D&D for Beginners: What You Need to Start Playing

This is a practical checklist for getting to your first game. If you want to know what D&D is, how the core d20 roll works and what happens on a turn in combat, read how to play D&D first. This page covers the stuff around the game: what to get, what to skip, where to find people and what to expect when you sit down.

What do you need to start playing D&D?

Less than most people think. Here is the short list:

• The rules: the free 2024 rules on D&D Beyond (many people still call them the Basic Rules) cover the core game and enough character options to play for months. You don't need to buy a book to start.
• Dice: one standard seven-die set per player, or a free online roller. Our d20 roller also handles the d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and d100, several dice at once and a flat bonus. See how many dice are in a D&D set if you plan to buy some.
• A character sheet: a printed sheet, a blank piece of paper, or a digital sheet. Your sheet holds every number you'll use, so it matters more than any book.
• A group: one Dungeon Master (DM) and, ideally, three to five players. Online groups count.
• An adventure: something for the DM to run. A starter set adventure or a short free adventure is ideal for a first game.
• Pencil and scrap paper: hit points, spell slots and gold change constantly. Use a pencil, not a pen.

What is essential and what is nice to have?

Most beginner spending is optional. The table below sorts the common items by how much you need them. Costs are rough categories, not prices, since they vary a lot by store and region.

If you want everything in one box, a starter set bundles short rules, an adventure, pre-made characters and dice. We compare them in the best D&D starter set.

Which rules should beginners use, 2014 or 2024?

Use the 2024 rules if you are starting fresh. They are the current version of fifth edition, and the free rules on D&D Beyond follow them. The 2014 rules are still widely played and the two are compatible enough that the same adventures work with either. If you join an existing group, use whatever they use; the differences are small for a new player. For a summary, see what changed in D&D 2024.

How do you find a D&D group?

Finding people is usually the hardest step. These are the most common routes:

• Friends and family: the easiest group to start with. You know everyone's schedule and sense of humor, and nobody minds if the first game is a bit messy.
• Local game stores: many run regular D&D nights, organized play, or beginner tables, and the staff often know which groups are looking for players. Ask at the counter or check their notice board.
• Online looking-for-group (LFG) posts: community forums and Discord servers have LFG channels where DMs post open seats. Say you are new; many DMs are happy to teach.
• Virtual tabletops: platforms such as Roll20 and Foundry VTT let a group share maps, tokens and character sheets online. Some have built-in game listings.
• Clubs: schools, colleges, libraries and community centers sometimes host groups.

What should you ask before joining a group?

• How often do you play, for how long, and where (or on which platform)?
• Is the game a one-shot or a long campaign?
• Is the group comfortable teaching a new player?
• What tone is the game: serious, silly, combat-heavy or story-heavy?
• Is there a cost? Some paid DMs charge per session; most home games are free.

What happens in your first D&D session?

Many groups start with a session zero: a short meeting before the real game where everyone makes characters together, agrees on how often to play and talks about the kind of story they want. If your group skips it, the first session often opens with a quick round of introductions instead.

A typical first session goes like this:

1. Characters: you arrive with a finished character, build one with help at the table, or take a pre-made one from a starter set. Our guide on how to make a D&D character walks through the steps.
2. Introductions: each player describes their character in a sentence or two.
3. The hook: the DM describes where the characters are and gives them a reason to act, such as a job offer, a rescue or a mystery.
4. Play: a mix of talking to characters, exploring and usually at least one fight. The DM tells you when to roll and what to add.
5. Wrap-up: the DM stops at a good point, and the group agrees on the next date.

Expect a session to run around three to four hours, with plenty of pauses to check rules. That is normal, and it gets faster every time.

What should you bring to your first game?

• Your character sheet, or the login for your digital one.
• Dice, or a phone or laptop with an online roller open.
• A pencil with an eraser and some scrap paper for notes.
• For an in-person game, snacks or drinks to share are a common courtesy.

What mistakes do new D&D players make?

• Trying to learn every rule first: you only need the basics. Learn what is on your own sheet and let the DM handle the rest.
• Picking a very complex character: a class with dozens of spells is a lot to track in your first game. A fighter, barbarian, rogue or cleric is easier to learn.
• Buying too much up front: books, minis and dice towers can wait until you know you like the game and how your group plays.
• Not knowing your own sheet: before the session, read your features and spells once. Know your attack bonus, AC and hit points.
• Playing a loner: a character who refuses to work with the party is hard to fit into the story. Give your character a reason to stay with the group.
• Arguing rules mid-game: if you disagree with a ruling, accept it for now and talk to the DM after the session.
• Staying silent: the game moves on what players say. Ask questions, describe what you want to try, and give quieter players a turn too.
• Forgetting to track resources: mark off hit points, spell slots and limited-use features as you spend them.

Is it better to be a player or the DM first?

Most people start as a player, because a player only needs to know one character. If nobody in your group has played before, someone has to run the game, and that works fine with a starter set: its adventure explains what to read aloud, what the monsters do and how to handle common situations. A new DM should pick a short adventure, prepare one session at a time, and treat rules questions as something to settle quickly and look up later.

FAQ

Can you play D&D for free?

Yes. The free 2024 rules on D&D Beyond cover the core game, character sheets can be printed or made online, and an online dice roller replaces physical dice. Many groups play their first sessions without spending anything.

Is D&D good for beginners?

Yes. The core rule is roll a d20, add a modifier and try to beat a number, and the Dungeon Master explains the rest as it comes up. Most new players feel comfortable after one or two sessions.

Can you play D&D with only two people?

Yes. One person runs the game and the other plays, often controlling one or two characters. Most published adventures expect three to five players, so the DM may need to adjust the difficulty.

Should a beginner be the Dungeon Master?

A beginner can be a DM, especially with a starter set, since its adventure is written for new DMs and explains what to do. Expect a bit more reading than a player does, and remember the group is there to have fun, not to test you.

What is a session zero?

A session zero is a meeting before the first real game where the group makes characters together, agrees on the tone of the campaign, sets a schedule and talks about any topics people want to avoid.

Related

• Roll a d20
• How to Play D&D: A Beginner's Guide
• How to Make a D&D Character (2024 Rules, Step by Step)
• Best D&D Starter Set: Which Box to Buy First