Ask any player of Dungeons and Dragons how they got into the game, and you'll hear many stories. From people who played a computer game based on D&D, like Baldur's Gate 3, to those who watched a video streaming of a Dungeons and Dragons session, like the ones of the Critical Roll, or are fans of fantasy movies and books.
Maybe that's your case, and after some exposure to the game, you want to take your first step into the hobby.
This guide will walk you through how to start playing Dungeons & Dragons, from finding a group to creating your first character.
1) Gather your party
First and foremost, you need more people who also play or want to play D&D (duh). We assume you want to play D&D in person, and not online. We'll cover online D&D in another blog post.
If you don't have friends who want to play, you can meet players on social media channels like Facebook or gaming channels like Discord. Just search for D&D in (your city), and you should find groups with a mix of new and old players. Don't worry, D&D players are always eager to teach new players the ropes.
We recommend that you find a gaming group with one experienced Dungeon Master (the person who runs the game) and some others novice players. In this way, you'll be sharing the experience with fellow people who want to learn the game.
You can also try playing D&D at gaming conventions, local gaming stores, gaming clubs, libraries or cultural centres. They are a hub for teaching the game, and you can always find info about D&D nights or gaming events. Here in Copenhagen, we can recommend Dungeon 64, a gaming club that reunites regularly to play D&D and other games: dungeon64.dk
2) First session: Create your character!
After finding your group, it's time to meet up. Time to think about what character you want to play. The character is your alter ego in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.
If you already have some knowledge of the game, I'm sure you already have an idea of what you want to play. If not, check out the official character generator of D&D Character Builder - D&D Beyond
This online generator makes the character creation a breeze. You can create an account in D&D Beyond and have your character srtored there. It will allow you to share it with your Dungeon Master.
Most D&D groups use Beyond for their character´s creation. Always consult with your Dungeon Master for any questions.
3) Get your dice ready!
Once you have your character, you'll need a special role-playing dice set to play. Because this is your first game, we are sure the Dungeon Master will provide you with some dice. They look quite rare at the beginning, and it could be confusing all those numbers, but we are here to help:
You use different dice for different actions. Each die has a different number of sides:
D4 (4 sides): Used for small things, like minor healing or light damage.
D6 (6 sides): A common die, used for basic attacks or simple actions.
D8 (8 sides): Used for stronger attacks or more important actions.
D10 (10 sides): Often used for magic or special abilities.
D12 (12 sides): Used for very powerful attacks or big effects.
D20 (20 sides): The most important die. You roll it to see if you succeed or fail at things like attacks, skill checks, and saving throws.
The D20 decides if you succeed, and the other dice decide how much happens.
4) Let's play!
We could spend hours telling you what playing D&D is all about, but, like most good things in life, it's better to experience it yourself to really understand the game. Seeing those D&D streaming shows helps a lot in explaining how the game is played, but still nothing beats the experience of being preset at a table and playing the game in person.
Remember, those shows are a good reference, but the ultimate experience comes from you playing the game.
So, how does the game work?
D&D is like playing a character in a movie or a theatre play, with dice deciding the outcome of the actions that you want to take.
1. DM describes the scene: The DM sets the stage.
2. Players describe their actions: You say what you do.
3. Dice are rolled: The DM narrates the results
5)I had a blast! What's next?
After your first session of D&D, you'll be eager for more (hopefully!) Most new players start playing with a “one-shot”, an introductory session with a beginning/middle and end. These are great sessions for teaching the ropes of the hobby, so you can get a good sense of what D&D is about.
A series of one-shots is called a campaign. Think of it as a TV show, where a single session is like an episode, and the next session continues the story.
Now that you have experienced your first role-playing game, you only need to schedule with your new DM and players the upcoming gaming sessions. That could not be so easy to do because of conflicts with everyone's schedules, but it is well worth it when you meet again for more D&D!
What about if I want to be the Dungeon Master?
Some gamers says that playing as a Dungeon Master is the most fun and rewarding experience of D&D. Being the Dungeon Master requires a good knowledge of the rules, the ability to improvise and tell good stories. It's a demanding job but extremely fun, as you will create adventures that your players will remember.
Running a pre-made adventure will make your life easier and could be a good start for a first-time Dungeon Master (DM). Later, you may feel free to create your own stories and adventures.
Many Dungeon Masters say that this is the real deal about being a DM, and the possibilities are endless regarding creativity and fun.
Where can I find the rules to play D&D?
If you're thinking about being a Dungeon Master or even a player, you'll need some quick access to the rules. The official D&D site offers a good glimpse of the rules for free and is easily accessible to all.
D&D Beyond Basic Rules - D&D Beyond Basic Rules - Dungeons & Dragons - Sources - D&D Beyond
What if I want to play D&D in the long term?
Starting Set
If you enjoyed your first adventure of D&D and decided to invite new friends to play the game or want to try your skills as a Dungeon Master, then the Starting Set is the perfect way to keep playing the game.
It has everything in a single box with all that you need to play, including the basic rules of the game, props, maps, tokens, cards representing spells and magic items and a premade adventure made to introduce players to D&D
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands – Dungeons Consulting
Player's Handbook
This is the primary book that all players should have (or at least one player or DM in the group). It contains all the rules, spells, equipment, classes, and character-creation steps.
Dungeons & Dragons RPG Player's Handbook 2024 – Dungeons Consulting
Dungeon Master Guide
A must for Dungeon Master, as it will explain how to run the game, providing useful tips and a complete list of encounters, dungeons and adventures, building recommendations and a list of all the magical items in the game.
Dungeons & Dragons RPG Dungeon Master's Guide 2024 – Dungeons Consulting
Monster Manual
Another book made for Dungeons Master, as it has an endless list of monsters to populate your adventures. Each monster can spark ideas for an adventure or even a campaign. Only for the DM!
Dungeons & Dragons RPG Monster Manual 2024 – Dungeons Consulting
I need more D&D!
Check out the new D&D official streaming show!
https://youtu.be/mY9w7n84PmM?si=s6Z7ghXl-4SA2fzQ
The sky is the limit!
We hope you enjoy playing D&D as much as we do.
Here in Dungeons Consulting we are huge fans of D&D and role playing games, that´s why we started our family bussiness related with our hobby. We hope you enjoy your first gaming session and join the fun, along the more than 50 millions of players worldwide!