Getting into Dungeons & Dragons can be scary for new players. It’s a game that requires you to find at least 1-3 other willing participants to really get started. Also, some of the items can be pricey and you need to find a place to play. Many new players find it’s a lot to process. So, where do you begin, what do you need to play and how do you find D&D-curious friends?
Many interested players often want to know how to “break into the D&D multiverse“. The easiest and most common solution is to find a nearby hobby shop that hosts the D&D Adventurer’s League or runs other D&D adventures. Many of these hobby stores have seasoned dungeon masters who run ongoing adventures. New players can learn the rules and then jump into the games.
Learn the Rules and Find Players
Some other outlets to find groups can be found inside Reddit boards or local meet up groups. If you are shy or find it hard to make time to go to a physical location and play, there are online options like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds. These sites/Apps offer players online tables to join others with from the comforts of your own home! There are several options where players can begin.
Commit
I always suggest finding people to teach you the game before you commit to buying all the products you need. But once you do commit to the game and the community, I recommend the following items to start your adventure:
- A 5th edition Player’s Handbook
- A 5th edition Dungeon Master’s Guide
- A 5th edition Monster Manual
- One set of dice: a D4, D6, D8, D10, D12 and D20
- Printed character sheets
- Pencils
And if you want to “up your game,” here are other awesome suggestions:
If you’d prefer something a bit less shallow, check out the Dungeon Master’s Guild. It’s a website where anybody can upload their homemade D&D adventures. It’s full of great one-shots you can purchase and even download (some) for free online.
You can buy your D&D gaming materials at your local hobby shop. It’s a great opportunity to help support them. And most of the time, the people there can give you great advice about getting started.
Let the Adventure Begin
Once you have learned the rules, grabbed a few fellow would-be heroes and committed, all that’s left to do is to jump into your first adventure! It may seem like a lot of work, but after you delve into the game, everything you put into it will quickly feel rewarding! That’s when you will realize that you finally have exactly what you need to play Dungeons and Dragons.
D&D is my favorite free time activity to do with friends and it always feels fun and productive for my creative brain!
