I have now been playing Dungeons and Dragons for nearly three years straight. In fact, we have been running the same campaign since we started. All this time together has created some friendships that I will cherish for a long time (as well as some inside jokes that I will never shake). The wonderful opportunities that can come with D&D are something that I would love to share. If you are considering getting started, I truly encourage you to do it. In this blog entry, I want to share my perspective on the game and how to get started for newcomers.

For a little context, I have been playing AD&D or first edition D&D with my group (with a few homebrew tweaks, that is.) Now all this talk of editions may confuse you when you first begin. I will quickly break it down for you. In essence, there have been seven main editions of D&D all released years apart. D&D started in the 1974, so it makes sense that revisions became necessary over time. Each edition revises the game to change the game balance, rules, and more. As such, each edition is almost a different game. Some people have strong opinions on which version they enjoy the most. With my advice you can start with any edition, but for our purposes today, I will focus a bit more on the current edition; fifth edition D&D as well as One D&D.

You may be asking, how are two editions are current? Well technically, there aren’t. We are still firmly under fifth edition. One D&D is a set of three revised rule books for fifth edition. However, these are still firmly fifth edition because the whole system still works together. One D&D is compatible with standard fifth edition and vice versa. The final book in the One D&D set will be coming in a few months so keep a look out in February if you’re interested.

So you want to start playing D&D? Here is how you should get started

Unlike my brother and I did, I do not recommend buying all the D&D books right away. These D&D books contain all the rules, tips, monsters, and even campaigns you would want in order to play and run games. The main books you would want would be the Dungeon Master’s Guide, the Player’s Handbook, the Monster Manual, and possibly a Campaign book. But, these books can be seriously costly and most players don’t even need them when first starting out. For instance, if you only plan to be a player and not to run the game yourself, then you would only need the Player’s Handbook. However, many groups get one Player’s Handbook to be shared by the whole table. In those cases, you don’t even have to go out and get your own, you can just share. Other groups don’t even use the Player’s Handbook at the table and instead have the Dungeon Master (game runner) handle and explain anything that needs it.

With books out of the way, you may start wondering about dice. I am here to tell you that you shouldn’t worry about it. When you first start, most people are more than happy to share their dice or to loan you one of the many dice sets they have collected. (Yes, dice collectors, also known as Dice Goblins, are a breed of player you will encounter. I usually find that they are pretty nice and willing to share.) Alternatively, you can even use a free online dice roller when you first begin. Once you have given the game a chance, then you can buy a set. You don’t need to spend money on fancy dice if you don’t want. You can even roll the virtual dice for the entire time you play. All of it is up to you. Don’t be pressured into needing to buy something or other.

When it comes to a character sheet and notetaking, you don’t need anything fancy either. An open notes app on your phone, a physical notebook you have lying around, a free D&D Beyond character sheet. The point is, you can play D&D with nearly no materials.

Part of what makes D&D a wonderful game is its approachability. Although people like to invest in expensive books, dice, miniatures, and other paraphernalia; none of it is necessary. Anyone can start playing with just the rules and a little imagination. (And hell, you don’t even need to abide by all the rules.)

My advice for someone just starting out, is to just start! Don’t buy anything fancy, just find a group and join it. You can look online, ask people in person, go to a game shop, or even respond to a flyer ad for a D&D meetup. There are so many groups out just waiting to start or looking for new members! The best way to get started with D&D is to simply play with people who are willing to teach (or even to learn along with you).

Once you have gotten into the game, there are some common issues that you may encounter. The first is a confusion with the rules or systems in the game. Maybe the explanation in the book isn’t making sense to you. Or maybe your DM isn’t explaining it in a way that you get either. Fear not! We live in the internet age. Any problem you may be having has an answer somewhere online. Most of the time, when I look up a question I’m having, I find someone else on Reddit who asked the exact same thing 3 years ago and got just the answer I was looking for. You can even find full tutorials on YouTube for most any D&D concept that troubles you.

The second issue you may find is with the group themselves. It is true, sometimes a D&D group just doesn’t work together. If you have a problem with the way anyone is acting, it is always best to respectfully bring it up to them before it festers into a problem. Be sure to maintain healthy boundaries in the group and to discuss things as a group. It is important that you all are on the same page and are still having fun. Both in the game and out of it, good communication is the key to D&D. However, if things don’t pan out for you and your group, it is perfectly okay. Not everyone works together well enough to make this game work smoothly. Respectfully end things on amicable terms if possible. Just remember, there are always more groups out there for you. Don’t give up.

D&D is a wonderful game that I encourage anyone even vaguely interested to give a try. All of it is so easily accessible and can be tailored perfectly to the people who are playing. D&D can help you to make strong friendships, better your communication and problem solving skills, and give you an adventure of a lifetime where you get to learn about others, the world, and crucially; yourself. The hurdle to entry into all of this is not as high as it might have first appeared. Get started playing D&D; I am quite sure you won’t regret it.

– Emma Doyle