Dungeons & Dragons has exploded in popularity since Fifth Edition launched in 2014, as the game and its mechanics were streamlined as much as possible to reach new audiences. And you know what? It worked. In 2020, Wizards of the Coast and D&D claimed that over 50 million people are playing the game, and that number continues to grow.
However, if it’s your first time getting into D&D, it can be intimidating. Aside from the fact you’re diving right into roleplaying at a table surrounded by friends, there is a learning curve to all these game mechanics which sit in a mountain of product. But which of these D&D products do you actually need?
Luckily, as someone who has been playing D&D since the days of THACO, I have a good idea of what new and experienced players need in order to get a D&D game going successfully. And to be honest, if you’re looking to jump in, you actually don’t need a lot–especially if you split the costs with the rest of your group. And as the representative of D&D players, welcome aboard. We’re glad you’re here.
We’ve split this into four different categories, just so it’s easier for you to traverse. Jump below to our different sections to see what you need to play D&D.
And yes, getting deep into D&D can become an expensive hobby. However, D&D is played within a group of people, and like most groups, you can split the cost of items between friends–something my group did with books for years.
Disclosure: The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.
