INTRODUCTION
If you’re a person who craves adventure, loves storytelling and enjoys strategy games, you may have heard of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Infamous for its dice, dragons, and daring quests, D&D is a tabletop role-playing game that has captivated players for many decades. It’s a game of the imagination, where players put themselves in the shoes of characters they create and explore an expansive world all from the comfort of their own living room. If you’re ready to embark on a journey like no other, then this beginner-friendly guide is for you.
WHAT IS DUNGEONS & DRAGONS?
Firstly, let’s break down what exactly D&D is. Created in the early 70s by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG). Unlike most other games, D&D isn’t competitive. Instead, it’s all about storytelling, with players working cooperatively to create and navigate a story.
At its core, D&D is about exploration, combat, and role-playing. You team up with other players, formulating strategies to outwit monsters, explore treacherous areas, unravel complex mysteries, and save the day! It’s a world where you can be a powerful wizard, a brave warrior or a cunning rogue; your limitations are only bounded by your imagination.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Playing D&D is simpler than it sounds. Each player creates a character with different abilities, guided by rulebooks that offer a myriad of options. These characters form a team, an adventuring party if you will. The story is led by a Dungeon Master (DM). The DM describes what characters see, hear and experience. They control the non-player characters (NPCs) and creatures that the characters interact with.
In a simplified overview, the game flow is something like this:
1. The DM describes a situation.
2. The players describe what they want to do.
3. DM decides what happens based on players decisions and dice rolls.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3!
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To get started, you’ll need the Player’s Handbook which is essentially the core rulebook for character creation and gameplay. If you want to be a Dungeon Master (DM), you might also want the Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual. You’ll also need some multi-sided dice.
If you’re not ready to buy all of that, a great place to start is with the D&D Starter Set, which includes a set of dice, a basic rulebook, pregenerated characters, and a prewritten adventure.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Don’t worry about winning or losing: D&D is not a competitive game. The goal is to tell a fun and interesting story.
2. Be creative: You can do more than you think! Unlike a video game, D&D doesn’t have pre-set options.
3. Communicate: Talk with your fellow players and the DM about what you like and don’t like in the game.
4. Figure out your character’s motivations: Are they treasure-seekers? Do they want to save the world? Your character’s motivations can guide your decisions.
5. Have fun: D&D is a game. If you’re not having fun, something’s not right.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
For beginners, the D&D website is a great place to start for free basic rules and other resources. Youtube channels such as Critical Role and Matthew Colville can offer helpful and fun insights into the game. D&D Beyond is also a terrific site for character building tools and guides. The /r/DnD Reddit and D&D Discord groups are also helpful places for advice and resources.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. RPG – Role Playing Game. A type of game where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting.
2. DM – Dungeon Master. The person who guides the story and controls the non-player characters.
3. NPC – Non-Player Character. Characters in the game world that the players interact with, controlled by the DM.
4. D20 – A twenty-sided dice used for many checks and rollings in the game.
5. Initiative – A system used to determine the order of turns in combat.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Ready to start playing? Grab some friends, get your hands on a Starter Set, or simply download the free basic rules from the D&D website. Create your first character, or use a pre-generated one. Take part in your first encounter, gain your first XP (experience points) and discover the excitement for yourself. Remember, it’s not about “winning”, it’s about embarking on an adventure of creativity, camaraderie, and endless fun! Welcome to the fascinating world of Dungeons & Dragons!
