Short answer
Get a set of dice, pick up a starter set (it includes a short adventure and pre-made characters), and gather three to five friends. One person runs the game as Dungeon Master; everyone else plays one character. The free basic rules cover everything for the first few sessions.
What D&D is
Dungeons & Dragons is a game of collaborative storytelling. The Dungeon Master (DM) describes the world and plays everyone in it. The players say what their characters try to do. When the outcome is uncertain, you roll a twenty-sided die, add a bonus from your character sheet and compare it to a target number. There's no board and no winner: the game goes on as long as the story does.
What you need
| Item | Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A set of polyhedral dice | Yes | d4, d6, d8, d10, d12 and d20. One set per player is ideal. |
| Character sheets | Yes | Free to print, or use the pre-made ones in a starter set. |
| Rules | Yes | The free basic rules or the System Reference Document cover the essentials. |
| An adventure | Yes | A starter set includes one. Many free one-shots are online. |
| Player's Handbook | Later | Worth buying once you know you'll keep playing. |
| Miniatures and maps | No | Nice to have. Many groups play entirely "theatre of the mind". |
How a session runs
- The DM sets the scene. Where you are, what you see, what's happening.
- Players describe their actions. "I search the desk." "I try to talk the guard into letting us through."
- The DM asks for a roll when it matters. Roll a d20, add the right modifier, and the DM tells you the result.
- Combat runs in turns. Everyone rolls initiative, then takes one turn each round: move, take an action, and maybe a bonus action.
- The session ends at a natural break. Most groups play for three to four hours and pick up next time.
Three ways in
| Route | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| A starter set with friends | A group that's all new | One box plus dice |
| A game store event | Playing alone, or meeting a group | Usually free or a small table fee |
| An online game | Friends in different places | Free virtual tabletops are available |
Your first character
Pick a class that does one thing clearly. Fighter is the simplest: hit things, don't fall over. Paladin adds healing and a few spells without a long spell list. Rogue suits players who want to sneak and solve problems. Leave Wizard and Druid for a second character; their spell lists take longer to learn.
Questions
Can you play D&D with two people?
Yes. One DM and one player works well, especially with a short adventure built for a single hero.
How long is a game of D&D?
A one-shot adventure runs three to five hours. A campaign is a series of sessions that can last months or years.
Do I need the 2024 rules or the 2014 rules?
Either works, and most of the core is the same. If you're buying new books, buy the 2024 versions: that's where new material is published.
Corin Ashdown is the pen name of the editor who writes and checks every guide on Vorbelutrioperbir. How we write and check guides.