Explain to me like I'm 5: How do I play D&D?
So you want to get started playing Dungeons & Dragons, but you’re unsure where to begin? Maybe you saw it on Stranger Things or Onward. Maybe you were swept up in Critical Role, The Adventure Zone, Dimension 20, or Friends at the Table. Maybe you’ve always been aware of it, but now you’re interested in learning more. Whatever your reason, this is where you begin.
Unfortunately, I can’t cover everything you need to know in just one article, so this is more of a reference guide. This is the first of a whole series of articles, each covering one aspect of the game in greater depth for you to explore. By no means do you need to read each article in order, or even at all! The best way to learn is to just start playing and then learn and explore in depth as you go.
At the beginning
To begin, what exactly is D&D*? It’s a TTRPG*. Now, it’s not the only one, by any means, but it is the most widely played and best known. D&D is a collaborative storytelling game, moderated by a DM (Dungeon Master). Dice are used to determine any outcomes involving skill or chance. Most often, a game of D&D involves a group of players, who each run a character that they control through a series of adventures. Games are often hours long and set in a fantasy world.
So what do you need to get started playing? Well first you’ll need a copy of the rules. There are official rulebooks including The Player’s Handbook, which is great if you’re ready to commit to playing regularly. If you’re just getting started though, all you really need is a copy of the SRD, which is available for free either online or through TTT*. You’ll also need a set of gaming dice (1d20*, 1d12, etc.) or a digital dice roller. Dice roller apps are pretty widely available, with a native dice roller included in TTT. You can even use Google to roll dice for you. Additionally, you’ll need a character sheet to record your character’s stats, spells, inventory, etc. You can download a template from online or just write the information down on paper if you prefer to work that way! Finally, you’ll need a DM - someone to moderate the game and give structure to your story.
Character creation
D&D begins with character creation. Who do you want to be in this fantasy world? There are certain types of people within the D&D world (known as races). These each come with stats and flavor text that you can integrate or ignore as you wish. After choosing that, you choose your class, which is basically your job or role within your party of adventurers. Finally, you’ll produce your ability scores, or stats. This can be done through a number of methods, as determined by your DM.
Check out some of the ways character creation works in TabletopTown
Character stats, player notes, and inventory logs always one tap away, with flexible tools for homebrew mechanics and unique gameplay.
Roleplaying
Roleplaying is an inherent part of D&D - it’s quite literally in the definition. But roleplaying can be intimidating to people new to it, especially if they have been watching Dimension 20 or Critical Role or something similar. I promise, roleplaying doesn’t have to be intimidating! You don’t have to speak in character, if you don’t want to. You can just summarize your character’s actions or dialogue. Alternatively, you can stay in character for the whole game, if that’s what’s fun for you!
Roleplaying in combat might look like narrating your character’s action and some lines of dialogue. Out of combat, roleplay can include interactions with the other characters in your party or NPC’s* as controlled by your GM. This could be negotiating with a shopkeeper, or finally telling your companions about your tragic backstory, or even befriending a cute dog who’s been following you around. This roleplay can be initiated by anyone involved.
A big thing to remember in D&D is that actions have consequences. Whether you befriend that baby dragon or you decide to fight it, that choice will impact your game moving forward. Dialogue with an NPC will determine its attitude towards you in the future. Think of your D&D game as existing in a complete and new world. As you move through that world, your words and your actions cast ripples that spread out to influence the world around you, sometimes in unexpected and surprising ways.
Combat
Combat is a large part of many TTRPGs - and D&D in particular. That’s not to say you can only ever fight your way out of things, but you will most likely find yourself in a situation where it comes down to a battle. Combat begins with rolling initiative. This determines the turn order throughout the fight. This doesn’t change during the fight, so you can at least somewhat plan your turn in advance. On your turn, you have an action, bonus action, and movement. These can be used in any order. Your action is the main thing you do on your turn: swing a sword or cast a big spell. Your bonus action is smaller or faster action: a quick healing spell or potentially hiding from your enemies.
Of course, your enemies and allies have their turns as well. So you’ll need to balance your decisions in response to other players. Sure, you could attack that monster that just shot you with an arrow, but your friend over there is looking pretty low on HP* and you’re the only one with any healing potions left…
Magic
And of course, the trademark of fantasy is magic, and so magic is baked into rules of D&D. Magic is part of the landscape, part of the world itself. Not everyone can cast magic, though everyone can use magic items. Certain classes and races have spellcasting as part of their ability sets. Spells can take anywhere from a bonus action up through an hour or more to cast. Some spells can be cast as often as you’d like, but most can only be cast a certain amount of times per day.
Term Definitions
TTRPG
Tabletop roleplaying game
D&D
Dungeons & Dragons, most often referring to the 5th edition of the rules
5E
The 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, the latest & most played version
DM / GM
Dungeon master/game master, the referee, the one who manages the rules & steers the game
SRD
System reference document; the free core set of rules for D&D
HP
Hit points or health points
1D20
1 20-sided die
PC
Player character; a character run/acted by a player at the table
NPC
Non-playable character; a character run/acted by the DM
Next Steps
This might seem like a lot to take in, and you’re not wrong. But when it comes down to it, D&D is just a game - albeit a pretty complicated one. So the best way to learn is to play!
