Beginner's guide / Published September 22, 2026

How to Start Playing D&D

What is D&D?

Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG): a shared story told out loud, where one person (the Dungeon Master, or DM) runs the world and everyone else plays a character in it. There's no board and no screen required — just people, imagination, rules, and dice to decide what happens when the outcome is uncertain. It's collaborative storytelling with a rulebook.

What you need to play

• A group — 3–6 people works best: one DM and 2–5 players.
• The rules — the official core books, or the free "Basic Rules" to try it at zero cost.
• Characters — each player makes one using a character sheet (or a pre-made starter character).
• Dice — at least one seven-piece polyhedral set. Ideally every player has their own.
• Pencil, paper, and a space to sit around — a kitchen table is perfect.

The dice you need

D&D uses the standard seven-piece polyhedral set: D4, D6, D8, D10, percentile D10 (D%), D12, and D20. The D20 is the star — most actions are resolved by rolling it. If you're brand new, one set is enough to start, but most groups want a set each. For what each die does, see the 7-piece polyhedral set explained; to choose a material and style, see the best dice for D&D.

How a session works

1. The DM sets the scene — describes where you are and what's happening.
2. Players act — you say what your character does ("I search the door for traps").
3. Roll when it's uncertain — the DM calls for a D20 roll plus your modifier against a target number (the "DC").
4. The story moves — success or failure, the tale continues. Combat is the same loop with initiative order.

Curious how the numbers work — DCs, modifiers, advantage? See how dice rolling works in tabletop games.

Your first three steps

1. Read the Basic Rules (free) or a starter set to learn the core loop.
2. Make characters together — it's half the fun and gets everyone invested.
3. Play a short one-shot — a single 2–3 hour adventure — before committing to a campaign.

Ready to gear up? Grab a readable, durable acrylic set to start — browse in-stock dice. Running a shop or club that needs sets in bulk? See the wholesale D&D dice sets.

Frequently asked questions

What do you need to start playing D&D?

Three essentials: a group of 3–6 people (one is the Dungeon Master), the rules (the core books or the free Basic Rules), and at least one seven-piece polyhedral dice set. You also want characters made on character sheets, plus pencils, paper, and a table to sit around.

What dice do I need for D&D?

The standard seven-piece polyhedral set: D4, D6, D8, D10, a percentile D10 (D%), D12, and D20. The D20 is used most, for attacks, ability checks, and saving throws, while the smaller dice roll weapon and spell damage. One set is enough to start, but most players eventually want their own.

How many people do you need to play D&D?

A typical group is 3–6 people: one Dungeon Master who runs the world and 2–5 players who each control a character. You can play with fewer — even one DM and one player — but four or five players is the classic table size.

How long does a D&D session take?

A first session usually runs about 2–4 hours, including making or reviewing characters. Many groups then play a recurring campaign in similar sessions, while a self-contained "one-shot" adventure can be finished in a single 2–3 hour sitting.

Is D&D hard to learn?

No. The core loop is simple: the DM describes a situation, you say what your character does, and you roll a D20 plus a modifier against a target number when the outcome is uncertain. Start with the free Basic Rules and a short one-shot, and you'll pick it up in one session.