a DM, remember your role is to facilitate, not antagonize, the players. Present challenges suitable for the characters’ level and experience. Dice rolls can lead to unexpected outcomes, so improvise! Embrace the cardinal rule of improv: “Yes, and…” – accept the players’ actions and adapt the narrative accordingly.
Essential Adventuring Tools
Whether playing in person or online, you don’t need extravagant equipment. While some D&D players invest heavily in props, a pencil, scrap paper, and a set of polyhedral dice are sufficient. The basic rules are also available online for free.
If you want to DM your own adventure, consider purchasing a starter set like the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle or the slightly older Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit. These sets include premade characters, a rulebook, dice, and an adventure. For a more comprehensive experience, the Player’s Handbook, the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and the Monster Manual provide everything needed to build your own campaigns.
For inspiration, explore published anthologies like Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel, Candlekeep Mysteries, and Keys From the Golden Vault, each containing standalone adventures.
The Dungeon Masters Guild offers a vast library of D&D resources created under the Open Gaming License (OGL), including hardcover books, maps, monster stat blocks, and character options.
However, avoid overwhelming yourself with too many resources initially. Campaigns can last for months or years, so pace yourself and adapt to the players’ interests. Also, D&D is undergoing a rules refresh leading up to One D&D in 2024, which includes a new digital experience.
Beyond D&D: Exploring Other Tabletop RPGs
While D&D dominates the tabletop RPG landscape, numerous alternatives exist. D&D emphasizes fantasy combat, rooted in tactical miniatures games. If you prefer a more social and flirtatious experience, even in combat, consider Thirsty Sword Lesbians. Utilizing the Powered by the Apocalypse rule set, it offers a simpler system and a gateway to games inspired by Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Untitled Goose Game.
Blades in the Dark requires minimal preparation and encourages improvisation in a dark fantasy heist setting. For a quick start, For the Queen is a card-based storytelling game where players collaboratively develop the world, characters, and their relationship with the monarch.
Alternative Tabletop RPGs
Ultimately, no two games are identical, shaped by the participants and their decisions. This makes role-playing a hobby rich in memorable stories and characters that resonate long after the game ends.
Dive in, explore, and create your own legends in the world of Dungeons & Dragons!
