Getting Started with D&D — A No-Nonsense Guide

You Don't Need to Know Everything

The biggest mistake new players make is trying to read the entire Player's Handbook before their first session. Don't. You need to know three things:

1. Your character does something — you describe it
2. The DM tells you what to roll — you roll the dice
3. The result determines what happens — the DM narrates it

That's the whole game.

What You Actually Need

• A character sheet (your DM will help you make one)
• A set of polyhedral dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20) — or use a dice rolling app
• A pencil and something to take notes on
• Snacks (optional but recommended)

You do not need to buy any books to start. The D&D Basic Rules are free online.

Picking a Class

If you're brand new, stick to one of these three:

• Fighter — straightforward, durable, good at hitting things
• Cleric — supportive, can heal, harder to kill
• Rogue — fun skill options, satisfying when you sneak attack something for huge damage

Avoid full spellcasters (Wizard, Sorcerer) on your first character. The spell system has a learning curve.

At the Table

• Say yes to things — the fun comes from engaging with the world
• Ask questions — "what do I see?", "what do I know about this?" are always valid
• Don't worry about making optimal decisions — worry about making interesting ones

Ready to Play?

Check the D&D section for trackers, character sheets, and resources to help you at the table.