Dungeons & Dragons can be played completely with theatre of the mind, meaning you'll be envisioning everything in your own imagination and playing them out in your head. However, some people like the tactile experience that D&D can offer and everything that comes with seeing your actions play out on the tabletop.
You may be wondering, what do you need to play D&D? You don't need to break the bank if you're looking for what to buy to play D&D. There are a few essentials you can look into to easily get started. Here are the items and accessories you'll need to play Dungeons & Dragons.
Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook – Fifth Edition
Begin your adventures in Dungeons & Dragons with the Fifth Edition Player's Handbook. This sourcebook has everything you'll need to create a character for the world's most popular tabletop roleplaying game. The Player's Handbook includes a step-by-step guide to building your character and basic rules for playing the game, advancing your character, skills, exploration, a character sheet, and so much more.
- Title
- Dungeons & Dragon's Player's Handbook
- Genre
- Games
- Publication Date
- August 20, 2019
- Age Range
- Recommended 22+
- Number of Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Has everything you'll need in one place to get started
- Can be found digitally or physically
- Is frequently on sale
- Can have some outdated information as the game evolves
Get started with the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons with the Player's Handbook. You can, essentially, play the entire game using just this book if you choose. You'll have everything you need, from core mechanics, detailed insights, and everything from how to build a character to the equipment, class, background, spells, and how the game works. Every rule you'll need to get started is here.
Chessex Dice Set
A standard set of Chessex dice can be used with multiple forms of Tabletop Roleplaying games. This standard set of 7 dice includes each type you'll need for roleplaying games. From Dungeons & Dragons to Pathfinder and other systems in between, you'll find a set of Chessex dice perfect for your game and table. Each set includes a D4, D6, D8, D10,D12, D20, and a D% and a plastic casing.
- Type
- Dice Set
- Color Options
- Multiple Color Options
- What's Included
- 7 dice
- Brand
- Chessex
- Comes in so many color options, choose which fits for you
- More affordable than most dice sets
- Can be found at multiple game stores
- Some of the more extravagant designs can get expensive
When it's time to roll for damage, roll to hit, roll for persuasion, or roll for stealth, you'll need something to roll. A good dice set can take you a long way, and you'll get bonus points for one that's uniquely fitted for you. From dice with your favorite colors to dice with figures and flowers inside, there are so many options that make dice sets seem like collector's items. From different sizes to different styles, find the right dice set for you to roll to victory. They can vary in price depending on your choices, but you can find a pretty affordable dice set for the most part, even if it's a bit plain.
Dice Tray
Folding Dice Tray
Roll your dice in a stylish and portable dice tray. No matter what tabletop RPG you're playing, this hexagonal dice tray has a soft velvet lining for when you're throwing your dice a bit too hard, they won't be harmed. They come with easy snaps to quickly set the tray up and collapse it, and it's wide enough to hold your dice, dice bag, and other accessories. A great dice tray for on-the-go players.
- Type
- Hexagonal Dice Tray
- Color Options
- Multiple Color Options
- Brand
- SIQUK
- Compatibility
- Most Tabletop RPGs that use dice
- Soft velvet interior
- multiple colors to choose from
- easily portable and collapsible
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Great value
- Great for a combined gift
You don't want to roll your dice all over the table or disrupt the area. These foldable dice trays are another solution that come in multiple colors, and they can be easily made to match your dice set or theme. The best part is they're super portable. So if you're headed to your Game Masters house for your next session, these will easily slot into your bag and fold out at the table as the perfect personal dice tray. Pair them with a matching dice set and they make great gifts for your players too.
Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual - Fifth Edition
The Monster Manual for D&D includes the perfect monsters and enemies to fill your D&D campaign with. With over 100 ready-to-play monsters and over 400 stat blocks, you can find the perfect monster for any occasion with this core rulebook. Each monster contains detailed descriptions and game statistics to plug and play, creating the perfect reference for all your D&D monster needs.
- Title
- Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual
- Genre
- Games
- Publication Date
- June 4, 2020
- Age Range
- Recommended 22+
- Number of Pages
- 352
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Has a monster for every occasion
- can be purchased digitally or physically
- can be purchased in a bundle with all necessary sourcebooks
- You'll need newer sourcebooks to keep up with newer monster additions
Whether you're buying digitally for D&D Beyond or physically for your home games, the Monster Manual is another great purchase to get you started with Dungeons & Dragons. Pair this with the Player's Handbook, and you'll have enough to create your own adventure and fill it with enemies and monsters perfect for the setting you've created. Most players refer to the Mosnter Manual as one of the most utilized books in their repertoire, and if you don't want all the monsters, it's great for the lore and the art alone.
Wizkid Miniatures
Perfect for any adventure, prepainted miniatures from Wizkids comes with some great options. With options from Dungeons & Dragons, Critical Role, Pathfinder, Magic: The Gathering, and more, Wizkids has many prepainted and unpainted options for every type of Tabletop RPG available. From small packs to large boxes, specific characters, and large-scale monsters, you'll find every type of miniature you need from Wizkids.
- Material
- Plastic
- Painted?
- Mulit-colored painted & unpainted options
- What's Included
- Multiple mini figures available
- Brand
- Wizkids
- Options from the biggest Tabletop RPGs out there
- Pre-painted or unpainted options based on what you'd like
- Can purchase specific sets tailored to fit your needs
- Can become very expensive
If you've decided to go the route of tabletop, you've got plenty of options for how you want to create miniatures for your table. From designing and printing your own to buying premade and pre-printed miniatures, you can decide how to handle them. If you're just starting, purchasing premade mini figures is the easiest way. Wiz Kids works with the likes of Critical Role, and they have several releases of miniatures you can catch for sale.
Dungeons & Dragons Acrylic Condition Rings
These acrylic D&D condition rings are perfect for keeping up with what's happening in your Tabletop RPG session. There are 96 rings, enough to cover every condition in D&D. These rings fit every average-sized mini and come with an organized plastic condition ring box. The box contains 24 categories, with easy-to-read conditions on the outside of each ring and every condition you'll need to specify. You'll find every magical and physical effect you need for your campaign.
It can be easy to forget which character is concentrating on a spell, who has been poisoned, and who has Hunter's Mark on them. The best way to handle this is with these convenient status condition markers. I've used these for a while now, and they're definitely a weight off your shoulder when you've got a large-scale battle going on, tons of things happening at once, and you need to remember which monster has a status condition and which player is concentrating on spell. They fit perfectly around regular-sized miniatures, and this set comes with more than 90 pieces, ensuring every status condition you can tink of is covered.
D&D Starter Set Battle Mat
Utilize six battle maps in a single purchase with these D&D starter set battle mats from Tidyboss. The set includes Beach, Grassland, Snow, Stone/Dungeon, Wood/Tavern, and Parchment/Old Maps options. They're all easily transportable, waterproof, and covered in laminate for easy upkeep. These ready-to-use mats can be written on with any dry-erase marker to create specific situations for your game. Create quick settings and maps with this starter set for when you have a surprise fight.
- Type
- Battle Mats
- Color Options
- 6 sided terrain options
- What's Included
- 6 battle mats, dice set, dry erase markers, eraser, carrying tube
- Brand
- TIDYBOSS
- Compatibility
- Tabletop RPGs that use a battle grid
- Includes additional accessories, markers, dice, and slots to keep the mats flat
- six different battle mat options mean something for every situation
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- More expensive than some other options
The quickest way to create a battle map, roll out one of these, and you'll be able to create an instant scenario. You can draw on these mats with dry-erase markers to make whatever you need to show up on the mat. Each mat has a front and back with different designs, so you can have various environments to work with and draw specifics to the situation each time you play. Add a few incidentals like some trees or rocks, or miniatures you might have to help create a quick and unique map experience.
Wizkids Warlock Tiles
Create a quick and easy modular Dungeons and Dragons map with these easy-to-use Wizkids terrain sets. Each set contains enough pieces to make a build-it-yourself dungeon or village. Every tile is reversible, so you can create a dungeon or wood floor with squares that fit perfectly for the average miniature. These sets include detailed parts such as doors that open and close and accessories that players can use. You're only limited by your imagination and the number of tiles you have.
- Type
- Modular Dungeon Tiles
- Color Options
- Dungeon and village tiles and more options
- What's Included
- Modular tiles, walls and Warlock clips
- Brand
- Wizkids
- Compatibility
- Tabletop RPGs
- Modular sets that let you build anything you can imagine
- Accessories that can be interacted with
- Easy clip-together style with clips provided
- You'll more than likely need more than one set the more you build
- Multiple sets can add up in price
- Updated sets are better, but more expensive
One of my favorite environment-building products, Warlock Tiles is great for being modular. Grabbing a single set allows you to build and create whatever scene you want at a much more affordable price than a bigger competitor such as Dwarven Forge. You can add more sets as you see fit, but one good town and village or dungeon titles set will allow you to create versatile maps and environments every time you meet up to play.