A Quick Guide to Dungeons and Dragons

So, you’ve taken an interest in Dungeons and Dragons, I don’t blame you! With internet sensations such as Critical Role and Dimension 20, D&D has taken the world by storm. The game has more new players, new classes and more stories than ever before.

However, if you’re new to D&D it can be a lot to get your head around. There is a staggering amount of content, and it can certainly be intimidating at first glance. I hope to offer you a quick explanation of what Dungeons and Dragons is, and how you can get involved!

Dungeon and Dragons is a ‘Tabletop Roleplaying Game’ or a ‘TTRPG’ for short. The aim is for a collection of players to navigate the dungeon master’s story using cooperative storytelling, mechanics and dice as a vehicle. The books and manuals provide the rules, mechanics and frameworks that players and dungeon masters use to construct the story. These include the player’s race and class, what weapons they can wield, and the kinds of magic they have access to.

To begin as a player, you must create a character by combining a Race, Class and Background. All the information for these can be found in the Players Handbook. The Race and Background help establish the backstory and other elements and skills of your character. When it comes to battle and combat, the most crucial thing shall be your Class.

You could be a strong Barbarian who uses your rage to deliver powerful blows upon your enemies while taking any hit that comes your way. Maybe you’d prefer a cunning Rogue, sneaking around unnoticed in the shadows waiting to make a deadly and precise strike.

Or perhaps you hear the call of magic and delve into ancient tomes, learning ancient spells like the Wizard? If books and study isn’t your flavour, you can strike a dark bargain with a powerful being and take the path of the Warlock.

Arcane magic is not the only power on offer either, and there are other forces that players can draw strength from. The nomadic Druid can transform into the animals themselves and conjure the spirits of nature. Whereas the Cleric serves their deity to heal and protect as well as bring down their god’s divine wrath.

These are but a few of the options available, and as the popularity of Dungeons and Dragons continues to grow, more options and content is being added to the game.

Once you have your character complete, you will need a Dungeon master to begin the tale! The role of the Dungeon master, or DM for short, is that of the storyteller. They lead the narrative, directing the players on where to go and what dangers they face in their journey.

D&D has many stories that you can buy and play through, ranging from high fantasy, horror, grimdark and many more. The Dungeons and Dragons Starter Set is an excellent starting point, offering you a completed story, pre-made character and heaps of tips and guides to help you on your adventure.

So give Dungeons and Dragons a try, who knows what grand adventure awaits!