Getting Started with D&D
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How do you start playing Dungeons & Dragons?
The popularity of Dungeons & Dragons has skyrocketed in recent years. Think of series that feature DnD like “Stranger Things” and “Community”, and of course the comedic DnD movie released last year. Once a niche hobby for fantasy lovers, the game is now a mainstream phenomenon you can easily play at home—or even over video call with friends. Curious how to start playing DnD? Then read on in our handy step‑by‑step guide!
What is Dungeons & Dragons?
In Dungeons & Dragons, often abbreviated to D&D or DnD, you step into the shoes of an imaginary character and cooperate in a rich fantasy world. The game is played around a table with 3 to 6 players in sessions that last 3, sometimes even 6 hours. Step 1 is therefore to find a group of companions ready for adventure. Each player in the group (the party) then chooses or creates a character and the party embarks on an adventure led by the Dungeon Master (abbreviated DM or GM/Game Master). The Dungeon Master acts as storyteller and referee while the players decide the outcome. Success for critical actions — persuading a soldier of your innocence or striking an enemy — is decided by rolling dice, chiefly the iconic twenty‑sided d20. High rolls mean success; low rolls often mean comedic failure.
What do you need to play DnD?
A big advantage of Dungeons & Dragons is that you don’t need much to begin. All you really need are the rules, a character, dice and plenty of imagination. Luckily, Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, provides a free PDF with the basic rules. It tells you everything you need to create a simple character and play. Wizards of the Coast also publishes Starter Sets containing some pre‑made characters, a set of dice, a copy of the basic rules and a short adventure. Want to dive deeper right away? Then you can buy the Player’s Handbook, a comprehensive book packed with everything a new player could wish for. For dice — a key part of the game — you can pick up a standard set. If you only want to play you’ll also need a Dungeon Master — but more on that later!
Dungeons & Dragons – 5th Edition Player’s Handbook
€35.99
A guide that teaches you how to create characters, understand the rules, and dive into adventures in the world of D&D.
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set
€24.40
An intro adventure that helps new players and Dungeon Masters learn the basics of D&D through a ready-to-play story on Stormwreck Isle.
How do I create a DnD character?
The starter PDF from Wizards of the Coast includes a few basic DnD races and classes, but if you want full choice the Player’s Handbook is recommended. It describes all the main options in detail. A template for your character sheet can be downloaded via this link.
A DnD character consists of several essential choices. First pick the race: classic races like dwarves, elves and humans, or more exotic options such as Tabaxi (cat‑folk) or Aasimar (angelic beings). After choosing your race, select your character’s class, comparable to their profession, which largely determines what they can do. Familiar classes include Wizard, Fighter and Ranger. Finally you can tweak and colour your character in many ways. A key method is writing a background story explaining what happened in your character’s life before the campaign begins. With so many options you can easily lose hours crafting a character — consider yourself warned! 😉
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? No worries! New players can also pick one of the many premade characters and then add their own creative twist. See, for example, this website with characters. When you book a StoryForgers session we always provide a fun set of characters to choose from!
How do I become a Dungeon Master?
Every DnD game needs a Dungeon Master, but this role is more complex than that of a regular player. Whereas a player only has to bring their created or chosen character to the table, the Dungeon Master prepares the entire story and knows the rules inside out. They act as referee, storyteller and adversary for the players, describing locations, consequences and playing all NPCs (non‑player characters). Because this can be a lot, beginners are usually advised to gain experience as a player before taking on the Dungeon Master role.
When you feel ready to become the Dungeon Master there are several resources available. Wizards of the Coast offers an extensive guide (the Dungeon Master’s Guide) to help you run the game. We also recommend the YouTube series below, which the StoryForgers DMs themselves found very useful. Still sounds daunting? Then keep reading!
Dungeons & Dragons – 5th Edition Dungeon Master’s Guide
€33.99
A handbook full of tips, tools, and rules to help Dungeon Masters build worlds, run games, and keep adventures exciting.
Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master’s Screen
€24.40
A handy screen that hides the DM’s notes and dice rolls while keeping quick-reference rules and info right at your fingertips.
The benefits of a professional Dungeon Master
Now that you know how to start with Dungeons & Dragons, you can also consider learning with a professional Dungeon Master. The professional StoryForgers Dungeon Masters are experienced in crafting exciting stories and helping new players understand the rules and develop their characters. StoryForgers has designed special one‑shot sessions that squeeze a full adventure into a four‑hour session — perfect for beginners who want a fun first taste. At the start we spend the first 20 minutes explaining the basics so even players with zero experience can jump right in. We also bring all the essentials for smooth play: a set of character sheets with cool characters, miniatures and table cards.
In short, learning to play Dungeons & Dragons with a StoryForgers Dungeon Master opens the door to a world full of adventure and imagination. So gather your friends, roll those dice and let the adventure begin!
